Argentina, Le Fario Lodge
Le Fario Lodge, Argentina
November 30 – December 5, 2020
Le Fario Lodge sits on a gentle rise overlooking Lago Larga on the edge of Los Alerces National Park in the Chubut Province in Patagonia, Argentina. Los Alerces is one of four national parks in Argentina as world heritage sites and has just celebrated its 80th anniversary. It is here that the world's second longest living tree species on earth lives – the endangered Patagonia Cypress at 2,600 years old! In addition, the park is home to more than 12 rivers and lakes, with rainbows, brown, and brook trout.
Laguna Larga is mostly populated with brown trout. The average size is 22 plus inches with the occasional 28” fish. That combined with the beautiful view overlooking the lake is precisely why Gonzalo and Laura Martinez chose this location for Le Fario Lodge. We fished with Gonzalo for many years before they built Le Fario, and not only is he a great fishing guide and dear friend, but is also an accomplished chef, having worked in restaurants in Buenos Aires and Paris. His influence on the lodge cuisine is obvious. Laura, a chef as well, also has a degree in Corporate Affairs. With Gonzalo and Laura, guests find a talented, friendly, warm, fun-loving pair. A more perfectly suited couple for the fishing lodge business could not be found.
We will be at Le Fario for 3 days of fishing on our way to Tres Valles Lodge, in the Esquel area near Rico Pico. Dovetailing the two lodges makes a very nice trip which is easily adjusted to include more fishing by arriving earlier or staying longer at either lodge. This is a beautiful, remote part of Argentina, tucked up against the Andes and has become one of our favorite destinations.
Please refer to the itinerary for complete details, pricing, and further information. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have. We hope you can join us on this very special trip.
Barry and Cathy Beck
570-925-2392
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Argentina, San Huberto
March 27- April 6, 2020
It is hard to believe, when one looks at San Huberto Lodge today, the humble beginning this dream was for the Olsen family. Carlos's parents settled here in the 1890's, crossing the Andes from Chile and Germany before that. With little more than perseverance, hard work, and true grit Carlos & Carmen Olsen have done what for most would have been impossible.
Today the Olsen family's 25,000 acre property shelters almost 20 miles of the Malleo River, the most famous river in perhaps all of Patagonia. Notorious for inexhaustible and diverse hatches, this spring creek-like freestone is synonymous with dry fly fishing and Patagonia. Sons Gustavo and Ronnie and daughter Karin, and their families follow in the family tradition of exceptional hospitality and a trip to Patagonia would not be complete without a visit to San Huberto.
We wouldn't host trips to San Huberto for more than 25 consecutive years if we didn't enjoy the relationships we've formed with the Olsens, the guides, and the river. When you consider the superb fishing the Rio Malleo offers and the privilege of staying at San Huberto, being able to go back annually is a gift. The Olsen family carefully manage more than 20 beats which range from placid meadow pools to tumbling canyon pocket water. In fall the baetis hatches can provide all day dry fly fishing and, well – you've got to see it to believe it.
For 2020, this destination dovetails nicely with Estancia Tecka (March 21-28) for anglers planning more than one week of fishing in Patagonia. Please refer to the itinerary for complete details and pricing. We hope you can join us at San Huberto.
Barry & Cathy Beck
570-925-2392
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Argentina, Estancia Tecka
Estancia Tecka
March 19-30, 2020
There is no place like Argentina and there seems to be no end to exploring and finding new fishing destinations within this great country. That brings us to Estancia Tecka, certainly not new to the fishing world, but fairly new in our line-up of great destinations. Comfortably settled on more than 435,000 acres of privately owned ranch, one of the biggest in South America, featuring the Corcovado River flowing for 45 miles over estancia prairie into Chile and on to the Pacific ocean. And that's not all. There is the Rio Tecka, a spring creek originating on the estancia and running for 35 miles before even leaving the ranch! And then there are the lakes, home to trophy brown, brook, and rainbows.
All this water and only 18 guests at two ranch home lodges, Headquarters Lodge and Caridad Lodge, dissecting the fisheries into manageable distances. Guests will fish the gin-clear Corcovado from drift boats, getting out to fish the many productive runs, riffles, and pools. The Rio Tecka is a walk wade fishery featuring “S” curves and undercut banks with browns and rainbows.
