More Pics Accommodations: 8 dbl. occ rooms with private bath Cost: $5595/per. dbl occ (angler); $2850/per. dbl occ (non-angler) Dates: January - mid April Duration: 7 nights / 6 days fishing Location: Tierra del Fuego, Argentina Phone Number: 1-800-410-1222 (ask for Gary) Species: Brown trout

Estancia Maria Behety - Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Hooking up with a big sea run brown is an emotional fishing experience that defies accurate description.

To understand how much terrific fishing is available to the guests of Estancia Maria Behety Lodge, one must also understand the geography of the Rio Grande.

The Fishing:

The fences of the Estancia Maria Behety surround 495 square miles of cattle and sheep grazing country, approximately 275,000 acres. All of these pampas border the northern bank of the Rio Grande opposite the Estancia Jose Menendez and Estancia Despedida. From its promontory nearly 30 kilometers from the estancia entrance, Estancia Maria Behety Lodge is within minutes of more than 100 of the finest pools on the river and their location alone ensures one of the top trophy trout trips on the planet. The three fishing lodges on the opposite bank alternate daily use of slightly 32 miles of Estancia Maria Behety river frontage in a friendly, organized and harmonious relationship that insures a quality and private experience for everyone on the river.

The big sea-run brown trout start to return to the pools of the Rio Grande in significant numbers around Thanksgiving. Less than a month later the river is loaded with fish and it is estimated that by the first day of each New Year, nearly 80% of the escapement has reached their annual family reunion. That translates into more than a thousand monster trout per river mile. The fish initially herd up in the best lower river pools, though hundreds more of the silver sea trout continue to pour into the Rio Grande on every high tide, twice a day until sometime in May.

The Accommodations:

The lodge was constructed during the summer and winter of 1999 and its architectural style is typical of structures built in Patagonia in the early 1900’s with the addition of all the modern convenience and amenities you would expect in a 21st century fly fishing lodge. The timber-framed great room features 20 foot plus high ceilings with banks of elevated windows allowing streaming sunlight to naturally illuminate the space and add warmth. A roaring fireplace anchors the main room and several sitting areas are the gathering spot to relive the fishing of the day and relax with wonderful appetizers and a cocktail.

There are 8 double occupancy rooms in the lodge that can accommodate a maximum of 16 guests, though we limit it to 12 anglers total. The extra rooms allow a handful of anglers to secure a private room for a nominal, additional cost. Each large guest room is attractively decorated and features two double beds with a shared nightstand, a full dresser, and ample closet space. A full bath with two vanity/sink areas and a walk-in glass shower complete each guest rooms. Each two guest rooms share a sizable common room which is a terrific space to store extra gear, get organized, tie some flies or sit and relax with a good book while anticipating the next fishing sortie.

Dinners are served in the main dining room just of the great room and for those that enjoy a good smoke, a special room at the front of the great room “The Bad Boys Room” is available. A full bar is well stocked with all the right libations, including the finest Argentine wines and plenty of ice cold beer. Additionally, there is a computer with internet service to check emails as well as a complete gift/tackle shop.

Meals at Estancia Maria Behety revolve around the two per day fishing schedule. Usually anglers are up at 7:00 a.m. and fresh coffee and hot tea is available to shake the cobwebs out. In the dining room a sideboard is topped with fresh fruit, hand-squeezed juices, yogurt, cereals, toast and pastries. For those that prefer a more traditional American breakfast, cook to order eggs, omelets, potatoes, bacon and ham are available from the kitchen. As is typical in South America the midday meal is grand, a full sit down meal with great wines, delicious desserts and good strong coffee. Dinners are served later than what most are accustomed to in order to accommodate the late evening fishing secession typical on the Rio Grande. Dinners are usually lighter than the midday meal and a perfect night-cap before getting some z’sss and starting all over again the next morning.

Rates:

2010 Season