There's Simply No Other
Fishing Like This.
With annual returns of 50,000+ fish and an average size exceeding 8 pounds, no other river in the world can rival the Rio Grande in Argentina's southern territory of Tierra del Fuego as the best place on the planet to catch sea-run brown trout. Combine the river with the best returns and the largest average size of sea-run brown trout with easy access to 12 miles of rested pools from a comfortable homestyle lodge designed for four (4) anglers per week, and that’s the San Jose Lodge fishing experience.
Good Genetics, Proper Timing, & a lot of Luck
Similar to steelhead in the United States and Canada, the anadromous, or “sea-run”, browns that return to Argentina’s Rio Grande have a cult-like following, and for good reason. Since John Goodall first stocked a few tributaries to the Rio Grande with Salmo trutta eggs in the 1930s, sea trout took root in strong numbers and now boast annual returns that exceed 50,000+ fish. Today the Rio Grande claims the undisputed number one position as the most prolific river to fly fish for sea-run brown trout in the world.
Studies have shown that sea-run brown trout can return to the Rio Grande over four times to spawn during their lifecycle and reach a weight that exceeds 20+ pounds. With an average size exceeding 8+ pounds it’s truly a privilege to fish the Rio Grande for this remarkable strain of sea-run brown trout.
As runoff from the distant mountains starts to flood the river in December, sea-run brown trout begin their annual spawning migration to the Rio Grande. By early February the fish arrive to the San Jose waters in catchable numbers, the run peaks in late February into early March, then subsides in early April.
The Most Productive Sea Run Brown Trout River on the Planet
It’s without question that the rivers on the island of Tierra del Fuego in southern Argentina are among the most productive sea-run brown trout fisheries in the world. Many suggest that the Rio Grande has a large average size and high annual return rates of sea trout because of the lack of commercial fishing, rich marine rearing environment, and strictly managed catch and release fishing policy.
With limited rods each week on 12+ miles of water at San Jose Lodge, our guide team has the flexibility to rotate and rest sensitive water that holds weary fish, or focus angling effort on areas holding higher concentrations of fish. The road network throughout the estancia is meticulously maintained and managed to make for quick and easy access to our sections of the river. Drive times between the lodge and the river range from 15 to 30 minutes in comfortable 4-door trucks on well-maintained gravel roads allowing for seamless transitions to fishing areas.
Wading the Rio Grande is easy, deep wading is rarely needed, the current is relatively slow and the bottom is mainly small pea-sized gravel with the occasional rib of slick bedrock scattered throughout some runs. Felt or studded soles are not needed and only the most unstable waders might need a wading staff/pole.
The Perfect Blend of Experience and Efficiency
Our fishing program works on a split day beat rotation where every two (2) anglers and their guide fish a morning and an evening session with an extended mid-day break with lunch and time to rest at the lodge between each session. Anglers meet their guides in the wader room after breakfast each morning and typically work the fishing day so that you are fishing first and last light of the day.
The section of the river that cuts through the San Jose property is narrow and shallow and often requires a precise and stealthy approach to find fishing success. Fish are found throughout every stretch of the river with fewer fish landed in the shallower, faster, and more technical pools and more numbers of fish hooked in the deeper runs that hold higher densities of fish. Regardless of where the fish may be on the river, our long-time experienced guides know where and when to find them. With the proper approach, a skilled and well-prepared angler can expect an average of 1-3 fish per session throughout the course of a six-day fishing week.
The majority of the river can be fished with a 7 to 9-weight single-hand fly rod with a floating line and a variety of interchangeable sink tips. However, on windy days or when a run depends on making a longer cast having a 6-7 weight switch or short spey rod (10’6’-11’6’) with an integrated scandi style line is worth having in your quiver. A complete angler will come prepared with multiple rods and line combinations rigged and ready to fish a variety of techniques including skating dry flies, drifting nymph rigs, and swinging or stripping large profile streamers.
