Our Team
Justin Witt – After spending most of his life trying in vain to balance work with fishing in North America, Justin decided a change of hemisphere might just solve the problem for good. Taking a hiatus from the marketing communications firm he founded and had run for eight years, he boarded a plane and flew to Ushuaia, the furthest physical distance he could reasonably expect to put between himself and his desk without ending up on the icy shores of Antarctica. From there he embarked upon a seven month journey, walking up the spine of the Andes with a backpack and a fly rod to explore Patagonia’s fabled trout waters. Eventually settling in Rio Pico, Argentina, he has yet to return to his desk on that "other" continent
Ana Moreno – A native of the northern Argentine province of Santiago del Estero, at the age of twenty one Ana moved south, and has since lived and worked in more places in Patagonia than most people get to see in a lifetime. An extremely knowledgeable resource on the history and culture of the region, Ana’s contribution to the team goes well beyond her role as meticulous trip organizer and non-fishing activity guide, making her a consistent favorite among our clients.
Dave Teffeteller – With family roots in the Great Smoky Mountains’ Cades Cove, fly fishing for trout has truly always been a way of life for Dave. Today his fly fishing guide books, flies, and fly tying products are found in on the vests, libraries, and tying benches of anglers across the globe.
Mario Reisniaski – Mario has lived, worked, and fished in the Rio Pico region of Patagonia his entire life. An excellent boatman with years of experience on the sometimes sea-like waters of Lago Vintter, Mario can find a calm place to cast (and catch fish) on even the windiest days. Speaking English, Russian, and Spanish, he has a reputation for getting along well with everyone he meets, and for consistently proving himself as one of the most professional guides in the region.
Paulino Arias – Paulino is truly a living legend throughout Patagonia at large. Having picked up a fly rod before most anglers in Argentina had even heard of one, he has by now quite likely forgotten more about the sport than the rest of us will ever know. Most of Paulino’s life has been dedicated to the exploration of Patagonian trout waters, and to teaching the members of a newly emerging sport-culture the rules, responsibilities, and details of the game. From tying flies and assisting guests, to putting together some of the best Asados in all Argentina, Paulino’s contribution to the Patagonia Unlimited team is indispensable, and we are very thankful each year to have him aboard.
Zach “Tweed” Otte - Tweed is, above all else, a fisherman. Growing up in the southeastern United States with bass ponds and trout streams close by and the ocean not too far away, he honed his skills at an early age; but it was not until fishing for peacock bass in the inner city of Miami that his passion for predatory fish in vivid locations fully came to bloom. After graduating from the University of Tennessee Zach travelled to the Amazon, built a canoe, and fished and explored extensively throughout the region. Having survived three years in the jungle, and with three additional languages on his tongue, he eventually wound up in Argentina, where he fell in love all anew with outsized trout, toothy dorado, and wild environments. He now spends his austral summers fishing in Argentina and Chile, and his northern-hemisphere summers working as a trip planner for Patagonia Unlimited, and as a rafting and fly-fishing guide for Arkansas River Tours in Cotopaxi, CO.
Juan Pablo Marchelletti – Juan Pablo is one of the most experienced fly fishing guides on the water in all of Patagonia. Having worked in the business across four provinces of Argentina, plus in Chile, and on the bonefish flats of Los Roques Venezuela, Juan Pablo has been running fantastic trips for many years and has a long list of very satisfied clients. During the off season he enjoys spending time with his family and hunting in La Pampa, and also exploring islands around the Caribbean, looking for fins that stick up out of the water.
Luciano Alba – Luciano is the program director for all Estancia Laguna Verde/Lago Strobel programs. A native of La Pampa where he’s been fishing and hunting since he was eight years old, Luciano went into the sporting property management business with his father Roberto several years ago, and now manages a number of ranches and farms both in his native province and in Santa Cruz. When he’s not holding a fly rod, shotgun, or bow, he also practices law for Alba & Asociados.
Emiliano Luro – Emiliano is the head guide and program director for all Estancia Tres Valles packages. Born and raised in Buenos Aires, he decided the area around Rio Pico and Las Pampas was a good place to raise a family after exploring practically all the rest of Patagonia through ten whole years of travel, fishing, and photography. Emiliano speaks great English as well as passable French and Italian, and divides his off season months between teaching in local area schools, and exploring the bonefish and tarpon flats of Peru.
