Fishing
Lago Strobel Lodge adds more than ten miles to our catalog of shorelines on this spectacular fishery. This new area along the Northeast rim of the 27,000 acre lake has never before even been fished other than by our exploratory teams, and still has much to be learned about its hidden coves, cliffs, and niches. It’s secrets get learned in one way though: catching fish. And the fishing for those who can make it there is literally out of this world.
Day groups for this program are divided into three anglers per guide and utilize 4-wheel drive trucks, ATV’s, and good old fashioned leg-work to access the coastline of the lake. Conditions are highly variable and can range from high winds that require farming the beaches with streamers to calm sunny days that mean sight casting to cruisers with long leaders and dries, but one thing is consistent – these fish are huge, and hungry.
The main source of food for the rainbows of Lago Strobel is the scud, or rather, scuds (there are a few species in the system). These native invertebrates are so numerous in the lake that they provide vastly more forage for the non-native rainbows than the fish could ever possibly use. This imbalance is further insured by the fact that the system’s spawning water in the lower reaches of the Barrancoso River is very limited; there will never be enough of it for the population of rainbows in the lake to outgrow their food supply.
On days when throwing nymphs is the best approach scuds work well, but so do almost all other patterns in smaller sizes (6 to 8). Most days though anglers tend to stick with either small streamers (between sizes 4 and 8) or dries (up to size 4). Unlike some of our fisheries in Chubut Province or in Tierra del Fuego, larger flies simply are not the way to go here and do not result in larger fish.
Almost all of the fishing is done with floating lines, and almost all of it with a minimum of 0x tippet strength. Under a few select circumstances we may add a sinking poly leader to the line or go down in tippet size a few notches, but this is rare. For the most part the name of the game on Strobel is either to spot the fish you want and cast to him like he’s a permit, or to cover the water such that every fish cruising its shores will have a good chance at intersecting the lines described by your flies. Then just buckle in, hold on, and trust your drag; you’re in for the ride of your life.
Accommodations
Lago Strobel Lodge is an original estancia house still in excellent condition, built by the first European inhabitants of this region as a base for their intended cattle and sheep operations around the lake. Anyone who has ever seen this country knows though, scratching a living out of it in the livestock business is a losing game. Fortunately for us, the lake is now all we need. A spacious living area with dining room, satellite TV, wifi and IP telephone serves as the common area for guests. Two ample bedrooms each with private bath accommodate up to three fishermen each for a total capacity of six guests. All the standard amenities including hot water, 220v electricity, heating, and housekeeping are included.
Cuisine
Food at Lago Strobel Lodge at first seems almost too good, too refined for the environment. After your first day of fishing out on the lake though this contrast settles into place, and it becomes easy to understand why Argentine Estancia owners put as much into their cooking as they do.
Patagonians brought the best of southern Europe’s culinary ideas into this stark landscape over a hundred years ago, and have since refined those influences into a distinct local style that today people travel from great distances to experience, even without the fishing or other attractions. Meats, cheeses, and wines are the stars of the table here, but our chef combines these with fresh fruits and vegetables that are no small task to acquire in such a place as this, but which are all the more appreciated for that fact. Suffice it to say, we’ve yet to hear a single complaint about the fishing, or the food.
Travel Details
Flights for the Lago Strobel Lodge program should arrive in Calafate, Argentina. Most travelers first arrive in Argentina landing at Buenos Aires International Airport (EZE) and then need to board a ground transfer (bus or cab of approx 45 minutes drive 
across the city) to Buenos Aires Domestic Airport (AEP) for the flight down to Calafate (FTE). Lago Strobel Lodge staff will meet you just outside baggage claim at the airport in Calafate, and all of your transportation will be provided from that point on until you are dropped off at the airport again for your return flights home. The duration of the transfer from El Calafate to the lodge, and vice versa, takes approximately 5 hours. In order to take advantage of your arrival day, as well as avoid risk of delayed flights that may cause you to miss the scheduled transfer to the lodge, one option is to arrive in El Calafate the day prior to the start of the program. This allows for a good night’s rest prior to arrival and an earlier transfer to the lodge, and we are happy to set that up for you if you like, just ask!
Rates
Always remember, our services are provided absolutely free; booking a trip through Hemispheres Unlimited WILL NEVER COST YOU A SINGLE PENNY MORE than booking it directly with the lodge or outfitter, but does reap the benefits of our extensive experience with that destination, as well as our ongoing support services available to you at any time prior to, during, or even after your trip.
Lago Strobel Lodge is open every year from November 1st through May 1st. Package rates (quoted in US dollars) are per person even for single travelers, and include everything except flights, laundry, international telephone service, and guide/staff gratuities.
2023/24 Rates:
- Full week all inclusive program with six and a half days fishing, seven nights - $3,750
- Partial week all inclusive program with four and a half days fishing, five nights - $2,750
*Custom planned trips are also available for this destination; Contact us today for available dates and details, and get started on your way to this dream-trip of a lifetime to see just why Jurassic Lake has captured the hearts and imaginations of so many fly fishermen from across the globe.
