Fly Fishing for Giant Rainbow Trout

Capitán Lodge - Argentina

Capitán Lodge, formerly known as Kooi Noom, is located in the heart of Southern Patagonia. Unlike Jurassic Lake, Lago Quiroga is an open system, and its trophy rainbows can freely swim out to the interconnecting lakes and rivers. You'll fish several lakes and rivers, including the rugged, Rio Capitán, for which the Lodge is named. These private, scud-filled waters were initially stocked in 2007. Within five years, there were numerous trout pushing 15-to 20-pounds. Trophy rainbows up to 25-pounds have been landed here.


Fly Fishing for Giant Rainbow

World-Class Rainbow Fishing

You’ll fish the two primary rivers—the Rio Capitán and Rio Chico. The Capitán drains the massive Lago Quiroga and drops as much as 250 feet per mile. The Rio Capitán is the steepest and most unique pocket water system in the world. This crystal-clear river is private, physically demanding (requires a lot of hiking), and incomparably rewarding. These waters produce a considerable amount of food for trout, which can grow to incredible sizes. Rio Capitán has three distinct walk-and-wade beats with large fish hiding in small, swift pockets. Both rivers hold trophy rainbows averaging 3-to 15-pounds—some of the biggest trout in the entire Patagonia region. Most of these fish have never seen a fly before. Streamers, nymphs, and dry flies are all effective.
Quiroga Chico Lake is located on top of a plateau and is difficult to access. However, a very steep slope/river connects the lake to a lower lake with a similar name—Lago Quiroga. The lower lake's main tributary and several smaller creeks, hold good numbers of large rainbows.
You'll also fish Lago Toro, a smaller lake, and host to a robust population of medium-sized rainbows. A creek draining into the lake also offers good fishing. From November to early January, anglers pursue the largest rainbows at the Rio Capitan’s slow upper beat, where it flows out of Lake Quiroga.

Fishing Season:

Trophy Wild Rainbows

The Fishing Season runs from November to April. The months of November and April can be cold but have massive runs of trophy rainbows from the lake system. Peak fishing months are November - January and late March. Be prepared for windy conditions. January and February are the warmest and windiest months here.
Guides:  Experienced English-speaking guides transport you to fishing beats in 4WD vehicles. Two anglers per guide. All beats are within four miles of the Lodge.
hike to the river Hiking:  The Rio Capitán, an optional river to fish, requires a good deal of hiking up steep banks.
Boats:  25’ rigid inflatable boat with outboards to navigate the lake and reach some streams and creek mouths. Boat fishing is only an option on rare days when it is not windy.
Equipment:  The Lodge does not provide fishing equipment. Guides have flies available for sale. A comprehensive tackle and gear list is included in our confirmation packet.
Fishing License:  is included in the package and issued onsite.
Physical Condition:  To fish the Capitán River, you need to be in pretty good physical condition as there are a lot of steep river banks.

A Typical Fishing Day:
Breakfast is served at 8:00 a.m. You’ll leave for the river around 9:00 a.m. and fish until around 1:00 p.m. You’ll enjoy a streamside lunch of meats, cheese, olives, fruits, vegetables, and wine. After lunch and siesta, you’ll fish until 6:00 p.m. Guides will drive you back to the Lodge where you'll take a shower, and enjoy the open bar before dinner. Dinner is served late in Argentina, typically at 9:00 p.m. Fishing times are flexible.

Capitán Lodge - on the Estancia

Capitán Lodge - Patagonia

Capitán Lodge is open November through April for peak fishing. The beautiful, family-run estancia is located in the heart of Southern Patagonia and has a territorial view of the beautiful Andes Mountains. The Lodge accommodates six anglers per week in three, double-occupancy guestrooms with private baths. The Lodge has two wind generators that provide around-the-clock electricity and Wi-Fi.
Fly Tying Desk:  The Lodge has a fly tying desk. You'll need to bring your own materials.
Meals:  Traditional Argentine meals such as lamb roasted over an open fire or a once-a-week asado (barbecue) are paired with excellent Argentine wines. With advance notice, the Lodge can accommodate special dietary requests.
Open bar:  All wine, beer, and local spirits at the Lodge are included in the package.

