RIO CARRILEUFU

Distance: Approximately 20 miles

Flow: 1,800 – 2,400 CFS

Name: (kar-a-la-a-fu) translates to “Green River”

Location: Less than one km from the Villa Lago Rivadavia Lodge, Argentina.

The Carrileufu begins just outside Los Alerces National Park and is best known for its early season landlocked Atlantic salmon, common until late December. On sunny days it is easy to see the big fish in the Carrileufu's gin-clear water. Rainbows and Browns also inhabit the Carrileufu year round and on the right day you can have endless dry fly fishing to 16 inch rainbows.

The Carrileufu is a gentle river that flows into Rivadavia Lake and Los Alerces National Park. With classic riffles and runs spilling into bottomless holes and views of the “Montana-like” Cholila valley, you will feel like you've stepped back 50 years into the heart of the American West.

The river flows from Lago Cholila through the dry Cholila Valley, once home to Butch Cassidy. November though February is the best time to fish trout on this river and floating is the best way to access the prime spots. Hatches are not abundant so the use of streamers is almost mandatory, with orange and black working best and white being a popular color for Salmon.