Chile Angling

The angling programs in Chile blend the best of the region’s renowned fishing with an unmatched degree of personalization. Martín Pescador Lodge, a multi-destination experience with 20+ years of legacy, delivers an extraordinary combination of quality and quantity—both of trout and water. This robust operation with a midweek transfer is full of action, void of pressure, and altogether incredible. Rio Palena Lodge, which can be tacked on or experienced separately, is a Patagonian oasis situated on the Palena River. Customizable experiences for any level of angler can include float fishing, walk/wading, and casting lessons on the banks of the property.

A Letter From Your Guide

Ryan Martin, Guide Operations Manager

Just thinking of Patagonia can stir your blood, and it should top every fly angler’s bucket list. The culture is centuries old, the people ready to greet you with a smile. The wild scenery is stunning, snow-capped volcanoes seemingly around ever bend in a river, and impenetrable bamboo forests that cover mountainsides of black volcanic rock.

The river systems are vast, and the season is the ideal complement to the Northern Hemisphere, creating a year-round trout season. The browns and rainbows are similar to the fish found in the Rockies, but on steroids– wild, strong, powerful fish. And at times we hunt for brook trout, sea-run browns and Pacific salmon.

Some days we’ll target quantity, racking up lots of fish caught and released. Other days we’ll search for monster browns and rainbows that rival any trout in Iceland or New Zealand. To cover these big rivers and glacier lakes we mainly use drift boats and jet boats, though you’ll have chances to wade, especially on the smaller streams.

And when is the best time to go? Every month offers something different, and at Eleven we customize each trip to meet your needs. November and December (equivalent to May and June in North America) is early season, but no run-off like the States, so rivers are crystal clear. Trout are hungry and aggressive. Streamer fishing is on, especially for those huge browns. Dry fly fishing is with large attractors, and the hatches improve as we move into summer. January and February are prime summer months, warm days, and excellent dry fly fishing. March turns to autumn, leaves change colors, river levels are lower and fish more concentrated. The perfect month to mix streamers, dries and nymphs. And April, beginning of the spawning season for the browns, time to wader up and search for those truly large trout that can create life-long memories.

What will your trip look like?

Sample itineraries below

Martín Pescador Lodge

DAY 1: ARRIVE AT MARTÍN PESCADOR LODGE
Dive into a chef-prepared lunch, explore the property with your Experience Team, and settle into your accommodations at Rio Yelcho Lodge, the first stop during your Martín Pescador Lodge experience. Head out on an afternoon fishing trip to get your feet wet before enjoying a Pisco Sour and breathtaking views on the back porch, followed by a delicious dinner.

DAY 2–4: FISHING FROM Rio Yelcho Lodge
Homemade breakfasts will fuel you for action-packed days of guided fishing on the nearly limitless water surrounding the lodge. Rio Yelcho Lodge’s riverside setting allows you to depart directly by boat to access the Río Yelcho and Lago Yelcho, along with a short travel time to Río Futaleufú. You’ll enjoy access to fully unpressured water, targeting the beautiful rainbows and browns for which this region is so well known. Evenings are spent sipping South American vino tinto and taking in the views of nearby glaciers and rising fish.

DAY 5-7: FISH FROM RIO ROSSELOT LODGE
Your team will handle all the logistics to ensure a seamless transfer down to La Junta while you finish up a full day of fishing. This riverfront angling lodge offers a completely fresh set of fly fishing opportunities on an entirely separate watershed, including Río Rosselot, Río Figueroa, and Río Pico, amongst many others. Locally inspired meals keep you energized from dawn until dusk, highlighted by a traditional Chilean Asado on the last night of your trip.

DAY 8: DEPARTURE DAY
Enjoy a decadent breakfast and one last view from the wraparound deck before departing for Chaitén.

Rio Palena Lodge

DAY 1: ARRIVE AT RIO PALENA LODGE
Enjoy beverages and snacks upon your arrival at the lodge, where your Experience Team will help you get settled in your accommodations and introduce you to the property. Meet your guides to review your hopes and expectations for your time with us, then walk/wade our home water on the Palena River just outside the lodge until dinner.

DAY 2–4: 3 FULL DAYS OF GUIDED FISHING
Fill up on a chef-prepared breakfast before heading out with your team of exceptional guides each morning. Your guides will blend your personal inclinations with the stretches that are fishing best at the time of your visit to deliver off-the-charts days, every day. Float the Palena to work a long stretch of water where rainbows and browns rarely see visitors, taking out at our beautiful outpost, Palena Camp. Another day, you’ll load up in a helicopter to walk/wade the Tigre River, where brook trout and scenic views are in ample supply. Another full day float option is hitting the beat between the lower Futaleufú and Lago Yelcho, a unique combination of productive river and lake fishing that frequently results in large catches.

DAY 5: DEPARTURE DAY
Wake up to a hearty breakfast, then transfer to the airport to head back home, or to your next adventure.

no down days

Rio Palena Lodge
Martín Pescador Lodge