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We’ve created a quick checklist of essential tasks to make sure you’re fully prepared for the journey ahead. If questions come up or you need anything at all, just give us a call, we’re here to help every step of the way.
To-Do List:
✓ Arrange flights to/from Buenos Aires, Argentina
✓ Arrange hotel in Buenos Aires, as needed
✓ Arrange transfers in Buenos Aires
✓ Arrange flights to/from El Calafate, Argentina
✓ Purchase medical and evacuation insurance
✓ Get travel cash
When we travel to the Rio Guanaco, we always bring a short two handed rod with an assortment of tips to cover the range of conditions that can happen. The river is not very wide, so our primary set up is a short Spey or switch rod with a matching Skagit head and sinking tips. The guides like rods that are 11-foot to 12’6 foot in length in an 8-weight. A single hand rod in 9 foot-to 10-foot in length and 8 – 9 weight can also be useful for some of the more pocket water fishing,. If we had one rod, the short two-hander is the most versatile for the fishing they have there. Rods over 13 feet are not encouraged due to the small size of the river and it is much easier to control the swing of the fly with a shorter rod.
Rio Guanaco Provided Equipment
We recommend all guests bring their own equipment. Limited Spey tackle is available for rent, and they have a small fly shop with lines, sink tips, and tippet in case you forget some items. Some flies are also available for purchase if you run out or do not have the right patterns.
Our primary set up is an 11-foot to 12’6-foot 8-weight two handed rod with a matching floating Skagit head. We always have a 10-foot section of T-11 sinking tip, as well as an intermediate and T-14 sinking tips in 6 and 10-feet lengths. This is set up to 50-pound shooting line on a reel with a solid drag system and at least 150 yards of 30-pound backing.
The guides recommend fluorocarbon or monafilament tippet in 25 - 40 lbs.
The river is not very wide and a single hand rod can be useful in some of the more pocket water pools. The single hand rod should be an 8- or 9-weight in 9 - 10 feet in length. You will want shooting head lines in assorted sinking rates from floating to fast sink, and a reel with a strong drag with over 120 yards of 30-pound backing.
The most commonly used flies are large profile flies with trailing hooks suitable for king salmon and winter steelhead, such as intruders and string leeches in black, blue, pink, and chartreuse which contrast well against the glacier-colored water. It’s also helpful to have various weights and sizes from 1-inch to 4-inch, heavily weighted, lightly weighted, and unweighted to cover the range of conditions.
Top 5 Recommended Rio Guanaco Flies
The Guanaco River is located just outside the mountains of Glaciers National Park, and despite the fishing season running through the summer months of December - February, wind, rain, and sun can be found every day of the season. Be sure to pack a quality rain jacket, which also doubles as a windbreaker. Most importantly, you will want to dress in layers, so you can change with the conditions. Expect daytime highs to range from the mid-50s to low-70s °F, while nights cool into the upper 30s to mid-40s °F.
Contact our travel advisor, Blake Katchur, below for more information about this unique destination and to inquire about setting up the perfect trip to match your goals.
303-794-1104
Blake@anglersall.com
