It was 2006, when this destination came into the focus of the fly fishing community. A video went around the world and you could already read in the opening credits what to expect: “Three rods, seven hours of fishing, 80 landed fish with a weight of 4.5-10 kg”. No indication of the name of the water or in which country this fishery would be – for good reason. The video then showed the giant rainbow trout, which looked just as unreal as the landscape in which they were caught.

The huge lake, measures 20 km x 15 km and is 1,000 m above sea level. Not exactly an environment where you would expect the best fishing for large rainbow trout on the planet. But the large number of scuds (freshwater shrimp) makes these fish grow into true monsters. The lake, which is actually called Lago Strobel, quickly needed a name and nothing was more fitting than “Jurassic Lake”. So a legend was born.

We are pleased to be able to offer you this top destination now. A lot has happened since the exploration in 2006, because this destination has had a few disadvantages in the past. The accommodation was far from luxurious. In the early days, people lived in tents and the long journey on “roads” that would not even pass as dirt roads in our countries, were known as the “Road to Hell”. Nevertheless, fly fishermen from all over the world took on this arduous journey. Weekly catches of 2,000 – 3,000 rainbow trout are not uncommon even today in prime time with 10 rods fishing.

If that’s too much for you, you can simply fish in the less expensive off-season, when the fishing is still really good. In any case better than anywhere else, but daily catches of 100 fish or more cannot be expected. And to be honest, we find that quite reassuring.

The journey has become much more pleasant and the “Road to Hell” is no longer the only way to get to the lake. Nowadays you can fly directly to the Jurassic Lake from the town of Comodoro Rivadavia with a smaller plane. Accommodation has also improved significantly. The simple but cozy lodge, with its 5 double rooms (with private bathroom), can accommodate up to 10 fishers. Electricity is available 24 hours a day and WiFi is also available to a limited extent. The service is good and the food tasty. All drinks are available, and the good red house wine rounds off a great fishing day.

The exciting thing about Jurassic Lake is, that there really is something for everyone. Because depending on the weather conditions, the fish take both streamers and small nymphs, but it gets particularly exciting with the dry fly, because this is also a standard method on Jurassic Lake. Imagine a rainbow trout weighing 6-10 kg, which sips your dry fly from the surface. This is a moment in your fishing life you will never forget. During certain hours in some bays, with suitable light conditions, groups of large fish can come very close to the shore and look for food in the shallow water areas.

This reminds us of large bonefish. Even in strong winds, you can often sight fish. There is a team of experienced guides who provide information on the most promising techniques and the best places, as well as help with fly selection and landing. The fishing on the lake is supported with light guiding, without a guide at your side at all times.

In addition to the spectacular fishing in the lake, there is also a very interesting fishery waiting for you on the Barrancoso River, the only serious inlet to Jurassic Lake, which is also its spawning area. The confluence with the lake is an unbeatable hot spot where fish of all sizes keep coming and being tempted to take. Two fishers are looked after by a guide who helps to explore the more than 20 kilometers of the Barrancoso, as well as bays and smaller streams. Here you swap the 8 fly rod, which we would recommend for the lake, for a 6 with a floating line. Some pools are a little deeper and wider, such as the “Aquarium”, which lives up to its name. You can imagine the majority of the river more like a small mountain stream, in which trout of 15-30 cm are not waiting like at home, but fish up to 5 kg or larger.

Every fly fisher should experience the breathtaking fishing at Jurassic Lake at least once in their lifetime. This is not complicated in the strict sense of the word. It is important to fish in flow with the wind and it is important to find the areas where the fish are currently located.