Limay River Ranch

The Lower Limay River

The lower Limay River is a tailwater fishery, flowing from the Pichi Picún Leufú Dam for approximately 60 miles before emptying into the vast Chocón Reservoir. Flows typically range from 8,000 to 20,000 CFS, with fluctuations common and rising flows often turning the fish on. Cool, crystal-clear water supports a rich aquatic ecosystem, making the lower Limay one of Patagonia's premier trout rivers.

Limay River Browns

• Resident browns average 16–24 inches
• Migratory browns average 22–26 inches
• 30+ inch fish caught every season
• Typically at least one shot at a trophy brown per day
• Dry-fly techniques pioneered by Chocolate Lab Expeditions (CLE)
• 6- and 7-weight single-hand rods or 5- and 6-weight trout Spey

The Fishing Program

Season:  Peak fishing runs from November 25 to May 8.
Group Size:  Limited to 12 anglers per week.
Private Access:  Chocolate Lab has private access to over 30 miles of the Limay River.
Travel Time:  A short 10- to 30-minute drive from the Lodge puts you on some of the world's finest fly fishing water.
Boats:  Fish from high-end, low-sided RO drift boats. Chocolate Lab is the only outfitter in South America to renew its entire fleet every other season.
Guides:  Professional bilingual local guides with extensive knowledge of the rivers and all aspects of fly fishing.
Methods:  Fishing methods vary throughout the season and day. Anglers use 4- and 5-weight rods to match prolific hatches; 5- and 6-weights for attractor dries, dry/dropper rigs, and nymphing; and 6- and 7-weight single-hand rods or 5- and 6-weight trout Spey rods for targeting large browns.
Equipment:  The guides provide all flies and, upon request, they can supply fly rods, reels, and wading boots. A $100 breakage fee applies per damaged rod. A detailed tackle list is included in our confirmation packet.
Fishing License:  Your fishing license is included in the package.

Limay River Rainbow Trout

The Limay River is home to one of Patagonia's finest populations of hard-fighting rainbow trout, with exceptional numbers of fish averaging 17 to 21 inches. These fast-growing trout feed year-round on aquatic insects and baitfish, providing consistently productive fishing throughout the season.
Due to the massive size of the ranch and the outfitter's exclusive lease, anglers have access to over 30 miles of river for floating and 12 linear miles for wading small side channels. There’s enough water to offer each cabin its own solitary float for at least 7 days of fishing without repeating water.

A Typical Fishing Day:
8:00 a.m. - You’ll have breakfast, then head out to fish.
8:30 a.m. - Head out with your guide.
Noon - Picnic-style lunch riverside.
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. - Wrap up fishing and return to the Lodge.
8:00 p.m. - Open bar and appetizers at the Lodge.
9:00 to 9:30 p.m. - Dinner is served. (Late dinners are typical for Argentina.)
Extra Guided Hours:  Hardcore anglers may add guided fishing hours by arranging them directly with their guide. In December and January, fishing until last light (around 9:30 p.m.) can add up to three hours. An additional $75 to $100 per boat tip is recommended for an extended day.

Streamside Lunches

Daily Ground Transfers

Limay River Ranch

Limay River Ranch offers 6 high-end cabins for a maximum of 12 guests, with incredible cuisine and an authentic Patagonia experience. The main lodge has a dining room, bar, and a living room. Laundry service is available for $10 per load.
Electricity:  The off-grid Lodge is almost entirely solar-powered, with a large lithium-ion battery bank and a natural-gas backup generator providing continuous 24-hour power.

Meals and Beverages

Meals:  Chef-prepared dinners feature Patagonian specialties, including renowned local dishes, grilled meats, and traditional Patagonian lamb, complemented by Argentine wines.
Beverages:  Bottled water, soft drinks, tea, and coffee are included throughout your stay.
Alcohol:  The package includes a pre-dinner open bar, featuring beer, wine, and a moderate selection of liquor. Beer and wine are served throughout dinner.

Cabin Bedroom

Each cabin has approximately 360 square feet of interior space, with a private bathroom, air conditioning and heating, and a woodstove. Each cabin also has an outdoor deck.

Six Deluxe Cabins

Communications:  Complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi is available at the Lodge. If you want to make phone calls, we recommend downloading the WhatsApp app.

Limay River Brown Trout

Getting to the Lodge:

You'll fly to Buenos Aires, then take a domestic flight to Chapelco Airport near San Martín de los Andes. The Chocolate Lab team will meet you at Chapelco Airport and provide the approximately 2.5-hour ground transfer to Limay River Ranch.
Early Arrival Option:  Guests may arrive in San Martín de los Andes the day before the fishing itinerary begins and stay overnight at a hotel. The Chocolate Lab team will pick you up at your hotel at 8:30 a.m. the following morning. The hotel night and airport transfer are not included in the package. Hotel recommendations are provided in our confirmation packet.
On Departure Day:  The group will be driven to Bariloche Airport for the 2-hour return flight to Buenos Aires. If your domestic flight arrives at Aeroparque, you'll transfer by ground to Ezeiza International Airport. Please allow at least four hours between flights, as traffic in Buenos Aires can be unpredictable. Most travelers can book an overnight flight to the U.S. that same evening, making a hotel stay in Buenos Aires unnecessary.

2026 / 2027 USD Rates

Season:  November 25 - May 8
7 nights / 6.5 days $8,850 per person

The Package Includes:

• Ground transfers between Chapelco airport and the Lodge
• 7 nights Lodging
• Starlink Wi-Fi at the Lodge
• Meals and a pre-dinner open bar at the Lodge
• 6.5 days guided fishing
• Use of fly outfits and wading boots upon request
• All flies
• Fishing license

The Packages Do Not Include:

• Airfare to and from Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Hotel nights, meals, and transfers in transit to the Lodge
• Ground transfers in Buenos Aires
• Domestic airfare between Buenos Aires and the Lodge
• Laundry service, $10 per load
• Waders and wading boots
• Leaders and tippet
• Gratuities for guides and Lodge staff
• Expenses due to itinerary changes beyond the outfitter’s control
• Global Rescue coverage
• Mandatory travel medical insurance
• Trip cancellation insurance
• Anything not listed under inclusions.