Wade Fishing on the Pichi Leufú River near Bariloche

The Pichi Leufú River offers a more intimate fly fishing experience within reach of Bariloche. Flowing through open Patagonian steppe, this small river has a succession of riffles, runs and pools that can be explored on foot.

For anglers who enjoy wading and taking time over individual stretches of water, the Pichi Leufú River is an appealing destination to consider.

A river for learning to read the water

Its smaller scale means that long casts are often unnecessary. Choosing where to stand, controlling the line and presenting the fly become more important than casting distance.

That makes the Pichi Leufú a useful setting for beginners to develop their skills. With a local fly fishing guide beside you, each run offers an opportunity to discuss where trout may hold and how to approach them.

Experienced anglers can also enjoy the careful presentations and changes of pace that come with fishing a smaller river.

For a different setting, discover fly fishing on the forest-lined Manso River.

Planning an early-season visit

Brown and rainbow trout inhabit the Pichi Leufú. Floating lines, dry flies and nymphs form the basis of our fishing, with small streamers also an option during the early season.

Our trips here generally focus on November through mid-January. As summer progresses, falling water levels can limit the fishing, so the destination needs to be assessed for your dates.

Our fishing destinations also include the Traful River, where our wading trips form part of a lodge stay. Before choosing your trip, review what to bring for a fishing day and confirm the equipment you need.

Discover our guided fishing trips from Bariloche and ask the Southern Rivers guiding team whether the Pichi Leufú suits your visit and preferred style of fishing.