The Last Frontier of Argentina Trout Fishing
Chochoy Mallin Lodge
We knew from our first days exploring the high Andean range that we had found something incredibly rare. We found a jewel of rugged solitude, vast arrays of scenery and watersheds, and all of it completely unspoiled by man. We recognized the unparalleled potential of this extremely remote terrain, and we also understood just how huge the challenge we faced in developing an attractive fly fishing program for international travelers to experience it.
It was a dream we shared around long campfire nights as we scouted, explored, and discovered. All of those dreams have now come true as we’ve launched the first helicopter flights to ferry fishermen into the wilderness, and opened the doors of our brand new remote lodge, Chochoy Mallin, for the first time.
Our program at Chochoy Mallin Lodge focuses on covering the best fly fishing destinations with daily fly-outs in a modern and comfortable Bell 407, flown by pilots who are experienced in this geography, having been trained in flying high-mountain rescue and firefighting.
The flight time is usually within 15 to 25 minutes from the lodge, but the scenery is so spectacular that it never seems long enough. Just getting to the streams and lagoons is an experience in itself. As you fly through the Andes Mountains you will have close up views of snow-capped peaks, deep canyons, stunning waterfalls, streams, and prairies. Then as the bird sets down, you’ll find what you really came here for … the fishing.
Every group of two anglers will be accompanied by a senior and assistant guide. No one will fish alone, and every day you will fish new waters. Chochoy Mallin Lodge was designed for a maximum of 8 guests at a time and the fishing area covers a range of 4800 square miles (3 million acres), so the enormous number of rivers and lakes can be sparingly fished over the course of a season.
The defining feature of this area is the population of wild, healthy rainbow and brown trout throughout the mountain watersheds, as well as brook trout in some places. In particular, the rainbow trout are remarkably stout and strong when compared to other regions in northern Patagonia. It’s likely their exceptional condition is the result of a large population of small-to-medium size catfish and other prey fish species that are also native to the waters, and are the prime food source for the trout.
What makes Chochoy Mallin so special is the same solitude and sense of adventure that lured the first fly fishermen to northern Patagonia more than thirty years ago. It offers a look into what those international anglers found when they first discovered, what is now the most renowned part of the world among trout fishing destinations.