Rio Gallegos & Chico – Bella Vista Lodge

Opened in 1995, Bella Vista Lodge is the most exclusive lodge on the Rio Gallegos, offering exciting fishing for giant sea-run trout as well as some of the finest dry fly brown trout fishing, on an intimate spring creek. A much bigger system than its sister river the Rio Grande, the Gallegos and its pools are far more varied in their character. Slow oily looking holding pools are interspersed with fast riffles and boulder strewn runs, and the gravel bottom makes wading very easy.

Bella Vista Lodge owns nearly 50 kms of double bank private access fishing which is limited to a maximum of ten rods per week.

Guided by one of a team of experienced guides, each pair of rods have only the diverse wildlife of the river valley for company. Even the most experienced angler will learn new techniques and skills that will improve his averages elsewhere.

A challenging but infinitely rewarding river, the Gallegos’ list of devotees grows year after year.

The fishing at Bella Vista comprises of two principal fisheries. The Rio Gallegos of which the Estancia has 50 km and the Gallegos Chico which is a spring creek tributary of the main river of which we fish 20km. The Brown trout of the Rio Gallegos and Gallegos Chico are extremely well documented fish, originally stocked in the late 1920’s and 30’s the fish on the main river have gone on to establish a healthy Sea-run Strain of large running fish, present in only a few other rivers in the world. High average sizes persist and improve year on year and the chance of a trophy sea-trout are present with every cast.
The Gallegos Chico is a small charming spring creek with huge character that flows into the main river on the Estancia’s Eastern boundary. Abundant weed growth and rich aquatic food combine to make this one of the World’s most exceptional dry fly fisheries

An # 8 or 9 rod is capable of doing battle with even the river’s largest sea trout (15 to 25 plus lbs.), while it insures the most action with smaller sea trout and resident browns (2 9 lbs). For the Gallegos Chico you will need a single-handed 9ft, 4-6 weight rod

The lodge comprises 5 en suite bedrooms to accommodate a maximum of 10 guests, a comfortable living room, a large wading room and spacious complimentary bar, fully stocked with local and imported spirits, to toast the one that got away! The lodge also counts with wading rooms, fly-tying table and facilities, satellite telephone and internet access, a fly shop fully equipped with flies, rods, reels, lines, and suitable clothing and Argentine crafts.