Guests will experience a variety of fishing and are welcome to return to favorite places throughout the week. Floating lines and dry flies are the norm on the river and stream, and often on the lakes, but we always advise our guests to never leave home without a sink-tip line. For the most part, anglers fish patterns like a parachute Adams, BWOs, elk hair caddis, small pheasant tail nymphs, and larger foam flies. It’s not technical but that’s not to say the fish are always easy. It’s fun, it’s challenging, it’s rewarding.
Visiting Tecka is like walking back in time. The slower pace is a nice change for guests as they enjoy the ranch life around them — you may have to wait for a gaucho to move his sheep off the road before passing through. Fishing days are long, lunches are leisurely, and of course the Malbec is superb. The lodges are of a style and architecture not seen today and are immaculately maintained and one feels immediately at home in the comfortable rooms.
We'll fly to Buenos Aires, overnight, and then to Esquel the next day where we'll be met by the lodge staff and transferred to the lodge, a 2 hour drive. You’ll notice that this departure is nicely dovetailed with Villa Maria and San Huberto for anglers desiring to extend their stay in Patagonia. Guests may choose one, either, or all three destinations.
We hope you'll consider joining us at Estancia Tecka, a jewel for sure. Details and prices can be found on the itinerary.
Barry and Cathy Beck
877-278-5638
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Belize, Turneffe Flats Lodge
Turneffe Flats Lodge, Belize
April 25- May 2, 2020
For years we’ve looked for the perfect tropical destination – first for anglers, but secondly for non-anglers who want to join their fishermen. We’ve tried many over the years and some have suited our needs well. We have found our answer at Turneffe Flats Lodge. Today, TFL offers not only great flats fishing for all the species – bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook - etc., but also a variety of superb accommodations and non-angling activities.
Bonefish and permit are the primary targets at Turneffe Flats with expansive flats for wading and plenty of opportunities for larger bonefish. Permit may be found on the flats and bars throughout the atoll and anglers wade or fish from a skiff. Tarpon inhabit the creeks, channels and lagoons of the atoll and come in all sizes.Anglers enjoy fishing from comfortable 16-foot Dolphin Superskiffs custom built in the U.S.
Non-anglers can enjoy snorkeling, diving, kayaking, or reading and relaxing at the infinity pool and lounging deck. Or perhaps they can take a Belizean cooking class with one of the cooks in the kitchen, do an introduction to diving course, or enjoy listening to Head Atoll Adventure Guide, Abel Coe, a Kekchi Mayan, explain the history of the Mayan in Belize. On Wednesdays, guests can arrange to visit a Mayan site or the Belize Zoo. There is lots to do!
Craig and Karen Hayes have had TFL for more than three decades and no one knows this atoll better than these two remarkable people. We are excited to be hosting a week at TFL, and we hope you can join us.
Barry and Cathy Beck
570-925-2392
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Ireland
Ireland & Scotland
June 23- July 5, 2020
Dovetailing Ireland and Scotland is a trip that we look forward to for many reasons. On our first trip to Ireland in 2016, we were pleasantly surprised at the quality trout fishing we found there. Andrew Ryan and his guides have access to almost 20 miles of private, controlled, catch-and-release trout water with good populations of beautiful brown trout, averaging up to 22 inches. The streams are small to medium
and the fish are anxious to take a well placed dry fly or dry dropper.
In Ireland, for 2020, we'll have accommodation at Glasha Farmhouse hosted by the welcoming host Olive Gorman and will enjoy four days of guided trout fishing on rivers including the Suir, the Nire, and the River Tar. Glasha was recently awarded 2020 B&B of the year by Georgina Campbell Irish Food & Hospitality Awards.
In continuing on to Scotland we have found the salmon fishing challenging while rewarding. We will be splitting our time between two legendary rivers. Our group will enjoy a beautiful stretch of the Lower Tay in Perthshire, and in Morayshire we will fish the River Spey, both internationally renowned for Atlantic Salmon.
While on the Tay we'll be at Meikleour Arms, a boutique country hotel in Perthshire located conveniently close to the lower and middle Tay beats. We will fish 2 days on the Tay.
From the Tay, we will continue to the Muckrach Country House Hotel in Morayshire. Built in 1860, the property has been lovingly restored transforming it into a vibrant and luxurious hotel in the Scottish Highlands. From here we will enjoy 2 days of fishing the River Spey.
