La Pilarica Fly Fishing Lodge, Northern Patagonia

LA PILARICA LODGE, CHOLILA, NORTHERN PATAGONIA

FISH A QUIETER CORNER OF PATAGONIA

La Pilarica Lodge is a purposefully small fly fishing base on the Carrileufú River near Cholila and Los Alerces National Park in Chubut, Argentina. Five ensuite rooms host 6-8 rods, giving anglers a flexible week built around water levels, weather and the best fishing each day.

Float and wade for wild brown and rainbow trout across the Carrileufú, Rivadavia and Arrayanes rivers, with options for spring creeks, lakes, brook trout and landlocked salmon.

This is rural Northern Patagonia: clear cool water right throughout the season, fewer boats and local guides who know how to reach the productive stretches.

“Join Isolation Outfitters at La Pilarica for one of two hosted weeks: 4–11 December 2026 or 27 February–5 March 2027. See our Northern Patagonia Hosted Week page for availability.”

Lodge Views
Brown Trout to hand
Cozy Lodge
A typical brown
Quiet Spaces
Exceptional Cuisine
Remote Angling

FLY FISHING THE CARRILEUFÚ & LOS ALERCES
FROm LA PILARICA LODGE

ABOUT LA PILARICA LODGE

La Pilarica Lodge sits in Villa Lago Rivadavia near Cholila, in Argentina’s Chubut Province, approximately 90 minutes from Esquel Airport. Los Alerces National Park is on the doorstep, placing an exceptional variety of rivers, lakes and spring creeks within reach.

This is a quieter, more rural side of Patagonia than the better-known corridor farther north. Glacial lakes, clear freestone rivers, ancient alerce forests and working cattle country shape the landscape. The valley also retains a strong gaucho heritage; the original cabin built by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid still stands nearby.

The lodge is deliberately small. Five double rooms with private bathrooms host a maximum of 6-8 rods, although we can fits groups up to 10 anglers if required. Fishing days remain flexible, allowing the guides to respond to water levels, weather, hatches and each group’s priorities.

ACCOMMODATION & HOSPITALITY

La Pilarica feels like a private home rather than a large commercial lodge. Comfortable ensuite rooms, mountain views, a generous lounge with fireplace and a fly-tying corner make it an easy place to settle in after fishing. Starlink Wi-Fi is available, while mobile coverage in the valley is limited.

Chef Iñaki’s kitchen is central to the week. Expect Patagonian lamb, seasonal local produce, homemade dishes and desserts, and carefully chosen Argentine wines. Breakfast is served before the river, lunch travels with you, and dinner brings the group back together around one table.

Fishing is the focus, but non-angling partners can enjoy horseback riding, kayaking and trekking around Los Alerces. We can also add Argentine wine touring before or after the lodge stay as part of a wider itinerary.

THE FISHERY

The Rio Carrileufú is La Pilarica’s home river, with several floatable and wadeable sections that fish differently as flows change. The nearby Río Rivadavia is one of Patagonia’s celebrated trout rivers, while the Río Arrayanes begins with lake fishing before dropping into a short, beautiful river section.

Guides may also recommend a technical spring-creek day or Laguna Larga for anglers who want to target larger brown trout. Rather than following a rigid rotation, the week is planned around whichever water is fishing best.

THE FISHING

Wild brown and rainbow trout are the primary targets, with brook trout and landlocked salmon adding variety. Dry flies, nymphs and streamers all have a place during the November–April season. Fishing is a blend of drift-boat days, walk-and-wade sessions, lake fishing and selective sight-fishing.

A 9-foot 5 or 6 weight is the best all-round rod. Bring floating lines, a 200-grain or similar sinking tip, reliable waders and layered clothing for Patagonia’s fast-changing conditions.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Accommodation in one of five ensuite guest rooms
Guided fly fishing based on two anglers sharing a boat and guide
All meals and beverages
Return transfers from Esquel Airport (EQS)
Fishing licenses and Los Alerces National Park fees
Flexible daily fishing program tailored to conditions
Pre-trip planning and travel support from Isolation Outfitters

NOT INCLUDED

International and domestic airfares
Gratuities for guides and lodge staff
Comprehensive travel and medical evacuation insurance
Personal fly-fishing equipment
Optional non-angling activities and itinerary extensions

LODGE DETAILS AT A GLANCE

Destination: Villa Lago Rivadavia, Cholila, Chubut, Argentina
Nearest airport: Esquel (EQS), approximately 90 minutes by road
Season: November–April
Prime dry-fly period: January to February, conditions permitting
Target species: Wild brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout
Fishing style: Float fishing, walk-and-wade, lake and spring-creek fishing
Capacity: Five rooms; max of 6-8 rods
Connectivity: Starlink Wi-Fi; limited mobile coverage

A TYPICAL FISHING WEEK

Most guests stay six to seven nights. A representative five-day fishing program may include the Río Rivadavia, Río Arrayanes, two different sections of the Carrileufú, and a final day on a spring creek or Laguna Larga. The actual plan remains flexible so guides can choose the best water each day.

