Even with all of the great winter fly fishing near Bozeman and Big Sky and the potential for epic powder days, winter in Montana can feel long, dark, and cold. Fishing opportunities never feel as good as they should--who really wants to go fishing when the snow is falling, and it's dark before it's dinner time? While most of the United States and Europe experience winter from November through April, there are places in the world that are just hitting their prime seasons during these months.
Here are 6 Great Winter Destination Trips to chase a variety of species from trout, to Golden dorado, to peacock bass, and even fish pushing 200 pounds!
Patagonia: Argentina and Chile Trout Fishing
Patagonia covers a large swath of Argentina and Chile. With hundreds of places to fish, dozens of world-class lodges, and an ever-increasing ease of logistics, Argentina and Chile fly fishing trips are some of the best in the world. Whether you choose Argentina or Chile for a winter fly fishing getaway, they are both great destinations.
Argentina: Fly Fishing for Trout in the Wilds of Patagonia
From massive sea-run brown trout in Tierra del Fuego to the endless views and oasis-like waters in the Rio Pico and Esquel regions to the spring creeks and estancias around San Martin and even further north, there are many destinations for exceptional fly fishing for trout in Argentina. The fishing action in Argentina is often described as Montana in the 1950s and 1960s, yet with several world-class, purpose-built fishing lodges. Argentine Patagonia is famous for classic wild trout rivers and lakes and dramatic scenery. In the far south, the world's largest sea-run brown trout can be found in the Rio Grande river system. Many of Argentina’s fly fishing waters offer up legitimate opportunities for traditional dry fly and hatch-matching situations. The amount of available aquatic insects for trout in Argentina is as prolific as in the western United States, and Argentina has plenty of reliable hatches. The landscape is arid, as the Patagonia region of Argentina lies on the eastern side of the Andes and receives minimal moisture from the Pacific Ocean, making it an idea destination to escape the cold winters in the Northern Hemisphere.
Check out these Argentina Fly Fishing Lodes
Chile: From Rainforests to Glacial-fed Rivers, Discover Chile
The waters of Chile are home to sea-run brown trout, Pacific and Atlantic salmon, steelhead, and wild brown, rainbow, and brook trout. Chile stretches from the Atacama Desert in the north to the majestic peaks and glaciers in the south. Beginning around Puerto Montt the places to go fly fishing in Chile are truly countless. Large rivers like the Baker River, small creeks, glacial-fed lakes, spring-fed lakes, and ocean fjords and their tributaries are all places in Chile that can hold a variety of species available to anglers. It is this variety of fly fishing that makes Chile a must-fish destination for a fly fishing trip to Patagonia. Chile offers a classic Patagonia fly fishing trip with some of the best lodges in the world. The scenery in Chile is some of the most dramatic in the world with aquarium-clear rivers, rugged mountains, expansive glaciers, and lush forests. The fishing opportunities offer incredible variety, with huge rivers for float fishing, smaller mountain streams for wading, productive spring creeks and gin clear lakes with massive trout.
Check out these Chile Fly Fishing Lodges
Brazil: Amazon Jungle Adventure for Diversity and Numbers
We are fortunate to travel to the remote waters of the Amazon jungle every winter. The Amazon river system in Brazil is home to a remote wilderness of virgin forest and wild rivers. In these rivers, anglers can enjoy fly-fishing trips for peacock bass and other jungle fish, including massive arapaima, in clear-water tributaries deep in virgin forests surrounding the Agua Boa basin. There are plenty of hard-hitting and hard-fighting fish that aggressively strike streamers. When most people think of fishing the Amazon, they think of wide, silt-laden rivers. The Agua Boa is different. It flows out of the watershed of northern Brazil. Accordingly, during the dry season, the river runs low and clear. Once you have fished the crystal-clear waters of the Agua Boa, you will come to realize why this river has been variously described as “the most exciting, unique fishing location” of many winter fly fishing options and “the best fly fishing experience there is." Under normal water conditions, the clarity of the water allows sight casting to cruising peacock bass (Tucunaré) as well as the elusive aruwana as they glide across the fine sandy bottomed shallows.
