Arroyo Verde, Neuquén

FISHING

Arroyo Verde, Neuquén

Arroyo Verde lies on the northern banks of the Traful river which feeds the Traful lake just south of Bariloche, within the natural reserve that is part of the Nahuel Huapi National Park. The 12,500 acre ranch is primarily dedicated to rearing cattle and sheep. Accommodation is in the main house which offers visitors 4 double bedrooms with private bathrooms, or an independent log cabin on a crag overlooking the lake which can take up to 4 guests with one bathroom.

The surrounding area is a plentiful mix of arid steppe land, dark pine forests and lush vegetation around the many streams against the backdrop of the snow-capped Andes mountain peaks and volcanoes. The countryside is perfect for horse-riding, trekking, bird-watching, and, of course, hunting and fly-fishing. While red deer and wild boar hunting expeditions can be organized from March to May, the fishing season is from November to April.

The Traful is exclusively a catch and release fly -fishing river. At the beginning of the season, mid November, the river runs high and fast, becoming lower in December but usually with fast water till the beginning or middle of January (depending on weather conditions, especially the previous winter snows in the mountains), the river then runs slow till the first rains of autumn. Its width varies from 60 to 90 feet (20 to 30 meters). Fishermen will need chest waders throughout the season. Good boots with felt soles are a must because of the stones on the river-bed. Arroyo Verde does not provide any equipment. The river is typical mountain with pools and rapids where the water runs pure and crystal clear for more than ten miles through Arroyo Verde. Parts of the banks are lined with bushes and trees, making fly-casting more exciting and sometimes a rather challenging task.

The Traful is a very special river, as it has many different kinds of “salmonids”: rainbow, brown and brook trout, land-locked salmon and occasionally perch. Although the average weight of the fish is around 3lbs. for trout and 4lbs. for salmon it is not uncommon to catch 7 to 10 pounders. An 18lbs. salmon, a 23lbs. rainbow and a 16lbs. brown have all been caught recently in the Traful.

The minimum reservation is for two days.

The price includes

Return transfer to/from Bariloche airport (BRC)
Full board and activities at the ranch
Private vehicle and fishing guide during the whole stay (there is one guide for every two passengers)

Guests are recommended to bring casual and comfortable clothes suitable for riding and camping. A waterproof jacket is also recommended as the mountain weather conditions are subject to sudden changes.

FISHING & HUNTING

Estancia Tipiliuke, San Martín de los Andes

A stunning ranch set in the heart of the Chimehuin River Valley in one of the most beautiful landscapes in Argentina, the lake district. The property covers over 20,000 acres, including a 12km stretch along the banks of the Quilquihue river which is known world-wide for the excellent quality and variety of its fly-fishing.

Tipiliuke was one of the first estancias to be established in the area at the beginning of the 20th century, after the war of the desert, and today’s owners are direct descendants of those brave pioneers. The Tipiliuke lands cover a wide range of different terrain and vegetation, with areas of scrub-land as well as forests of monkey puzzle (araucaria) and southern beech lenga and ñires trees which play host to a great variety of wildlife, including red deer, wild boar, red foxes, guanaco, pumas and wildcats. Bird-watchers will find plenty to keep them occupied, from condors and many different kinds of birds of prey to humming birds, parrots and waterfowl.

Two houses are available for guest accommodation throughout the entire season. They are "Tipiliuke" lodge, and "La Casa de Pablo" house. There is a third house "Mayal" that can be rented during certain months of the year as a single unit. There are a total of 14 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms.

The main activities at Tipiliuke are trout fishing and red stag and wild boar hunting but other activities such as horseback riding, cross-country skiing, walking and trekking are also available.

Fishing.

Low season: 15 November to 23 December

High season: 24 December to 31 May.

The price includes

Return transfer to/from Chapelco airport (BRC)
Full board and activities at the ranch
Private vehicle and fishing guide during the whole stay (there is one guide for every two passengers)

Hunting:

Low season: 1 March to 15 April

High season: 16 April to 31 May.

The price includes

Return transfer to/from Chapelco airport (CPC)
Full board and activities at the ranch
Private vehicle and hunting guide during the whole stay (there is one guide per passengers)

Prices do not include

Hunting permits
Tag fee
Trophy fee and administrative charges for trophy exportation

DOVE SHOOTING

Córdoba

Cordoba, located in the heart of Argentina, is considered to be one of the best areas worldwide for hunting doves. It is an area of hills and rivers with a mild climate that changes little throughout the year and thousands of acres of grain crops. These factors, coupled with suitable roosting conditions, have produced a dove population that is estimated at 40 million birds, mostly eared doves which are native to central Argentina and Chile up to Venezuela and possibly further north. There is no limit to the hunting season for doves as they are considered by local farmers to be a significant crop-destroying plague which seem, despite increasing wing-shooting activities in the region, to become more numerous every year. Wing-shooting is thus beneficial, not only a fantastic opportunity for visiting sportsmen but also for farmers who can earn additional income by leasing hunting rights to their property as well as manage some form of pest control, as well as the specialised guides and outfitters.

Estancia La Paz

The property is a historic estancia which once originally belonged to Julio Argentino Roca, twice president of Argentina (1880-1886 and 1898-1904). From 1870 until the late 1930’s, Estancia La Paz played host to many of the key developments in the country’s social and political life, dominated by a group of intellectuals known as the 1880 generation responsible for introducing profound changes which gave birth to the middle classes, which in those times set Argentina apart from the rest of Latin America. In those days President Roca, who enjoyed spending time away from the capital, adopted La Paz as his personal refuge, not only for his own relaxation but also as a place to meet with some of the most important politicians of the day to discuss state affairs. His only son, who later became Governor of the Province of Córdoba and subsequently elected vice-president (1932-1938) also chose La Paz as his favourite place to live after his father’s death in 1914.

The magnificent house now offers guests all the warmth and hospitality of a family home plus the service of a five-star hotel. It has 23 bedrooms with private bathrooms which are all centrally heated with telephone and room service, while business meetings can be held in the drawing room and art gallery. The staff speak fluent English and German.

A typical shooting day

The day begins early with a hearty breakfast before transferring to the field. Although the schedule may vary according to the season, weather and behaviour of the doves, the party aims to be in the field at dawn. Hunting takes place all day long with a break for a typical Argentine asado, barbequed beef after a special entrée prepared with doves, accompanied with salads and followed by dessert, washed down with wine, beer or soft drinks and finishing up with coffee. The day finishes at sunset when the group returns to the ranch for drinks and dinner.

In the field each hunter has a ‘bird boy’ who is responsible for setting up the shooting position, supplying shells and refreshment as well as recovering downed birds and cleaning up at the end of the shoot. An English-speaking professional hunting guide will also be on hand to supervise the shoot and ensure that each client’s every need is met. The shooting fields are selected according to the information provided by scouts who regularly monitor the wide area of fields available.

The price includes

Return transfer to/from Córdoba airport (COR)
Full board and activities at the ranch
Private vehicle and hunting guide during the whole stay

Prices do not include

Bird boy
Shells

General notes applying to all three estancias

A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the total price is required up-front to guarantee the reservations. The remainder must be cleared 45 days prior to arrival and may be refunded up to two weeks (15 days) before arrival.
Prices are quoted in US dollars including taxes
Air fares and airport taxes are not included.
Prices are subject to increase dependent on whether the government increases VAT charges on transport, services and goods due to inflation or fluctuations in the exchange rate.