The non anglers will continue to enjoy the same arrangement as in Ireland with a driver and guide to explore the local area each day returning to meet the anglers at the end of each day. This is a fun trip combining excellent fishing and sightseeing, fine accommodation, and superb guides. We look forward to sharing it with you.
Please refer to the itinerary for more complete details and pricing information
Barry and Cathy Beck
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Spain, Pyreness
Pyrenees, Spain
September 17-24, 2020
Spain is very different from our other fly fishing departures. Maybe it's the country with in-your-face history going back thousands of years everywhere you look; it might be the uniqueness of the fishing — one day you're fishing a small alpine stream for wild zebra trout and the next day you may be on a tail water landing a 9 pound brown; it might be the welcoming, small mountain town atmosphere of Ayren, our home base for the week; or the outgoing instantly likable personality of our outfitter, Ivan Tarin, and his guides or it could be the gracious hospitality of our restaurant and hotel owner, Juan Antonio.
As in most mountainous areas, the fish are not all big but all are wild and beautiful. This is not a destination for the fish of a lifetime, although you will have the opportunity to catch up to 9 pound fish, or larger. It is not technical fishing, wading is easy to moderate, flies are fairly simple. Our favorite flies were super beetles, parachute Adams, Wulffs, Humpies, and small nymphs. It's fun fishing.
Spain offers a variety of fishing experiences and you can be sure of having an amazing week of beautiful fish with medieval castles, cathedrals, watch towers and ancient homesteads as your backdrop against the fall colors of the Spanish Pyrenees. As you travel with your guides each day, you'll pass through small villages and ski towns reminiscent of early days Jackson Hole. For anglers and non-anglers alike, this is paradise. Anglers may choose to fish all day, everyday, or combine the fishing with some hosted sight seeing.
Please consult the itinerary for costs and complete details. If you're looking for something different, definitely consider Spain. You'll be glad you did.
Barry and Cathy Beck
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Argentina, Tres Valles (Fall)
Tres Valles Estancia,
Esquel Region, Argentina
December 3-14, 2020
We've been bragging about Tres Valles for years and many of you know what a very special place it is. I don't know of another single destination that offers the variety of fishing that one can find in the Esquel region and notably from Tres Valles Estancia. We've always said that there is more fishing in this region than one could explore in a lifetime - and after all these years, we still stand by that adage.
Montana, Bighorn
Bighorn River, Montana
August 22-29 and August 29-September 5, 2020
The Bighorn River in Montana was one of our first hosted trip destinations and it's remained a constant for over 30 years. We've seen high water, low water, warm water, cold water – depending on rainfall and what they do with releases up at the dam, but one thing that is always predictable, always certain is that you will catch fish.
Alaska, Kanektok River
Reel Action on the Kanektok River, Alaska
August 6-15, 2020
August is silver salmon time on the Kanektok at the Reel Action Camp. We're very lucky to have a week at camp during the silver run as August always sells out quickly. As the silver salmon pour into the Kanektok River, and with the camp situated at the mouth, there's no better place to be for silver fishing. The silver escapement goal is 50,000 per season and they all pass by camp. Along with the silvers will be leopard rainbows, sockeye, dolly varden, grayling and maybe still some pinks and chum. The camp is located in southwestern Alaska near the village of Quinhagak and is perfectly situated within the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge. The Kanektok and its tributaries and braids give anglers access to some of the best sport fishing in the world.
Argentina, Laguna Verde 2020
Estancia Laguna Verde,
Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
February 6-18, 2020
Most everyone in the angling world has heard about Argentina's Jurassic Lake, Lake Strobel, a 65 square kilometer crystal clear lake with incredible biological characteristics and conditions that allow for amazing growth of trout, famous worldwide as probably the best wild rainbow trout fishery in the world. The brontosaurus of rainbow trout inhabit the lakes and rivers here and if you like to hunt for the big ones there is no better spot on earth. When you hook into one of these giants, you are in for reel screaming, heart pounding, tug-of-war action on the uninhabited windswept water and pampas of Santa Cruz. In addition to the lake, guests can experience action on the little Barrancos River, the only tributary to the big lake, as well as 12 smaller lakes located inside the ranch.
