Bella Sofia Lodge is located 98 kilometres from Rio Gallegos airport in Argentina, in an area of Patagonia famed across the world for its first-class freshwater fly fishing opportunities for Trout and Sea Trout. The lodge started operating in 1995 and was an original pioneer, successfully introducing sea-run trout into the surrounding rivers; they were an inspiration to other operations in the region. Unfortunately, however, the lodge closed for eleven years due to a series of unfortunate events. That was until now, as finally, we’re delighted to announce that for 2023, they’re able to open their doors once again and start welcoming travelling rods from around the globe.
The lodge is situated on the banks of the famous Rio Gallegos River, just one hour’s drive from the town of Rio Gallegos itself and is the main house in the Estancia. Anglers who visit and fish have an incredible amount of water in which to wet a line, as Bella Sofia controls more than 65 kilometres of the Rio Gallegos and 18 kilometres of its little brother, the Rio Gallegos Chico. Based on only six rods per week, it means that guests have more than 10 kilometres of water each, making it the most exclusive fishery in all of South America.
The main aim, motivation, and goal for Bella Sofia is to create the best possible fishing experience.
At Bella Sofia Lodge, visiting rods will have the opportunity to fish two different rivers, the world-famous Rio Gallegos and the Rio Gallegos Chico, a smaller tributary. With the length of both rivers combined, it works out that visiting anglers have over 10 kilometres of water each to wet a line.
The breathtaking Rio Gallegos River is one of the most sought after Sea Trout rivers found globally. Running for more than 360 kilometres through desolate pampa before finally merging into the raging Atlantic Ocean, it offers travelling rods the opportunity to experience some of the best freshwater fly fishing in the world. With more than 65 kilometres at each angler’s disposal, the fishing beats are exceptionally varied. The river has everything from classic, deep pools to long fast runs to high banks and large structures.
The Rio Gallegos Chico River is a tributary of the Rio Gallegos. Despite being known as its ‘little brother’, it’s an incredibly impressive waterway in its own right, flowing for around 300km and offering anglers even more fantastic fishing opportunities. Starting as a small spring creek on the Chilean border, it flows into the main Rio Gallegos and is filled with good sized Brown Trout, with an average size of around 3lb. Over its 18 kilometres of water, controlled by Bella Sofia, it provides some stunning sight fishing opportunities and a unique dry fly fishing experience.
To learn more about the excellent Sea Trout fishing on offer at Bella Sofia Lodge in Argentina, visit our YouTube channel.
Bella Sofia is the only fishing lodge in the region that can provide more than 10 kilometres of water per angler. The fishing weeks, based on only six rods per week, are incredibly personalised, and the lodge is committed to offering travelling rods a unique, memorable experience.
The fishing, as all Sea Trout fishing generally is, is known for being demanding and for requiring a reasonable degree of skill, and on the Rio Gallegos it’s no different. The fish average around 9lb in weight, which is impressive considering their natural habitat. The majority of the fishing is wading in generally shallow water, with an average depth of 40 to 45cm, although on some occasions, it might be a little deeper in some of the more famous pools.
Two-handed rods between 12 to 15ft in length are the norm, not only to allow longer casts, but also to allow you to control you fly lines, which will either be floating, intermediate or slow sinking. Single-handed and switch rods can be used in conjunction with dry flies or skaters when the wind drops in the evening and when fishing for the Brown Trout on the smaller Rio Gallegos Chico.
All the riverbanks on both rivers are very accessible, with roads that lead to a few metres away from the water, making them easy to access with the lodges 4 x 4 trucks.
All the staff at the new era of Bella Sofia are led by the host and mentor, Guy Soubra, who is well respected in Argentina and has worked and run some of the most fantastic fishing and hunting lodges in the country for more than a decade. All the guides at the lodge have also been guiding and fishing the waters of Patagonia for many years and are highly knowledgeable when it comes to chasing Sea Trout. They are also experts on casting techniques with single and double-handed rods and are there to ensure guests get the very most out of their stay.
After breakfast each morning, anglers leave with their guide in the lodges 4 x 4s to fish some of the combined 80+ kilometres of water on offer, and a typical day on the water consists of two fishing sessions.
Daily Schedule:
7:30 am – Breakfast
8:30 am – Depart for the river
12:30 pm – Back to the lodge for lunch and a siesta
6:00 pm – Return to the river to fish until evening
The fishing times may vary slightly each day depending on the time of year and conditions, but there’ll always be at least seven to eight hours of fishing every day.
