El Encuentro Fly Fishing

Lodging Details
This program owns and operates El Encuentro Lodge and the Brook Trout Basecamp and works with a variety of other quality lodges to build custom itineraries that best suit the fishing and travel needs of their guests. Each lodge is distinctly different with regard to style and layout, however, each can accommodate 8-12 anglers per week in comfortable double-occupancy rooms with private bathrooms. See below for a brief description of each of the unique lodge options offered with El Encuentro Fly Fishing.

El Encuentro Lodge
Nestled on the banks of the mighty Rio Futaleufu, El Encuentro Lodge serves as the base of operations for El Encuentro Fly Fishing programs. The lodge is steeped in tradition and combines genuine Argentine hospitality with opportunities to fish the Futaleufu, Nant y Fall, Arrayanes, and Corinto Rivers and a variety of private access small streams and lakes.

Brook Trout Basecamp
El Encuentro’s Brook Trout Basecamp offers a luxury safari-style tent camping experience on the banks of the Rio Corcovado for anglers wanting to get “off-the-grid.” From here anglers have convenient fishing access to both the Corcovado and Tigre river systems, which arguably hold some of the most pristine population of brook trout in all of Patagonia.

Food and Beverages
A variety of authentic Argentine meals consisting of locally sourced meats and produce paired with regional wines and beers are served at each lodge. Basic continental breakfasts are served before heading out to fish for the day, while hot and cold lunches are prepared and served by your guide during the fishing day. After fishing, appetizers and cocktails are served prior to dinner. Hearty multi-course dinners are commonly served late (9:00 PM, or later). in traditional Argentine style.

Typical Length of Stay
Standard length packages are seven (7) nights / six and a half (6.5) days (Saturday-Saturday) and typically include stays at two lodges. Custom trip itineraries of any length can be arranged.

Non-Angling Activities and Options
Non-angling activities vary at each lodge and include a range of active adventures such as hiking, horseback riding, biking, kayaking, birdwatching, wine tasting, and massages. Non-angling activities are tailored to the interests of each guest and arranged in advance at the time of booking.

Internet / Communications
Wi-Fi internet access and cell service is available at most locations. Check with your mobile service provider for coverage areas and special fees.

How To Get There
Travelers depart from their local home airport and connect with an overnight flight from one of several major US cities (commonly New York, Atlanta, Miami, Dallas, Houston, or Los Angeles) and arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina by mid-morning the following day. From the international airport (Ezieza-EZE) guests will need to arrange a transfer, in advance or on-site, to their downtown hotel. On the following day, guests will need to arrange a transfer from their hotel to the domestic airport (Aeroparque – AEP) to catch the once-daily mid-day flight to Esquel (ESQ). Upon arrival at the Esquel airport, guests will be met by a member of the El Encuentro Fly Fishing team and transferred approximately one hour to the lodge.

Alternatively, guests can choose to take one of many daily flights to/from Buenos Aires and Bariloche and coordinate a special transfer to/from El Encuentro. The transfer between Bariloche and El Encuentro takes approximately 4 hours, needs to be arranged in advance, and comes at an additional cost.

Arrival and Departure Details / Times
Due to limited domestic flights and time-consuming transfer logistics between the international and domestic airports, guests typically need to spend the day and overnight in Buenos Aires on the first day they arrive in Argentina. On the departure day, guests can leave the lodge, fly from Esquel to Buenos Aires domestic airport, have a reasonable amount of time (we recommend 4 hours) to transfer to the international airport, and connect with their return flight to the US.

El Encuentro’s arrival and departure times are based around flight schedules set by the local airline. Flights between Buenos Aires and Esquel run once per day and 5-6 days per week with arrival and departure times that can vary depending on the time of the year. 

Typical Travel Itinerary
Thursday: Depart your home airport and connect with an overnight flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Friday: Arrive at Buenos Aires international airport (Ezieza – EZE) in the morning. Transfer to your hotel in downtown Buenos Aires and overnight.
Saturday: Transfer from your hotel to the Buenos Aires domestic airport (Aeroparque – AEP) for your flight to Esquel. Upon arrival, a representative of El Encuentro Fly Fishing will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the lodge.
Sunday – Friday: Six (6) full days of guided fishing.
Saturday: Depart the lodge and transfer to the Esquel airport for your return flight to the Buenos Aires domestic airport (Aeroparque – AEP). Transfer from the domestic airport to the international airport (Ezieza – EZE) to catch your return overnight flight to the US.
Sunday: Arrive in the US, clear customs, and connect with a flight to your home airport.

Documents Required
Valid passport. Citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, and other Western European nations do not need a visa for tourist trips of up to ninety days.

Travel Arrangements
Yellow Dog provides airline reservations ad ticketing assistance through etcTravel Group, and a full-service airline logistics agent that can help book airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and more. You can click here to request a quote or contact Yellow Dog for more information at 406-585-8667. etcTravel Group offers dedicated support services for all Yellow Dog clients. Service fees may apply when booking or researching tickets, and etcTravel will discuss this with you before sending quotes. 