Estancia Laguna Verde, located on the south coast of the lake offers the angler a chance to experience wild Patagonia at its best. Surrounded by beautiful untouched landscapes and unparalleled flora and fauna, the opportunity to battle against huge and strong fish while enjoying the comforts of the newly renovated lodge is what keeps guests returning again and again. The Lodge accommodates up to 12 anglers per week, 10 rooms for 12 guests, each with en suite bathrooms. The main gathering room has wireless internet, fly tying desk, library, and satellite TV. Electricity 24 hours a day and laundry service is provided. Laguna Verde offers excellent cuisine prepared by their own chef and sous chef. Local specialities include freshly baked bread, homemade pasta, empanadas, Patagonia lamb and the weekly asado.
Our group will fly to Buenos Aires, overnight, and fly to El Calafate the next day where we will be met by the lodge staff and transferred to the lodge, a 4.5 hour drive. Fishing generally starts on arrival. Wind-worthy 8-weight rods with RIO Outbound lines are preferred when fishing the lake. Both floating and sink-tip lines are recommended. A more detailed tackle list is provided with your booking.
Please take a look at the video and review our itinerary for complete details, pricing, and dates.
This is truly an incredible destination and we hope that you will join us.
Barry and Cathy Beck
570-925-2392
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Coyhaique River Lodge, Chile 2020
Coyhaique River Lodge, Chile 2020
January 11 – 18, 2020
Coyhaique River Lodge is the best of everything that we look for in a great destination.Braced up against the rugged, remote, wild beauty of the Andes yet within an hour of the airport, modern new lodge construction with great rooms and great views, fishing options to keep one busy for years, and guides who know all the best places. There are many amazing destinations to fish for trout and CRL is truly one of the best.
The fishing program here offers a variety of options including walk wading small to medium size streams and spring creeks, floating larger rivers, and high mountain lakes for trophy trout. There are more fishing opportunities than one can fish in a week, and maybe a lifetime. Names like the Simpson, Nirehuao, Paloma, and Manihuales will capture your attention and your heart.
CRL is conveniently located within an hour from the Balmaceda airport, yet still smack dab in the middle Chile's best trout fishing. It is not here by accident, but designed, planned and built by Claudio and Gaston Urrejola, on sight managers and owners. Positioned on a bluff overlooking the beautiful Rio Coyhaique valley, the lodge offers eight spacious double suites with private baths, all with views of the valley, a great room with floor to ceiling windows for cocktails, relaxing and sharing stories. The lodge is welcoming and spacious, and guests immediately feel at home.
Come with us in January and enjoy a week of summer fishing at Coyhaique River Lodge for browns and rainbows in Chilean Patagonia. Enjoy one of Julio's pisco sours and soak in the beautiful view. You'll be so glad you joined us!
Barry and Cathy Beck
570-925-2392
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Argentina, Tierra del Fuego
Villa Maria Lodge
March 11-20, 2020
We have waited years for the chance at a good week of sea-run brown trout fishing in Tierra del Fuego, it's been worth the wait for March, 2020, will find us at the famed Villa Maria Lodge on the Rio Grande.
The Rio Grand has become the most productive sea-run brown trout fishery in the world, flowing from west to east for 60 miles from the Andes to the South Atlantic. It is here that sea-run browns spawn during fall in the southern hemisphere. Trout, unlike salmon, will spawn and return to the ocean numerous times during the course of their lifetime and catch and release practices have benefitted return numbers and overall population growth here in recent years.
Villa Maria Lodge is located on the Jose Menendez Estancia, dating back to 1894. Surrounded by 120,000 acres of graze land. The lodge building that is now Villa Maria was once the ranch manager home and has been completely transformed into a modern fishing escape.
An opportunity like this doesn't come often and we are pleased to offer it. Join us at Villa Maria for an extraordinary experience to what is known as “the end of the earth.” The landscape of Tierra del Fuego is a sparsely populated wilderness, large sheep estancias, herds of llama-like Guanacos on windswept plains....and amazing wild sea-run brown trout.
This will be a very small group. While the lodge has access to over 20 kilometers of the Rio Grande, they accommodate only 6 anglers a week. It's been our dream for years to return to Tierra del Fuego and we hope that you will join us.
Barry and Cathy Beck
570-925-2392
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