Fly fishing travel can take you to some of the world's most unique angling destinations. Montana Angler has fished the world over and we continually return to fly fishing in Chile because of the splendid landscapes, variety of fisheries, unspoiled and uncrowded waters, and unique cultural experiences. A fly fishing trip to Chile has you fishing some of the least pressured waters in the world and feels like a portal to a time in the past when large trout fed freely and anglers saw only snowcapped mountains and views that go on forever.
With much of the Patagonia region preserved and protected with Chile's network of national parks and preserves, a fly fishing trip to Patagonia is an ideal destination for a all levels and passions of anglers seeking a truly unforgettable experience. But, where do you start? Because fly fishing in Patagonian Chile encompasses a wide geographic area, we have broken down the fly fishing in Chile into three distinct regions. Whether you are heading on a Chile hosted fly fishing trip, a DIY trip, or an all-inclusive fishing lodge trip, be prepared for the trip of a lifetime.
Coyhaique and Central Patagonia
Main species: Brown, rainbow, and brook trout with seasonal opportunities for sea-run brown trout and king salmon
Season: November through April
Fisheries: Simpson, La Paloma, Elizalde, Blanco, Spring Creeks, Mañihuales, Aysen, Megote, Nirehuao, and many more
Non-angling activities: Hiking, mountain biking, flatwater kayaking, wildlife viewing
Nearest commercial airport: Balmaceda (BBA)
This region is considered the epicenter of fly fishing in Patagonian Chile. With an amazing array of fishing options, anglers headed here truly cannot fish all of the waters in a weeklong trip...or even a month's trip--there is simply so much great fly water to fish. As an angling hub, Coyhaique, has everything a traveling angler needs from reasonably priced hotel rooms to all types of restaurants and additional amenities. The scenery in this region is spectacular with snowcapped mountains in every direction dissected by valleys and river bottoms. Paved and gravel roads provide ample access to the regions rivers, spring creeks, and lakes.
Unlike any other region in the world, this region features thick rainforest like canyons and lakes as well as arid, wide open spring creeks. On one day it can feel like you are fishing the steelhead rivers of the Pacific Northwest or Alaska and the next day you it feels like you are casting dry flies on the trout streams of Montana or Yellowstone National Park. And smack in the middle of all this fly fishing goodness are purpose-built, world-class fly fishing lodges with some of the most passionate and dedicated fly fishing guides in all of Patagonia.
With so much variety in this region, anglers can experience great streamer fishing in the spring (November and December) and fall seasons (March and April) and some of the planet's best dry fly fishing during the peak summer season (January and February). March and April also have a big following of anglers making annual trips for exciting fishing with grasshoppers and other terrestrials.
This region is tailor-made for anglers of all skill levels with opportunities to sight-fish to rising trout, cast streamers to structure, and nymph deeper holes and runs. The lodges here provide a fishing program that is perhaps the most well-blended in all of Patagonia combining angling variety, minimal travel logistics, and breathtaking scenery.
Explore Coyhaique and Central Patagonia Fly Fishing Lodges
Yelcho, Palena, and Futualefu Region
Main species: Brown, rainbow, and brook trout, with seasonal opportunities for sea-run brown trout and king salmon
Season: November through April
Fisheries: Yelcho, Palena, Futaleufú, Rosselot, Figueroa, Pico,
Non-angling activities: Hiking, mountain biking, flatwater kayaking, wildlife viewing
Nearest commercial airport: Puerto Montt (PMC)
This region is often referred to the Los Lagos region or the northernmost region of Patagonia and is home to glacial fed lakes, pristine rivers, and rarely fished smaller creeks. Traveling anglers have been fishing this region for decades as some of Chile's first fly fishing lodges were opened in this region. With its proximity to the Pacific Ocean the region has the distinct feel of southeast Alaska or the Pacific Northwest. The lowlands near Puerto Montt are backdropped by distant volcanoes and productive farmlands, but as soon as you get to the fishing lodges, the topography changes to narrow, glacial valleys with snowcapped peaks and the feeling of true wilderness.
The light fishing pressure and productive waters in this region make it a hot spot for anglers targeting trophy trout on the fly and numerous trout over 10lbs are landed by anglers throughout the season. This region of Chile offers some of the world's best trophy trout fishing in incredibly productive lakes and lagoons. Watching large, trophy-sized trout launch out of the water to intercept dragonflies is not uncommon when fishing the reed beds on these lakes and lagoons. Whether sight casting to huge fish patrolling weed beds or swinging for the fences with big streamers, these spectacular lakes and lagoons are a great way to add variety to floating and wading the many rivers in the region.
A unique feature of this region is the option for helicopter fly out fishing. The heli-angling program allows anglers to fish and explore a variety of lakes and smaller waters. The unpressured smaller rivers and creeks accessed by heli-angling feature a variety of catch rates and sizes of wild trout.
The trout in these waters grow fast, large, and strong. A Chile fly fishing trip to this region features a fishing program with a nice mix of quantity and quality—some days are spent catching and release lots of good-sized rainbow and brown trout while others are focused on finding, catching, fighting, and landing large, trophy-sized trout.
Anglers of all abilities will find some excellent opportunities in this region. The lodges here have a reputation of being some of the best in the world for trout fishing and the guides match that reputation and exceed it with their passion for finding fish for all levels and expectations. The scenery in this region is the perfect backdrop for the world-class fishing.
