More Pics Accommodations: Single occ rooms with private bath Cost: $5895/per. private room/shared guide (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

La Villa de Maria Behety - Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Every serious angler deserves to hook a giant brown trout sometime in their life. On the Rio Grande, it's an everyday experience!

The Fishing:

Most fly fishermen rate the trophy sea-run brown trout on this river the ultimate angling experience. On any other river in the world, the average brown on the Rio Grande would be considered the fish of lifetime.

Trout here are measured in kilos, not inches, and what makes this marvelous river different than all others is that every cast into its water has the potential to attract a strike from what would be the fish of a lifetime anywhere else.Sea-run browns on the Rio Grande average 10 - 14 lbs, and experienced fly rodders usually hook about a half dozen per day. Trophy fish in excess of 20 pounds are not uncommon and about one in 50 is a monster pushing 30 pounds!

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 most sought after dates are February and March, the center and most pleasant part of the short, near-Antarctic summer.

The Accommodations:

La Villa, at the entrance to the 275,000-acre Estancia Maria Behety, was once regarded as among the most beautiful ranch mansions in all of South America. Its guests brought fame to the Rio Grande, and their stories and laughter filled the villa until it was gutted by fire in the late 70's. After painstaking restoration by local craftsmen and the addition of every modern convenience, the Menendez Family Home is once again welcoming angling guests.

All the rooms at La Villa are private, single occupancy rooms; elegantly decorated featuring a spacious private bathroom with a glass walk in shower, Jacuzzi tub and large vanity and sink area.

During non-angling times between double daily fishing secessions, guest will gather in one of two living areas where fishing tales are told, cocktails enjoyed and the next fishing sortie is anticipated with the warmth and comfort of a crackling fire burning in the fireplace.

The dining schedule at La Villa is determined by the fishing program and every consideration within reason is given to the most productive times to be on the river. All meals are served in the formal dinning room; creations of talented Argentine chefs using fresh ingredients from the greenhouse and meat raised and processed on the estancia. A fully stocked 9,000 bottle wine cellar featuring some of the finest Argentine varietals and full open bar add to the experience.

Rates:

2010 Season