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The gear you bring on a Pointer Fly Fishing trip makes a genuine difference to the quality of your experience. Under-gunned for a large Golden Dorado in the Parana current and you will lose fish at the worst possible moment. Arriving at Maiten Lodge Neuquén without waders and there is no solution available in the field. This guide covers both fishing environments in the Argentine collection with specific recommendations drawn directly from lodge documentation. Read the section relevant to your destination before you pack and reach out to Jazmin with any questions before you travel.
Applies to: San Javier Lodge, Santa Fe Province | Posada Uguay, Corrientes Province
Stainless steel knottable wire tippet is required on every fly at both the San Javier and Posada Uguay programs without exception. A minimum of 8 inches in length and 15 to 30 pound test strength. The Golden Dorado's razor-edged interlocking teeth cut monofilament and fluorocarbon on the first contact every single time. This is not a preference or a suggestion. Do not arrive at either Parana property expecting to fish for Golden Dorado without wire tippet on every fly
Six to Nine Weight Fast Action. Two Rods Minimum.
Six, seven, eight, or nine weight fast action rods are the recommended range for Golden Dorado fishing at both Parana properties. Fast action is essential so that large streamers with heavy lead eyes do not hinder casting efficiency across a full day on the water.
Large Arbor, Reliable Drag, 150 Yards of 20 Pound Backing Minimum.
Large arbor reel with a reliable smooth drag. The Dorado's first run is fast and powerful and any drag inconsistency will lose fish at the most critical moment of the fight. Test your drag thoroughly before travel. Load with a minimum of 150 yards of twenty pound backing.
Tropical Fly Lines Throughout. One Floating, One Sinking Tip.
Tropical fly lines are required at both Parana properties. Bring one floating line and one clear or sinking tip line. The floating line covers most Dorado situations at both San Javier and Posada Uguay. The sinking tip line handles presentations to fish holding in deeper current
Long Sleeves, Polarized Sunglasses, SPF 50, and Insect Repellent. Long sleeve quick-dry fishing shirts for sun protection are essential at both Parana properties. The subtropical sun at San Javier from September through April and the year-round subtropical conditions at Posada Uguay are genuinely intense and a full-coverage fishing
Nine-Foot Leaders, Minimum 20 to 30 Pound. Wire on Every Fly.
Nine-foot leaders finishing at no lighter than twenty to thirty pound test monofilament or fluorocarbon. All flies must be tied on stainless steel knottable wire of at least eight inches and fifteen to thirty pound test. See the critical warning box at the top of this section.
Two Dozen Dorado Flies in Various Patterns. Heavy Lead Eyes, Bead Chain Eyes, and Wire on Every Hook.
Dorado flies are large streamers tied on hooks sized 1/0 through 5/0. Every fly must be tied on stainless steel knottable wire of at least 8 inches and 15 to 30 pound test.
From a Boat, Beginner Friendly, and Not Exclusively Fly Fishing.
Fishing is done from a boat throughout the program at both Parana properties. The program is not exclusively fly fishing. Spinning rods are also available at both lodges for guests who prefer conventional tackle. Bait is provided for guests using lodge spinning rods.
Pacu, Pira Pita, Surubi, Palometa, and Boga.
No Wire Required for Any of These.
San Javier and Posada Uguay both hold Pacu, Pira Pita, Surubi, Palometa, and Boga alongside the primary Dorado population. If you plan to target any of these species note the following.Pacu do not require a wire leader.
Applies to: Maiten Lodge Neuquén, Caviahue, Neuquén Province | Maiten Lodge Chubut, Chubut Province
Quality stockingfoot chest waders that do not leak are required at Maiten Lodge Neuquén. Waders are not available for rental at this property. There is no solution available in the field if you arrive without waders or if your waders fail. Test your waders thoroughly before travel. Send them for professional repair if any seams show signs of delamination. Replace them entirely if testing reveals significant leakage.
Note: Maiten Lodge Chubut is a float fishing only program. Waders are not required for the Maiten Chubut program.
Crystal Clear Water, 15 Minutes From the Lodge, Wading Only. No Boats.
