Fly Fishing with Purpose: El Encuentro’s Path to Sustainability in Patagonia
At El Encuentro Fly Fishing, we know that our greatest treasure is not just the fish we catch, but the pristine rivers, landscapes, and communities that surround us. For over 40 years, we’ve welcomed guests to experience the magic of Patagonia—and now, more than ever, we’re committed to ensuring that magic lasts for generations to come.
⚡ Wilderness, Responsibly Powered: Brook Trout Base Camp
Among all our destinations, Brook Trout Base Camp stands out as a true model of sustainability. Operating entirely off the grid, the camp blends a wind turbine with solar panels to produce virtually all the electricity needed for the wooden casitas and the quincho (our shared space). These renewable sources also ensure a steady supply of hot water throughout your stay.
Life at Base Camp shows that comfort and responsibility can go hand in hand. Guests enjoy cozy cabins with proper lighting, insulation, and hot water, while every detail is carefully managed to reduce our footprint, protect the wild landscape, and preserve the beauty that makes Patagonia so unique.
🌱 From Soil to Table: A Sustainable Kitchen
Sustainability at El Encuentro extends to the table. Across our destinations, we’ve developed greenhouses and thriving organic gardens that supply our kitchens with fresh herbs, vegetables, and seasonal produce. This keeps our menus vibrant and ever-changing, while significantly reducing food miles and waste.
We also take pride in serving organic, farm-raised beef and lamb sourced from local sustainable farms. Raised without synthetic hormones or antibiotics, these meats offer guests both exceptional flavor and the assurance that their meals support ethical farming practices and local economies.
And because caring for the land means giving back to it, we compost all organic leftovers. Every meal becomes part of a larger cycle of respect for nature: nourishing our guests while also enriching the soil that sustains us.
💧 Refill, Reuse, Reduce
Plastic waste has no place in wild Patagonia. That’s why we’ve replaced single-use plastics with reusable water bottles and refill stations at our lodges. Guests are encouraged to bring their own bottles or use ours. We’ve also reduced printed materials and shifted to eco-friendly practices like towel reuse and dispenser systems.
🤝 Strengthening Communities
Sustainability means people, too. We’re proud to support local initiatives and foster opportunities for growth among our guides and neighbors. Through programs like the Euro-nyphing Clinic led by Katka Svagrova for Argentine anglers, we extend our commitment to education, training, and community development.
🐟 Keep Fish Wet Philosophy
At El Encuentro Fly Fishing, we treasure not only the beauty of our rivers but also the life that thrives within them. That’s why we’ve adopted the practices of Keep Fish Wet, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting science-based fish handling. Their three pillars—minimizing air exposure, avoiding dry surfaces, and reducing handling—are now part of our daily fishing protocols. By following these guidelines, we protect fish health, preserve local populations, and foster a culture of conscious angling.
🌎 Giving Back to Nature
Our rivers and trails give us so much—so we give back. We support conservation efforts in nearby parks and river access points, organizing trail clean-ups, planting native species, and ensuring that all of our guides follow strict ecological guidelines. Every fishing license purchased supports local wardens who safeguard the waters we fish.
A Journey We Take Together
Sustainability is not a destination—it’s a journey we share with you. Each time you fish, hike, or explore with us, you become part of our commitment to protecting Patagonia’s beauty. Together, we can ensure that its rivers, landscapes, and culture remain as vibrant as ever.
Ready to fish with purpose? Join us at El Encuentro Fly Fishing and experience a Patagonia where adventure and sustainability live side by side.