Junín de los Andes,Andes is located east of the Andes mountains in Neuquen Province in northwest Patagonia .
The town is situated on the riverbanks of the Chimehuin River . Thanks to its beauty and the quality of services provided, the town offers outstanding opportunites to fly fishing enthusiasts.
Junin de los Andes is the entrance to Lanin National Park . This protected Park offers the tourist a variety of outdoor activities such as camping, trekking, horse back riding, canoe trips, climbing, fishing, etc.
Thanks to the immense variety of rivers and streams throughout this region the fisherman can enjoy unlimited fishing opportunities. The lakes of Paimun, Tromen, Huechulafquen, Curruhue Grande and Epulafquen open up enormous possibilities for the angler.
Each mirrored lake, stream or river provides a paradise for excellent sport fishing. Outstanding rivers such as the Quilquihue, Malleo, Collon Cura, and Alumine offer world class fishing. The mouth of the Chimehuin, located just 13 miles from town, is known worldwide as one of the top places for fly fishing for trout.
Detailed information on the characteristics of the rivers and lakes in our region are outlined below.
Laker - Collon Cura River - Alumine River - Chimehuin River - Malleo River
> Lakes:
 Approximately a million years ago, during the Ice Age, most of Patagonia was covered in wide masses of ice. The ice flows dug away at the rocky floor yielding enormous depressions and valleys. At the end of the Ice Age (14,000 BC) the glaciers retreated, rivers changed courses and these depressions gradually filled with water providing the origins of most Patagonia lakes.
In general most of these lakes are quite deep with a visibility and clarity that varies between 20 to 50 feet with some lakes as much as 70 feet. The water is extremely clean, almost distilled, and with virtually no salinity or hardness. For the majority of lakes this is the result of rain and snow on hard insoluble rocks that have few salts or ions that can cause contamination.
Low water temperatures, low quantities of nutrients, steep valleys and wind action impede aquatic vegetation except in those areas that are closest to the shore line. The majority of these small and medium sized lakes are easy to navigate. They have many bays and abundant vegetation. Fishing close to the shore yields numerous large trout.
It is important to utilize the appropriate type of boat to find the best places to fish. Lake Paimun has the incredible backdrop of Mount Lanin , an ancient volcano. The Lake Epulafuen mirrors the volcano Achen Niyen that had its last eruption 300 years ago. From the lake one can observe how the lava decended into its cold water Famous Lake Huechulafquen captures the grandeur of the largest lakes inside the National Park.
The fishing techniques vary: trolling from the boat, fishing along the banks, casting near the outlets of rivers and streams, and casting dry flies under leafy trees that line the shores of the lake.
Necessary equipment is a number 6 or 7 weight fly rod with lines such as Teeny 130 or 200, shooting sinking lines and floating lines in some cases. Recommended flies include Wooly Buggers in a variety of colors and sizes, Zonkers, Muddlers, Matukas, and Morin.
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> Collon Cura River
This is a large and wide river that results from the confluence of the Alumine River and the Catan Lil River . The course of the river runs through a beautiful valley from north to south. The width varies from 50 to 120 feet  alternating with long and extensive pools. As the season comes to an end these pools are filled with brown trout that can be of enormous size returning from the reservoir of Piedra del Aguila. The river meanders and its main tributaries are the Chimehuin River , the Quemquemtreu Stream and the Caleufu River , the last river that flows into the Piedra de Aquila reservoir.
The banks of the river change from wide open stretches to sectors of dense vegetation. It is highly populated with rainbow and brown trout. Their sizes range between 1 to 5 pounds with an average size of approximately 2 pounds. Throughout the season it is not uncommon to catch trout in the range of 6 to 8 pounds and even some larger trout on occasion.
It is important to understand that the best parts of the river are only accessible using rubber rafts designed specifically for this river.
Recommended Equipment:
Fly Cast:
The recommended rod size is a number 5 to 7 weight rod between 8 ½ to 9 ½ feet long with a quick sink line such as a Teeny Line or Shooting (III or IV). It is recommended that you utilize streamers and nymphs with hook sizes between number 4 and 8. The deep sectors of the river it is best to use Woolly Buggers, Muddlers, Gray Ghosts, Matukas, and Rabbit patterns. In other sections where there are small arms of the river, wind allowing, a number 3 or 4 weight fly rod with floating lines is recommended for fishing both nymphs and dry flies.
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> Aluminé The Alumine River begins in Lake Alumine and after an extensive journey unites with the Chimehuin River and then becomes the Collon Cura River . As it begins its flow from Lake Alumine other rivers of fly fishing importance flow into the Alumine River such as the Pulmare, Ruca Chororoi, Quillen and the Malleo. To describe this great and varied river would take a great amount of time. For this reason we will explain about the lower section where the majority of float trips occur and divide this into smaller sections.
Lower Alumine : (Approximately 95 Kms.) This section flows from the confluence of the River Quillen to where the River Catan Lil enters. As tributaries flow into the Alumine, the river widens providing countless pools that become wider and deeper and the river changes color into a deep blue.
