The Chimehu\u00edn River begins at the outlet of Lake Huechulafqu\u00e9n, at the foot of the Lan\u00edn volcano, and flows for about 33 miles before joining the Alumin\u00e9 to form the Coll\u00f3n Cur\u00e1. Flowing through Neuqu\u00e9n province near the town of Jun\u00edn de los Andes, it is widely regarded as the river that put Argentine trout fishing on the map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Chimehu\u00edn is a big freestone river, similar in feel to storied waters like Montana’s Madison, with true pools, riffles, and runs carved through a mix of open plateau and rocky canyon. In places it braids into a maze of willow-lined channels that carry the intimacy of small water alongside the ever-present chance of a big fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fed by snowmelt off the Andes, the river runs remarkably clear over a cobblestone bed, making much of it easy to wade and read. Rocky walls along parts of its course push the current into fast, broken water, while more open stretches slow into classic pools that call for careful, deliberate presentations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Chimehu\u00edn offers anglers the chance to sight-fish wild rainbows and browns averaging 16 to 20 inches, with fish in the 21- to 24-inch range common enough to keep every cast interesting. Trophy trout up to 30 inches are also present and are typically targeted with streamers or large attractor dry flies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the season gets underway, strong mayfly hatches bring fish to the surface, and dry-fly fishing over rising trout is often the highlight of a day on the water. Streamers fished through the deeper pools and along undercut banks also produce well, particularly for anglers hunting the river’s larger resident browns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through the height of summer, the Chimehu\u00edn’s varied water allows for nearly every technique. Attractor dries and hopper patterns work well in the faster riffles and pocket water, while nymphing the deeper runs accounts for steady numbers of fish through the warmer months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As autumn sets in, the river’s brown trout begin their spawning migration, drawing some of the biggest and most selective fish of the year into the Chimehu\u00edn’s pools and runs. These fish are notoriously wary, but for anglers willing to put in the time, the reward can be a trophy brown that defines a season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
One of Patagonia\u2019s most iconic fly fishing rivers, the Chimehuin offers legendary waters, large rainbows and browns, and a perfect mix of accessibility, variety, and seclusion.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":6264,"menu_order":10,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"body-type":[8],"class_list":["post-543","rivers-and-lakes","type-rivers-and-lakes","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","body-type-river"],"yoast_head":"\n