Villa Maria Lodge has nestled on the world-renowned lower sections of the Rio Grande and was established back in 1994. The guests who stay at Villa Maria have access to over 10 miles of both banks of this very famous Rio Grande and will get the first crack of the whip at fresh chrome bright Sea Trout as they push into the system. As for the fish, a twenty pounder is, on any given day, now classed as the norm and fish of a lifetime are landed each week. Along with the very accommodating staff at the Villa and the fishing guides that will be with you throughout, you will soon get to realise why this lodge is one of the most talked-about lodges on the Rio Grande.
Location
Villa Maria is in prime position at the lower half of Rio Grande only a few miles from the tidal waters and is approximately 20 minutes from the city of Rio Grande. This was the second fishing lodge established on the Rio Grande and caters for just 6 anglers per week. Due to access control and catch-and-release regulations, the Rio Grande is one of the most productive sea-run Brown Trout fishery in the world. The Rio Grande flows from west to east, coming down from the Andes and flowing out into the Atlantic Ocean and through approximately 60 miles of Argentine territory. The stunning but sparse landscape of Tierra Del Fuego is reminiscent of something you would find in the low lands of Scotland where you find large sheep farms and wild herds of Llama-like Guanacos, as well as soaring Condors there is a very healthy population of Red Fox’s. This truly is a remote destination where you will be submerged into the natural beauty of the rugged surroundings while being immersed in some of the world’s finest Sea Trout fishing.
Fishing
Back in 1953 an Englishman named John Goodall first introduced Brown Trout to Tierra del Fuego, and some 60,000 Salmo trutta eggs were dispersed into two tributaries of the Rio Grande. These Trout have since found their way into the open ocean where they grew large before returning to the river to start the whole process again.
Guests staying at Villa Maria have the benefit of fishing the lower portions of the Río Grande, where its braided waters are home to some of the freshest, fiercest sea-run Brown Trout in the system. This section is ideal for Spey casters due to its longer and wider pools that cater beautifully to the swing. Visit our YouTube Channel to see for yourself how incredible the fishing is in Argentina.
Normal days fishing on the Rio Grande will see guests leave the lodge around 9 am after a good hearty breakfast and will fish to around 1 pm where you will then return back to the lodge for lunch and a siesta. Guests will then head back to the river in the late afternoon and fish until dark. Fishing hours will change depending on the time of year.
Each day you will get to fish varies different pools and generally speaking, the Rio Grande Sea Trout will move upstream primarily early morning, then favour cutbanks during the midday, then carry on with their upstream movements during the evenings and night-time hours. In low water areas, you should target the riffles as the Sea Trout prefer this well-oxygenated area.
If you targeting the cutbanks then a well-presented swing as near to these as possible will be the preferred method, whether this be an upstream and across, straight across or downstream and across, you will need to work this out as each day could well be different. You will need to vary your presentation from pool to pool until you have worked out the right formula of fly, fly line, drift or swing and the speed of your retrieve. This style of fishing is very technical and great importance must be given to working it out but once you have achieved this, things will start to fall in to place. Lastly, always listen to the guides they spend the majority of their time on rivers like these and are experts in the style, dedication and finesse that it takes to fish big windswept rivers like the Rio Grande.
Guiding
The lodge employs talented local and international guides who all work on a rotational basis so they get to fish with all the guests as one guide can be very different from the next so you will get to benefit from each one’s unique way of approaching this river. All the guides speak a good amount of English and are there to ensure you receive the highest quality fishing experience you will ever likely experience.
Contact Us
If Sea Trout Fly Fishing on the Rio Grande sounds interesting, enquire today. Make sure to explore all our Argentina Sea Trout destinations and if you have any questions on the fishing trips we offer then contact us in the office. Our experienced team will be happy to help you with any queries you have. Additionally, you can request a free brochure.
