Pioneering Patagonia with Jorge Trucco
Episode 179 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – September 10, 2026.
Our destination is pristine trout waters of Northern Patagonia in Argentina and joining me is fly fishing pioneer, lodge owner, and conservationist, Jorge Trucco.
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RSS Feed Our destination is pristine trout waters of Northern Patagonia in Argentina and joining me is fly fishing pioneer, lodge owner, and conservationist, Jorge Trucco.
Jorge is credited with putting Patagonia on the map as a world class fly fishing destination more than 40 years ago.
Today, we hear the story of the Patagonia of yesteryear—before the guides, the lodges, and the drift boats, where enormous trout ate just about anything you threw at them, along with 60-pound Chinook Salmon, how Robert Duvall saved the day, and a trip to Jackson Hole that changed everything.
In this episode:
· How Jorge Trucco became one of the pioneers of fly fishing in Patagonia
· What Patagonia fishing looked like before guides, lodges, and drift boats
· Joe Brooks and the early history of fly fishing in Argentina
· How trout and salmon were originally introduced to Patagonia
· Exploring and floating rivers that had rarely—or never—been commercially fished
· The legendary Chimehuin, Traful, Malleo, Aluminé, and Collón Curá rivers
· Learning to row and the beginnings of guided float fishing in Patagonia
· Huge Patagonian brown trout, landlocked salmon, and spring-creek fishing
· Jorge’s role in introducing and promoting catch-and-release
· The fight to protect Patagonia’s rivers from proposed hydroelectric dams
· Founding Argentina’s first fly shop and helping build the guiding industry
· Guiding famous anglers and actors
· Jorge’s perspective on how Patagonia has changed over nearly 50 years
· The conservation legacy he hopes the next generation will carry forward
With host Steve Haigh | Destination Angler Podcast — THE podcast for anglers who travel.
Connect with Jorge Trucco: https://www.patagonia-outfitters.com/
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Comments & Suggestions: host, Steve Haigh, email shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com
Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Recorded Aug 13, 2026
In This Episode
- Growing Up in Argentina and Discovering Fly Fishing
- What Patagonia Was Like Before the Fly-Fishing Boom
- The Early Pioneers of Argentine Trout Fishing
- Joe Brooks and the Birth of Modern Fly Fishing in Patagonia
- How Trout Were Introduced to Argentina
- Jorge’s First Experiences Guiding Anglers
- Learning the Rivers Before Maps, Apps, and Modern Lodges
- The Chimehuín River: One of Patagonia’s Most Historic Trout Waters
- Fishing the Malleo: Dry Flies, Clear Water, and Technical Trout
- The Traful River and Its Legendary Landlocked Salmon
- Exploring the Aluminé River and Northern Patagonia’s Wild Country
- The Collón Curá: Big Water, Big Trout, and Classic Float Fishing
- How Drift Boats Changed Fly Fishing in Argentina
- The Evolution of Guides, Lodges, and Destination Fishing
- Introducing Catch-and-Release to Argentine Anglers
- Protecting Patagonia’s Rivers From Hydroelectric Development
- Building Argentina’s Fly-Fishing Culture From the Ground Up
- Opening One of Argentina’s First Fly Shops
- Fishing With Lefty Kreh and Other Legends of the Sport
- Guiding Robert Duvall, Michael Keaton, Liam Neeson, and More
- What It Was Like Fishing With President Jimmy Carter
- Unforgettable Trout, Big Browns, and Favorite Patagonia Stories
- How Patagonia Has Changed Over Nearly Five Decades
- Tourism, Pressure, and the Future of Argentina’s Trout Fisheries
- Jorge Trucco’s Conservation Legacy
- What Today’s Anglers Should Understand About Patagonia
- Why These Rivers Still Matter
