The lodge provides space for only six anglers and offers private access to 20km of the best fly water on the lower Río Grande. Villa María is a spey anglers’ paradise with long, flat pools that require less casting and allow for more fishing. The extensive beats make it possible to find a pool where the wind is helpful, not a hindrance. To kick off each week, there is an evening warm-up session to maximize time on the river. The lodge provides a cabin on the riverbank for lunch and siestas, allowing anglers to fish more and drive less in the stunning wilds of Tierra del Fuego.

The lodge offers fantastic service and hospitality, with over 80% of their anglers being repeat guests. The a la carte menu, five-star accommodation, excellent equipment and world-class guides ensure a trip of a lifetime.

Every day, the lodge’s dedicated chef prepares delightful meals to fortify you for your battle with the Río Grande’s giant trout. When you return from your daily adventures, you will be greeted with a roaring fire and a well-stocked bar. The lodge also has a tackle shop stocked with high-quality rods, reels, flies, lines, clothing, and other gifts and essentials for both on and off the water. Guests can use the lodge’s fly-tying table and gear storage rooms too.

Six en-suite rooms . All anglers are in single en-suite rooms. There is an annexe apartment with two rooms (both en-suite) just metres from the main lodge.

The level of comfort at these Nervous Waters lodges sets the international standard for flyfishing lodges. From large double beds to 5-star hand-picked linen, you even get a ‘Pillow’ menu on arrival. No details are missed.

Guests typically fly into Buenos Aires and spend a day touring the city before arriving at Villa María on Friday. Commercial Airlines offer a three-hour flight from Buenos Aires to the airport of Río Grande, where a representative from the lodge will meet you. The transfer from the airport to the lodge takes only 30 minutes, and guests are greeted with cocktails upon arrival.

Season: December 29 – March 28 2025

Villa María Lodge is located on the edge of the tidal zone of the lower Río Grande.

Villa María Lodge runs its fishing season during January, February, and March when the water flow is mostly stable to ensure optimal fishing conditions. During this time, guides and anglers can fish from both banks and use pool-specific techniques to catch fish. The fishing season can be broken down into three parts: January (opening), February (mid-season), and March (end of the season).

In January, the river has a good water level and fair-to-good visibility, with consistent flow and speed from the head to the tail out in most pools. Anglers target fresh fish that have just entered the river, and medium-to-large chrome fish are the norm. The tactics used during this month are dynamic, as the fish move very quickly upstream and can settle in different types of pools. Guides move a lot during fishing sessions to keep up with the fish, and fast-to-super-fast sinking tips and medium-to-fast sinking shooting heads are used most of the time.

In February, the river drops, and the pools flow slower with clearer and warmer water. Anglers need to wade and cast carefully and use lighter rods, lines, leaders, and smaller flies as the fish get skittish. Fresh fish continue to arrive in numbers, and a mix of fresh, chrome fish and earlier-arriving cousins can be found in the river. During this month, the running fish are typically smaller than in January, and shallower runs that were good sections for holding in January are no longer good.

March starts by telling us that autumn is getting close. Winds drop significantly as does the temperature. The main run of fish will be over but there will still be pulses of fresh sea trout. The fish will start to move upstream into the mid and upper section of the system and gather in numbers in places where they find the best spawning conditions.

The fishing techniques will change according to the water’s temperature, especially in the last 2 or 3 weeks of March. Early in the morning and late evening, the activity will be slower than midday when water temperatures reach their maximum. If the water gets too cold, you might need to use heavier lines, and bigger flies (usually in bright colours), and fish them slowly along the pools to tease the territorial male fish that start to spread out in the pools and fight for the best mates and spawning grounds. This is the main attraction of this time of the season… huge red, male sea trout that have been lacking aggression for months, now start attacking flies and giving the angler an epic fight.

DAILY ITINERARY

The typical trip does not fish on arrival or departure. Usually, you’ll be shuttled from the airport to the lodge where you can check into your room, prepare gear, and spend an afternoon relaxing on the lodge grounds.

Here is a sample schedule of the daily program:
* 8:00 am Breakfast
* 9:00 am Depart for fishing
* 1:00 pm Lunch and Siesta
* 5:00 pm Fish till dusk
* 11:00 pm Dinner
* Approximately 8-9 hours fishing daily. Fishing hours
will change slightly depending on the season.

The most popular and effective rods for Villa María waters are 2-handed rods, specifically 8 or 9 weight and 12-14 feet in length. These rods make casting easier and require less effort, especially during windy days. Mending and controlling the line is also less challenging with a two-hander. If you are not familiar with using a 2-handed rod, the guides are on hand to provide instruction and will have you casting in no time.

With regards to lines, shooting head lines with changeable tips are a must. One pool you might fish a straight floating line and skated fly while the next might require a 15ft T-18 fast sinking tip. Skagit length lines from 550-650gr are ideal depending on the rod you are using, as they will turn over both heavy tips and larger flies.

For those who prefer a single-handed rod, a 9.6 to 10ft 8-weight is ideal and can handle casting in the typical downstream southwest wind while having enough power to fight against it when necessary. Given the moderate flow of the Rio Grande and the even gravel bottom, an 8 or 9-weight rod can take on the largest Sea Trout in the river.

For sink tips, a mix of tips from full float (15ft) through to T-18 Fast Sink (12ft) and pretty much everything in between. Versatility with your equipment will allow you to change your approach to fish hugging the bank in deeper water or evening fish running in shallow water.

SEASON DECEMBER 29 – MARCH 28, 2025

Price per week: 7 NIGHTS – 6 DAYS FISHING

DECEMBER 29 – JANUARY 3: $ 12,950

JANUARY 3 – MARCH 7: $ 14,950

MARCH 7 – MARCH 28: $ 12,950

Occupancy: 6 anglers in individual en-suite rooms

Check-in After 2 PM / Check-out Before 10 AM

Non-Fisher: $650 per night per person

Fishing License: $550 per person

Friday to Friday weeks include: 1 night at Delta Eco Lodge (shared rooms), with one day of guided dorado fishing (subject to availability; first-come first-take basis) with lunch, dinner & breakfast included – open bar. Does not include transfer from Ezeiza (EZE) Intl. Airport to Marina & Marina to Aeroparque (AEP) Domestic Airport.

IMPORTANT TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR VILLA MARIA

Reservations are confirmed with a 50% deposit. All deposits & payments are 100% non-refundable under any circumstances. Final payment is due 120 days before departure. At this point, participants are
responsible for total land costs and no refunds will be made for unused land transportation, accommodations, or meals

Included:

• Accommodation based on single room (subject to availability)
• Transfer from Río Grande Airport (RGA) to the lodge
• All meals, wines, beer and local and international spirits
• Professional guide services (2 anglers per guide)
• Loaner fishing equipment (Rods, reels & lines)

Not Included:

• International & domestic airfares
• Fishing Licenses (approx $595 for 2025)
• Laundry service
• 1st night or day room (if needed) at Río Grande Hotel or in Ushuaia on arrival date
• Gratuities for guides and house staff
• Transfer to/from Ushuaia
• 1 pax $450 p/pax one way
• 2 pax $225 p/pax one way
• 3 pax $200 p/pax one way
• 4+ pax $175 p/pax one way