Rivers to Reefs and Postales del Plata
Our company mission is simple, and it's all about you. We promise to put our years of experience and knowledge into creating ideal custom vacations to match your desires. All of us share a passion for travel, a seeking of that next mememorable experience that will lighten our souls, and an uncompromising sense of dedication to our work. And we have to admit....this work is a lot of fun.
Rivers to Reefs and Postales del Plata Guest Services:
* We tailor every excursion based on your input.
* We provide sample itineraries to help you generate ideas for your trip.
* All of our travel planning services are complimentary.
* On-site offices in Mendoza and Buenos Aires, Argentina.
* Airport meet and greet by our full-time multilingual hosts who will facilitate all aspects of your trip.
* Flexibility in altering your itinerary to suit your desires of the moment.
* Company-owned and operated lodges in renowned Valle de Uco and Chacras de Coria.
* Close relationships with other specially-selected hotels and service provider.
North American Office
John Ecklund
Over two decades ago John cashed in his mainstream job and founded the premier fly-fishing guide service in Eastern Oregon. As the owner of Little Creek Outfitters, John explored and developed a variety of fishing programs that have become the fly-fishing standards for other outfitting services that followed in the footsteps of Little Creek. An explorer at heart, John has traveled extensively in Cuba, Baja, Venezuela, Argentina, and Chile. These travels led to the creation of Rivers to Reefs Excursions and to the development of the Mendoza Wine Experience. John has extensive experience in the lodging and food industry, having owned and operated Grande Ronde Lodge, and as current owner of a successful restaurant, Foley Station, in LaGrande, Oregon, He is also owner and operator of Hells Canyon Whitewater Co, a whitewater rafting and fly-fishing service on the Snake River. When John is not holding a wine glass he probable has a set of oars in his hands.
Stephen Vletas
After years of guiding fly anglers, Stephen co-founded Westbank Anglers in 1986, and then began exploring the world in search of the finest fly-fishing destinations for Westbank’s travel clientele; everywhere from the Bahamas, to Alaska, Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, Costa Rica, the Seychelles, and points in-between. Along the way the Bahamas became a second home (Jackson Hole the first), which led him to become the author of The Bahamas Fly-Fishing Guide (Lyons 1999, 2002). He has also written a novel and many magazine articles for national publications on subjects ranging from fly-fishing in saltwater to gourmet wine tours in South America . After selling Westbank in 2002, Stephen had even more time to spend hopping from island to island, and to rediscover and renew his passion for Argentina. Thanks to John, Mendoza is now his “third” home. When not working with RREC and Postales guests and clients, Stephen can be found laying down first tracks on Rendezvous Mountain, casting a fly to bonefish in the Bahamas, or sipping a nice Malbec in Valle de Uco.
Lesley Garoutte
Raised on the beautiful and wet Oregon Coast, Lesley grew up with a love of outdoors and a desire to explore life. Her adventures brought her to Eastern Oregon in 1992 where she pursued an education and art degree and raised her family. Lesley is our office manager and ultimate organizer. She has a knack for keeping things flowing smoothly in the many facets of her position. She has been a part of the evolution of Rivers to Reefs and Postales del Plata from ten years ago when she began working for John at Little Creek Outfitters. Lesley is the one who will dot the I's and cross the T's for all your travel needs.
South American Office
Maria Machmar
Mary, as she likes to be called, is a true Mendocina at heart. She loves to drink Argentine red wine, enjoys good food, going out with friends, and spending time with her lovely family (husband and two children). Mary is in charge of all wine country itineraires. She has excellent relationships with the wineries, horseback riding companies, hotels, and other outside service providers. Through these relationships she arranges special wine tastings, private lunches, Andean horseback rides, and other activities only available to our clients. Mary is our go-to person for customizing trips just for you...very resourceful and always smiling.
Keep up-to-date on the newest developments in Argentina, The Bahamas, Mexico, Fiji, and the U.S. West--everything from unique travel programs, to casually elegant wine country inns and lodges, to information on the best guides, expanded options for non-anglers, more travel tips, and special trips that will be hosted by Rivers to Reefs and Postales del Plata professional staff members. Also, RTR has reserved prime dates at selected fly-fishing lodges just for members of the RTR mailing list. Postales del Plata has reserved condominiums at Las Lenas Ski Resort in high winter season. These are spots in prime time that won't be available to anyone else. We look forward to keeping you on top of things in the world of Rivers to Reefs. Join the List.
Our company mission is simple, and it's all about you. We promise to put our years of experience and knowledge into creating ideal custom vacations to match your desires. All of us share a passion for travel, a seeking of that next mememorable experience that will lighten our souls, and an uncompromising sense of dedication to our work. And we have to admit....this work is a lot of fun.
Rivers to Reefs and Postales del Plata Guest Services:
* We tailor every excursion based on your input.
* We provide sample itineraries to help you generate ideas for your trip.
* All of our travel planning services are complimentary.
* On-site offices in Mendoza and Buenos Aires, Argentina.
* Airport meet and greet by our full-time multilingual hosts who will facilitate all aspects of your trip.
* Flexibility in altering your itinerary to suit your desires of the moment.
* Company-owned and operated lodges in renowned Valle de Uco and Chacras de Coria.
* Close relationships with other specially-selected hotels and service provider.
North American Office
John Ecklund
Stephen Vletas
Lesley Garoutte
Raised on the beautiful and wet Oregon Coast, Lesley grew up with a love of outdoors and a desire to explore life. Her adventures brought her to Eastern Oregon in 1992 where she pursued an education and art degree and raised her family. Lesley is our office manager and ultimate organizer. She has a knack for keeping things flowing smoothly in the many facets of her position. She has been a part of the evolution of Rivers to Reefs and Postales del Plata from ten years ago when she began working for John at Little Creek Outfitters. Lesley is the one who will dot the I's and cross the T's for all your travel needs.
South American Office
Maria Machmar
Mary, as she likes to be called, is a true Mendocina at heart. She loves to drink Argentine red wine, enjoys good food, going out with friends, and spending time with her lovely family (husband and two children). Mary is in charge of all wine country itineraires. She has excellent relationships with the wineries, horseback riding companies, hotels, and other outside service providers. Through these relationships she arranges special wine tastings, private lunches, Andean horseback rides, and other activities only available to our clients. Mary is our go-to person for customizing trips just for you...very resourceful and always smiling.
Keep up-to-date on the newest developments in Argentina, The Bahamas, Mexico, Fiji, and the U.S. West--everything from unique travel programs, to casually elegant wine country inns and lodges, to information on the best guides, expanded options for non-anglers, more travel tips, and special trips that will be hosted by Rivers to Reefs and Postales del Plata professional staff members. Also, RTR has reserved prime dates at selected fly-fishing lodges just for members of the RTR mailing list. Postales del Plata has reserved condominiums at Las Lenas Ski Resort in high winter season. These are spots in prime time that won't be available to anyone else. We look forward to keeping you on top of things in the world of Rivers to Reefs. Join the List.
