COLLON CURA LODGE - Kienes' Premier Destination
Destination Overview
Estancia (Ranch) Collon Cura, owned by Ted Turner is a 70,000 acre ranch land innovatively managed partnering economic viability with ecological sustainability.
Collon Cura is located on the banks of the Collon Cura River and having private and exclusive access to the best spots of this prolific river makes the perfect day for an unforgettable fishing experience.
One of the top rivers in Northern Patagonia, and a Jorge Trucco's Patagonia Outfitters all time favorite, the Collon Cura offers very unique features. This is a large river that collects the waters from various other tributaries as it flows from North to South: Rivers Aluminé, Pulmarí, Rucachoroi, Nahuel Mapi, Quilca, Quillén, Malleo, Catan Lil, Quillquihue , Chimehuin and Quemquemtreu, shed their waters into the mighty Collon Cura River.
This is a classic Patagonian plains river that meanders along the high Patagonian steppe offering ideal conditions for profuse resident wild populations of big and healthy rainbows, browns and Patagonian perch.
Willow lined banks, sand cliffs and rolling hills shape the Collon Cura River’s unique and attractive landscape. Underwater life is varied and profuse. The Collon Cura River Valley is populated with some of the most spectacular wildlife you’ll find anywhere.
We utilize drift boats to cover mileage but fishing can be done both by wading and from the boat in order to reach incredibly productive hot spots. The Collon Cura is a versatile river; it can be successfully fished with streamers, nymphs, dries, attractors and terrestrials. The Collon Cura is prolific and interesting, it is everybody’s river.
At a Glance
Target Fish: Rainbow and Brown Trout
Location: Neuquén · Argentina
Seasons: November 1 to End of April
Lodge Capacity: 8 guests
Program Operator: Jorge Trucco's Patagonia Outfitters
Nearest Airport: San Martin de los Andes. Bariloche is a good second choice.
Electricity: 220 volts. It is recommended that you purchase a converter prior to your arrival
Documents Needed: Passport (no visa needed for travelers from USA and most western European countries. Also, the reciprocity fee is no longer required.)
Fishing Program
Two anglers fish together with a professional guide to give every angler the finest experience possible. Each guide has all of the finest equipment necessary to make your fly fishing experience ideal including: trucks, hard RO Skiffs driftboats or rafts, flies, lines, leaders and tippet. For anyone needing them, the lodge will also provide rods and reels, and/or waders and wading shoes.
The fishing is done via driftboats, floating 5-10 miles per day. You will be treated to a blend of floating, wading and often a combination of both on each unique float.
You can choose to fish from the driftboat, tossing big foam dries to bankside structure and in shallow riffle drops, or jump out of the boat and spend part of a day wading through extensive side channels, casting to big trout rising in small water.
Your options depend on your desires and what is fishing the best. Fishing techniques include dry fly, dry-dropper, and streamers. Collon Cura Lodge guides try to fish dries at all times when the conditions are right and the fish are feeding; however, it is necessary to go under the surface at times.
The rainbows in the Collon Cura average about 18 inches, and are screamers – some will take anglers well into their backing! The browns average about the same size, but there seems to be a higher incidence of them in the 20 – 23- inch range, amazing fish on dry flies!
The Collon Cura River region resembles fishing in the American West in many ways. Huge vistas, high desert terrain, riverside cliffs... it is very reminiscent of some of the drier climates in Wyoming or Idaho. Water flows and temperatures are tied to snowfall, rain, and outside temperatures, and tend to stay fairly constant through the season, and the insect biomass is strong; this makes for happy fish, and even happier anglers!
Best Fly Fishing Seasons:
November to Mid March
Accommodations
Up to eight (8) guests per week can enjoy all the comforts of Collon Cura Lodge's exclusive first class fishing lodge located near the banks of the Collon Cura. The lodge features four spacious and beautiful rooms, each with en suite bathrooms. The lodge also has a “great room” gathering area allowing guests to gather after fishing and share stories with friends while enjoying a drink.
The lodge is completed by the beautiful, separate dining room where you'll enjoy a healthy breakfast in the morning and gourmet food (some of the best in Patagonia), prepared by a talented chef, in the evening.
Collon Cura Lodge will provide all food and beverage during your stay. Breakfast is hearty and consists of eggs your style, toast, jams, meats, fruits, cheese, meats, juice, tea and coffee. Lunch is a culinary delight and is normally served stream-side.
Lunch includes a nice combination of area meats, cheeses, vegetables, wine, and dessert making this an experience that you'll be looking forward to daily.
Dinner is typically served around 9:00 pm - after cocktail hour - which gives guests a chance to tell others about their day, and those who choose to fish later a few more minutes to get back to the lodge and ready for dinner.
Dinner is typically three courses and features not only Patagonia's famous beef and lamb, but also pork, chicken, rabbit, fish, pasta and vegetables. Malbec wine is typically served with dinner as this is the best variety that Argentina produces and one of the hardest to find in other countries. The lodge offers wine upgrade options upon request.
Lodge Amenities
LAUNDRY SERVICE: Available, with additional cost
TRANSFERS: To and from the lodge are available with additional cost. (Except to and from the San Martin de los Andes Airport which is free of cost).
