Yellow Dog client Franklin I. recently traveled to Argentina where he spent a week at Estancia Laguna Verde on Jurassic Lake. Read his thoughts below on the booking process, gear recommendations, and the overall experience with lodging and accommodations.
Q. Did you find the trip booking process through Yellow Dog enjoyable and useful? If not, please share why.
R. Yes, very easy to book through yellow dog. Jack Porter and staff very responsive to any questions we had about the trip.
Q. Was the Yellow Dog pre-trip planning packet(s) and travel itinerary you received for your trip helpful and accurate? If not, how could it be improved?
R. Pre-trip planning was generally accurate. Only discrepancy was the 10% recommended tip at the lodge. The lodge actually recommended a 10% tip for the guides and a 6% tip for staff for a total of 16% for the whole tip amount.
Q. Do you have any comments or constructive feedback based on the overall lodging (rooms, dining area, social area, etc)?
R. Fantastic lodging and common areas.
Q. Do you have any comments or constructive feedback based on the service, friendliness, etc of the lodge staff?
R. Service was outstanding. Have not had sevice that good at some 5 star hotels.
Q. Did the food (breakfast, lunch, dinner) match what you were expecting? If not, please provide additional comments or constructive feedback.
R. Food was also outstanding. The asado night was so much fun. Partying with the staff and owner was so enjoyable. Those Argentinians know how to have a good time.
Q. Were you pleased with your guide(s) customer service, communication skills, professionalism, work ethic, and general fishing knowledge? If not, please share why.
R. Our guide was excellent. Very professional and fishing knowledge of the lake and river were invaluable and got us on to lots of fish.
Q. What key pieces of gear or flies made your trip successful?
R. I only have single handed rods and fortunately my son brought a switch rod which allowed me to fish a couple of days when I would not have been able to get a cast out with a single handed rod. I cast with my left hand and many of the spots favor right handed casters. Highly recommend a switch rod for anyone who is not a super strong caster.
Q. What piece(s) of equipment would not leave home without for this trip , or your next, with Yellow Dog?
R. 7 maybe 8 wgt single handed rod and 5 or 6 wgt switch rod. Real good waterproof shell jacket and lots of layers. Gloves for sure if temps are below 50 degrees because of the wind chill.
Q. Would you return to this lodge destination? Please share why or why not.
R. I would definitely like to return but don't know if I will be able to. I live in Hawaii and it takes at least a day and a half to get to El Calafate then another half day to the lodge. The unpredictable weather would give me reservations about returning. That being said, our guide put us in fishable locations despite several days with 60 mph winds.
Q. How would you briefly summarize your overall trip experience?
R. Hard, challenging fishing in a remarkable, pristine location. Anyone who goes to Estancia Laguna Verde will definitely come back a better fly fisherperson. I would not say it was relaxing but it was extremely fun. The one day we had of mild winds was surreal with my son and I each landing over thirty fish, many over 8-10 lbs. We landed several over 15 and I'm sure lost a couple over 20, but that just the fisherman in me talking. The biggest ones always get away don't they??