The program at both Maiten lodges is beginner-friendly and can be adapted and adjusted for casting ability. The location of the lodges and fishing spots is unique and well worth experiencing and admiring.
The water at both Maiten properties is very clear allowing anglers to see the fish they are targeting.
At Maiten Lodge Chubut, float fishing on the Rio Grande and within Los Alerces National Park is available in addition to the walk and wade program. The Rio Grande float is the most accessible option and is located 25 minutes from the lodge.
Two Reels Per Angler. Spare Spools Recommended. Large Arbor.
Two quality reels with reliable working drags matched to your rod weights. Spare spools for each reel are strongly recommended given the remote nature of both Maiten properties. Large arbor design preferred for line retrieval speed. Load each reel with a minimum of 100 yards of backing matched to the tippet strength you plan to fish.
Fluorocarbon Strongly Recommended. Bring More Than You Think You Need.
Three nine-foot leaders in each of 3x, 4x, and 5x as the starting supply. One spool each of 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, and 6x tippet. Bring more tippet than you think you need. Remote Patagonian properties do not have tackle shops and running out of the right tippet size mid-program is a preventable problem.
Adams Parachute sizes 12 through 18.
Parachute Ant sizes 14 through 18. Blue Winged Olive Parachute sizes 16 through 20. Chernobyl Ant sizes 8 through 12. PMX Purple sizes 12 through 16. Purple Haze sizes 14 through 18. Chubby Chernobyl sizes 10 through 12. Bring more dry flies than you think you need. Patagonian wind puts flies in trees regularly and the fishing at both properties rewards having the right pattern at the right moment.
Chest Waders Required at Maiten Lodge Neuquén, Not Available for Rental. Test Before Travel. No Exceptions. Quality stockingfoot chest waders that do not leak are required at Maiten Lodge Neuquén. Waders are not available for rental at this property. There is no solution available in the field if you arrive without waders or if your waders fail. Test your waders thoroughly before travel. Send them for professional repair if any seams show signs of delamination. Replace them entirely if testing reveals significant leakage. Maiten Lodge Chubut is float fishing only; waders are not required.
Woolly Bugger in Black and Olive sizes 6 through 10.
Woolly Bugger in Olive sizes 6 through 10. Sparkle Minnow in Silver and White sizes 6 through 10. Articulated rabbit strip patterns sizes 2 through 6. Muddler Minnow sizes 4 through 8. Various sculpin patterns sizes 4 through 8.
Five Weight and Six Weight. Two Rods Minimum. Remote Location, No Replacements Available.
Bring a minimum of two rods per angler. Both Maiten properties are remote locations where a broken rod cannot be replaced and a five-day program with a broken rod on day one is a genuinely avoidable problem. A five weight and a six weight cover the full range of water types encountered at both properties.
Weight Forward Floating Line as Foundation. One Sinking Tip for Lakes and Deeper Sections.
Weight forward floating line in good condition matched to your rod weight as the foundation of the setup. This covers dry fly, nymphing, and lighter streamer work across both river and stillwater environments at both properties.
Dry Flies, Nymphs, and Streamers. See the Lodge Fly Package Section for the Full Confirmed List.
A full selection of dry flies, nymphs, and streamers covering the range of water types and presentations at both Maiten properties is required. See the Lodge Fly Package section below for the complete confirmed 100-fly selection list assembled by the guides for the current season.
Tungsten Hare's Ear Nymph sizes 12 through 16. Energizer sizes 12 through 16. Patt's Rubber Legs size 12. Prince Nymph sizes 12 through 14. Copper John in Copper and Red sizes 12 through 16. San Juan Worm Red sizes 12 through 16. WD-40 Olive sizes 14 through 18. Tungsten Beadhead Caddis Larva sizes 16 through 20. Bead-head versions in both tungsten and brass for different depth requirements across the range of water types at both properties.
Layer for Variable Conditions. Gore-Tex Non-Negotiable.
Two Pairs of Polarized Sunglasses Recommended.
Patagonian weather is famously unpredictable. A warm sunny morning can become a cold windy afternoon at either Maiten property in less time than it takes to walk back to the vehicle. Pack layers that work across the full temperature range you are likely to encounter and never leave the lodge without a quality rain jacket .