This part of the river is divided into three sections:
From the Quillen River to the bridge that goes from Pilo Lil (20 miles)
> 1.This section is accessible from the river banks but with difficulty as the river flows limits access. However, as compensation the quality and quantity of fish caught is offset by the low fishing pressure and provides substantial satisfaction and excellent fishing.
From the bridge at Pilo Lil until the bridge at Rinconada (35 miles)
> 2. The second section is totally inaccessible by automobile and it is necessary to use either horses or even better to utilize rubber rafts to float the river. An exception to this is where the Malleo River enters at San Ignacio where there is 2 miles of access. The lack of access and low fishing pressure make this sector an exceptional and world class trout fishing portion of the river. Floating this part of the river will provide the angler with 30 to 40 rainbow and brown trout between 3 to 5 pounds and frequently trout between 6 to 8 pounds when using the proper equipment.
This area provide clients such fantastic fishing that the area is called the “fish factory”. The method used to fish these pristine waters is by camping and float trips that shows the beauty and majesty of the countryside coupled with large quantities of fish. Since access in unavailable it is necessary that the float trip last three days and two nights giving the angler areas that rarely see fisherman.
Recommended Equipment
Rods:
- 9 foot, 4-5-6-7 wt medium fast to fast action.
Reels:
- Smooth drag with at least 50 yards of backing
Lines:
Weight forward floating
- Sinking lines:
- Shooting heads sinking 2 or 4
- Jim Teeny lines 130-175-200
- Fast sink tip
Leader/ tippet:
Flies:
- For appropriate flies please see the section on lakes and rivers
- We also have customized flies available designed specifically for the lakes and rivers of the region
Waders and boots:
- Breathable waders and felt sole boots (no spikes)
- Late March- breathable waders with thermal underwear or neoprene waders
Clothing and accessories:
- Fleece jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- Long sleeve fishing shirt
- Wicking layer (for under wader)
- Shorts for wet wading
- Cap and hat for sun protection
- Quality polarized sunglasses
- Sun screen
Fly Fishing
There is the possibility to use a wide range of equipment and fly fishing techniques in this large river contrary to other large rivers such as the Collon Cura or Limay. The ideal fly rod would be a quick action number 5 or 6 weight rod with a length of 8 ½ to 9 feet long. The most suitable lines are floating lines for both nymph and dry fly fishing and a shooting quick sink line (III and IV) or a Teeny line in 130 to 200 grains. Streamers can be used in the deepest portions of the river that often have the largest fish. Near the end of the fishing season in the middle sector it is possible to use light equipment such as number 2 and 3 weight rods with success. Flies that are recommended include the Montana Stone, Black Stone and Bitch Creek tied on number 8 to 12 hooks. In the case of streamers it is advisable to use patterns such as Woolly Buggers and Maribou Muddlers tied in hook sizes 4 to 8. Since the banks of the river have a great deal of vegetation that harbors the famous inch worms that start from the month of December until February patterns can successfully be used that imitate these worms.
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> Chimehuín River
This is a medium sized river that has its headwaters in Lake Huechulafquen and after completing its journey flows into the Collon Cura River . The course of this river provides spectacular fishing and is the best known, renowned and studied trout river with Argentina .
This excellent river yields both large sized and quantities of trout. The steep banks, deep pools and river flow provide an outstanding trout environment. Many of these famed sectors of the river have deep ravines with large rocks terminating in deep pools It is necessary to use heavier fishing equipment. In the smaller arms of the river it is possible to use a variety of fishing equipment.
The banks of the river are densely lined with a variety of indigenous and beautiful trees. The trout species that are in the river are both the rainbow and brown trout that weigh between 1 to 6 pounds or 14 to 25 inches. It is possible to catch larger trout, particularly brown trout, but it is important to have knowledge of the river as well as fishing experience to catch the large ones.
For a better analysis of this river it is best to divide it into three parts:
> 1. The mouth of the Chimehuin (1/2 mile from the mouth of the river at Lake Huechulfquen until Devil's Throat)
> 2. The upper Chimehuin (from Devil's Throat until the town of Junin de los Andes )
> 3. The lower Chimehuin (from the town of Junin de los Andes until the confluence of the Alumine River )
Mouth of the Chimehuin River
Not only is this section of the river known for the large trout that are caught but, alas, also for the even bigger fish stories of those that got away. The mouth is known for its majesty and stateliness and is recognized as “the mecca of fly fishing”. The uncontrollable passion for this small geographical point has afforded so much enjoyment to fishermen that it was defined by the fisherman Joe Banks as “Boca fever”, meaning mouth of the river fever. According to him, the only way to get rid of the fever was to continually try to fish and learn the intricacies and behavior of these beautiful wild trout.
