Meet Your Host: Brian Oakland

Brian brings firsthand insight and passion from having been to Jurassic Lake numerous times. His deep knowledge of the waters, terrain, and local culture ensures every guest gets the most out of this legendary fishery. With Brian leading the way, you’re set for an unforgettable experience at one of the world’s premier fly-fishing destinations.

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Trip Overview

Join Got Fishing founder Brian Oakland for a hosted adventure to Jurassic Lake (Estancia Laguna Verde) from January 30 to February 6, 2027, in the remote heart of southern Patagonia. This legendary stillwater fishery is globally known for producing enormous, powerful rainbow trout, many well over 20 pounds, set against a dramatic landscape of volcanic terrain, sweeping steppe, and endless Patagonian skies. Few destinations on the planet offer the combination of size, consistency, and visual impact that Jurassic Lake delivers.

Fishing alongside Brian provides guests with experienced leadership and seamless logistics throughout the week, allowing everyone to focus on making the most of this world-class fishery. Anglers will fish from the shore targeting aggressive trout with streamers, intermediate lines, and proven stillwater techniques that lead to steady action. Comfortable accommodations, excellent meals, and professional guides ensure a well-rounded experience that balances long fishing days with time to relax and recharge.

With prime dates, a small group of like-minded anglers, and the support of the Got Fishing team, this trip delivers an unforgettable week in one of the most iconic trout fisheries in the world.

Itinerary

January 28

  • Take international flight to Buenos Aires – International flights to Argentina are overnight from the United States

January 29

  • Land in Buenos Aires
  • [Likely] shuttle from the international airport in Buenos Aires (EZE) to the domestic airport (AEP)
  • Take a domestic flight from Buenos Aires to El Calafate; spend the evening there

January 30

  • Morning pickup from your hotel
  • Scenic shuttle to Estancia Laguna Verde (approx. 4 hours)
  • Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon fishing session

January 31 – February 5

  • Early breakfasts at the lodge
  • Depart with your guide to start your day
  • Full day of guided fishing; lodge or water-side lunch depending on your fishing location for the day
  • Return to the lodge for drinks and appetizers; chef-prepared dinners with wine

February 6

  • Check out of your quarters
  • Morning shuttle back to El Calafate; group will arrive with ample time for everyone’s flights back to Buenos Aires
  • Opt to spend the night in Buenos Aires (recommended) or catch your flight home

Lying on about 40 miles of internal roads and strategically located just by the beautiful Laguna Verde (Green Lake) lies the lodge, where you’re just a cast away from fantastic trout fishing. Built like a typical Estancia house, the main building accommodates up to 10 anglers per week, 7 double occupancy bedrooms, 2 single occupancy bedrooms, comfortable en suite bathrooms, hot water available 24/7, and more. Enjoy the open common rooms, such as the spacious living room that overlooks Laguna Verde, sip on cocktails at your favorite spot in the lodge, and enjoy the 42” LCD TV showing slide shows of the catch of the day, along with satellite TV and a DVD player.

Other features of the lodge include free unlimited wifi, a computer available (if you don’t bring your laptop), satellite and IP telephones, laundry service twice a week, a library, a fly-tying room, a newly built changing room and drying facility to use before and after fishing so you’re ready and dry for the next day, and more. Experience complete relaxation at the lodge, before and after your hard days of fishing. The professional and friendly staff are always there to be attentive to your needs, providing you with a hassle-free environment and an unforgettable experience. 

The lodge has an exclusive chef that will prepare the finest meals for you with local flavors. Their cuisine sets itself apart by utilizing the richness of the gastronomic cultural diversity of the immigrants and local history, delighting visitors week after week with typical, tasty, Argentinean delicacies.

Cuisine At Estancia Laguna Verde

Each morning, you’ll wake up to enjoy an energizing breakfast of coffee, tea, fruit juice, dairy products, ham, eggs, toast, freshly baked bread, butter, Patagonia marmalades, honey, cereals, and more.

At noon, anglers will enjoy delicious and varied meals, according to the fishing programs of the day. You may have grilled meat or trout with salads, picnics with bread, cold cuts, cheese, fruits, and other tasty options. This is also a good time to relax for a few minutes on sun lounges that are distributed across various fishing spots and, depending on the fishing program of the day, there are also 3-sided huts right on the lake where you will rest while the guides cook for you. Other options for lunchtime include a jeep ride to have an hour-long lunch break, relax, enjoy a big spread and some wine, fish for another 3-4 hours, then go back to the lodge.

Once you arrive back to the lodge, and after a hot refreshing shower, the chefs will prepare you with a world-class, 3-course menu, that is sure to delight your taste buds! In a friendly atmosphere, you can try different types of local appetizers such as goat or sheep cheese, dried hams, dried pork sausages, and more. The main course will feature things like the lodge’s famous “asados” (BBQs), their traditional Patagonic lamb, classic homemade pasta, and more. For dessert, aside from the wide variety of fresh fruits, there are also different delicacies specially prepared by the chef and the wine pairing will vary each evening, according to the planned menu. Wines selection includes traditional Malbecs, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat, along others. Alternative beverages available include regional homebrewed beers, spirit drinks, whiskies, cognacs, and alcohol-free beverages as well.

Experienced anglers from all over the world visit Jurassic Lake year after year to target the wild chrome silver, torpedo-shaped, drag-smoking Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout are the only fish in this lake and because the lake and river are separated, the trout have no immediate threats (besides you) and have exclusive access to all the food in the lake, making them trophy status huge! Their main food sources include the crustacean family, Dafnia (a microorganism), snakes, and various insects (flies, beetles, etc.).