Small attractor dry flies in sizes 14 through 18.
Small nymphs in sizes 16 through 18. A three or four weight rod with fine tippet finishing at 5x or 6x is the ideal tool for the high-altitude creek fishing where brook trout are found at both Maiten properties.
Applies to: Maiten Lodge Neuquén and Maiten Lodge Chubut only. Does not apply to San Javier Lodge or Posada Uguay.
There will be no fly shop available at either Maiten Lodge property this season. We recommend that guests either bring their own fly selection or pre-purchase a curated box of 100 flies in advance. If you choose the pre-purchase option your flies will be waiting at the lodge on arrival, fully prepared for your fishing days based on the conditions and techniques our guides typically encounter in Patagonia. Our lodge package includes 100 flies per angler from the selection shown below, carefully assembled by our guides. Contact Jazmin at jazmin@pointeroutfitters.com to arrange your fly package before travel
Our curated lodge fly package includes 100 flies per angler from the following selection, carefully assembled by our guides based on Patagonian fishing conditions and techniques.
Woolly Bugger (Black and Olive) — sizes 6 to 10
Woolly Bugger (Olive) — sizes 6 to 10
Sparkle Minnow (Silver/White) — sizes 6 to 10\
Tungsten Hare's Ear Nymph — sizes 12 to 16
Energizer — sizes 12 to 16
Patt's Rubber Legs — size 12
Prince Nymph — sizes 12 to 14
Copper John (Copper and Red) — sizes 12 to 16
San Juan Worm (Red) — sizes 12 to 16
WD-40 (Olive) — sizes 14 to 18
Tungsten Beadhead Caddis Larva — sizes 16 to 20
Adams Parachute — sizes 12 to 18
Parachute Ant — sizes 14 to 18
Blue Winged Olive (BWO) Parachute — sizes 16 to 20
Chernobyl Ant — sizes 8 to 12
PMX (Purple) — sizes 12 to 16
Purple Haze — sizes 14 to 18
Chubby Chernobyl — sizes 10 to 12
Contact Jazmin to Pre-Purchase Your Fly Package — jazmin@pointeroutfitters.com | +1 210 417 4065
International connections through Buenos Aires Ezeiza Airport EZE. Transfer to Jorge Newbery Airfield AEP for the domestic connection to Santa Fe Sauce Viejo Airport SFN. Allow a minimum of four hours between your international arrival and domestic departure.
International connections through Buenos Aires EZE. Domestic connection to Corrientes Airport CNQ or Resistencia Airport RES. Approximately one hour from the lodge. Ground transportation coordinated by Pointer.
International connections through Buenos Aires EZE. Domestic connection to Neuquén City Airport NQN. 150-mile drive to Caviahue and the lodge. The drive passes through exceptional Patagonian scenery. Ground transportation coordinated by Pointer.
International connections through Buenos Aires EZE. Domestic connection to Esquel Airport ESQ. Contact Jazmin for current routing guidance specific to your program dates before finalizing any travel arrangements. Ground transportation coordinated by Pointer.
Every destination in the Pointer Fly Fishing Argentine program has specific conditions that affect gear choices in ways a general guide cannot fully anticipate. The current water conditions at San Javier, whether your waders are adequate for the Maiten Neuquén program this season, the specific wire tippet specifications for Dorado at Posada Uguay, and whether to pre-purchase the lodge fly package before you travel to either Maiten property are all topics our fly fishing team can address before you leave home. Reach out to Jazmin as early in the planning process as possible and we will make sure you arrive with exactly the right gear for your specific program.
Wire Tippet for the Parana. Waders and Fluorocarbon for Patagonia. The Right Rod for Each Destination.
Wire tippet is mandatory on every fly at San Javier and Posada Uguay. Chest waders are required and not available for rental at Maiten Lodge Neuquén. Maiten Lodge Chubut is float fishing only; waders are not required. The lodge fly package is pre-purchasable for both Maiten properties this season with no fly shop on site. The gear preparation is straightforward when you know what each destination requires. Read the right section of this guide before you pack and reach out to Jazmin with any questions before you travel. Everything else we handle from arrival to departure.