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.
2023 and 2024 Hosted Weeks
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing
$7,500.00 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
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 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.
Guy Schoenborn with Bob Levin's rainbow. 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 a hotel of your choice. 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. (For the 2023 season, there is no charter flight to the Lodge. All transfers from El Calafate to the Lodge will be ground until further notice.)
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.
USD Rates Valid through April 2023
7-nights and 6.5-days guided fishing$7,500.00 per person
Rates are subject to change.
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
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)
• Lightly guided fishing
• Fishing license
• Wi-Fi at the Lodge
• Limited laundry service
Packages Do Not Include:
• International airfare to Buenos Aires and return• Airfare Buenos Aires to El Calafate and return
• Meals, hotels, or ground transfers in Buenos Aires or El Calafate
• Ground transfer from Ezeiza International Airport to
Jorge Newbery Airport ($30.00 - $50.00 p.p.)
• Hotel night and meals in El Calafate
• Fishing equipment
• Transportation not included in the itinerary
• Optional side trips
• Whiskey at the Lodge
• Gratuities
• Baggage insurance
• Global Rescue or similar medical/safety evacuation coverage
• Travel insurance
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions
