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Fishing style
Wade fishing
Species
Brown & rainbow trout · Native perch
Trip season
November to mid-January
Your local outfitter
Southern Rivers Patagonia

Small river. Plenty to discover.

Wade Fishing near Bariloche

East of Bariloche, the Pichi Leufú flows through open steppe country, surrounded by wind-sculpted rock formations. Its Mapuche name means “small river,” an apt description of its scale.

Riffles, gentle runs, and pools make for easy wading, with plenty of opportunities to learn and catch fish. Brown and rainbow trout make it especially appealing for beginners, without the long casts often required on larger rivers.

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Pichi Leufú River and steppe landscape near Bariloche, Patagonia, where we offer guided fly fishing trips
Close-up of a brown trout on a guided fly fishing trip on the Pichi Leufú River near Bariloche, Patagonia, Argentina

Fishing through the season

Pichi Leufú River Fly Fishing Season

TThe Pichi Leufú is one of our early-season waters, available from November through mid-January. As summer advances and the snowmelt recedes, flows drop considerably, and the river becomes too low to fish effectively.
Its intimate scale and succession of runs, riffles, and pools make it ideal for wading and learning to read a river. That’s why we call it our “classroom river.” Floating lines, dry flies, and nymphs form the foundation of the fishing; early in the season, small streamers are also an effective option.

Early season · November

Small streamers and sinking tips

During the first month of the season, higher water allows us to add small streamers to the dry flies and nymphs we normally use. We work through the river’s succession of runs, riffles, and pools, looking for brown and rainbow trout.
The Pichi’s intimate scale means long casts are rarely necessary: choosing the right position and presenting the fly accurately matter far more than distance. That makes it a particularly approachable and rewarding river for anglers taking their first steps in fly fishing.

December to mid-January

Wade fishing with dry flies and nymphs

As summer arrives, the main approach remains floating-line fishing with dry flies and nymphs. We wade the river, adapting our presentations to each run and pool—an excellent way to practice drag-free drifts and learn where trout hold.
This period brings frequent mayfly hatches, along with some caddis activity. The season runs through mid-January, making the Pichi Leufú an excellent option for a spring or early-summer visit to Bariloche.

Southern Rivers Patagonia · Pichi Leufú River

Pichi Leufú River Guided Fly Fishing Trips

Choose how you would like to experience Pichi Leufú River.

01

Full-Day Guided Fly Fishing Trips

A full day to explore the water with your guide.

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Overnight Fly Fishing Trips · 1–2 Nights

Extend your time on the water with a tailored overnight itinerary.

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All-Inclusive Fly Fishing Packages

Combine guided fishing and lodging in your Patagonia itinerary.

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Keep exploring Patagonia

Explore Patagonia’s Fly Fishing Rivers and Lakes

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Angler beside a pool and cliffs on the Pichi Leufú River during a guided fly fishing trip near Bariloche, Patagonia

Pichi Leufú River · Patagonia, Argentina

Plan Your Pichi Leufú Fly Fishing Trip

Tell us your dates and the fishing you enjoy. We will help you shape your trip.

Contact Southern Rivers Patagonia