Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, Salmo trutta, Salvelinus fontinalis

The trout of Patagonian fishing

Fly fishing in Patagonia revolves around three species: rainbow and brown trout, the most sought after, and brook trout (fontinalis), present in some lakes and rivers in the centre of the region. Mountain rivers, spring creeks, lakes and the Atlantic coast of Tierra del Fuego offer very different fishing for the same species.

The sea-run brown trout of the Río Grande

On the Río Grande, in Tierra del Fuego, the introduced brown trout developed the habit of migrating to the Atlantic Ocean to feed, because the river holds little forage, and they come back at huge sizes. According to Todd Moen, in the Catch Magazine video, the average is around 10 lb (about 4.5 kg) and fish of 20 to 30 lb (9 to 13.5 kg) are recorded every year. The run enters from November and continues until April.

What temperature they like

According to a fly-fishing video by Ventures Fly Co, trout are most active between 7 and 15.5 °C and hardly feed below 3.3 °C; above 20 °C catch-and-release mortality spikes from lack of oxygen and it is best to stop fishing. It is not specific to Patagonia, but it helps you decide the time of day and the month.

Rules for fishing them

Patagonian fishing is governed by a common continental regulation, with annexes by province: each water has its own opening and closing dates, and many are fly-fishing only, with barbless hooks and mandatory release. You need the season permit. Confirm with your guide or the provincial authority; our guide to San Martín and Junín de los Andes details it for Neuquén.

When to fish them

The season opens in November and closes between April and May, and the best window depends on the zone and the type of river: see when to fish trout in Patagonia.