Explore Yelcho, Palena, and Futualefu Region Fly Fishing Lodges
Baker, Cochrane, and Lago General Carrera Region
Main species: Brown, rainbow, and brook trout, with seasonal opportunities for lake-run brown trout
Season: November through April
Fisheries: Baker, Bertrand, Jeinimeni, General Carrera, Chacabuco, Maiten
Non-angling activities: Hiking, famous Marble Caves, mountain biking, flatwater kayaking, wildlife viewing
Nearest commercial airport: Balmaceda (BBA); helicopter charter
As the southernmost region of fly fishing regions in Patagonia, this region is most commonly referred to as the Rio Baker Region. The Rio Baker is the crown jewel here for good reason. As the largest river in all Patagonia, it is home to some of Chile's most reliable trophy brown trout fishing. Filled with a variety of angling options from large and small lakes to large and small rivers to the Cochrane and Jeinimeni, it is still surprising that this region still remains slightly off the angling radar of most anglers heading to Patagonia...and that's not a bad thing at all.
Unlike the ease of air travel to the Coyhaique and Yelcho/Palena regions with daily direct flights from Santiago and short ground transfers to the lodges, a trip to the Rio Baker region requires an extra step. Anglers traveling here overnight in Coyhaique and take a ground transfer through spectacular scenery or they can take a helicopter to shorten the drive. The region is defined by snowcapped peaks with hanging glaciers and his home to the largest lake in Patagonia in Lago General Carrera. The Rio Baker begins as the outlet of Lago Bertrand.
The Baker flows clear year round but always has a hint of glacial flower producing a magical azure color that has to be seen first hand to truly believe. This is truly one of the world's most beautiful trout rivers. The surrounding scenery is equally dramatic with rugged mountains dripping with glaciers in nearly every direction. Although the Rio Baker is the crown jewel of the lodge's program there are several other nearby fisheries to add variety to a week at the lodge. These include the outlet of Lago Carrara, Lago Bertran, Rio Maiten, the amazing Cochrane River, and a few other gems.
The fishing out of Patagonia Baker Lodge is as grand as the countryside. From sight-casting to pods of large rainbows to stalking trophy-sized brown trout, anglers will target some of Chile's largest trout. Even as Patagonia’s largest river, the structure of the Rio Baker provides a variety of angling opportunities and tactics and is ideal for all levels of anglers. Fish often rise to the river’s dependable and prolific caddis hatches. Anglers who like to fish streamers will have plenty of opportunities to cast large flies to entice some of the world’s largest wild trout. But the Rio Baker isn’t the only option for anglers. A variety of lakes are home to trophy-sized fish and, the spring creek-like waters of the Rio Cochrane and local rivers such as Rio Maiten and Rio Chacabuco are also options.
Explore Baker Region Fly Fishing Lodges
Gear Recommendations for Fly Fishing in Chile
When traveling to fish in Chile, it is a good idea to travel with your own rods, reels, fly lines, flies, leaders, and tippets. Many of the guides at the destination lodges can provide gear, but, it is best to plan to bring your own.
Rods and Lines:
9-foot 5 or 6 weight with floating line
9-foot 7-weight or 8-weight with a sink-tip or full sink
Leaders and Tippet:
9 foot 0X to 5X
A selection of mono-filament and fluorocarbon in 0X to 6X
Flies:
While fly selection isn't as important as on many of the pressured waters in the United State, be sure to have a selection of the following:
Dries:
Water Walkers in size 8-12
Chubby Chernobyl in size 6-10
Lage Ants and Beetles in sizes 12-18
Caddis and mayflies like Parachute Adams and Bloom's Hi-Vis Caddis
Dragonflies in sizes 6-10
Stimulators is size 10-12
Streamers:
A note on color: natural colors like brown, tan, and black are the best.
Sparkle Minnows in sizes 2-6
Conehead Wolly Buggers in sizes 2-5
Sculpzilla in sizes 2-6
Any Kelly Galloup streamer in sizes 2-6
Nymphs:
While not always the go-to for fly fishing in Patagonia, be sure to have some nymphs.
Beadhead Pheasant Tails in sizes 10-18
Lightning Bugs in sizes 10-18
Beadhead Prince in sizes 10-18
Pat's Rubber Legs in sizes 6-14
Assorted Midges in sizes 16-22
Waders, Boots, Clothing, and Additional Gear
With such a wide array of topography in southern Chile, being prepared with good gear is crucial to having a good trip. Over the course of a day of fly fishing in Chile anglers can experience sunshine, wind, rain, snow, and repeat. A nice warm day can quickly turn into a rainy cold afternoon. Implementing a quality clothing system is important. Use a layering system that allows you to have a high quality base layer, then insulating layers, finished off with a quality outershell that is fully waterproof. A good attitude only goes so far if you travel with sub par clothing.
Many of the lodges in Chile can provide waders and boots. Depending on your body size and the importance of form-fitting waders and boots, you may choose to pack your own waders and boots because you know what works best for you. When booking a fly fishing trip to Chile it is important to get answers to if or if not waders and boots are included and the inventory of sizes at your destination lodge.At this time, felt soled boots are still allowed in Chile but they must enter the country clean and dry.
A few additional things to consider: a wading staff if you plan to wade fish, quality polarized sunglasses--and a backup pair just in case. Sun protection in the form of hats or sunhoodies.
Whether you are seeking your first trout on a fly or desiring to venture to someplace far off and fine, a fly fishing trip to Chile can fill so many dreams and desires. With uncrowded and secluded fishing locations paired with some great fly fishing guides and world-class fishing lodges, we know why Chile is one of the premier destinations in the world for fly fishing for trout. The scenery, lodges, guides, and of course the quality of the fish, when you plan a fly fishing trip to Chile the only thing more spectacular than the planning is the trip itself. Contact us today to start planning.
