Jurassic Lake Lodge - Argentina
Fly Fishing for Giant Rainbow Trout
Lago Strobel, also known as Jurassic Lake, is a vast desert sink lake measuring approximately 12.4 by 9.3 miles. The Lake is at 3,000 feet elevation in the wide-open desolate expanse of the Patagonian Steppe. Jurassic Lake and the Barrancoso River are nothing short of biological anomalies and are probably the most prolific trophy rainbow fishery in the world.
Hosted Weeks
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing
$8,000.00 p.p.
2023 Hosted Week:
Nov. 30 - Dec. 9, 2023: Brad Staples hosts - SOLD-OUT
2024 Hosted Week:
December 5-14, 2024: Guy Schoenborn hosts - SOLD-OUT
2025 Hosted Week:
December 4-13, 2025: Guy Schoenborn hosts
You're not restricted to our hosted weeks. Book anytime.
Fly Fishing Jurassic Lake
Meng Syn with Jurassic Lake Rainbow.
Jurassic Lake Lodge is only a five-minute walk from great fishing. The Lodge has the good fortune of being located at the mouth of Jurassic Lake's only significant tributary, the Barrancoso River. The Lodge controls more than 9.3 miles of the lake's southern shoreline. The wind has created some fantastic fishing bays. With no outlet, this is the best location on the lake. Here, anglers stack up large numbers of big rainbows every day of the season.
Rainbows average 8 to 10 pounds, with countless fish in the mid-teens and good numbers of fish in the 20+ pound class. These rainbows are incredibly stout, incredibly strong, and acrobatic.
All fishing is catch-and-release.
The Barrancoso River: The most productive bays of the lake are those surrounding the mouth of the Barrancoso River.
Jurassic Lake Lodge holds more than 15 miles of this pristine, freestone river, including the only mouth. The Barrancoso, a typical mountain freestone river, is the only significant tributary of Jurassic Lake. With its transparent waters and big rocks, the Barrancoso holds amazing trout in its beautiful pools, pocket waters, flats, and runs. The Barrancoso runs almost entirely through Jurassic Lake Lodge's property.
View Meng Syn's Video (2019 Hosted Week)
Jurassic Lake Lodge - Fishing Facts:
Fishing Season: The season runs from November through April. Peak fishing runs from November through mid-January. During this time, fish concentrate in large numbers in and around the mouth of the Barrancoso River, allowing anglers to rack up excessive numbers of fish. If sheer numbers (or pounds, in this case) of fish are not exactly your thing, visiting in early March through April can be incredibly rewarding for many anglers. The loss in quantity is made up for in quality. The late run of rainbows tends to be ultra-bright and turbo-charged.
Methods: All fishing is done while wading or standing on the bank. There are no boats.
Guides: You'll fish two to three anglers per English-speaking guide. The guides show you the general fishing program and fishing areas, advise on fly selection and technique, help with landing fish, take photos, or assist with whatever you may need. Bring a flash drive so you can download their great shots at the end of the week.
Fishing Tackle is not included in the package. Strong, heavy wire hooks are critical. Flies are $3.00 each at the Lodge. A comprehensive tackle and gear list is included in our confirmation packet.
One or Two-Handed Rods: Single-handed rods are preferred. However, a short two-handed rod could come in handy, with similar line weights as you'd used for single-hand rods.
Wading Boots: At Jurassic Lake, the Lodge disinfects all wading boots upon arrival.
A Fishing License is included in the package.
A Typical Fishing Day:
Breakfast at 8:00 a.m.
Lunch is at 1:00 p.m.
Dinner at 9:00 p.m.
You're guided from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Each day, you'll rotate guides and fish three to four different beats. Your beat and guide assignments will be posted each night for the next day's fishing. You may fish anytime you like, but you may only fish your assigned beat for that portion of the day.
Guy Schoenborn with 84-year-old Bob Levin's bow - 2022 Hosted Week.
About Jurassic Lake Lodge: The main lodge has a spacious lounge and dining room area complete with a wood-burning stove, comfortable couches, craft whiskey and wine bar, and great views of the lake and mouth of the Barrancoso River. The Lodge hosts up to 12 anglers in double-occupancy rooms with a private bathroom and a shower. Two single-occupancy rooms are available for an added $700.00 per week. Limited laundry service is available at no additional charge.
Power and Communications: The Lodge has reliable 24-hour electricity. You will need a power adapter to fit Argentina plug type “C” (two flat slanted prongs). The Lodge has a satellite phone for emergency use. There is no cell phone service. The Lodge has a slow but reliable satellite-based internet service.
Meals: Excellent, hearty, traditional Argentinean dishes, including the Lodge's famous barbecue (asado) and Patagonian lamb.
Alcohol: Beer, wine, and alcohol are included in the package (except for single malt selections - available by the bottle or shot).
Getting to the Lodge:
You’ll fly to Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After you clear customs, you’ll take a ground transfer to Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) for your connecting flight to El Calafate. The ground transfer runs $30.00 to $50.00 USD per person. Traffic can be horrible, so give yourself four hours to transfer from the international airport to the domestic airport in Buenos Aires. From the domestic airport, you'll take a 2-hour and 15-minute connecting flight to El Calafate.
A hotel night is required in El Calafate and is not included in the package. A lodge representative will drive you from the airport to your selected hotel. A list of recommended hotels is included in our confirmation packet. In the morning, at about 7:30 a.m., a Lodge representative will pick you up from your hotel and the rest of the group in a 4WD pickup truck, typically a Toyota Hilux, for the six to seven-hour drive to the Lodge. (There is no longer a charter flight available to the Lodge. All transfers from El Calafate to the Lodge are now by vehicle.)
Domestic Flight Carry-On Restrictions: Fishing equipment (rods, reels, lines, flies, etc.) are prohibited in carry-on baggage and must be checked-in on all domestic flights within Argentina.
2024 USD Rates:
Full Week packages are available November - April.7-nights and 6.5-days guided fishing
$8,000.00 per person
Half-Week packages are available January - April.
3-nights and 3-days guided fishing
Saturday - Tuesday: $4,200.00 per person
4-nights and 3.5-days guided fishing
Tuesday - Saturday: $5,200.00 per person
Rates are subject to change.
Upgrade to a single occupancy room for $100.00 per night based on availability.
The Packages Include:
• Ground transfer to your hotel in El Calafate
• Roundtrip ground transfer between El Calafate and the Lodge
• Accommodations and meals at the Lodge
• Alcohol (except whiskey)
• Wi-Fi at the Lodge
• Limited laundry service
• Lightly guided fishing
• Fishing license
Packages Do Not Include:
• International airfare to Buenos Aires and return• Airfare Buenos Aires to El Calafate, and return
• Meals, hotels, and ground transfers in Buenos Aires or El Calafate
• Ground transfers in Buenos Aires between airports
• Hotel night and meals in El Calafate
• Fishing equipment
• Transportation not included in the itinerary
• Optional side trips
• Whiskey at the Lodge
• Gratuities for guides and Lodge staff
• Baggage insurance
• Global Rescue or similar medical/safety evacuation coverage
• Travel insurance
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.
