The Traful River flows from Lake Traful to the Limay River through a landscape where Andean forests give way to the Patagonian steppe. Northeast of Bariloche, it pairs a dramatic mountain setting with fly fishing that rewards a keen eye, sound technique and patience.
We wade fish the stretch of river at Estancia Arroyo Verde Lodge as part of an all-inclusive lodge stay. Brown and rainbow trout are our main targets, along with the coveted landlocked salmon. The chance to connect with one of these elusive fish makes the Traful a compelling destination for anglers who relish a challenge.
Discover how to fish it at each stage of the season.
The Traful River fishing season
From November through April, fly fishing on the Traful River evolves with the season: high water and streamer fishing early on, explosive dry-fly takes in summer, and more technical fishing as the season draws to a close. We fish exclusively on foot, wading the stretch at Estancia Arroyo Verde Lodge in search of brown trout, rainbow trout and landlocked salmon.
The start of the season offers dynamic fishing. With November’s high water, some sections have willow-lined banks, making it important to choose where to fish carefully. Even so, there are plenty of accessible pools and stretches with more open banks and lighter vegetation.
At this stage, streamers and sinking lines are generally the most effective options. While the fishing is not automatic, the variety of water and the miles we can cover on foot from the lodge provide plenty of opportunities to find trout. Patience and a well-planned approach make all the difference.
Mid-December to late February
Summer dry-fly fishing
During summer, as insect hatches develop, opportunities with floating lines become more frequent. Casting large dry flies and seeing explosive surface takes makes this a truly unique time to fish. Wading allows us to carefully work each run and pool, adjusting our presentations as we move downstream.
As summer progresses, salmon begin moving toward the lake, where food and cover are more abundant. Resident brown and rainbow trout remain in the river, and the chance of a memorable fish is always there—especially early in the morning or at dusk. Traful remains a challenging fishery even when conditions are less than ideal, and small streamers can also produce excellent results.
March and April
Nymphs, streamers and landlocked salmon
Toward the end of the season, flows drop and good-sized landlocked salmon have entered the river as they approach their spawning period. Under these conditions, nymphs and selected streamers become particularly effective. Lower water presents a different challenge from the beginning of the season and calls for greater precision with every presentation.
The migration of large brown trout also begins, as they move into the river and take up position on their spawning grounds. This is a time when anglers may connect with truly large fish and enjoy unforgettable moments.
For patient anglers, the possibility of encountering a trophy trout or salmon is always present—one more reason to choose this part of the season.
Discover the magic of the Traful.
Landlocked salmon and trout on the Traful River
Traful River landlocked salmon
Wade fishing in Patagonia’s forests
Traful River brown trout
Southern Rivers Patagonia · Traful River
Fly fishing stays at Estancia Arroyo Verde Lodge
Choose how you would like to experience Traful River.
