We offer a range of hosted Sea Trout fishing holidays throughout Argentina, visiting an array of different lodges, including the incredible Bella Sofia. Hosted exclusively by a Sportquest Holidays host, the trip is perfect for solo travellers looking to experience some of the best Sea Trout fishing found anywhere in the world and for those looking to experience such a trip, with the added peace of mind of having a host.
Originally opening its doors in 1995, Bella Sofia was one of the original pioneers in successfully introducing sea-run trout into the surrounding rivers and was considered by many in the region as an inspiration. However, the lodge closed for eleven years due to unfortunate events until re-opening in 2023. Our 2023 hosted trip to this incredible destination was the first full group of anglers the lodge had seen since closing all of them years ago.
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, it’s situated right on the banks of the famous Rio Gallegos River and is the main house in the Estancia. It provides visiting rods with an incredible amount of water to wet a line, as it controls more than 65 kilometres of the Rio Gallegos and 18 kilometres of its little brother, the Rio Gallegos Chico.
Catering to just six rods per week, we have the whole lodge booked, meaning this hosted week is exclusively for Sportquest customers.
At Bella Sofia, the fishing programme is based around two main rivers. The first and one where the majority of the fishing gets based is the mighty Rio Gallegos River, one of the world’s most famous Sea Trout rivers and one well-known amongst the travelling fly fishing community.
The second is the Rio Gallegos Chico, a smaller tributary of the main river. Although not as well known, it’s responsible for producing some equally outstanding fishing for Trout in its own right. Combining the length of both these rivers equates to over 10 kilometres of water for each of the six visiting anglers, making it the most exclusive fishery in all of South America.
The Rio Gallegos is a breathtaking waterway, running for more than 360 kilometres through desolate pampa before finally merging into the raging Atlantic Ocean. It provides visiting rods with over 65 kilometres of water to wet a fly, and it’s one of the most sought-after Sea Trout rivers found globally. Its topography is exceptionally varied and features everything from classic, deep pools to long, fast runs to high banks and large structures. Most 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.
The Sea Trout in the river average around 9lb in weight, which is impressive considering their natural habitat, but specimens of over 20lb and even 30lb have been landed before.
Despite being known as the Rio Gallegos’ ‘Little Brother,’ the Rio Gallegos Chico is an incredibly impressive waterway in its own right. Starting as a small spring creek on the Chilean border, it flows for over 300 kilometres into the main Rio Gallegos river, and Bella Sofia Lodge controls 18 kilometres of its banks. It’s full of good-sized Brown Trout, with an average size of around 3lb, providing anglers with stunning sight fishing opportunities and a unique dry fly fishing experience.
When tackling up for the fishing at Bella Sofia, 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 your 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 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.
Our hosts to Bella Sofia are well-versed in tackling the waterways of this remote part of the world. They have hosted hundreds of customers through the years, helping many land new PBs and tick items off their bucket lists. With their exceptional knowledge in all forms of fly fishing, especially Sea Trout fishing on the rivers of Patagonia you will be in good hands ensuring that you get the maximum benefit from your fishing days.
During the fishing week, our host will join you, your fishing partner and your local guide for a couple of fishing days, offering their expertise and ensuring you get the most out of your holiday and get to grips with the mighty Rio Gallegos. They also are on hand to help manage the fishing rotations to ensure everyone has their fair share of opportunities.
Our trips to Bella Sofia are exclusive, so the whole lodge is booked for Sportquest customers only. This destination’s main aim, motivation, and goal is to create the best possible fishing experience, which is why it’s based on only six rods, with an absolute abundance of water to fish.
To learn more about the excellent Sea Trout fishing on offer at Bella Sofia Lodge in Argentina, visit our YouTube channel.
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, along with Peter, 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.
Please note that depending on what international airport you depart from, travel to this destination may involve an overnight flight and/or an overnight hotel.
Once flights are available, your itinerary will be finalised.
Depart Any international Airport (See Details)
Arrive Buenos Aires
Transfer from the airport to Buenos Aires Hotel
On arrival in Buenos Aires, take a taxi (Not Included) to your hotel.
The remainder of the day is free to relax and explore this beautiful city.
Overnight Accommodation: Buenos Aires Standard Hotel in a single room on a bed & breakfast basis
Transfer from Buenos Aires Hotel to Internal Airport
Subject to your domestic flight times, allow enough time to take a taxi (Not Included) to the internal airport for your domestic flights.
Aim to arrive at the airport no later than 2 hours before departure.
Depart Buenos Aires
Arrive El Calafate
Transfer from El Calafate Airport to Bella Sofia Lodge
On arrival at El Calafate airport, you will be met and transferred to the lodge (around 4 hours drive).
