The Río Grande is located on the island of Tierra del Fuego in the very lower part of South America. It arises in the Chilean, western part of the island and flows in eastward direction, through the Argentine part and into the Argentine Sea. At its mouth lies the city of Río Grande, Argentina. The total lenght of the river is approximatley 240 km and most parts are fishable. Tierra del Fuego, with its rugged landscapes and pristine rivers, but how did these waters become home to such prized fish species? Back in 1927 brown trout stocking occurred in several rivers on the Chilean side of Tierra del Fuego. These trout, believed to have originated from Hamburg, Germany, were marked as "Meerforelle" (sea trout), but the exact source remains unknown.
Introduction of the trout
In the 1930s, English settler John Goodall introduced brown trout to the southern parts of Argentina and Patagonia with trout ova from Puerto Montt, Chile. Again, potential sources point to Hamburg, Germany, or other European locations. Rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon were also introduced during this period. The stocking of brown trout resumed in 1976 and continued annually until at least 2000. Resident brown trout were first recorded in the Rio Grande in 1937, followed by catches of rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon in 1948. As angling tourism gained momentum in the Rio Grande, public access to the river began to decline. Today, less than 10 kilometers of stream are open exclusively to local anglers, with strict regulations in place. Most of the Argentine section of the river is controlled by private landowners, who cater primarily to foreign anglers seeking catch-and-release fishing experiences.
A home away from home
Located just 70 kilometers and one and a half-hour drive from the city Rio Grande, Howenh Lodge offers a convenient escape for trout anglers looking for an unforgettable fishing experience in Tierra del Fuego. The lodge comprises several comfortable buildings including the main lodge with four single guest bedrooms and two double bedrooms. All rooms equipped with private bathrooms.
Perfect location
You can relax in the common living room, in front of the cozy fireplace, or enjoy the spectacular view from the big porch during breakfast or after a day on the water. Howenh Lodge offers three beats and together more than twenty kilometers of water. There is close to 40 named pools in total. Covering everything between enjoyable high water stretches to very productive low water pools.
Days in paradise
A day at Howenh Lodge begins with a good breakfast before you are assigned a stretch of the river. The stretch you will fish always holds a variety of pools. Your guide select the best ones based on the prevailing conditions. Between 8:30 and 9:00 AM you head out to the river and fish several different pools until arround 1:00 PM when it's time for lunch followed by a well-deserved siesta. After the siesta, the coffee table is set and coffee awaits before it's time to head back to the river for the evening fishing session. The guides always take you to new unfished pools that have rested during the day. Evening fishing takes place from around 6:00 PM until sunset, which varies slightly depending on the season. Upon returning to the lodge there's always a refreshing drink waiting before dinner is served. In addition to above we would like to add their wonderful staff, that made us feel like family members the moment we stepped inside the lodge. An incredible experience in itself that leaves us longing to return. It is world class service and hospitality.
Fishing Rio Grande
Many people think that fishing for sea trout in the Rio Grande is quite straightforward. And often, it can be, likely due to the abundance of fish in the river compared to what we're accustomed to in the Nordic regions. However, as easy as it may seem at times, it can be equally challenging on other occasions. The difference with the Rio Grande is that if you do everything right during the most difficult days, you'll be rewarded with encounters with large sea trout. It's all about finding the right keys for different situations and different pools. Some techniques have proven to work very well here, and we'll delve deeper into that in another post. Despite the Rio Grande being a relatively shallow river, it can be worthwhile to dig deep for the most selective trout.
The guides
The Rio Grande river is characterized by numerous bends and pools where fish hold. In several places, you will also find the so called cut banks, where the riverbank has collapsed, creating deeper holes that always serve as holding pools. A cut bank is often a reliable spot for sea trout in the Rio Grande. It's nearly impossible to find these spots on your own and it would take many weeks or even years to learn the river and its most productive locations. When you arrive as a guest at Howenh Lodge and only have a few days to spend in the river, the guide is invaluable in this regard. The guide take you to the most productive pools and show you the best spots on the stretch, saving you from spending time on spots that may never yield a fish.
Local knowledge
In some cases, it may even be impossible to read the water, so without the guide's help, most would likely pass by a prime fishing spot. The guide ensures that you fish the spot correctly, meaning you have the right line and fly, as well as the right speed in the right place. Even if the guest doesn't always hook into a fish the guide keeps spirits and hopes up and always has something good to offer to eat or drink in addition to a quick change between the pools, which maximizes your chances of success throughout the day.
A spectacular place to fish
Tierra del Fuego is truly something spectacular. A treeless pampas with a barren and endless landscape. Birds, foxes, guanacos, along with sheep, horses, and cattle. Skeletons of dead animals scattered across the pampas serve as reminders of the harsh subantarctic climate that prevails at these latitudes. Life is tough here, especially when the wind, which can reach speeds far exceeding 100 km/h, howls across the plains. It's an exhilarating experience to encounter a river like the Rio Grande, teeming with life beneath its surface, in what appears to be a desolate and harsh environment above. Despite the rugged terrain, Rio Grande's meandering path through the land still creates space for life down here.
Howenh Lodge website - https://www.howenhlodge.com
Images provided by Howenh Lodge staff, Håkan Norling, Andreas Möller & Jorge Mulle, IG @muller.89