2024 Barry & Cathy Beck - San Huberto & Estancia Pilo Lil

hosted trip fly fishing in argentina

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March 1 - 16, 2024

Barry & Cathy Beck Departure

San Huberto & Estancia Pilo Lil

argentina

Take Your Travel Experience Further: The Hosted Trip Difference

Unparalleled Service and Knowledge Every Step of the Way

Dear Traveler,

There’s something about a spring creek that captures the attention of a fly fisherman. It keeps you thinking about it long after the trip is over...and well before the return trip. Is it the anticipation of dry fly fishing, light leaders, matching the hatch, sipping trout? Perhaps. It’s different for each angler. For us, it’s those things plus knowing that spring creeks don’t change a lot from year to year. There’s a good chance that the bugs that stacked up along the edge of the riffle, and the fish that lined up to feed there, will be along the same edge again this year. The runs, riffles, pools, edges, and chutes are stable and your favorite spots stay consistent year after year.

The Rio Malleo, from San Huberto Estancia, offers all of this and is reputable for superb dry fly fishing. The late Ernest Schweibert described it as, “The jewel of all spring creeks.” It flows clear and cold out of Tromen Lake, near the base of Lanin volcano in the Andes, and for nearly 20 miles through the ranch it is accessible to ranch guests on a daily 2-beat rotation. Under the careful tutelage of the Olsen family, and with about as many beats as miles, there is a variety of wading from very easy to more challenging. Something for everyone. Guides access the beats by truck and can park comfortably close to the fishing.

The Olsens originally settled here in the 1890’s with very humble beginnings. The next generation, Carlos and Carmen Olsen, did what many said was impossible and invited hunters and anglers to their 25,000 acre property sheltering the Malleo and with sons Gustavo and Ronnie, and daughter Karin, the family today follows in the tradition of exceptional hospitality, a bar set high by their parents.

Some of our guests have asked for a couple more days of fishing, so after 5 days on the Malleo, guests have the option to fish 4 more days at neighboring Estancia Pilolil. Located less than a hour from San Huberto, Pilolil offers floats with private access on the lovely Alumine River. We will fish from skiffs, getting out to walk wade runs and riffles. Along with the Alumine, the Collon Cura and lower Malleo are also close at hand.

Estancia Pilolil is a 23,000 acre private estancia perfectly situated on the banks of the Alumine River, just a short drive from the airport at San Martin. Pilolil is a beautifully restored estancia overflowing with old world charm.

We think this is the perfect combination of destinations for a total of 10 days fishing from two lovely estancias on two superb rivers. We are sure you’ll agree.

Sincerely,

Barry & Cathy Beck

What to Expect

• San Huberto hosts 16 guests-just 12 anglers in 4 single and 6 double rooms with ensuite bathrooms. The central bar is ideal for sharing fish stories and a bottle of Argentine Malbec. Advance reservations required to secure dates; this lodge has dedicated clientele and space is premium.

• A stalk and wading river uninhibited by drift vessels, the Malleo is a target anglers dream. Select a feeding fish, study his habits and test yourself against nature’s wariest creature. The Malleo features serpentine meadow stretches, bouldered pocket water and glassy tail-outs. Estancia Pilolil hosts 12 guests in 6 double rooms. The main lodge has four rooms and a separate cabin houses two more rooms. Fishing is done on the Rio Alumine – a scenic floated river that has populations of healthy trout.

About the Lodges

San Huberto: Near Junín de los Andes courses arguably the most famous river in the region, the Malleo, and Hosteria San Huberto. Notorious for her inexhaustible and diverse hatches, this spring creek like freestone is synonymous with dry fly fishing and Patagonia. The Olsen family’s 25,000- acre San Huberto shelters 16 miles of premium pools and runs which are known to be the best and most densely trout populated in the entire river length. Carmen and Ronnie offer premium attention in a comfortable family atmosphere.

Estancia Pilolil is a 25,000 acre ranch near the banks of the Rio Alumine. This river flows through a high-walled canyon with its banks lined with willows. The riffles and drop offs are perfect places for trout to ambush your fly.

About Barry & Cathy Beck

Longtime Frontiers trip hosts and photographers, the Becks travel far and wide to follow their love for fly fishing and nature photography. Based in Pennsylvania, Barry and Cathy write books, host fly fishing departures, lead African photo safaris, and operate a stock photography business. The Becks are well-known in the fishing, photography, and travel industries, and possess a stellar reputation for their skill, knowledge, and expertise born out of a 20 year career.

Their books include Cathy Beck’s Fly Fishing Handbook, now in its third edition; Fly Waters Near and Far, Fly Fishing the Flats and a coffee table book of photographs from around the world.