Discover the Amazon's Aqua Boa Lodge
Argentina: Golden Dorado in Argentina's Everglades
Golden Dorado are the native game fish to Argentina. This large and hard-fighting fish is one of the world's great streamer fish and behaves much like a small tarpon. Fly fishing for dorado in Argentina often means you are sight-fishing to these beasts in clear water in an environment that is very similar to Florida's Everglades. The fishing is often varied and ranges from casting in large pools and big rivers to small spring creek-like streams and channels where sight fishing is ideal. Anglers will learn to read the current features much as you do when trout fishing. 10lb dorado are common, and much larger fish are a real possibility. The fishing is mostly done from small saltwater-style skiffs that allow fishermen to explore both the larger runs and backwaters and the smaller, more intimate channels. In addition to the golden dorado, the fishery also offers two additional game fish: the pacu and pira pita. Pound for pound, pira pita are one of the hardest-fighting freshwater species on earth, and their penchant for attacking large foam dry flies provides for a very entertaining alternative to the larger dorado.
Golden Dorado at Pira Lodge and Suinda Lodge
New Zealand: The Land of Massive Trout
For any experienced angler, a fly fishing trip to New Zealand should be on any angler's wish list. New Zealand fly-fishing trips and lodges offer the world's best sight casting for large wild trout in gin-clear rivers. Anglers searching for quality over quantity will appreciate a rich fly fishing experience amidst a spectacular backdrop. Fly fishing these backcountry rivers requires long casts to spooky trout. Catch rates are lower than on many of the legendary Montana rivers, but the average size is very high, and nearly every trout is caught by "spot and stalk" tactics. While great fly fishing exists on the North Island, many of the South Island's fisheries are well-known for producing some very large trout. South Island waters produce some very large wild trout, and anglers can expect consistent shots at 3-6 pound fish and an outside chance of a rare 10 pounder. New Zealand fishing is about quality vs. quantity. It is recommended that you have at least moderate experience casting a fly rod to fully enjoy a trip to the South Island. Although there are a large number of different fisheries to visit with miles upon miles of lightly fished remote waters, most fisheries require a careful approach and proper presentation. Quite simply, New Zealand is the best location in the world for sight casting to large wild trout in clear waters.
Discover some of New Zealand's Best Winter Fly Fishing
Mexico: The House of Permit
Mexico offers some of the world's best saltwater fly fishing for mixed species, including the elusive permit. Beh Kay Lodge sits in some of the best flats in all of Mexico, and the waters around the Yucatan are some of the best places in the world to target tarpon, permit, and bonefish from one location. Often, other species including barracuda, reef fish, and even offshore species can be caught. Mexican fly-fishing lodges and resorts also offer one of the best values in destination angling. One of the more special places to fish in Mexico is the waters around Espíritu Bay. Resident tarpon, migratory tarpon, bonefish, snook, barracuda, and jacks are all possible game fish to enjoy. Espiritu Santo Bay is difficult to get to and sees less pressure than other waters further north. If you are looking for a "Grand Slam," this is a phenomenal location to stack the deck in your favor.
Discover Mexico's Fly Fishing This Winter
Christmas Island: Bonefish and Giant Trevally
Christmas Island is part of the largest coral atoll system on the planet. This remote small island is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, roughly 1300 miles from Hawaii. It takes a 3.5-hour direct flight from Honolulu to Christmas Island to get to this remote area. Accommodations on the remote island are basic, and all fishing is done by wading the expansive hard coral flats, so this is a destination for adventurous anglers. There are excellent populations of bonefish, and this can be an incredible first-time flats fishing trip for those wanting to experience their first saltwater fly fishing experience. Experienced anglers can also try their hand at the legendary giant trevally or the challenging and unique triggerfish. Christmas Island offers guests classic sight casting on saltwater flats. Days are spent stalking the expansive flats in search of bonefish and other saltwater gamefish. This an incredible destination for anglers new to saltwater fishing thanks to the high densities of bonefish, which provide lots of shots on the flats. In addition to world-class bonefishing, guests can also encounter other unique species such as the legendary giant trevally or the unique triggerfish.
Check out our Christmas Island Trips
