Wuijoor Lodge: Chase Sea-Trout on the Río Grande & Río Menéndez
The southern tip of Patagonia has long been a dream for fly fishers, and few rivers capture the imagination like the Río Grande and its tributary, the Río Menéndez. Set on the private Estancia Laura, Wuijoor Lodge is perfectly positioned to offer access to both legendary waters. For anglers seeking the raw, unfiltered thrill of sea-run brown trout in their prime, this lodge is a rare find.
Price-wise, and I don't use this term often in relation to Argentinian Lodges, it's a steal. Only $3,900 for a week during the 2025/2026 season is possibly the best value of any of the Rio Grande options.
Wuijoor means “light” in the language of the Selk’nam, the native people of Tierra del Fuego. It’s a fitting name: the large landscape itself feels luminous, with broad skies stretching over the Patagonian steppe, windswept valleys, and rivers alive with migrating fish. Guanaco graze on the hillsides, grey foxes dart across the flats, and the austere beauty of the region underscores just how far you’ve traveled to reach (and fish) the edge of the world.
Emilie Björkman fishes Río Menéndez (Credit: Wuijoor Lodge)
Fishing the Río Grande and Río Menéndez
The Río Grande is globally recognized as one of the most prolific sea-run brown trout rivers. Each year, many tens of thousands of silver fish migrate from the sea into its waters, with trophy specimens exceeding 20 pounds landed every season. Fish in the 10–15 pound class are common, and the sheer power of these trout, fresh from the salt, is unforgettable.
Yet it’s often the Río Menéndez, the Grande’s smaller tributary, that leaves visiting anglers captivated. Wuijoor exclusively accesses 37 km of the Río Menéndez. Here the water is more intimate: short, deep pools, glides that ask for careful fly placement, and riffles that reward a well-timed swing. It’s highly technical fishing. Short sinking lines are often needed to get the fly into the strike zone quickly, and the river’s clarity means that precise presentations are essential. The lower Río Ona, also accessed from the same estancia, adds further variety with its broad runs and mix of classic holding water.
The guides will move through the river with you, searching pools and indicating where to cast. Expect to see large trout breaking the surface and be prepared to walk or drive to find the migrating fish. You can fish double-handed with 3-4wt Trout Spey scandi gear, or an 8wt single handed rod, both with sinking tips and stout leaders.
Resident browns and rainbows up to four pounds are a welcome bonus, especially on calm days when dry flies and nymphs can be fished in side channels (single-handed rods). They add a playful contrast to the heavy sea-run game and keep rods bent even when migratory fish are resting between pushes.
Watch this Río Menéndez video based at Wuijoor and you’ll be hooked!
Patagonia’s Elements
Patagonia is famous for its wind, and here it becomes part of the angling rhythm. The downstream gusts that sweep across the steppe can feel daunting at first, but they often work in your favor – helping Spey casts carry further and turning over heavy tips with surprising ease. A stout windproof jacket is essential, worn over waders and layered with merino technical apparel to keep you warm and dry throughout long sessions on the water. Comfort and resilience make the difference when fishing days stretch from dawn to dusk.
The light shifts constantly, from golden sun to fast-moving clouds, casting shadows over the barren hills. Between casts, you’ll notice guanaco moving in small herds, upland geese rising from the meadows, and the occasional grey fox watching curiously from the edge of the valley. This is not just fishing; it’s immersion in a wilderness where nature feels both vast and close at once.
Travel to Wuijoor Lodge
Reaching Wuijoor Lodge is an adventure in itself, straightforward though. Most anglers fly first into Buenos Aires (Ezeiza International Airport, EZE). We recommend spending a night or two in the city – not only to overcome any jetlag, but to enjoy a steakhouse parrilla dinner, a glass of Malbec, and even the favorable exchange rate if you take advantage of the local 'Dólar Blue' to top up on some local cash.
From Buenos Aires, a domestic flight departs in the early morning for Río Grande Airport (RGA) in Tierra del Fuego. Arriving around 6:30am, anglers are met by lodge staff and transferred by 4x4 on a scenic drive across the steppe. Within 50 minutes, the road gives way to the seclusion of Estancia Laura and the comfort of Wuijoor Lodge. The roads are definitely not four-lane highways down here, but well-maintained.
Life at the Lodge
Wuijoor accommodates up to six anglers in three double rooms, each with ensuite bathrooms and wide views over the valley. The lodge is warm and unfussy, built for fishermen to relax after long days on the water. Meals are a highlight (the chef is a rockstar, again something I won't say is across the board in all lodges): riverside lunches are packed fresh by the chef, hearty breakfasts, and late night multi-course dinners celebrating Patagonian lamb, seafood, and regional produce, after the evening river session when the fish are at their prime. There’s always a good bottle of wine on the table, and for those who wish, a measure of whiskey to toast another day on the Río Grande.
Evenings tend to revolve around the fireplace. Flies are sorted, stories traded, and plans laid for the next day. It’s an atmosphere that balances camaraderie with the quiet anticipation that only a river full of sea-run browns can bring.
Hosted Week: February 2026
In February 2026, I will be hosting a dedicated week at Wuijoor Lodge, in partnership with Isolation Outfitters. It's called Prime Patagonia and you should contact Isolation Outfitters to get the itinerary. Come with me!
The trip runs from Sunday, February 22 through Sunday, March 1, with anglers arriving into Buenos Aires on Friday or Saturday, and departing for Río Grande Airport early Sunday morning. We fish the week, then depart the following Sunday morning. The fare for this hosted week is USD $3,900 per angler, as I mentioned above and is based on shared accommodation (double occupancy). This includes seven nights at the lodge, six full days of guided fishing, all meals and drinks, and road transfers to and from Río Grande Airport. Amazing value!
A hosted trip adds a layer of assurance to the adventure. I'll be in touch with you pre-trip to discuss your travel logistics, lodge coordination, and any of the day-to-day details are all handled so you can focus entirely on the fishing. I'm the go-between if you have any concerns or feedback, pre-trip or during the week. I’m experienced at pouring wine too.
On the river, your guide is the boss, but the presence of a host means advice is close at hand from fly choice to reading water, while off the river it ensures the week runs seamlessly. The result is a trip where everything is taken care of, and where the shared experience among anglers often becomes as memorable as the fish themselves. Plus I've got a few good stories to share!
Final Thoughts
For anglers who dream of sea-run brown trout, Wuijoor Lodge offers the essence of Patagonia distilled into a single week: rivers that demand skill, fish that deliver heart-pounding runs, and a landscape that is as harsh as it is beautiful. Whether you’re joining a hosted trip or planning your own journey, the Río Grande and Río Menéndez remain among the most storied waters on earth – places where every swing could connect you to the fish of a lifetime. This will be an unforgettable bucket list trip for the anglers who join me at Wuijoor Lodge in Feb 2026.
Wuijoor Lodge: unassuming, set up for anglers, warm & great food!
I'm headed down to the Rio Menendez for the last week of February 2026. Come and join me – there's still a couple of spaces at Wuijoor Lodge with Guillermo and the team. Easy single rod (8wt) casting, all meals/bar and airport transfers. 7 nights and 6 guided days. US$3,900 is a crazy cheap price.