“After a flash photo the large fish is slipped into the dark flow….and suddenly every minute on every airplane seemed worth it and all you want to do is catch another one. More than anything you want to rush back to the lodge to tell the ladies that wait to meet you in the dark doorway that you have done so because you know they’ll be so happy about it.” – Doug Larsen, Sporting Classics, 2014
The First Forty Years
We rarely look backwards as we continue to grow and develop exciting sporting properties at The Kautapen Group, but for a moment we want to pause and reflect on a journey that began four decades ago in the remote and pristine landscape of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. This year marks the 40th anniversary of our flagship property, Kau Tapen Lodge –40 years is a milestone that fills us with pride and also gratitude. What began as a modest family venture has grown into one of the world’s most respected fishing lodges, renowned for its dedication to the sport of fly fishing and the preservation of the natural environment.
The Birth of a Tradition
In 1984, the De Las Carreras family established Kau Tapen Lodge on the banks of the Rio Grande, a river already gaining attention among anglers for producing some of the largest sea-run brown trout on the planet. This occurred at a time when traveling to sporting lodges was not as commonplace as it is today. In 1984, anglers travelled to places like Montana or Alaska to fish, and it was mostly men travelling in those days, women were not an integral part of the fly angling community, families didn’t travel to fish together as a rule, and few anglers took the leap of faith to fish on another continent. By today’s standard, Kau Tapen arrived on the scene in the stone age of fly-fishing travel. Not surprisingly, the lodge welcomed just a handful of guests during its first season, but the guides netted outsized trout for them, and “fish of a lifetime” was a phrase used as liberally then as it is today. Soon news and photos of huge trout began to appear in the fishing press, and Kau Tapen gained early momentum.
Fishing was good in those early days, but Fernando De Las Carreras knew it could be better and he spearheaded efforts to bring something to Argentina that was nonexistent in 1980’s South America- catch and release. Relying on the late Lee Wulff’s tenet that a “great game fish is too valuable to be caught only once”, soon catch and release was the law of the land on the Rio Grande and the fishing flourished. This marked a turning point in managing the Rio Grande’s trout population, and it was responsible for the growth of catch and release fishing elsewhere in Argentina and Chile. Today, the lodge remains a model for sustainable fishing, committed to ensuring that future generations can enjoy the same thrilling experiences that have drawn anglers time and time again to this remote corner of the world.
Preserving Nature with Excellence
Thanks to the continued reliance on conservation practices, our anglers catch and release multiple 15-20 pound trout weekly. Encountering sea trout tipping the scales over 20 lbs. is quite common, and true trophies weighing in above 25 lbs. are released every season! These large fish are vital to the future of our Río Grande sea trout population, and we record every notable catch to continue to monitor our conservation efforts. Simply put, the Rio Grande continues to be the most productive big trout river on the planet, season after season after season.
Gracious Living
Since Kau Tapen opened at a time when many fishing lodges were not much more than rough around the edges fishing camps, the lodge also served as a testing environment for our brand of great service. Thus, Kau Tapen has served as a shining example of marrying great fishing with gracious living. While the fishing and weather can’t be controlled, we recognized early on that everything else that goes into a great fishing trip could be, from chef-prepared meals to comfortable living areas, good wines, loaner and rental equipment, reliable wifi and fine bedding and linens. Kau Tapen was the model lodge for our blueprint that combines sport with the comfort of a fine and full service hotel property, and we continue to grow and learn as we work tirelessly to please every guest.
Looking Forward: The Next Chapter
During the 2025 season, we will celebrate this 40 year milestone together, creating new memories as we honor the lodge’s legacy. One of the highlights will be our “Tapas Night,” a warm and festive evening where we can share stories, laughter, and appreciation for the journey we’ve all been a part of. Throughout the week, we hope to surprise you with thoughtful gestures reflecting our gratitude for your continued support and friendship.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our guests, past and future. Your support has made this journey possible, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Kau Tapen Lodge to celebrate this incredible journey with us.
