Fishing at the end of the world: a Fuegian experience

The day begins early in Ushuaia. At seven in the morning, the guide picks us up and with a smile invites us to board the vehicle that will take us into the unknown. We're not just in search of fish, but something deeper: to experience the very essence of Tierra del Fuego.

As we leave the city behind, our first stop is the Carbajal Valley . There, the guide explains how glaciers, peat bogs, rivers, and lagoons shaped this landscape. I take a deep breath, and the cold air energizes me; the valley seems like an endless tapestry of greens and ochres. We continue on our way and stop at Mirador Garibaldi . In front of us, Lago Escondido and Lago Fagnano open up like blue mirrors. The guide tells us about the Magellanic Fault and how this region is a treasure for fishing enthusiasts.

Upon arriving at the fishing spot, the guide hands us our gear. Setting it up is almost a ritual: rods, lines, flies. We listen attentively to the technical briefing that prepares us for the day. Each of us receives the personalized attention of a guide, and we feel like we're in good hands.

We cast the first lines and time stands still. The sound of the water, the whistling of the wind, and the green of the forest envelop us. Each cast is an intimate dialogue with nature. Sometimes the fish bite, sometimes they don't, but the experience goes beyond the catch: it's the contact with an untouched and wild landscape.

Around two in the afternoon, we meet for lunch. If the weather permits, we spread blankets and makeshift tables outdoors, surrounded by mountains and crystal-clear water. If not, the Parador de Laguna Palacios offers shelter. The menu is a Patagonian feast: steaks with fresh salads or a Fuegian lamb stew , accompanied by wine, soda, and dessert. Throughout the day, there's always mate, hot coffee, facturas, or alfajores to sweeten the journey.

We returned to Ushuaia around 4:00 p.m. We returned tired, but with smiles on our faces and full hearts. I'm not just taking with me the memory of the fish, but also the certainty of having had a truly authentic experience at the end of the world.