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.
2025 Rate: $8,000 per person for 7-nights and 6.5-days guided fishing.
Book now for 2027 Hosted Week
with Host Guy Schoenborn
Dec. 4-13, 2025: SOLD-OUT
Dec. 3-12, 2026: SOLD-OUT
December 2-11, 2027
Rate is subject to change.
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)
The Fishing Program:
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 three anglers per English-speaking guide. You'll fish with a new guide each day. The guides advise on fly selection and technique, help you land fish, take photos, or assist you with whatever you 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 $3.50 each at the Lodge. Our confirmation packet includes a detailed list of what to bring.
One or Two-Handed Rods: Single hand rods are preferred, but Spey and switch rods can be effective.
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 9:30 p.m.
You're guided from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 to 8:30 p.m. You'll fish one beat in the morning and another in the afternoon. Your beat and guide assignments will be posted each night for the next day's fishing. You'll have a different guide each day. You may fish anytime you like, but you may only fish your assigned beat for that portion of the day.
Jurassic Lake Lodge
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 per week. Limited laundry service is available at no additional charge.
Power and Communications: The Lodge has Starlink Wi-Fi and 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.
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).
Landry Seedig with 2024 Hosted Week Rainbow
Brad Staples with Jurassic Rainbow Trout
Getting to the Lodge:
1.) 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 from $30 to $50 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.
2.) 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.
3.) 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.
For the 2025 season, there is the option of a roundtrip charter flight from El Calafate to the Lodge (one-hour flight) for $1,000 per person available for the 7-day package only. A 15-minute ground transfer from the airstrip to the Lodge is included in the package. (For the half-week package, $500.00 p.p. one-way, with a return ground transfer on the day of departure.) The charter flight option allows you to get in a few hours of unguided fishing near the Lodge on the day of arrival.
To Clarify: The charter flight is optional. The six-hour ground transfer from the airport to the Lodge is included in the package.
Domestic Flight Carry-On Restrictions: Fishing equipment (rods, reels, lines, flies, etc.) is prohibited for carry-on baggage and must be checked-in on all domestic flights within Argentina.
2025 and 2026 USD Rates:
Full Week packages
Available from November - April:
7-nights and 6.5-days guided fishing
$8,000.00 per person
Half-Week packages
Available from January - April:
3-nights and 3-days guided fishing
$4,200.00 per person
4-nights and 3-days guided fishing
$5,200.00 per person
Rates are subject to change.
Upgrade to a single occupancy room for $100 per night based on availability.
Information Packet.
Guy Schoenborn with 84-year-old Bob Levin's bow - Hosted Week.
The Packages Include:
• Ground transfer to your hotel in El Calafate
• Optional ground transfers between El Calafate and the Lodge
• Accommodations and meals at the Lodge
• Alcohol (except whiskey)
• Starlink Wi-Fi
• Limited laundry service
• Lightly guided fishing
• Fishing license
The Packages Do Not Include:
• International airfare to Buenos Aires and return• Optional roundtrip flight between Buenos Aires and El Calafate
$1,000 p.p. for 7-night pkg.
• Meals, hotels, and ground transfers in Buenos Aires
• 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.
Jurassic Lake Lodge
Russ DeFusco - View Russ DeFusco's photo recap of his trip.
Russ DeFusco with Jurassic Lake rainbow trout.
Trophy Rainbow Waters
Jim Schmid with a 17.5-pound monster rainbow from "The Pool."
Barrancoso River
The Barrancoso River is the only tributary of Jurassic Lake and a haven for monster rainbows. The Lodge holds exclusive access to much of the Barrancoso, from the headwaters to the inlet at Jurassic Lake.
Argentina Seasons:
Argentina’s seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere. Spring weather begins in September. The warmest summer months are January and February. March and April are considered early fall. The winds can be harsh in this region, so come prepared. Temperatures can vary widely, and the area can be hot, especially in February. The early season, especially March and April, can be cold. Be sure to pack sunscreen and quality windproof clothing. A comprehensive packing list is provided in our confirmation packet.
Jurassic Lake Lodge hosts twelve anglers per week.
Each bedroom has a private entrance and an ensuite bathroom with a shower. Single-occupancy rooms are available for an additional $700.00 per week.
The Lodge's great room
The main building has a living room, dining room, bar, and excellent views of Jurassic Lake and the mouth of the Barrancoso River. The Lodge has satellite TV and 24-hour solar-powered electricity.
A Drying Room and more...
The Lake is windy. The water's cold. The Drying Room means a lot (although it's not heated). The Lodge has a fly-tying desk for guests to use. However, you will need to bring your own materials.
Jurassic Lake Lodge
You are not restricted to our Hosted Weeks. Book anytime.
