If you spend any amount of time reading the information on this blog, you'll should come to the quick conclusion that I am a DIY fishing/traveling expert. What can I say, I like to travel independently and create my own experiences. You should also come to the conclusion that I am direct, honest and wiling to share as much information as possible. That being said, regarding Patagonia float trips, I would like to share some thoughts, based on my personal and professional experience.
DIY Float vs. Lodge Float: What's the Difference?
In and around Junin de los Andes, there are six lodges and they all float the same rivers. Based on this information, how can you truly discern between one float or another? Well, if you are me, and if you have had previous lodge management experience, you can easily tell the differences.
Lodge Float:
http://firstcastflyfishing.blogspot.com/2014/06/diy-fly-fishing-patagonia-argentina_24.html
DIY Float vs. Lodge Float: What's the Difference?
In and around Junin de los Andes, there are six lodges and they all float the same rivers. Based on this information, how can you truly discern between one float or another? Well, if you are me, and if you have had previous lodge management experience, you can easily tell the differences.
Lodge Float:
- Each day, at about 8:00am, your day begins with breakfast. You'll eat breakfast with all the other guest, in a buffet style. Breakfast will end at 9:00am.
- Between 9:00 and 10:00am, you and other anglers will board your transfer vehicle(s). You may drive up to an hour, until you arrive at the put-in site.
- At the put-in site, you will quickly discover, that all the other lodges in the area, are doing the exact fishing program that you are doing.
- Your first cast of the day may start between 10:15-10:30am.
- You fish until lunch.
- Lunch may last up to 2 hours.
- You finish your float/fishing between 6:00 - 6:30pm.
- Depending on the river/float, you may drive up to 2.0 hours, to return to your lodge.
- Dinner will be served no later than 9:00pm.
- Your in bed, between 10:30pm-12:00am
- The next day = you, along with every lodge angler staying in the area, repeat the same process.
- Based on a one week stay, at $4,000 per person, each angler pays +/- $450 USD per day, for a float trip (remember, I managed a lodge at one time...I know what the operating expenses are).
DIY Float:
- Each day starts when you want it to start. If that means leaving at 5:00am to fish the hatch or catch a trophy brown that only feeds early A.M., then that is exactly what we do.
- We can change plans according to weather conditions.
- We can fish any body of water, at anytime.
- We are always on the water first; or, we might be the last anglers off.
- Lunch on the River? The amount of time spent eating, is entirely up to you. You can bring your own lunch, or we will provide one for you.
- We guarantee a minimum of 8 hours per day of fishing.
- Each day, you pay as low as $200 USD per person.
Final Word
In Part 2, I'll explain the differences between a DIY Float Guide vs. Lodge Float Guide. In my opinion, the differences are invaluable. You may also enjoy reading about DIY lodging option vs. Private Lodge options at:
We hope that you found this post helpful. If you are searching for more information, please feel free to contact us; or, use the search bar engine, located above, on the right side. To use the search bar engine, for example, simply type in key words like DIY Patagonia Float Trips.
Muchas Gracias,
Mark