WHERE WE FISH
Río Chubut
L Lezama
L Cholila
L Rivadavia
L Menéndez
L Río Arrayanes
LOS ALERCES NATIONAL PARK
L˚ Krüger
Río Frey
L Amutui Quimei
Río Rivadavia
L˚ Verde
Futalaufquen
Lag El Juncal
L Pellegrini
Cholila
Río Carrileufú ArroyoPescado
Trevelin
Río Futaleufú
EL ENCUENTRO LODGE
CHILE
RíoCorintos
Esquel Esquel Airport
VALLE DEL CARRILEUFÚ LODGE BROOK TROUT BASE CAM P LOS ALERCES NATIONAL PARK AREA
L Berta
L Vinter
Rí o Nanty Fall Río Pampas
ARGENTIN A
ESQUEL & TREVELIN AREA
R ío Tecka
Corcovado Tecka
Río Corcovado
L Guacho
L˚ Engaño
RíoCorcovado
L Vilches
Río Pico
Río Pico
RíoNilson
Río Tecka
CORCOVADO & TECKA AREA
RíoPutrachoique
RíoCherque
Gobernador Costa
RÍO PICO AREA
The Beale family set up the first fly fishing lodge in Chubut Province in 1985, halfway down Patagonia and almost on the border with Chile, right in the foothills of the Andes and opposite the Los Alerces National Park and seven thousand feet of ‘The Throne in the Clouds’ mountain. You can hear the turquoise waters of the Futaleufu river rippling below your bedroom window and listen to trout sipping spinners over your morning cup of coffee. They named it El Encuentro, the meeting place, and started a tradition of Argentine hospitality, often home grown food, family comfort and access to top class trout fishing that has grown even stronger with the new generation now running it.
El Encuentro Fly Fishing Experience
Patagonia is famous for its world-class fly fishing, but the Chubut province is more of a hidden secret than the waters further north and south which attract more attention and far more crowds. Here you have a lot less fishing pressure, more diversity of options (floating the big river, wading smaller creeks, fishing the lakes and lagunas) and
fabulous scenery. The guides are locals and the Beales have gained access to the broadest fishing program in the area, so you can choose where you prefer to fish with the guides in the morning depending on the weather, water conditions and the multitude of what is available. Here you do not have to fish the same lake or river more than once.
On top of this the Beales have three different locations and lodges to choose from, offering very different fishing opportunities and areas, so that they can match their guests’ tastes, timing, and priorities to the best accommodation and fishing. In fact, most of their guests usually spend 7-10 nights, at two or more lodges, to have as many of the fishing opportunities as possible. Guests create their own bespoke trip depending on whether they prefer lodges or a safari tent camp, trophy brook trout in lakes, floating rivers, wading streams, chasing big rainbows and monster browns in the lakes or smaller abundant trout on dries, beginners or experts. And everywhere they will find the same local hospitality and warm family welcome, plus great food and local wine.
FLY FISHING AT El Encuentro Lodge
El Encuentro Lodge nestles in the hillside overlooking the picturesque Futaleufu River, mountains framed in the bedroom windows and trout rising below. Guests can start or end their float at the lodge if they wish or head off to the National Park or other nearby creeks. It’s the first lodge built in Chubut, intimate and special, with a genuine family warmth. It was started by the Beale family as a special place to gather with friends and family and go fishing. Now, for four decades, the family has welcomed anglers from all over the world, many of whom return every year to enjoy fishing and experience. With three rooms in the main house (one ensuite bathroom, two with bathrooms across the hall) and two rooms in an adjacent cottage (with ensuite bathrooms), El Encuentro can comfortably accommodate up to ten guests. In addition, they proudly grow most of the organic vegetables in the one-acre kitchen garden. Lamb,
beef, and other products are locally sourced from family and local markets. Bread is baked daily at the lodge. Not to be forgotten, lovely Argentine wines are served at lunch and dinner, even when you have lunch on the river. Guests are treated to a traditional Patagonian “asado” (barbecue) with the El Encuentro family and all the guides - a memorable dining experience!
The Futaleufu is a big river with spectacular scenery and a lot of seriously hard fighting trout mainly in the 12-18” range but with rainbows up to and over 20” and the odd brown a lot bigger than that. A great river to float and one for all levels of fishing experience. The National Park offers lakes with big (sometimes huge) browns and then there is a spring creek for rainbows into the twenties on dries and a freestone with plenty of rainbows and browns, great fishing in hoppers. And much more…
FLY FISHING AT Brook Trout Base Camp
The Brook Trout Base Camp offers a unique fly fishing experience. Modelled on a high-end African safari camp, and operating “off the grid,” it’s a self-sustained marvel amidst wild and remote Andean scenery.
Set on a quiet bend of the crystal-clear Rio Corcovado, Brook Trout Base Camp is ideally situated to access some of Argentina’s best and most remote brook trout waters, along with plenty of other lakes and streams with browns and rainbows. The lakes offer brook trout into the mid-20’s, trophy fish on the fly amidst glorious and peaceful scenery. The lakes of nearby Rio Pico offer the same for rainbows and even bigger for browns and the valley is one of the most picturesque in a region that is already overendowed with natural beauty. And what better way to end a great day on the water than to return for a rustic-but-elegant “glamping” experience? The camp hosts up to 10 anglers in three tastefully designed small casitas and two double-occupancy safari-style
wall tents, all just steps from the murmuring river. Each accommodation is equipped with two twin or one king bed, a private bath with plenty of hot water, electric lights, screened and shaded windows, and a propane heater.
