FISHING / Arroyo Verde

Neuquen Province, Northern Patagonia - Argentina

The Larivière family has been in the valley for more than 70 years. Philippe “Pim” Larivière with his wife Luisa and Maurice their only son at that moment arrived at Estancia La Primavera in January 1932. The ranch dedicated to cattle and sheep rearing was also a fishing lodge at the time, owned by an English gentleman, Sir Henry Bell and run by his manager, Guy Dawson. Philippe Larivière fell in love with the place and reserved the lodge for his family and friends for two seasons running. Then in 1934 he journeyed to England, met Sir Henry Bell and bought the place. Down through the years he hosted very important people such as President Eisenhower, King Leopold of Belgium, the Infanta Cristina of Spain as well as renowned anglers, Joe Brooks, Mel Krieger and Ernest Schwiebert.

Estancia Arroyo Verde was originally part of Estancia La Primavera, but at the death of Philippe Larivière in April 1975, his two sons inherited the ranch and it was subsequently divided. The river Traful was the natural division of the property, the southern part including the original house and name were left to Felipe, the younger of the sons. The northern part inherited by Maurice was named Arroyo Verde after one of the tributaries of the famous river Traful.

Maurice and his wife Meme had to start from zero first choosing the site for the house and outbuildings with the road coming next. They continued with cattle and sheep rearing and horse breeding. Originally, Maurice and Meme designed Arroyo Verde as a summer home for family and friends who came to enjoy salmon and trout fishing and horseback riding. Meme Larivière in 1987 decided to open the ranch to the public as fishing and riding lodge.

Now, after the death of Maurice in 2004 the ranch is owned by Meme and her three daughters Marina, Maria Luisa and Josefina. They all take an active part in preserving this unique establishment and maintaining its high standards.

What makes Arroyo Verde so special is that it is still a home for the Larivière family who share their everyday life with the guests. 

The Lodge

Overlooking the valley the traditional wood and stone built houses are set in beautifully landscaped gardens with mature trees, shrubs and colourful borders. There are several outside seating areas to enjoy a drink before lunch or to watch the sunset.

In the main house, the sun-lounge, bar, living-room and dining-room with their fireplaces were designed to create a cozy and relaxed atmosphere for guests. Each of the four individually decorated twin/double bedrooms has en-suite facilities and heating. In an adjacent house another guest bedroom with en-suite bathroom has a separate entrance and private porch.

The FishingThe Traful is an exclusively catch and release fly-fishing river. At the beginning of the season the river runs high and fast with the level dropping in December but usually with fast water till the beginning or middle of January (depending on weather conditions, especially the winter snows), it then runs slow till the first Autumn rains.

The Fishing

The Traful is an exclusively catch and release fly-fishing river. At the beginning of the season the river runs high and fast with the level dropping in December but usually with fast water till the beginning or middle of January (depending on weather conditions, especially the winter snows), it then runs slow till the first Autumn rains.

A typical mountain river of crystal clear water varying in width from 60 to 90 feet (20 to 30 meters) with rapids and pools throughout its 10 miles course is home to rainbow and brown trout and land-locked salmon. Although the average size of the fish is around 20 to 23 ins. for trout and 22 to 24 ins. for salmon it is not uncommon to catch 28 ins. salmon, 30 ins. rainbows and a 29 ins. browns all which have been caught recently, something to think about when you choose the tipper for your leader. Also take into account that sections of the riverbank are lined with trees and shrubs making casting more exciting and rather challenging!