General Information:

Opened in 1995, Bella Vista Lodge is the most exclusive lodge on the Rio Gallegos, offering exciting fishing for giant sea-run trout, as well as some of the finest dry fly brown trout fishing on an intimate spring creek.

A much bigger system than its sister river the Rio Grande, the Gallegos and its pools are far more varied in their character. Slow oily looking holding pools are interspersed with fast riffles and boulder-strewn runs, and the gravel bottom makes wading very easy. 

The Estancia owns nearly 50 kms of double bank private access fishing which is limited to a maximum of ten rods per week. 

Guided by one of a team of experienced guides, each pair of rods have only the diverse wildlife of the river valley for company. A challenging but infinitely rewarding river, the Gallegos' list of devotees grows year after year.

The Fishing:

Bella Vista fishes two species of trout:

• Sea-run brown trout on 50km of the Rio Gallegos, averaging 10 lbs in size and running up to 25/28 lbs.
• Resident brown trout on 20km of the Rio Gallegos Chico, a pristine spring creek producing large browns up to 7lbs with an average of 2/3 lbs.

The lodge has private access to both banks of the Rio Gallegos and to the Rio Gallegos Chico.  Home pool is a 5 minute walk from the lodge and open to all during siesta hours.  The rivers offer easy wading on fine gravel bottom. 

Bella Vista is a strictly CATCH AND RELEASE fishery. Guides are equipped with nets and will assist guests in weighing and releasing fish without damaging them.  All our guides are able to give casting tuition with single and double-handed rods (Spey casting).  Even the most experienced angler will learn new techniques and skills that will improve his averages elsewhere.

Typical tackle for Bella Vista comprises single handed rods (8 and 9wt, 9 to 10 ft) and double handed rods for the sea-run browns.  A combination of floating and fast sink lines is recommended to suit varying conditions.  For the spring creek, we suggest 4 to 7wt rods.  Flies: small dry flies, nymphs, traditional salmon and sea run trout wet flies.

The Programme:

Fishing programmes at Bella Vista are strictly Saturday to Saturday.

Fishing schedule: approx 9 hours of fishing per day. Lunch is taken back at the Lodge and followed by a siesta. The afternoon session starts later during the months of Dec and Jan to capitalise on the magical dusk fishing hours. 

Season:

The season runs from December through to the first week of April.  High season is the period from the second week of January onwards.

Accommodation:

The lodge is located in the fully refurbished main house of a working estancia which runs to nearly 700,000acres. The main house is situated a few minutes walk from some of the river's most productive pools. Anglers fly into Buenos Aires international airport, and will then transfer to the domestic airport for the flight to Rio Gallegos.  The transfer from Rio Gallegos airport to the lodge by four wheel drive takes 1 ½ hours.

The lodge has capacity for 10 rods.  It has 5 en-suite bedrooms (4 twin rooms and 1 double room), dining room, sitting room, bar, wading room, fly-tying table and facilities.  Satellite telephone and internet access are available.  A speciality of the lodge is the gourmet dining, with Argentina's famed beef and fine wines, traditional asados (BBQs) and delicious desserts.  Maid and laundry service are available.  The fly shop is fully equipped with flies, rods, reels, lines, suitable clothing and Argentine crafts.  A rod rental service is provided.  Comfortable double-cabin 4-wheel trucks fitted with rod racks and radios will ferry you daily to the river and back.  And the area is famous for unparalleled bird watching and its rich wildlife (rheas, flamingos, foxes, llama-like guanacos).

Rates – 2011/12:

The weekly rate is US$5,250 per person, based on double occupancy and shared guide.

Included:    Return Transfer between Río Gallegos and the lodge; Fishing Licence; Lodging; Full Board, all wines, beer and local spirits at the lodge; Professional guide services

Not included:    international and domestic flights; airport taxes; Buenos Aires hotels, transfers and meals; Laundry service; Gratuities for guides and house staff

Conditions:

A deposit of 50% confirms a reservation.  The balance is payable 60 days before commencement of the programme.