From piranha fishing in the Amazon to dorado fishing in Argentina,
Plan South America have the answer to tempt you away on your next fishing trip to South America:
Barra Mansa, Pantanal, Brazil
Fisherman’s Quarters: A traditional farm in the Pantanal, the largest wetlands on the planet. From comfortable accommodation, experience local culture, authentic Pantanal cooking, and intimate encounters with nature.
What’s the Catch: Catch and release fly-fishing on the Rio Negro, home to abundant dorado, catfish, piraputanga, piau and pacu. We can organise a day aboard a 16ft motorboat, with an expert guide who knows every curve of the river.
Wow Factor: Take a private charter flight into the lodge for a breathtaking panoramic view over the Pantanal.
Whatever the Weather: April to June is the best time for sport fishing. The clear waters of the Vazante do Castelo flow behind the lodge – perfect for canoeing, refreshing river baths, and spotting colourful fish.
Take a Break: Relax in your outdoor hammock listening to the mesmerising birdsong that surrounds the lodge. Those looking for adventure can travel by canoe or motorboat looking for wildlife, or explore the savannahs on horseback.
Tipiliuke Lodge, Argentina
Fisherman’s Quarters: Rustic lodge overlooking the Chimehuin River on a 50,000-acre working cattle ranch in Northern Patagonia’s Lake District.
What’s the Catch: Fly-fishing for rainbow and brown trout – their typical fish average 14-20 inches, but each season they catch monster browns close to 30 inches.
Wow factor: More than 17 miles of private riverfront; the finest trout waters on the planet and the best guides in the business.
Whatever the Weather: For perfect fishing conditions in Patagonia, travel November – March.
Take a Break: Cattle herding on horseback with gauchos, hiking through forests to picnics on the lake, and stag and boar hunting in March/April. Follow this with peaceful evenings reading and chatting by a roaring fire with Malbec aplenty.
Aria Amazon, Peruvian Amazon
Fisherman’s Quarters: Explore the depths of the Peruvian Amazon in style aboard a luxurious 16-suite yacht, Aria Amazon.
What’s the Catch: First-rate local guides lead expeditions in motorised skiffs to fish for piranha and spot an incredible variety of birds and mammals.
Wow Factor: You’re in for a chance of spotting rare pink river dolphins.
Whatever the Weather: Travel from May to October when it’s dry and cool.
Take a Break: The Amazon is incredibly rich in wildlife – don’t forget your binoculars as you take boat rides or hikes into the forest to spot monkeys, sloths, toucans, and macaws. Your naturalist guide will show you the wonders of the forest, including plenty of flora and fauna unique to the Amazon.
Uman Lodge, Chile
Fisherman’s Quarters: Guests are completely spoiled by sensational Patagonian scenery through huge panoramic windows at luxury lodge, Uman. Warm and spacious with a relaxed atmosphere, this is a stunning luxury hideaway where days are spent fishing, riding, trekking, boating, and relaxing by the pool.
What’s the Catch: Fly-fishing for salmon and rainbow trout on the clear waters of the Futaleufu River and Lake Yelcho.
Wow Factor: White water raft over the Futaleufu’s thundering turquoise waters passing steep canyon walls, snow-capped mountains, and pristine forests for an adventurous arrival into Uman Lodge.
Whatever the Weather: Fly-fishing season in Patagonia runs from November – May.
Take a Break: Stunning hiking and mountain biking in the Huemules Reserve Futaleufu, and full-day horse rides through the woods to reach pristine beaches – perfect for a BBQ picnic.
Nomads of the Sea, Chile
Fisherman’s Quarters: A superb 150-foot luxury adventure yacht, complete with 2 helicopters and a jet boat.
What’s the Catch: Fly-fishing for Chinook salmon, rainbow, brown, brook, steelhead, and sea run brown trout.
Wow Factor: This is your chance to fish some of the remotest waters on the planet, with the help of the Nomad’s expert guides and an assortment of toys, including jetboats and 2 Bell 407 helicopters.
Whatever the Weather: The best fly-fishing in Patagonia runs from November – April.
Take a Break: Choose from river and sea kayaking, whale and dolphin watching, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, jet boating, aerial sightseeing, heli-skiing, and hiking.
Hacienda Montezuma, Costa Rica
Fisherman’s Quarters: Expect a warm, authentic experience of Costa Rican culture and nature at Hacienda Montezuma. Privately owned and run, you’re instantly part of the family, learning about life on the farm from the local habaneros (cowboys) and heading out on adventures into the surrounding national park.
What’s the Catch: Fresh-water fishing on a beautiful lake, just a short walk from the traditional farmhouse.
Wow Factor: Volcano views as you fish; sumptuous BBQs of fresh-catch after fishing!
Whatever the Weather: The best time to travel to Costa Rica is December – April (dry season).
Take a Break: We know from experience that Hacienda Montezuma offers the best horse riding in Costa Rica. There is also hiking, picnics, paddle boarding and yoga. Your host, Floriana Acosta, will take you to watch the bull-riding and music shows in town, offering a real insight into local life.
Pira Lodge, Corrientes, Argentina
Fisherman’s Quarters: Fly into this stylish lodge in the heart of the Ibera Marshlands, built specifically to enjoy some of the most exciting game fishing in the world: the freshwater dorado.
What’s the Catch: The lodge is strategically located in the southern tip of the Ibera wetlands; where the marsh and Corrientes River ecosystems converge and the fish are positively teeming. With three million acres of largely unexplored marshland, including creeks, rivers, crystal-clear lagoons, and freshwater flats, zoom off on flats skiffs in search of your catch.
Wow Factor: Exciting night expeditions into the marshlands.
Whatever the Weather: Travel between December and May to enjoy the Dorado season. December and January are the warmer months.
Take a Break: The wetlands are beautiful to explore on horseback. For a chilled afternoon, the swimming pool is the perfect spot. You might be distracted by the cacophony of over 250 bird species that call the wetlands home.
Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Location: At the southernmost point of Argentine Patagonia lies Tierra del Fuego, one of the great unspoiled wildernesses of the world and the ultimate location for sport fishing in South America.
What’s the Catch: Fly-fishing for sea-trout on the Rio Grande.
Wow Factor: Extraordinary scenery of snow-capped mountains and crystalline lakes, immense glaciers, and windswept steppe.
Whatever the Weather: For sport fishing in Tierra del Fuego, travel November – April.
Take a Break: The Tierra del Fuego wilderness calls out to be explored. Take an expedition across the ice fields, or hop in the saddle and ride from estancia to estancia.
Related Stories
A Journey Through Costa Rica
A Journey Through Mexico | Hattie Mills
Brazil’s Wild Wetland | The Pantanal
Naku | Journeys of Discovery
@plansouthamerica