Argentina: An Unforgettable Adventure
Written by: Joel Brown, Head Fishing Guide
As an avid fly fisherman for most of my life, Argentina has always been very high on my list of places to visit. It is highly regarded as one of the best destinations for trout in the world. I wouldn’t say that I am a seasoned traveler, but I have fished for trout in a variety of places in the United States (Alaska, Montana, Colorado, Arkansas, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia) and have guided in Colorado and Montana in addition to my home waters of NC, TN, and VA. I have had some incredible fishing experiences and feel very fortunate for that, so to say that Argentina’s fishing was even better is an understatement.
My wife and I had the amazing privilege of visiting Argentina in November of 2024 at The Spring Creek Lodge in Junin De Los Andes with Set Fly Fishing. From the moment we arrived to the moment we left, we were in awe. The scenery, the people, the hospitality, and the fishing left us speechless and aching for our next trip down south.
Similar to our western mountains, the Patagonia season is based around the snowfall of the prior winter. With November being comparable to our May, we were there at a time known as run-off, which means the snow in the mountains is beginning to melt and runs the rivers high. This created optimal conditions for streamer fishing. Just picture it—a whole bunch of trout who have been cooped up through the winter and, with warming temps, are hungry to eat and capitalize on the warm months ahead. I have never in my life seen so many willing big brown trout ready to demolish a 6-inch streamer. We spent many days in the raft covering 10–20 miles of water, hitting streamers in back eddies or behind patches of willows where hungry trout loomed for their next meal. It is a spectacle to watch 20” fish after 20” fish charge through fast currents to eat your big streamer.
If the fishing didn’t have me hooked, it was Spring Creek Lodge and their incredible staff who made this trip so special. From the first day, my wife and I felt like we had gained friends. I won’t forget as we headed out on our first fishing day—our guide, Santi, looks back with a smile and says “mate?” He offered up his traditional tea for us to try as if we’d known him for years. He told us about the tradition of mate in Argentina and the social aspect. We were already being invited into “the fold.” The guides at Spring Creek Lodge were exceptional—from their communication and patience to their well-versed knowledge and genuine care of delivering the best experience possible. We spent lunches sipping local wine as they prepared a hot meal for us. It became clear early that they exuded passion and joy for their work.
Now, I must be clear that my wife (Cass) loves to fly fish. I mean, she married a fishing guide after all. Spring Creek Lodge offers a lot of activities other than fishing, and initially, my wife saw a couple that grabbed her eye, but she planned to fish most of the week. Each night, we would review the plans for the next day—whether it was who our guide would be or what river we would fish. They would also review some of the activities that were possible if we didn’t want to fish. Once Cass saw some of the other activities, she realized “shoot, I want to do that!” I was so impressed with the staff’s ability to accommodate changes and handle the logistics so seamlessly. Cass ended up hopping on a horseback ride, an authentic farm-to-table experience, and a day of hiking/shopping in the nearby town of San Marten De Los Andes. I didn’t realize how much joy it would bring me to come back and see her glowing from a day of exploring a different taste of this wonderful country.
Reflecting on our time in Argentina, I’m filled with deep gratitude—for the other-worldly fishing, for the guides who became fast friends, and for the memories my wife and I now share from this unforgettable adventure. It was more than just a fishing trip; it was a soul-stirring immersion into a country and culture that embraced us from the moment we arrived. Whether it was a hungry brown chasing down my streamer or watching Cass light up after a day of new experiences, every moment felt like a gift. We left Argentina with full hearts, already dreaming of the day we return to the magic of Patagonia and the warmth of the Spring Creek Lodge family.