Bella Sofia Lodge features four single occupancy bedrooms and one large double occupancy bedroom, all with en-suite bathrooms to provide a comfortable, homely experience. The living room has a fireplace, a cosy seating area and an array of beautiful bookcases and the dining room, again with a fireplace, can seat ten guests. The adjacent sunroom has a stunning view over the gardens and accommodates the piano bar, where draught beer and drinks get served every evening after a busy day on the water. There’s also a heated wader room where anglers can leave their wet gear to dry out before the next fishing session.
The lodge prides itself on fresh, delicious food and the evening meals consist of quality steaks, lamb and venison, with starters of warming soup of fresh salad. Lighter meals such as chicken, fish and seafood get served for supper, and in the mornings, for breakfast, there’s a range of homemade bread and local marmalades and an array of egg options.
A selection of fine wines from different parts of Argentina completes their gourmet dining experience.
Board: Full board
Meals: 3 meals per day, including alcohol
Internet: Free WiFi
Cash Accepted: US Dollars
Power: 220 volt generated
The new era of Bella Sofia Lodge is committed to environmentally-friendly sustainability and is striving to reduce fossil fuels. It will be the first lodge in South America to use a wood-pellet furnace as a heating system. All vegetables served in the restaurant are grown in their greenhouses, the Estancia provides the lamb, and the lodge values local and organic produce.
Although the fishing days are fixed, the below itinerary is still flexible should you require additional free days to explore at the beginning or end of your holiday; we can tailor this itinerary to suit you personally. Feel free to talk to our travel consultants who can explain all options available.
Depart Any international Airport (See Details)
Arrive Buenos Aires
On arrival take a taxi to your overnight hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore.
Overnight Accommodation: Buenos Aires Hotel (Single Rooms) B/B
Early in the morning take a taxi to the Jorge Newbery internal Airport and fly to Rio Gallegos airport. On arrival at Rio Gallegos airport, you will be met and transferred to the lodge. On arrival at the lodge, you will be shown to your rooms and the rest of the day is yours to either relax or if you prefer, set up all your rods ready for the week ahead.
Overnight Accommodation: Bella Sofia Lodge (Single Rooms) F/B
You will start your first two days fishing in pairs with your guide. Each pair will remain together throughout the week. The fishing is based on the famous Rio Gallegos and the Rio Gallegos Chico, for the hard fighting Sea Trout and Brown Trout.
Each day you will fish a morning session and an afternoon/evening session.
Overnight Accommodation: Bella Sofia Lodge (Single Rooms) F/B
Early in the morning transfer back to Rio Gallegos airport. From here you will fly to Jorge Newbery. On arrival, you will take a taxi to your hotel.
Overnight Accommodation: Buenos Aires Hotel (Single rooms) B/B
You will take a taxi back to Buenos Aires International Airport.
Depart Buenos Aires
Arrive Home
The season runs from November to March.
Season: November to April
Peak: January to February
Weight: 4lb to 30lb
Average Weight: 9lb
Season: November to April
Peak: January to March
Weight: 1lb to 7lb
Average Weight: 3lb
Remember that Sportquest Holidays' services are completely FREE! When you book a trip with Sportquest Holidays, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge and flights independently.
| From | To | Duration | Price | Availability | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14/11/2024 | 25/11/2024 | 12 | £9,962 | Enquire Now | ||
| 21/11/2024 | 02/12/2024 | 12 | £9,962 | Enquire Now | ||
| 28/11/2024 | 09/12/2024 | 12 | £9,962 | Enquire Now | ||
| 05/12/2024 | 16/12/2024 | 12 | £9,962 | Enquire Now | ||
| 12/12/2024 | 23/12/2024 | 12 | £9,962 | Enquire Now | ||
| 19/12/2024 | 30/12/2024 | 12 | £9,962 | Enquire Now | ||
| 26/12/2024 | 06/01/2025 | 12 | £9,962 | Enquire Now | ||
| 02/01/2025 | 13/01/2025 | 12 | £9,962 | Sold Out | ||
| 09/01/2025 | 20/01/2025 | 12 | £9,962 | Enquire Now | ||
| 16/01/2025 | 27/01/2025 | 12 | £9,962 | Enquire Now | ||
| 25/01/2025 | 03/02/2025 | 12 | £9,962 | Enquire Now | ||
| 29/01/2025 | 10/02/2025 | 12 | £9,962 | Enquire Now | ||
| 06/02/2025 | 17/02/2025 | 12 | £9,962 | Sold Out | ||
| Exclusive Hosted Weeks | Exclusive Hosted Weeks | |||||
| 13/02/2025 | 24/02/2025 | 12 | £9,962 | Sold Out | ||
| Exclusive Hosted Weeks | Exclusive Hosted Weeks | |||||
| 20/02/2025 | 03/03/2025 | 12 | £9,962 | Sold Out | ||
| 28/02/2025 | 10/03/2025 | 12 | £9,962 | Sold Out | ||
| 06/03/2025 | 17/03/2025 | 12 | £9,962 | Enquire Now | ||
| 13/03/2025 | 24/03/2025 | 12 | £9,962 | Enquire Now | ||
| 20/03/2025 | 31/03/2025 | 12 | £9,962 | Enquire Now | ||
| 27/03/2025 | 07/04/2025 | 12 | £9,962 | Enquire Now | ||
| 03/04/2025 | 14/04/2025 | 12 | £9,962 | Enquire Now | ||
| 10/04/2025 | 21/04/2025 | 12 | £9,962 | Enquire Now | ||
Prices are based on two adults sharing transfers, fishing and accommodation (unless otherwise stated) and are correct at the time of going to press. Subject to time of year or date and currency fluctuations, these prices may fluctuate slightly due to flight price increases or fuel surcharge.