Proposed Itinerary for San Huberto & Estancia Pilo Lil

March 1 - 17, 2024

Friday, March 1

Depart USA via overnight commercial flight service to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Saturday, March 2

*Itinerary subject to change

Arrive Buenos Aires, Ezeiza International Airport. Upon arrival, you will be met by a Frontiers arranged guide, who will provide your transfer to the Sofitel Recoleta Hotel in the lovely city of Buenos Aires. Hotel accommodations can be arranged on your behalf for one night. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Be sure to take advantage of the incredible dining experiences found in Buenos Aires by visiting one of the many excellent restaurants in town.

Sunday, March 3

At a prearranged time, you will be met in the hotel lobby by a Frontiers arranged guide, who will provide your transfer from your hotel to the J. Newbery Domestic Airport for your flight to San Martin.

Depart Buenos Aires via commercial flight service to San Martin.

Arrive San Martin. Upon arrival, you will be met by a Patagonia Outfitters representative and transferred to the Hosteria San Huberto. Once there, you will be welcomed to the lodge by your hosts, Carmen and Ronnie Olsen. A meal will be served followed by fishing this afternoon or evening on the renowned Río Malleo. At the conclusion of fishing, return to the lodge for cocktails, dinner and overnight accommodations at San Huberto.

* Due to the nature of air travel within Argentina, every effort will be made to fish upon the day of arrival.

Monday–Friday, March 4–8

Five full fishing days on the Malleo. Patagonia’s most famous trout river offers great dry-fly fishing. Its hatches are numerous throughout the day, providing the opportunity to cast over feeding fish. The Rio Malleo is a medium sized river – averaging 40-100’ width – making it fish very much like a spring creek. With twenty miles of some of the best match-the-hatch river fishing flowing through the ranch, there are plenty of runs, riffles and pools flowing through the estancia that hold ample brown and rainbow trout. Fish both morning and evening, with lunch at the lodge. Return to the lodge each evening for cocktails, dinner, and overnight accommodations.

Saturday, March 9

After breakfast and packing, your guide will provide your transfer to the Estancia Pilo Lil – a drive of approximately one hour. You will check into your room and begin fishing the program of the lodge this afternoon.

Sunday - Wednesday, March 10-13

Spend four full days fishing the program of Estancia Pilo Lil. The program consists of the Rio Alumine, Rio Collon Cura, and the lower Rio Malleo. Your guide will know which river is fishing the best at the time and will take you out to work these productive waters.

Thursday, March 14

After breakfast and time for packing, your guide will transfer you to the airport at San Martin de los Andes.

Depart San Martin via commercial flight service to Buenos Aires.

Arrive Buenos Aires, J. Newbery Domestic Airport

Upon arrival, you will be met by a Frontiers arranged guide, who will provide your transfer to the Sofitel Recoleta Hotel in the lovely city of Buenos Aires. Hotel accommodations can be arranged on your behalf for one night.

Friday, March 15

At a prearranged time, you will be met in the hotel lobby by a Frontiers arranged guide, who will provide your transfer from your hotel to the Ezieza International Airport for your flight to the United States.

Depart Argentina via overnight flight to the United States.

Saturday, March 16

Arrive USA. Clear immigrations, collect luggage and clear customs.

Rates

Hosteria San Huberto: $6,860* per person (shared room / shared guide)

Inclusions: All-inclusive fishing arrangements; accommodations; all meals; cocktails; beverages including beer and wine; professional fishing guides (one guide per two anglers), local fishing license, and fly fishing equipment.

Exclusions: Airfare, additional or special transfers not indicated in the itinerary, airport/hotel; hotel accommodations, meals where not indicated, extras (room service, telephone calls, gratuities, alcoholic beverages except where specified by individual lodge operators, etc.).

Estancia Pilo Lil Fishing Package: $5,200* per person (shared room / shared guide)

Inclusions: Accommodations, all meals; beverages; transportation throughout the ranch, transfer to / from San Martin, laundry service, fishing licenses; and guided fishing (two anglers per guide).

Exclusions: Airfare, hotel accommodations, special transfers, fishing gear, guide and staff gratuities, phone calls.

San Martin arrangements

Transfer Lodge / airport: TBD

Buenos Aires arrangements

Hotel accommodations and Transfers Ezeiza / hotel / J. Newbery / Ezeiza: TBD

Deposit payment refund policy: A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the land cost is due at time of reservation. Balance payable at time of final land package invoicing. Final / full payment is also non-refundable unless client replacement is provided.

*Rates subject to change. Your Airline Connection

In addition to providing a superior experience while you’re fishing in Argentina, the Airline Department at Frontiers can coordinate all of your travel logistics to and from Santiago.

Frontiers Contact

Our team of highly specialized agents coordinate every last detail of your trip. For this hosted departure, please contact:

Hank Ingram

South America Department Manager

Toll-free: 1-800-245-1950

Phone: 724-935-1577

hingram@frontierstravel.com

Ben Hoffman

South America Program Manager

Toll-free: 1-800-245-1950

Phone: 724-935-1577

bhoffman@frontierstravel.com

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