Getting to the Lodge:

You’ll fly to Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina. From Buenos Aires, you’ll take a two hour and 30-minute domestic flight to El Calafate. (You’ll need to take a ground transfer to Buenos Aires Airport (Jorge Newbery Airport AEP), the main airport for domestic flights across Argentina. For this flight, there is a 45-pound weight limit for total luggage.) You'll stay overnight in the beautiful mountain town of El Calafate. In the morning, a member of the Lodge staff will drive you to the Lodge, a seven-hour drive. You'll drive through the Patagonia Steppe, which is the seventh-largest desert in the world. (No flights, hotels, or ground transfers between airports are included in the package.)

Sample Full-Week-Itinerary:

7-nights and 6.5-days guided fishing
Saturday to Saturday:
Day 1:
 Arrive in Buenos Aires. Depart for Calafate, a six-hour drive. You’ll fish for the rest of the day.
Days 3-8:  Six full days guided fishing.
Day 9:  Depart for Calafate in the morning. Depart for Buenos Aires and home.


USD Rates valid through April, 2022:

• 7-nights and 6.5-days guided fishing $6,100.00 per person
• 4-nights and 3-days guided fishing $3,700.00 per person
• 3-nights and 2.5-days guided fishing $3,100.00 per person
Single room and guide upgrade:
Add 70-percent of the package price
Non-Angler Companion:
60-percent of the package price

Packages Include:

Roundtrip ground transfers from El Calafate to the Lodge, meals at the Lodge, all wines, beer, and local spirits at the Lodge, guided fishing, fishing license, and Wi-Fi.

Packages Do Not Include:

International or domestic airfare, ground transfers/hotels/meals in Buenos Aires or El Calafate, domestic flight from Buenos Aires to El Calafate, fishing gear and tackle, gratuities for guides and house staff, Global Rescue, travel insurance, and anything not mentioned under inclusions.

Capitán Lodge


Lago Quiroga

Lake Quiroga

Lago Quiroga is 1,045 meters above sea level and is approx. 5.9 miles long by 4.3 miles wide. Photo credit: Matt Jones Photography.

Trophy Rainbow Waters

Trophy Rainbow Waters

Trophy rainbows congregate in these nutrient-rich, scud-filled waters. Patagonia trout fishing paradise. Photo credit: Matt Jones Photography.

Light Tackle opportunities

Intimate Creek Fishing

An intimate creek flows out of Lago Toro and gently meanders by the Lodge. Photo credit: Matt Jones Photography.

Rio Capitán - sightfishing the steep pocket water.

Rio Capitán

The Rio Capitán has three beats. The upper beat is accessed by a 4WD truck. You'll have to hike to the steep, lower beats.

Capitán Lodge caters to six anglers.

Capitán Lodge

The Lodge, a comfortable, remodeled ranch home has three bedrooms, each with private bath; and wind-powered generators for around-the-clock electricity and Wi-Fi. Photo credit: Matt Jones Photography.

Capitán Lodge bedroom with private bathroom

Capitán Lodge bedroom

Comfortable lodging, delicious meals, an open bar is included in the package.
Photo credit:  Matt Jones Photography.

Large Trophy Rainbows

Rainbow Fishing Paradise

November and December are the months for trophy fish in Lago Quiroga and the Rio Capitán.

A Remote Trophy Rainbow Fly Fishing Adventure

Capitán Lodge Rainbow Fishing

Photo credit:  Matt Jones Photography.

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Fishing Travel Experts


Guy Schoenborn

1-800-205-3474 ext. 1

MT Office:  406-322-5709

Email:  guy@fishingwithlarry.com

Brad Staples

1-800-205-3474 ext. 3

Cell (503) 250-0558

Email:  brad@fishingwithlarry.com