AVAILABILITY

La Pilarica operates throughout the Patagonian trout season. January and February are peak months for fish volume, size and dependable dry-fly opportunities. November and December can offer excellent fishing with fewer visitors, while March and early April can be especially rewarding for larger brown trout.

Solo anglers, couples, private groups and non-angling partners are welcome. Shared-room and single-room arrangements are subject to availability.

2026/27 FLY-FISHING PACKAGE RATES

Single angler/shared room/shared guide: US$4,600

Single Room/Guide options
Single angler/single room/shared guide: US$5,700
Single angler/single room/single guide/boat: US$6,900

The above rates are for a six night stay and five days of fishing, arriving into Esquel on Friday and departing the following Friday.

Two Week option
Two weeks Single angler/shared room/shared guide: US$9,000
This includes 12 nights at the lodge and 10 days of guided angling.

Rates are quoted in US dollars. The package includes lodge accommodation, all meals and drinks, guided fishing, return Esquel Airport transfers, fishing licenses and Los Alerces National Park fees.

HOSTED WEEKS

Our hosted weeks are popular with small groups and individual anglers wanting to experience Patagonia. Isolation Outfitters will host two La Pilarica weeks during the 2026/27 season:

4–11 December 2026
27 February–5 March 2027

We meet you in Buenos Aires where we spend an evening in the city before flying south to Esquel the next morning to begin our week. Our hosted weeks include access to ultra-premium fly rods from manufacturers such as Epic, Stickman and Taylor, together with new lines provided by Scientific Anglers.

Places are limited to six guests. Contact us for current availability or visit our Northern Patagonia Hosted Week page for full details.

TRAVEL PLANNING

We can coordinate your domestic flights, Buenos Aires stopover, Esquel transfers and wider Patagonia itinerary. We have a new office in Mendoza, Argentina and can coordinate your inbound travel and any other Argentina holiday activities.

Non-anglers can add riding and nature activities near the lodge, while local wine touring can be arranged before or after the fishing week. The region produces excellent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, whilst a visit to Mendoza further north puts you in the heart of Melbec country.

WHY FISH LA PILARICA?

La Pilarica combines genuine fishery variety with a small-lodge rhythm. You can float broad freestone water one day, stalk selective trout on a spring creek the next and finish the week searching a lake edge for a larger brown.

The Carrileufú, Rivadavia and Arrayanes provide distinct fishing experiences within one program, while the lodge’s local relationships open up access that is difficult to arrange independently. With no more than 6-8 rods, guides can stay flexible and keep fishing pressure low.

For anglers who value wild trout, clear water that remains cool and fishable right through summer, plus personal hospitality in a less-traveled part of Patagonia, La Pilarica is a compelling destination.

PLAN YOUR TRIp TO LA PILARICA LODGE

TRIP ENQUIRIES

Contact Isolation Outfitters to discuss your preferred dates, group size, room choice and fishing priorities. We will confirm availability with La Pilarica and build the lodge stay into a practical end-to-end itinerary.

GETTING THERE

Most international guests travel through Buenos Aires and connect to Esquel Airport (EQS). The drive from Esquel to the lodge takes approximately 90 minutes and return airport transfers are included in the package. We can advise on flights, airport changes and an overnight stop in Buenos Aires.

CONNECTIVITY & INSURANCE

La Pilarica has Starlink Wi-Fi, but mobile service around Villa Lago Rivadavia and on the rivers is limited. Comprehensive travel insurance with medical-evacuation cover is strongly recommended for all guests.

NON-ANGLING PARTNERS

Horseback riding, kayaking and trekking can be arranged locally. We can also plan broader Argentina extensions, including Mendoza wine tours, Buenos Aires stays and additional Patagonia travel.

BOOKING & PAYMENT

Package rates are quoted in US dollars per angler. The standard option is a shared room with two anglers sharing a boat and guide. A single room with a shared boat and guide is also available, subject to room capacity.

Once your dates and room configuration are confirmed, Isolation Outfitters will provide a detailed itinerary, invoice, inclusions and payment schedule. Payment can be arranged in US dollars. A booking is confirmed only after the required deposit is received.

SINGLE ANGLERS

Solo anglers are welcome. We can place you into a compatible hosted or independent week and arrange either a shared room or a single room, depending on availability. Contact us early for peak January and February dates.

READY TO FISH NORTHERN PATAGONIA?

Send us your preferred dates, number of anglers and room choice. We will confirm the current package rate and availability, then take care of the logistics.