Fly Fishing in Chilean Patagonia

PanAmerican Travel Services arranges customized fishing trips to Chilean Patagonia. Although these trips can be planned for as few as three days, a seven-day excursion is recommended. For seven-day trips, the program begins on Tuesday and finishes on the following Monday. Our exclusive programs include expert local guides, Hyde™ drift boats, fishing gear, wonderful meals and charming accommodations.
 
Day 1, Tuesday
Upon arrival at the airport in Puerto Montt, Chile, one of our representatives will welcome you. From there, a small commercial airplane will transport you forty-five minutes to Chaiten, a quaint village on the Pacific Coast. On a clear day, you will enjoy spectacular views of Chiloe Island and the Andes.
 
At the airport in Chaiten, you will be welcomed by an English-speaking guide and then travel to a comfortable country lodge for two nights’ accommodation. A delicious lunch will be served before your first afternoon of fishing in the Patagonian waters. After lunch, you will be guided on a 45-minute drive to Laguna Blanco. You and your guide can fish this small lake from one of our drift boats or pontoon kick boats (your option). Your first day with us will conclude with a return to Chaiten for dinner and lodging.

Day 2, Wednesday
After an early breakfast, you will be guided to Laguna Negra, another small lake known for its large trout. Your guide will serve drinks and snacks through the morning and afternoon, and you will pause at lunchtime for a wonderful lakeside lunch. The lakes in this region are surrounded by lush coastal rainforest. After a spectacular day of fishing, your guide will return you to Chaiten. At dinner, enjoy fresh salmon or one of the other locally-produced dishes, accompanied by fine Chilean wine.
 
Day 3, Thursday
After breakfast, your guide will transport you along the Austral highway, an improved gravel road that extends the length of Patagonia. As you cross the Yelcho River, you are greeted by stunning views of the river, lake and forests. By 10:00AM, you will arrive at Fundo la Confluencia, a charming farmhouse that is your home base for the remainder of the trip. The fundo (or ranch) is located on some of the most beautiful property in Patagonia, situated at the confluence of the Espolon and Futaleufu rivers.

Today, you will fish the Espolon, casting your flies from a Hyde™ drift boat. Many of our clients enjoy this type of fishing so much that we make it available on another day. A streamside lunch is served, and at day’s end you will enjoy dinner and drinks at the fundo before retiring for the night.

Day 4, Friday
Many fishing options are available depending on your interests, the season and weather conditions. One choice is to fish the Futaleufu from our jet boats. The “Futa” is one of the most beautiful trout streams in all of Patagonia. Depending on water conditions, wade fishing may be another option. Plan to bring your camera to memorialize your catches. A streamside lunch will be served. As you return to the lodge this evening, an asado (traditional barbeque) dinner awaits, accompanied by fine Chilean wine.
 
Day 5, Saturday
After another superb day of fishing, many of our guests enjoy spending this night at a campsite by the river. Comfortable sleeping bags and pads with roomy, double occupancy tents await you at day’s end. Food always tastes better cooked outdoors and tonight will be no exception. After dinner, you can enjoy the southern night sky and the campfire.

If your preference is to spend the night at the fundo, your day can be spent fishing in either Chile or Argentina. The border between Chile and Argentina is very close to the fundo, and many of our guests enjoy visiting Argentina to experience fishing conditions there. There is a small open air market on Saturday mornings in the little village of Futalefu. In the evening you will return to the fundo.

Day 6, Sunday
Today we drive to Lago Espolon, a pristine alpine lake. After a memorable morning on the lake, a picnic can be served. (Often, the fishing is so good that our guests prefer to enjoy their lunches on the lake.)  After returning to the fundo in the late afternoon, a farewell dinner will be served.
 
Day 7, Monday
This morning, you may want to take one last cast on the Espolon before we drive back to Chaiten for your flight back to Puerto Montt. Breakfast and lunch are included in your package price. At the airport in Chaiten, we say farewell.

For more information on this and other fishing programs in Central and South America, please contact a travel specialist at 800.364.4359.

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