Travel Tools
– Airline Ticketing
– Moon Phases
– Rent This Rod
– Trip Insurance and Emergency Evacuation
– Global Rescue Membership

General Information
No matter what time of the season El Encuentro strives to provide its clients with a diverse array of productive public and private access angling options for brown, rainbow, and brook trout in the Esquel region of central Patagonia. Some of the featured and famed fisheries available to anglers include the Futaleufu, Nant y Fall, Arrayanes, Rivadavia, Corinto, Carrileufu, and Corcovado rivers, Kruger and Verde lakes, and many other smaller rivers and streams. Some waters are floated, some are waded, and at times a combination of the two depending on conditions and desires. Most trout are in the 16 to 23-inch range, with many exceeding 23 inches. Trout species, size, and numbers vary depending on the waters fished with some waters that produce numbers, some that produce size, and some that produce both. Guests fish two anglers per guide and employ a variety of fly fishing techniques depending on water and fishing conditions. Whether casting big terrestrial dry flies, pulling streamers, or working dry dropper rigs El Encuentro’s program has the experience and range to fish a huge range of water types available through their established network of partner lodges.

Boats and Equipment
The El Encuentro program utilizes a combination of rafts outfitted with fly fishing frames and fiberglass drift boats to access area fisheries. Guests should arrive fully prepared with their own fishing gear including waders and boots, rods and reels, and flies. Guides will supply you with leaders and tippet and fill in any missing gaps in your fly selection as needed to ensure that you have the right pattern for the right situation.

Package Rates
Remember that Yellow Dog’s services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge or outfitter. All prices listed below are per person, based on double occupancy, and quoted in US dollars. Trips of any length can be arranged, so please call Yellow Dog for details and custom package pricing.

Double Occupancy Rates
El Encuentro Lodge
7 Nights / 6.5 Fishing Days (Saturday-Saturday) = $6,300.00 per person

2024/25 Rates
7 Nights / 6.5 Fishing Days (Saturday-Saturday) = $6,930.00 per person (Double Occupancy) or $8,800 (Single Occupancy)
Additional Nights: $990 (Double Occupancy) or $1,257 (Single Occupancy)

Customized packages are available at El Encuentro to include the Brook Trout Basecamp and Valle Del Carrileufu Lodge -- Contact Yellow Dog for custom package, single occupancy, or non-angler rates. 

What’s Included:

• Accommodation in a double room with private bathroom at El Encuentro Lodge.
• Accommodation in double base, safari style tent with a separate bath building for every two tents at Brook Trout Camp.
• Full-board: breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner with excellent Argentinean wines and open  bar.
• All ground transport from Esquel airport to the lodge and fishing destinations in this program.
• Fully equipped Argentine fishing guide every two anglers.
• Fishing lines, leaders, and tippet.
• All private water and access fees.
• All Non Fishing Activities.
• Laundry service. Except at Brook Trout Base Camp.
• WIFI

What’s Not Included:

• Airfares
• Transfers, hotel, and meals in Buenos Aires
• Ground transfer to and from Bariloche Airport (if applicable)
• Personal, Health or travel insurance. (We strongly recommend it)
• Fishing license. It can be prepaid as part of your final invoice; we will purchase it before your  arrival.
• Staff and guide gratuities
• Phone calls

El Encuentro Lodge (Chubut Province, Argentina) 
TERMS AND CONDITIONS – CANCELLATIONS
Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the deposit, cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses for these packages. A non-refundable deposit of 50% per person is due at the time of booking for all lodging and fishing packages, and final payment if due 90 days prior to arrival. For cancellations, all deposits and payments are non-refundable. In no event will the lodge or Yellow Dog be responsible for any cancellation of services or operations due to inclement weather, any event of force majeure, airline delays, flight cancellations, or any other reason beyond the control of the lodge. The lodge will not refund payments in the event of poor weather, or if arrival flights are cancelled or airline connections are missed. Additionally, the lodge and Yellow Dog are not responsible for covering costs associated with alternative travel arrangements including flights, hotels, meals or any other expenses incurred. For all of these reasons, and because of the no refund and no credit policy, Yellow Dog strongly recommends that anglers and guests purchase travel insurance and full coverage for your trip. If a cancelled package is resold by either the lodge or by Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, then a full refund will be issued minus a $100.00 per person fee charged by Yellow Dog. Once again, Yellow Dog strongly recommends that anglers and guests purchase travel insurance all Argentina packages.

Payment Terms for All Yellow Dog Trip Bookings  
Unless otherwise noted on your invoice, for all trips less than 90 days out, full payment is required after receipt of the confirmation email to secure guides and reservations. For trips outside of 90 days, a 50% deposit is required upon receipt of confirmation email to confirm your reservations.   

Yellow Dog accepts on-line payments via a secure payment portal – a quick and easy way to complete your trip reservation. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com to gain access. 

Yellow Dog Flyfishing Standard Forms of Payment 

• Debit card (fee-free) and credit card (3% convenience fee) - to pay via card please utilize the customer payment portal. If you need assistance, reach out to 406-585-8667 ext. #3 
• Wires - please include name and/or invoice number for reference on your wire. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com for wiring instructions. (client is responsible for wiring fees) 
• Physical check - please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to 213 S. Willson Ave. Bozeman, MT, 59715

If you have any questions about alternate payment methods, please contact Yellow Dog at (406) 585-8667 ext. #3. We are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM MT.