Pioneering Patagonia with Jorge Trucco
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RSS Feed 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. 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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Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Recorded Aug 13, 2026