With over 10 miles of Jurassic Lake shoreline access and 40 miles of private access total, you’re guaranteed incredible fishing with just you, your guide, and miles and miles of water. You’ll feel it down to your bones that you’re alone to enjoy the solitude, remoteness, and peacefulness of this incredible place that’s strategically located with no possibility of poachers or anyone else besides the lodge guests. 

The lodge has perfected its fishing methods and learned what draws the attention of these out-of-this-world Rainbows. Hone your skills or learn to sight fish in crystal clear waters, using floating lines, slow stripping small to medium-sized streamers and nymphs, skating big foam flies and mouse patterns, or hanging scuds and small nymphs from big dry flies (the famous “hopper dropper”); The Rainbows are the main attraction at this fly fishing lodge, but there’s also plenty of other bodies of water to fish during your stay. Fish for Brook and Brown Trout in over 6 miles of the best river sections on the Barrancoso River, as well as the newly discovered Moro Creek, and 12 other lagoons. 

Strobel Lake AKA: Jurassic Lake

Slowly over the years, the lodge has gained private access to more than 10 miles of Lake Strobel. Several areas are protected from the famous Patagonian wind, but you should still be prepared to fight the wind (and dress appropriately). Fish in bays such as Monsters Bay, Camelot Bay, Finger Bay, Tasmania Bay, Sea Bay, Puesto Bay, and Dry Fly Bay, where you can have outstanding sight fishing opportunities, regardless of conditions. Jurassic Lake lies in the sanctuary of Patagonia, one of the few unspoiled places on Earth. Jurassic Lake is a peaceful place to make contact with nature and like the landscape, the fishing is off the charts and will blow your mind! All the fish are big here, this is THE place; Nowhere in the world compares, not even Kamchatka!

Barrancoso River

The Barrancoso River is the only tributary of Strobel Lake and as a guest, you’ll be able to fish most parts of it. The beautiful, dreamlike, freestone river, with see-through waters, is one of Estancia’s highlight programs. Running over 6 miles long, you’ll fish to the very last 300 ft. that enter into the mouth of Strobel Lake that are inaccessible due to Argentinean fishing regulations. This river boasts outstanding and demanding runs of huge trout and is separated into 3 parts: the upper, middle, and lower sections. Fishing here is done mostly with floating lines, numbers 6, 7, & 8 weight rods, utilizing streamers, nymphs, big dry flies, and mouse patterns (known as mousing).

Moro Creek 

This area was recently discovered in 2021 and is a “creek-like” stream that chains each of the 12 lakes inside the Estancia (the estate or ranch). This is a favorite early-season creek that has won the hearts of many guests. The creek flows mainly during spring and early summer (see the seasons below for Argentina’s spring and summer dates) and the lodge fishes 4 sections of the creek as well as inlets and outlets and the chained lakes, like the Los Flacos, Campamento, Los Chanchos, and La Reja Lake. 

Smaller Lakes & Lagoons

With over 12 fantastic waters, the outfitters at Jurassic Lake will bring you to popular areas such as Verde Lake to hunt big Rainbows, Browns, and Brook Trout, Texas Lake to wade or boat to Rainbows and Browns, or various other bodies of water that all offer fantastic fishing opportunities. These are great locations to try varied combinations in different programs all season long. 

Your trip will begin with an international flight Buenos Aires and then to El Calafate. It’s important to note that you may fly into the Ministro Pistarini International Airport (1), but your flight to El Calafate may depart from the Jorge Newbery Airport (2), which is in a different part of the city.

Once in El Calafate (3), you will stay the night in a hotel and get the chance to explore the beautiful city life, have a nice dinner, and witness the nearby glaciers. The following morning, you’ll be picked up by a representative of Estancia Laguna Verde Lodge, where you’ll take a 4-hour scenic drive to Jurassic Lake (4). During the half-paved half-off-road shuttle, you’ll have plenty of photo ops, will stop at a café, a gift shop, and have bathroom breaks. The shuttle ride may seem long, but the lodge gets great feedback; This drive is all a part of the adventure and a great way to see the diverse scenery and vast landscapes! You’ll be able to fish as soon as you arrive or relax if you’d like.

The program typically runs from Saturday to Sunday. After your time at the lodge is finished, you’ll have a shuttle ride back to El Calafate, in time for your flight home. The hotels in El Calafate are not included in the listed rate but will be reserved for you upon booking and included in your custom itinerary.

LEGEND

(1) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (Ezeiza Airport) (EZE)

(2) Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP)

(3) El Calafate Airport (FTE)

(4) Lago Strobel (Jurassic Lake)


Because of the high winds and the close proximity to Antarctica, you’ll want to bring a proper layering system. You’ll be provided a comprehensive gear list upon booking, but other things we suggest include: 

  • Passport
  • Comfortable, warm & weather-proof layers
  • Personal items & toiletries
  • 7wt or 8wt rod and reel
  • Assorted Flies

TRIP INCLUDES

  • 6.5 days of guided fishing on Jurassic Lake, the Barrancoso River, Moro Creek, and other waters
  • World-class lodging at Estancia Laguna Verde
  • Professional guides with years of experience
  • Education on sight fishing 
  • Culturally diverse extensive menu, all prepared by the in-house chef 
  • Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
  • Wines specially selected and paired with meals
  • World-class trophy rainbow trout fishing

DOES NOT INCLUDE

  • International or Domestic Flights
  • Hotel in El Calafate
  • Gratuity for staff and guides 
  • Equipment
  • Fishing License

All rates are dependent on double occupancy lodging. If you prefer single room lodging and guiding, please reach out to us for more information.

$7,950 / person

ADVENTURE AWAITS.

Please complete the booking form and one of our team members will contact you shortly.