With a title like this, one must wonder if any fisherman has the capacity to really tell a true story about his fishing exploits. I have been very lucky to have fished all over the world and experienced things that most may never have the opportunity to. What I am about to describe is not a fish story (we all tell them), it’s a true fisherman’s story about a blissful place full of fish, natural beauty, crystal clear virgin streams and wonderful people. Twice each year my wife Pam and I and a hand full of friends travel to Patagonia Chile to experience some of the world’s best Brown and Rainbow trout fishing. Most flights leave the USA at night and arrive in Santiago, the capital city of Chile early in the morning. Although we often continue on to Patagonia (another 1000 miles south) doing an overnight in Santiago is worthwhile. Santiago is a beautiful European city and an afternoon tour and dinner in one of many 5 star restaurants is a treat. The trip from Santiago to Balmaceda is full of Kodak moments. On the way south, the left side of the aircraft will give you great views of the snow covered Andes mountains. The right side will reveal a beautiful coastline and many ocean fish farms. Balmaceda airport serves Coyhaique, a city of 50,000 and the regional capital of Patagonia. Upon arrival in Balmaceda my friend Fred Yule, owner of Campo Chileno, meets us and takes us one half hour to the camp. Fred has been a professional guide for over 30 years and has fished the Patagonia waters for over 20 years. First hired by US lodges to scout the best fishing in Patagonia he fell in love with the country and the people and made Chile his home. He and his lovely Chilean wife Amanda run the lodge. The camp provides gourmet food, great accommodations and holds only six guests. Another great thing about the lodge is that ALL equipment (Ross reels and Sage rods, waders/boots etc.) and flies are provided free of charge. Those of you that have lugged your equipment in the past know what a great service this is. The camp is located on Lago (lake) Pollux. Lago Pollux has some of the best Rainbow fishing in the world. It is not unusual to catch 30 inch rainbows from the fishing docks or float tubing in one of the camps many inflatables. In addition to Lago Pollux, Fred has access to over thirty venues within an hour’s drive from the camp. These include rivers streams and lakes many of which he has exclusive access. The scenery at every site is breathtaking. At Lago Paloma, you fish in crystal clear turquoise water for Browns and Rainbows. Waterfalls abound and Condors fly overhead. On the Simpson and Manihuales river float trips every turn and waterfall is more beautiful than one can dream of. At several other exclusive locations we each caught over 100 healthy and beautiful trout, most on dry flies. Catching (and landing) a Coho Salmon on light tackle was exciting. In December Chinook salmon that average 25-30 lbs with fish up to 55 lbs are being caught. If these experiences are too much for us mere mortals to imagine add the fact that I have fished these waters for two weeks straight and not seen another fisherman!Each year the fishing gets better and better. Some attribute this to acts of nature. Several times in the last 10 years ocean fish pens holding Coho Salmon and Trout broke open and turned captive fish into wild ocean going Salmon and Steelhead trout. In the most recent earthquake on April 23 2007, it is estimated that millions of fish went free. The eggs from fish returning to the rivers have added substantially more food to the system and the Trout have benefited. Today major Salmon and Steelhead runs complement the world class Trout experience.If you want to experience a life-changing event, visit Patagonia Chile and enjoy the fishing, natural beauty and Chilean hospitality.
Craigg,
Awesome fish tale! And I am certain it is “True”! (well .. maybe the ‘100 each’ is a bit of a stretch:) but i can appreciate that:)))) …. I have never fly fishing in patagonia or chile .. but everything you describe is exactly what I envision. Through Alex, one of my best friends .. who is also an Argentine citizen and fly fishing guide who rolls with a tight network and crew of great Argentine fly fisherman … I hope to make my first trip down to this region to fish the Dorado up north (outside of buenos aires) with Alex .. and then travel with him down south to Patagonia region to finally meet (in person) the Patagonia flies and fins “crew” .. Through countless videos and fish tales of their adventures on fliesandfins.com I feel like I already know them .. so, it should be a great trip and make for a spectacular contextual fish tale of good friends connecting other good friends a half a world away through fly fishing and the internet .. and to finally meet and finally get to experience the beautiful country of Argentina, its amazing culture and legendary fly fishing opportunities will be a fly fishing dream come true .. I hope that it will be even 1/2 of the experience that you describe .. I am sure it will be though. Anyway, great fish tale .. great trip with good friends .. beautiful fish! very nice. Take care.
what a great adventure. I would love to fish that region someday…great story, thanks for posting.
Craigg-
Nice story it is obvious that you are passionate about fly fishing in chile and from what you described I would be too. I have never fished in that part of the world but would love to someday. I have seen videos and heard stories (like yours) that always amaze me. That is an interesting fact about the earthquake and how it turned captive fish free. Great read all around.
That’s a great account of what must be the fishing experience of a lifetime. A friend of mine, Dan Cook, frequents the waters of Patagonia annually and he to loves it. He fished around the world traveling 74,000 miles and spent 2 years doing it. But seems to love his Patagonia trips the best. I like many would love to do this trip but it won’t be this year, but soon. Great pictures and story
Thanks
Greg
Craig,
Thanks for sharing your Patagonia adventure with us…for a minute I slipped away to the turquoise waters too…Til I glanced out the window to snow falling heavy… Beautiful country…lots of trout and salmon, no crowds? You do this trip of a lifetime twice a year? I’m jealous.
Craigg.
My lord. That is truly special. That trip is my NUMBER ONE destination to get to ASAP! Every time I hear about the pristine water and ecology and the hospitality and the sheer numbers of healthy wild fish my heart races. To hear the story told by someone with such an obvious love for and expertise of Patagonia is a real treat. Being a bit of a dry fly snob myself I was glad to hear about so many trout being caught on the surface too!!! WOW!!! You’re livin’ the dream man. SWEEEET STORY. Thanks for sharing.
Jeremy, came here, alex, miguel, matias, wilfredo and I we are very happy if you came. Bye! my english is very poor. by te way, the strobel lake video you know is ready?? Gustavo One of the Argentine fliesandfins crew
gustavomorales,
When I come to your country to fish .. I don’t know what I am more excited about .. the FISH or FISHING with you, alex, miguel, matias, wilfredo and the ARGENTINE fliesandfins crew! .. Even if we caught NO fish (which I doubt) .. it would STILL be the BEST TRIP OF MY LIFE! .. I can’t wait..
PS. YES, that amazing video – is almost complete!
ok jeremy, i hope
un abrazo
Just returned last week from Chile and had another great time. This year we caught two late run Kings on the Aysen river. I really love this place!!
Hi Greg. I met Dan at the camp last year on final leg of his 74,000 mile venture. the report of his experiences in Chile can be found at flyfishingtheglobe.net His country by country log is a great read