Argentina: Great trout and wine

While Argentina is famous for its wine, it is equally famous for its trout.  Since I have a number of past postings on Argentine wine, this post will be mostly on trout. No, I won't leave the wine out.  December 2009 we crossed over the Andes from Chile into Argentina via the international pass Cardenal Antonio Samore.

Welcome to Argentina © Spaswinefood

After entering Argentina we drove around Lake Nahuel Huapi and on to San Carlos de Bariloche in Rio Negro Province, Patagona.  Patagonia is especially well known for its trout.

Since we had a reservation in Bariloche at a non-pet friendly place for the holidays we needed to arrive early to find accommodations for our dog Ewok and cat Amadeus. Everyone was most helpful and I started to make phone calls to inquire. Not quite accustomed to the Argentine accent I  found it hard talking on the phone. It was difficult for me to follow the directions to a location, etc. (I am so use to "ll" sounding like "y" now like sounded like "sh" and "y" now sounding like "j"). In the mean while we were greeted with kisses and hugs by everyone we met, so we felt at home.

John also started to check out fishing guides. Our first stop was at Camping Petunia and we happened to encounter Juan at Puerto Petunia Restaurant. Juan is one of the best fishing guides in Bariloche and soon John was set up to go fishing. Our dog, Ewok was hanging out at Juan's place until we found boarding for her.

Late evening view from Puerto Petunia Restaurant © Spaswinefood

Awesome trout © Spaswinefood

Even a more awesome trout © Spaswinefood

Look another trout © Spaswinefood

Returning from trout fishing © Spaswinefood

Returning Day 1 © Spaswinefood

Returning Day 2 . . . take a picture © Spaswinefood

. . . no close up © Spaswinefood

. . . even the kid wanted a photo © Spaswinefood

Discovering Puerto Petunia was wonderful because Juan immediately welcomed us. We were also accepted into Puerto Petunia circle. We had great food cooked by Alejo. This chef is great and always prepared a vegetarian dish for me.

For Christmas dinner John cooked some of the trout that our friend Gary had caught.

Trout, champagne and wine © Spaswinefood

After the holidays we drove the famous Ruta 40 from Bariloche, Rio Negro to Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego ( 2345 miles). We got to see lots of great trout fishing areas in Patagonia.

We will always remember the drive on Ruta 40 © Spaswinefood

. . Ruta 40 . .  lots of ripio (gravel road) to drive © Spaswinefood

Traveling by estancias we sometimes saw a gaucho riding © Spaswinefood

No where is trout fishing taken more seriously than Tierra del Fuego. Tierra del Fuego boasts that it has the best trout fishing in the world. You will find some great fishing estancias there.

and now Ruta 3 to Ushaia © Spaswinefood

When we visited Río Grande we got to see the area where the rich and famous come to fish. They usually stay at high end fishing estancias. The story goes that in 1933 John Goodall stocked the rivers around Río Grande with brown, rainbow and brook trout. The environment was perfect and the trout fishing industry was launched.

Near Rio Grande © Spaswinefood

John did not get to fish at the exclusive estancias instead we got to hang out at Club Nautica. We loved meeting travelers from all over the world making similar trips (some came in kayaks, others on bicycles).

Meeting other travelers at Club Nautica © Spaswinefood

Our camping space outside Club Nautica © Spaswinefood

Trout on the grill at Club Nautica © Spaswinefood

I invite you to join me in my travels in Argentina and elsewhere at Spaswinefood. 


Sharon

Memories from the Las Americas Trip

October 2010

©Spaswinefood

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Our complete trip from Deadhorse, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina was 20,172 miles (32464 km.).  If you want more of the fishing story or the drive through Patagonia visit Argentina: Part 1 at  sharonandjack-lasamericas.blogspot.com