Kau Tapen was the first fishing lodge on the Río Grande, opening its doors in 1984. Its name means “House of Fishing” in the Ona Language and here, in the heart of the Río Grande watershed, live the best pools on the river.
If the walls of the magnificent lodge could talk, they would tell story after story of battles with huge trout over thirty-plus years. Kau Tapen Lodge embodies the fly fishing experience, and to hundreds of anglers, it is their fishing home. On the river, short walks and shallow wading are the norm. Single or two-handed rods are both effective. Skate a bomber over a resting lie, or float a nymph next to a cut back for Sea-Run Trout you’ve only seen in your dreams.
Why Choose Kau Tapen
Kau Tapen is located in the heart of the Rio Grande – the best trophy Sea Run Brown Trout river in the world. Kau Tapen was the first lodge on the Rio Grande, over 35 years ago, and the standard of excellence by which all other lodges, worldwide, are measured. Over the years there have been five world records for sea-run browns set at Kau Tapen. Fish in the upper twenties and to the mid-thirties hit the nets each season, and twenty pounders sea trout are landed every week. Visiting anglers have the opportunity to fish many of the most popular pools ever day. We allow only two anglers and their guide per beat (four to eight pools). You get to fish new pools every morning and every evening. That’s an incredible amount of water to cover each day!
Kau Tapen provides some of the best lodge services and hospitality of any lodge in the world. That’s why over eighty percent of our anglers are repeat guests, and the majority of our new clients are referrals. The Rio Grande is one of the most accessible rivers you’ll ever wade. It has a gravel bottom and an even flow, and each beat has easy to read pools and riffle sequences. The Rio Grande can easily be fished with a 7 or 8 weight rod or with a two-hander. The fish are generally easy to reach, holding on current lines or against cut banks within casting range.
In addition to the Rio Grande, Kau Tapen guests can explore 22 miles of the Menendez River. This smaller, technical tributary is perfect for floating lines and single-hands and switch rods, and the fish aren’t any smaller! A large number of beats make it possible to find a pool where the wind is an advantage and not a hindrance. Each week starts with an evening warm-up session – most anglers catch a trout or two the first night they arrive. Kau Tapen has a mix of the world’s best guides; both local and international, they merge local knowledge with world-class technique. When conditions are right, waking and skating presentations can make for some exciting fishing.
The Lodge
The lodge was built in 1984, Kau Tapen Lodge was designed to offer rods the maximum comfort during their fishing trips, as well as easy access to the best pools on the world-famous Rio Grande. It accommodates up to 10 guests (and occasionally 12) in in-suite single rooms to ensure privacy and comfort. The lodge has ten single suite rooms; some offer a king bed, while some have one queen, and others are furnished with two doubles. A large living room opens up to peaceful vistas of the Menendez and Rio Grande valleys and includes a roaring fire and a well-stocked bar. The lodge also boasts a tackle shop with an excellent selection of Sage rods, quality fly reels, flies, lines, Patagonia clothing, and other fishing essentials. Guests have full use of the lodge’s fly-tying table and equipment. Additional Kau Tapen highlights include two wading/fly gear rooms, a full spa with jacuzzi, a sauna, and a Finnish steam bath.
Food and Drink
At Nervous Waters, our kitchens come to life through the use of fresh and regionally representative meats and produce. By combining these elements, we create delicious flavors and varied textures that harbor hidden stories and package traditions on each plate. A top-notch team of experienced national and international chefs, trained in both classic and avant-garde culinary techniques, prepare our food. With an artisan’s touch, chefs prepare every dish from scratch to be served at a minute’s notice. At Kau Tapen lodge you’ll enjoy fresh pasta and fire-roasted meats like our famous Patagonian lamb, roasted gaucho-style over charcoal embers, alongside ocean-fresh flavors such as King crab. And don’t forget to save room for dessert. From homemade ice creams to classic sweets and pastries, we have you covered. Finally, we feel that the food we serve and the wines we pour should mirror the sporting opportunities we offer. And wines from Bodega Catena Zapata blend perfectly. These are renowned wines that compete on the world stage. They hold a special place in our culture, and we’re proud to serve them to you.