World`s End Lodge
My third visit to this magical place.Fishing,guides,accomodation and food first rate again.The water could have been higher but with the added bonus of the sea pool and the River Melanguela not a day was lost.
This lodge and river are unique for fishing in Tierra del Fuego and should be on everyone`s bucket list.
Bella Sofia
Again a great weeks fishing with a lot of Sea Trout and big Brownies in the system despite low water.
Guides very helpful and friendly.
Lodge brand new and refurbished to a high standard
Food excellent and facilities very good
Great dry fly fishing on the Rio Gallegos Chico,don`t forget your lighter weight rod !!
Repeat visit in 2024 Can`t wait.
My third visit and another great trip, in spite of the very low water conditions (due to an exceptionally dry Spring) The fishing was challenging, but there were good numbers of fish in the river. I landed a few very decent sea trout (by UK standards) and hooked into, and lost, two monsters - without doubt the biggest I've had on the end of my line in over 50 years pursuing these fantastic fish. But hat's fishing!
World's End Lodge is in a wild and remote location as far down the Atlantic coast of Tierra Del Fuego as is accessible by wheeled vehicle. As well as the spectacular scenery there is an abundance of wildlife, including wild cattle and horses, foxes, beavers and many birds. No light pollution, so amazing night skies.
Very comfortable accommodation, exceptional food and great guides and lodge staff.
The Irigoyen is a very different river to the well-known Argentinian sea trout rivers such as the Rio Grande or Rio Gallagos. It is therefore more important than ever to take the guide's advice. It is a technical river with the need for accurate casting. In most cases you will be fishing very close to structure, in the form of log "jams". So you will really need the recommended minimum 20lbs tippet strength and when a fish is hooked, do not give it line! This is not a river for anglers who like to play their fish - with the exception of the Sea Pool, that is.
If you're a solo traveller or pair of friends and have always wanted to fish for the specimen Sea Trout of Argentina, our exclusive hosted trip to Howenh Lodge is the perfect choice for you. Located on the famous Rio Grande, it will give you the opportunity to fish for some of the biggest and best Sea Trout in the world.
Exclusive to Sportquest Holidays, Howenh Lodge, based on the incredible Rio Grande, offers travelling rods the opportunity to wet a fly across over 30 kilometres of water. With just four to six rods per week, it provides some of the best Sea Trout fishing in the world, both in terms of the number of fish and excellent average size.
The Vatnsdalsá River is one of the most famous Salmon rivers in Iceland and is renowned for the size of fish it produces. Located in the country's North West, approximately three hours drive from Reykjavik, it flows for over forty kilometres and offers a vast array of quality pools and beats. It produces between 700 and 1,200 Salmon each season, with a healthy average size.
Hosted by our CEO Peter Collingsworth, this exclusive trip to Worlds End Lodge in Argentina offers travelling rods the chance to enjoy some of the finest Sea Trout sport on the planet. The fishing, based on the famous Irigoyen and Malenguena rivers, regularly produces specimens of over 20lb.
Our hosted Sea Trout trips to Bella Sofia offer travelling rods the chance to experience some of the finest fishing in all of Patagonia, Argentina. The fishing is split across two rivers, the mighty Rio Gallegos, one of the most famous Sea Trout rivers in the world and the Rio Gallegos Chico, a smaller tributary. Catering to just six rods per week, the lodge is booked exclusively for Sportquest customers.