Among the monsters caught in the mouth of the Chimehuin that stand out include those of Eliseo Fernandez (almost 20 pounds.), Charles Radziwell (18 pounds) and the 20 pound brown trout caught by Jose Evaristo Anchorena. He declared later in a well known magazine interview that a much larger trout had escaped after a violent fight that lasted over 40 minutes.
The average size caught in this part of the river is between 4 to 8 pounds with occasional trout between 10 to 12 pounds.
The Upper Chimehuin River
From the mouth of the Chimehuin River toward the town of Junin de los Andes along Provincial Route 61 the first pool of importance is called “Las Viudas” (The Widows). This pool received its name after a day of fishing when an enormous number of fish were taken and all of them were males. Reports made by the C.E.A.N. (Center of Applied Ecology of Nequen) indicated that this pool along with the pools “El Manzano” and “Balsa Vieja” with their proximity to the lake possess the largest quantity of big trout. This whole superior section of the river is accessible with the exception of certain parts where permission from land owners is required.
The Lower Chimehuin River
As for public access, the first pool appears approximately ½ mile from town and is known as “El Matadero” (The Slaugherhouse). This section has historical value as the municipality allowed dynamiting to change the course of the river bed.
A mile beyond is the “Piedras Blancas”, a sector that receives substantial fishing pressure due to its proximity to the town. Further on good fishing can be had at the fork of the Curruhe River known as “la Curva del Manzano”. Both are filled with large trout near the end of the season as they congregate in pools with the lower river flows providing the opportunity to catch trout between 16 to 26 inches using light weight rods for nymph and dry fly fishing.
A mile lower in the river is the pool known as the “La Marquesa' and the confluence of the Quilquihue River which is about ½ mile from National Route 234. Starting from here are several lodges on private property with limited access to the river that is primarily dedicated and used by foreign fisherman.
The lower section of the river flows through private land that starts at the fork of the River Quilquihue which has a public access. Beyond this entrance you must pay proprietors to gain access to the river.
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Malleo River
The Malleo River is loved by fly fishermen for its subtle variations. It is a formidable river that offers excellent fishing. The accessibility, splendor of the countryside and the quantities of trout deservedly has gained this river international recognition and is among the best trout rivers in the world.
It is a medium sized river, extremely productive and begins its journey of approximately 40 miles flowing out of Lake Tromen and into the Alumine River .
For a better understanding of this river it is best to divide the river into three sections each different from the other:
> 1. The upper Malleo River (from the mouth of Lake Tromen until the international bridge at Tromen Pass )
> 2. The middle Malleo River (from international bridge at Tromen Pass to the bridge that crosses the MalleoRiver where the road goes to the town of Alumine
> 3. The lower Malleo River (from the bridge that crosses the Malleo River where the road goes to the town of Alumine to the outlet of the Malleo River which flows into the Alumine River)
Recommended Equipment
Fly Fishing
At the start of the season (November and December) with high waters the ideal fly rod is a 4 or 5 weight that is 8 ½ to 9 feet with a floating line using nymphs, emergers and dry flies. Use a Full Sinking, Wet Tip or Wet Cell II for streamer use. During this time it is also recommended to try the areas close to Lake Tromen or the Alumine River with lines such as a Tenny 130 and big streamers with the possibility of catching trout up to 3 Kgs.
As the water level lowers starting in January the ideal rods range in size from 1 weight to 3 weight that are 6 ½ to 8 feet long, a floating line, leaders between 9 and 15 feet and tippets between 4X and 5X. With this equipment the use of dry flies and emergers guarantees the most enjoyment and challenge.
Flies recommended at the start of the season (November and December)
Streamers: Marabou Muddler, Wolly Buggers, Zonkers, Matukas, Black Noce Dace tied in number 4 to 8 sized hooks
Nymphs: Stone flies, Zug Bug, Soft Hackle, Montana , Casual Dress, Red Squirrel Fox, Prince and Hare's Ear tied in hooks from size 8 to 12. It is also worth trying nymph attractors such as the Leonis Barbarus and Ranguitiqui Stone fly in sizes 8 to 10
Dry Flies: flies tied out of deer hair have the best results such as Elk Caddis, Delta Wing Caddis or Goddart Caddis in hook sizes 14 to 18. Other top flies include the Wulff, Royal Humpy and Irresistible Black tied in hook sizes 10 to 14
Flies recommended for the middle to the end of the season (January to April)
Streamers: The same flies are recommended as in November and December
Nymphs: Pheasant Tail, Soft Hackle, AP Black and Hare's Ear in hook sizes from 14 to 20.
Dry Flies and Emergers: Elk Caddis, Adams , Ants, Beatles, Black Gnat, Parachute Adams, X Caddis, Thorax Flies and Cul de Canard tied in hook sizes from 14 to 22. Midges in types such as Griffing Gnat or Palomino tied in hook sizes 18 to 24. Grasshoppers tied in hook sizes from 8 to 14. Do not forget worm imitations known as “gusanitos del sauce” tied in hook sizes 14 to 16.
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