Once 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 in a single room on a full board basis
On your first two fishing days, you’ll be paired up with your fishing partner and will fish together throughout the trip, wetting a fly on the mighty Rio Gallegos – one of the most exclusive fisheries in South America. The lodge controls over 65 kilometres of the Rio Gallegos and 18 kilometres of its little brother, the Rio Gallegos Chico. Based on only six rods per week, you have more than 10 kilometres of water each to wet a fly.
A typical day at Bella Sofia consists of:
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
Overnight Accommodation: Bella Sofia Lodge in a single room on a full board basis
On your third and fourth fishing day, you’ll enjoy more fishing on the famous Rio Gallegos River for the hard-fighting Sea Trout that reside within it. The fishing on the river is either with double-handed or single-handed rods, depending on the conditions, like the wind, water levels, and clarity. The wind can be fierce in this region of Patagonia, but believe it or not, this is a good thing. The prevailing wind is westerly and blows down the river, allowing huge casts; it also helps ripple the water’s surface, making the Sea Trout less wary.
Overnight Accommodation: Bella Sofia Lodge in a single room on a full board basis
On your final two days of fishing, if you’ve been lucky enough to land a few Sea Trout throughout your week, it may be the time to try for a trophy-sized specimen. The fish in the Rio Gallegos average around 10lb, but with every cast, there is the opportunity to hook one of Patagonia’s explosive Sea Trout that reaches sizes of over 30lbs. A fish of a lifetime if only ever one cast away.
Overnight Accommodation: Bella Sofia Lodge in a single room on a full board basis
Transfer from Bella Sofia Lodge to El Calafate Airport
Early morning, you will be transferred back to El Calafate airport for your return internal flights. (around 4 hours drive)
Depart El Calafate
Arrive Buenos Aires
Transfer from the airport to Buenos Aires Hotel
On arrival in Buenos Aires, take a taxi (Not Included) to your hotel.
The remainder of the day is free to relax and explore this beautiful city.
Overnight Accommodation: Buenos Aires Standard Hotel in a single room on a bed & breakfast basis
Transfer from Buenos Aires Hotel to International Airport
Subject to your international flight times, allow enough time to take a taxi (Not Included) to the international airport for your return flights.
Aim to arrive at the airport no later than 3 hours before departure.
Depart Buenos Aires
Arrive Home
Please note that depending on what international airport you wish to return to, travel from this destination may involve an overnight flight and/or an overnight hotel. Once flights are available, your itinerary will be finalised.
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 February
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 |
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06/02/2025 | 17/02/2025 | 12 | £10,569 | Sold Out |
13/02/2025 | 24/02/2025 | 12 | £10,569 | Sold Out |
05/02/2026 | 16/02/2026 | 12 | £11,238 | Enquire Now |
12/02/2026 | 23/02/2026 | 12 | £11,238 | Enquire Now |
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.
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.
Another great trip to Argentina.
Both Glencross and Bella Sofia provided very high standards of accommodation,service and hospitality.
Both Sea Trout and Brown Trout fishing at Glencross very good.
Bella Sofia a little slower not helped by very sunny days.
All the guides were helpful and supportive in seeking out fish and tips and advice on approach.
Always willing to advise on casting technique.
Can only recommend others to go and enjoy
Super stuff Philip, glad you had a great trip.
Regards Peter.
A well organised trip with good flights and very good accommodation ,special thanks to Peter and guy and the guides and staff at Bella Sophia who all contributed to a very good time in Patagonia , looking forward to doing it all again next year ,big thanks to sportsquest.
Lovely to meet you Neil and thanks for being part of a great trip.
Regards Peter.
Thank you Peter for another superb hosted trip at Bella Sophia. Thank you all at Sportquest for making it so easy. As always everything from the booking, pre-travel information, hotels and all flights went perfectly. Bella Sophia lodge is first class accommodation and Guy is a superb host. To have access to 60 kilometers of water is unrivalled and the mix of pools is everything you would expect. Due to the vagaries of the Patagonian weather our fishing was, as you know, at times quite challenging. I did, however, manage to catch 9 sea run brown trout with an average weight of 10lb. Where else in the world can you do that? I am already looking forward to joining you again, Peter, on one of your hosted weeks in 2025. Thank you all again. Niall
Thank you as always Niall, a pleasure to spend a week with you once again. Already looking forward to next year too.
Regards Peter.
The Belousiha River is one of the most famous Salmon rivers in Russia and one which is well known and regarded amongst adventurous travelling freshwater fly fishing anglers. Located in the extreme northwest of Russia on the Kola Peninsula, one of the largest Peninsula's in Europe, it's a relatively small but exquisite looking river set amidst spectacular and changing scenery.
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