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Overview
The first fishing lodge built on the magnificent Río Grande, the legendary Kau Tapen Lodge of Tierra del Fuego simply embodies the fly fishing experience. Boasting over 35 years of epic battles and fantastic memories, anglers come from all over the world for the opportunity to catch the sea trout of a lifetime.
The mythical Rio Grande river has a solid claim to being the best trophy sea run brown trout river in the world. Boasting perfect fly fishing pools on every corner, easy wading conditions and new beats to fish every day, it is perhaps the only place on Earth that can offer a realistic chance for each guest to catch a highly sought after 20lbs+ sea trout (or 30lbs+ for a lucky few).
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Fishing
The lodge hosts 10 to 12 rods weekly with just over 80 pools on the stretch of the river, giving each angler ample amounts of time and water to use. Accompanied by Kau Tapen’s world class guides, guests will leave the lodge around 9am after breakfast, fishing until approximately 1pm. Following lunch and a siesta, guests return to the river in the late afternoon and fish until dark.
The primary target is, of course, sea run brown trout. Similar to steelhead in the northern hemisphere, the anadromous browns of Tierra del Fuego enjoy a cult-like following. By January, chrome fish push into the river and through mid-March fly fishers are targeting – and catching – fish that average in the teens, but break the 20lbs mark regularly.
The highly professional guides that work at Kau Tapen lodge have many years of experience between them, and their mixture of nationalities makes for a well-rounded experience. Each angler will fish with a different guide each day, allowing you to gain a plethora of new tricks and tactics when sea trout fishing.
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Accommodation
Built in 1984, Kau Tapen Lodge was designed to offer anglers maximum comfort during their expeditions, as well as easy access to the best pools on the world famous Rio Grande. It accommodates up to 10 guests (and occasionally 12) in en-suite single rooms to ensure privacy and comfort. Some offer a king bed, while some have one queen, and others are furnished with two doubles. A large living room opens up to peaceful vistas of the Menendez and Rio Grande valleys, and includes a roaring fire and well stocked bar.
In addition, guests have full use of the lodge’s fly-tying table and equipment, two wading / fly gear rooms, a full spa with jacuzzi, sauna and Finnish steam bath, as well as access to an on-site LOOP tackle shop stocking all of our latest equipment.
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Food & Cuisine
At Kau Tapen, the kitchens come to life through the use of fresh and regionally representative meats and produce. By combining these elements, they create delicious flavours and varied textures that harbour hidden stories and traditions on each plate.
A top-notch team of experienced national and international chefs, trained in both classic and avant-garde culinary techniques, execute the food. With an artisan’s touch, chefs prepare every dish from scratch to be served at a minute’s notice. At Kau Tapen lodge you’ll enjoy fresh pastas and fire-roasted meats like the famous Patagonian lamb – roasted gaucho-style over charcoal embers – alongside ocean-fresh flavours such as King crab. And don’t forget to save room for dessert. From homemade ice creams to classic sweets and pastries, guests are truly covered.
Finally, Kau Tapen feels strongly that the food they serve and the wines they pour should mirror the fishing opportunities on offer. As such they use the renowned wines of Bodega Catena Zapata, a fabulous reflection of Argentine culture that competes on the world stage.
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Example itinerary
Day 1 – Home City to Buenos AiRes (BA)
- Fly from home city to Buenos Aires International Airport
- Taxi from Airport to your chosen hotel
- Check-in to the hotel and overnight – Please contact us if you require further advice on hotels
Day 2 – BA to Kau Tapen Lodge
- 7:30 am taxi from Hotel to Domestic airport
- Flight to Rio Grande Airport (approx 3hrs)
- A member of the team will greet you on arrival
- Transfer to lodge by car
- Enjoy a ready-made lunch at the lodge
- Tackle set-up followed by an evening of fishing
- Continue to overnight at the lodge
Day 3 to 9 – Continued Fishing (6 full days fishing)
- Continued fishing and overnight stay at Kau Tapen Lodge
Day 10 – LODGE TO BA
- Pack bags in the morning and a member of the lodge will load luggage into cars
- Transfer back to Rio Grande Airport
- Board flight to BA
- Overnight at chosen hotel in BA
Day 11 – BA to Home City
- Board flight to home city
- Continue with own arrangements
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Specifics
Included:
- Full board accommodation
- 1 guide between 2 anglers
- Six days fishing
- Transfers from Rio Grande Airport to Kau Tapen Lodge
Excluded:
- Transfers in Buenos Aires
- Gratuities
- Flights
- Any additional accommodation in Buenos Aires
- Items of a personal nature
Kau Tapen Lodge
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Location
FAQ
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Do I need a visa to travel from the UK to Argentina?
No, all British citizens can pass into Argentina with 90 days on a holiday visa. If you are travelling outside the UK or do not hold a British passport, please contact our team for more information.
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Will the Rio Grande winds be a problem for me?
The winds in Tierra Del Feugo are often in your favour due to the serpent-like demeanour of the river. There are over 80 named pools of Kau Tapen’s water and many unnamed. Your guide will find the best place for you. If you are worried about this, we recommend contacting us to organise cast tuition before departure.
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What time of year should I go?
The weather on the Rio Grande does not fluctuate a huge amount during the season. Typically the fresh fish will run the river from January – early March. Late January tends to have the largest push of Sea-Trout. Sea Trout do not enter a river like Salmon in one big run. They constantly trickle into the river throughout the season.
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Where do I fly to?
From the UK, you will need to fly to Buenos Aries and overnight into a local hotel. From there, you will depart from the BA domestic airport the next morning on a flight to either Ushuaia or Rio Grande airports. On arrival here, you will be met by a member of the Kau Tapen team who will transfer you directly to the lodge. Of course, we can help you with all of the above.
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Why choose LOOP Travel?
LOOP Travel has extensive teams worldwide, all working to give you the best possible advice when travelling the world in search of top-class fly fishing. Our advice is totally free to you and booking with us comes at no extra cost.
Our years of experience between the teams and plethora of knowledge is second to none. Our team members know these destinations backwards, having spent many years guiding, managing or fishing these lodges.
We only sell what we know, meaning we only offer the best possible advice and products.
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What size rod should I take to the Rio Grande?
We recommend taking at least two rods with you on your expedition. A smaller rod for the evening fishing when the wind dies down and a larger rod for tougher conditions. We take 12’6″ rods, 13’2″ rods, and 14′ rods.
Suitable gear
As the river is a medium size, and the climate is often windy; anglers usually fish 13ft or 14ft double-handed rods, with 8# / 9# line ratings. This allows anglers to cover all the water required and still punch the fly into the wind when required. Although the wind is often in your back, it is useful to practice the upwind cast. Leader materials at Kau Tapen vary depending on the weather; a mixture of 8lbs – 25lbs will keep you covered for all occasions.
Fly choice on the Rio Grande can be very particular, and we kindly ask you to contact us directly for more information on this.
We also recommend taking a smaller single-handed rod for those beautiful still evenings when the famous winds calm down. Kau Tapen Lodge also offers a day’s fishing on one of Rio Grande’s most prolific tributaries, the Rio Menendez. This is a wonderful small river that is home to a large amount of giant Sea-Trout.
The weather in Tierra Del Fuego can be brutal, with strong winds and potential cold evenings meaning you must be well equipped. The elements can best always be combated with our Torne wading jacket, layering shells such as our Onka jacket and pants, and our beanies!
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Enquiry form
For further information on visiting the Kau Tapen Lodge, please contact toby.burrell@looptackle.se
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