Apart Dry Fly

The name says it all. Dry fly — the floating artificial fly that imitates a surface-feeding insect — is the technique of choice for anglers who travel from all over the world to fish the Chimehuin River in Junín de los Andes. A lodging named after that technique is a statement of intent: Apart Dry Fly was built from the start for those who come to fish, though its seven units welcome with equal comfort families, couples, and travelers drawn to the Andean Patagonia for any other reason.

The complex sits at San Martín 740, two blocks from the town center. That proximity to the urban core makes restaurants, grocery stores, and services reachable on foot, while the gateways to Parque Nacional Lanín — with Lago Huechulafquen and Volcán Lanín just over 30 kilometers away — are a short drive along paved road.

The seven units are split between cabins sleeping four to eight guests and studio apartments for two. This mix allows the complex to serve family groups or fishing parties as well as couples or solo travelers. All units include sommier beds, WiFi, and cable television. Enclosed parking is a practical advantage for guests traveling with photographic equipment, fishing rods, or mountain bikes. Shared asado grills give guests the option to cook at the complex — fresh trout straight from the river, should the day deliver.

Breakfast is included and comes with locally made Patagonian jams: one of those small touches that distinguishes a place with regional character from a generic stay. Cleaning service and linen are provided throughout the visit.

The Chimehuin River is the axis of the tourism offering surrounding the apart. It rises in Lago Huechulafquen and runs 53 kilometers before joining the Collón Cura River. The mouth of the Chimehuin holds Provincial Natural Protected Area status and hosts the National Trout Festival and Fly Expo each November — two events that draw fly fishers from Argentina and abroad. Fishing season runs from November to late April.

For non-anglers or those looking to mix activities, the surroundings offer a broad range of options. The trek to Volcán Lanín — 3,776 meters, with no recorded volcanic activity since the 18th century — starts from the Parque Nacional Lanín ranger station and requires no technical mountaineering skills, though it does demand solid physical fitness. Lake cruises across Huechulafquen and Epulafquen showcase Andean Patagonian forest with the perfect cone of Lanín in the background. The Lahuen Co hot springs at Lago Epulafquen and volcanic black-sand beaches along Laguna Verde round out the park’s southern section.

Thirty-five kilometers away along paved road, San Martín de los Andes adds a broader dining and cultural scene and, in winter, serves as the gateway to Chapelco Ski Resort, one of South America’s leading mountain complexes. Apart Dry Fly thus functions as an operations base for the entire Andean Patagonian corridor of Neuquén province, whether in summer or ski season.