WI-FI: internet connection available throughout the lodge as well as at the outdoor seating areas.
Getting There
Getting to Patagonia is not difficult. It is actually very simple: take an overnight flight to Buenos Aires from one of several major cities in the U.S, get a good night's rest and awake in Argentina.
If you have so pre-arranged, you will be met by our professional agents at the airport and transferred to your hotel or to the domestic airport for immediate departure to Patagonia.
Our agents in Buenos Aires will re-confirm flights, make dinner reservations, share a cocktail, and take you on a city tour, if you wish.
Buenos Aires has two airports, an international and a domestic. You will arrive from your country of origin at Ezezia (EZE) and depart to San Martin de los Andes from the domestic airport, Aeroparque (AEP).
It is necessary to transfer by ground from the international airport to the domestic airport for your flight to Patagonia. Our agents can set up your inter-airport transfers. Depending on the time your international flight lands, you might be able to travel directly to Patagonia on the same day (if you want to travel directly to Patagonia, you should plan on two hours to clear immigrations and customs, one hour to transfer between airports, and one hour to arrive at the domestic airport before your flight to Patagonia.).
Flying to San Martin de los Andes and transferring to Collon Cura Lodge:
San Martin de los Andes is a hub city for tourists and skiers, so flying there is normally possible on all days of the week and there are often a couple of options per day. You will be met at the Chapelco Airport (CPC) by a driver (with a sign with your name on it), and transferred the 90 minutes hours to the lodge. (Flying to Bariloche is a good second choice).
When you arrive at Collon Cura Lodge, your luggage will be taken to your room and you will have a chance to get un-packed, settle in and organize your fishing gear. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served in the dining room at approximately 7:00 p.m., and then dinner in the dining room at around 9:00 p.m. During cocktail hour the host (sometimes Jorge Trucco) will provide an orientation on the week ahead and answer any questions you might have.
Rates:
$5950 pp dbl occ. 7 nights, 6 days fishing
Price includes:
Included in your package at Collon Cura Lodge are round trip driving transfers between Chapelco Airport in San Martin de los Andes and the lodge, accommodations, (based on double occupancy), fishing license, all food and drinks including an open bar and beer and wine, all guiding (2 anglers/1 guide), ground transfers between fishing areas, and WiFi internet at the lodge adequate for sending and receiving emails.
Though the lodge suggests guests bring their own waders and fly fishing gear, they have high-quality loaner gear available, on request.
Shorter or longer stays are available @ $850/night for fishing pp
Collon Cura Lodge can be easily combined with other Patagonia Outfitters destinations such as Limay River Lodge and Aluminé River Lodge, and others.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 - Evening departure from the U.S.
Day 2 - Morning arrival at Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires. You will be met by a English speaking representative ** of Patagonia Outfitters outside baggage claim who will assist you and then escort you to your transfer to the Domestic Airport for a flight to Bariloche or San Martin de los Andes Airport in Northern Patagonia.
** We can assist with transfers and English speaking guides.
Upon arrival, a Patagonia Outfitters representative will drive the group to Collon Cura Lodge. Drive time is approximately 1.5 hours from Bariloche Airport or 45 minutes from San Martin de los Andes Airport.
Afternoon fly fishing (time permitting – depending on flight schedule).
Dinner, drinks, and overnight accommodations at Collon Cura Lodge.
Day 3 - Full day of floating the Collon Cura River. Shore side lunch at midday.
Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner, drinks and continued overnight accommodations at Collon Cura Lodge.
Day 4 - Full day of floating the Collon Cura River. Shore side lunch at midday.
Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner, drinks and continued overnight accommodations at Collon Cura Lodge.
Day 5 - Full day of floating the Collon Cura River. Shore side lunch at midday.
Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner, drinks and continued overnight accommodations at Collon Cura Lodge.
Day 6 - Collon Cura Lodge to Alumine River Lodge. Leave after an early breakfast. Your guide will drive you for around 2 hours to Alumine River Lodge.
Lunch upon arrival. Fish the Alumine River all afternoon.
Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner, drinks and continued overnight accommodations at Alumine River Lodge.
Day 7 - Full day of floating the famed Alumine River. Shore side lunch at midday. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner, drinks and continued overnight accommodations at Alumine River Lodge.
Day 8 - Full day of floating the famed Alumine River. Shore side lunch at midday. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner, drinks and continued overnight accommodations at Alumine River Lodge.
Day 9 - Full day of floating the famed Alumine River. Shore side lunch at midday. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner, drinks and continued overnight accommodations at Alumine River Lodge.
Day 10 - Full day of floating the famed Alumine River. Shore side lunch at midday. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner, drinks and continued overnight accommodations at Alumine River Lodge.
Day 11 - Flight from San Martin de los Andes to Buenos Aires
After breakfast, 2 hours transfer to San Martin de los Andes (Chapelco) Airport for a flight to Buenos Aires Domestic Airport.
Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, transfer to the international airport. Depart on an overnight flight back to the US.
**We can handle domestic flights reservations, payable with credit card.
Day 12 - Early arrival in the US