Jurassic Lake Lodge - Argentina
Fly Fishing for Giant Rainbow Trout
Jurassic Lake and the Barrancoso River are nothing short of a biological anomaly and are probably the most prolific trophy rainbow fishery in the world. Jurassic Lake, also known as Strobel 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.
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 into 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)
Click here for Guy's Jurassic Lake Trip Report.
Jurassic Lake Lodge - Fishing Facts:
Fishing Season: The season starts in 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 is 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.
Fishing Tackle: is not included in the package. 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.
Fishing License: is included in the package.
Guides: Two 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.
Boots: At Jurassic Lake, Vibram® bottom boots with studs will help you walk better in mud or on slick rocks.
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 from 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.
2022, 2023, and 2024 Hosted Weeks:
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing
$7,500.00 per person
2022 Hosted Week:
December 1-10, 2022:
Guy Schoenborn hosts - SOLD-OUT
2023 Hosted Week:
Nov. 30 - Dec. 9, 2023:
Brad Staples hosts - SOLD-OUT
2024 Hosted Week:
December 5-14, 2024:
Guy hosts - 1 spot left
You're not restricted to our hosted weeks. Provided there are openings, we can book the Lodge for a time that works best for you.
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 bath and shower. There are two single-occupancy rooms 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 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. From the domestic airport, you'll take a 2-hour and 15-minute connecting flight to El Calafate. Strict 50-pound baggage, including carry-on limit. At the El Calafate airport, you'll be greeted by a lodge representative who will drive you to your hotel. You'll spend the night at a hotel in El Calafate. (The hotel night is not included in the package - recommendations are listed in our confirmation packet.) In the morning, a lodge representative will drive you to the local airport for a 75-minute flight to the Lodge's new runway. From the airstrip, you'll be driven to the Lodge by a staff member, a 15-minute drive. The roundtrip 75-minute charter flight is included in the week-long packages, a $570.00 value. For the half-week packages, a one-way charter flight and a one-way ground transfer are included.
Lodge's new Airstrip is a 15-minute drive from the Lodge.
For full-week packages, you'll take a 75-minute charter flight from El Calafate to Jurassic Lake Lodge. You'll arrive at Jurassic Lake Lodge at about 9:45 a.m. and can fish unguided upon arrival.
USD Rates Valid through April 2023
7-nights and 6.5-days guided fishing$7,500.00 per person
Upgrade to a single-occupancy room for $700.00 per room per week based on availability.
Half-Week packages are available January - April.
3-nights and 3-days guided fishing
Saturday - Tuesday: $3,900.00 per person
4-nights and 3.5-days guided fishing
Tuesday - Saturday: $4,900.00 per person
Full-Week Package Includes:
Roundtrip charter flight between El Calafate and the Lodge, accommodations, meals, alcohol (except whiskey), Wi-Fi at the Lodge, 6-days lightly guided fishing, and fishing license.
Half-Week Packages Include:
A one-way charter flight to the Lodge and a ground transfer out on Saturday to Tuesday or a ground transfer to the Lodge and a charter flight to El Calafate on Tuesday to Saturday, accommodations and meals, alcohol (except whiskey), Wi-Fi at the Lodge, 3-days lightly guided fishing, and fishing license.
Packages Do Not Include:
International airfare to Buenos Aires; meals, hotels, or ground transfers in Buenos Aires, fishing equipment, transportation not included in the itinerary, optional side trips, staff and guide gratuities, whiskey, laundry, baggage insurance, Global Rescue, travel insurance, and anything not mentioned under inclusions.The closest hospital is in Calafate is eight hours from the Lodge. Due to the remote location, we strongly recommend that anglers purchase travel insurance and medical evacuation coverage. We recommend Global Rescue.