Meals are prepared and served in a spacious dining tent, well-appointed with sofas and two wood stoves, featuring local ingredients and creative cuisine that is easily on a par with any first-rate lodge. Weather permitting, guests can gather around the outdoor quincho to enjoy a glass of Argentine malbec and appetizers around the fire, as the sun sets below the distant mountains.
Brook Trout Base Camp is eco-friendly, with solar power producing most of the electricity used in the casitas, tents, bathrooms, and living/dining tent, and generating more than enough hot water as well. Wood-burning stoves in the living/dining tent, and in the bathrooms adjoining each tent, ensure cozy mornings and evenings.
FLY FISHING AT Carrileufu Lodge Valley
El Encuentro has a long and special relationship with the Valle del Carrileufu Lodge, which is why they are thrilled to share its warmth and ideal location with their guests. Depending on the season, water levels, and guests’ preferences for fishing and places to experience, a stay at Valle del Carrileufu Lodge fits perfectly into the standard 7-night itinerary combined with a visit to either the El Encuentro Lodge or Brook Trout Base Camp. Or, of course, all 3 lodges in a super indulgent 10-night itinerary. The El Encuentro guide will be there for the whole trip.
The fishing covers the connected chain of lakes and rivers in the northern part of the National Park close to Cholila, once home to the world and Hollywood’s best known outlaws Butch and Sundance. It is famous for its beauty and fishing, the Rio Rivadavia being a ‘bucket list’ fishing
destination. These are short floats between lakes of outstanding beauty, pellucid turquoise water, and big fish. At the head of the system runs the Carrileufu river flowing down from the Tres Picos peaks which everyone wants to photograph and offering several lovely floats over rainbows and browns. Smaller than the Futaleufu, it has a more intimate feel, but equally exciting fishing. This small, intimate lodge offers a true taste of authentic Patagonia, with its inviting common room with a large fireplace, local tapestries, and 6 bedrooms with private bathroom. And more important it offers the same high standards of customer service as at El Encuentro. Warm, caring, and gracious Debora Finkelstein and her staff are an extension of the El Encuentro family, and are known for their hospitality and excellent cuisine.
MUCH MORE THAN JUST FISHING
In addition to the diverse fishing programs, El Encuentro presents an exclusive Patagonia adventure program for non-fishing guests to savour throughout their stay. Alternatively, guests can opt for a personalized adventure excursion, led by local experts, to explore the wonders of Patagonia with their families or friends.
Hiking & Bird Watching
Explore the Patagonian landscape on a guided hike with experts, offering insight into the local forests, birds, and wildlife. Keep an eye out for native birds like the mighty condor, Chilean flamingos, eagles, vultures and rhea (small ostriches), among many others.
Horseback Riding
Enjoy a ride with a local gaucho for a short ride along the river or for a full day ride up into the surrounding mountains to Lago Baguilt, a nearby alpine lake, where there are amazing views overlooking the historic valley of Trevelin, ending up with an Argentian “Picada”, an authentic local snack.
Los Alerces National Park
This guided day trip offers a comprehensive view of the World Heritage Site national park, departing from El Encuentro Lodge. Highlights include Terraplén Lake for birdwatching, a visit to the Interpretation Center for pictographs, and a scenic tour of glacial lakes. Optionally, enjoy a 5 km walk along Rio Arrayanes and Rio Menendez. Los Alerces National Park, established in 1937, safeguards the ancient Alerce trees, some over 1,000 years old. Known for its pristine lakes and Andean peaks, the park offers boat trips and hiking opportunities.
Kayaking
This region offers great kayaking on lakes and/or rivers near the lodge or in Los Alerces National Park. Certified kayaking guides offer a full or a half-day excursion designed for all interests and skill levels.
Cultural & History Tours
This corner of Patagonia, known as ‘Welsh Patagonia’ from the mid nineteenth century settlers has the most interesting culture and history. To experience this, you need to go beyond the typical tourist routes and connect with local people so as to appreciate what sets this region apart from other places in Argentine Patagonia.
Landscape & Photography Tours
Nestled alongside the Rio Futaleufú, El Encuentro offers a unique blend of Andean and Valdivian temperate rainforest landscapes to the west, and the open Steppe country to the east. The location provides easy access to diverse bird habitats. Our trained ornithologist equips guests with spotting scopes, binoculars, and local bird guides. Terraplen Lagoon, en route to Los Alerces National Park, is a favorite birding spot with numerous water and land bird species, including Chilean Flamingos , Blackneck Swans, Condors and the Huet Huet and Chucao birds.
What about WINE visits – you have Nant y Fall winery a few minutes away and the growingly well known Casa Yague about 5 minutes’ drive away where guests can visit and taste the new wines from Chubut – that are gaining growing acclaim from wine experts around the world.
info@elencuentroflyfishing.com https://www.elencuentroflyfishing.com