CHILEAN AND ARGENTINEAN PATAGONIA

Introduction: It may feel strangeto think already aboutthe fishing period of November to April when our European Summer season hasn’t even begun. But, roughly speaking fishing in Chilean Patagonia takes place between October and May, around the summer of the Southern Hemisphere.

It is a must to consider Chile amongst your next winter fishing destinations and booking should be done right now, when flights are cheapest.

Chile is a combination of Norway ,long ago, Alaska and New Zealand. Country of glaciers and snow capped mountains,volcanous, the most beautiful lakes, rivers from crystal clear to an unbelievable milky blue and from mighty currents to spring creeks .


Sight from above Luxury Cabin on one of our favourite BIG TROUT Lakes

And, above all, fish; from escapees to the wildest, hardest fighting fish you can think of. Where do you find between October and May : Natural Rainbows and Browns, Coastal Rainbows almost reaching the stage of Steelhead, Sea Run Browns ( Seatrout), Atlantic Salmon, Silver Salmon and King. On some locations and periods you can specifically fish

for any of these species. Big numbers of mixed kinds , however, only show up incidentally.

Add an extra summer, big steaks, fresh salads, delicious fruits , asados, trophy wines,very friendly people, an astonishing animal life , especially when it comes to diversity of birds, and it is clear why we are fond of this country. And you will be, once you have been there…

During 12 years we have fished large parts of Chile , especially between Puerto Montt in Northern Patagonia and Punta Arenas in the Tierra del Fuego. Of course it is impossible to fish all southern Chilean rivers in a lifetime. There are thousands. Many probably never ever visited. We have fished some 60 different rivers and 15 lakes. Some rivers or lakes did not seem to hold a single fish. Considering their beauty it was hard to believe so. Some others however turned out to be extremely rich in fish, a few in big fish.


We think we know a few of them…. Marlies proved this and much more than once

General Fishing Information

At the end of October the spring fishing begins. In the rivers it is big Rainbow time. November sees the first King Salmon spring runs and December the first small runs of Atlantic Salmon .Coastal Rainbows, as well as funmaking , hardfighting Robalo’s are fished all year. Lodges hardly anticipate upon this spectacular new kind of Fly fishing……

During high summer ,December-February, you can expect a mixture from all kinds of Salmonides in all sizes. But much will depend upon the location , the present weather conditions and night temperatures.

So, if you do not want to remain fishing in your Homelake ( most Lodges do so) , you have to be flexible since a few hundred kilometers further away( too far for one single lodge) circumstances may be quite different

In some rivers you can specifically fish for Spring King Salmon , still rather fresh, returning to their spawning tributaries. However from March on Autumn run Kings are best ,whereas Trout swim back from lake into river performing a big Brown Trout period. This is also the period in which other Searun fish more frequently make their journey upstreams and your chances for Coho and Atlantic Salmon increase. Lake Fishing is good all year but best in High Summer and beginning of Autumn.


See our Friend Peter Garritsen with Coastal Rainbow ( > 90% Steelhead

Program Method:

We can work out for you, your wife and friends any trip custom made the way you like it. From luxury Accomodation with local professional guides ( if necessary?)to Back Packing programs.

Meanwhile we ourselves will arrange some trips for 4 ( max 7-8) guests plus Marlies and me.

We will sometimes rent a Minibus with permanent driver,sometimes a private plane, mostly at The Balmaceda/Coyhaique and Puerto Montt Airport and will join you onto 2 totally different Main Locations. From each of these locations we will visit, sometimes by car, sometimes by boat, sometimes by helicopter various waters. These Main Locations, that ALSO differ from each other, may be found close to Coastal rivers, close to or at Mainland rivers , or in the neighbourhood of rivers connecting superlakes. Accomodation and guiding may differ significantly but will never be below our personal standard level.


Who wouldn’t like to catch a COHO here in Chilean Patagonia in February

 


At incoming tide lots of hardfighting Robalo’s are a nice bonus

Schedule of most programs( extended upon request). Double program possible

Day 01 Evening flight Europe-Madrid-Santiago-Balmaceda
Day 02 Arrival at Balmaceda at 1200-1600, depending upon flight schedules.

Transfer to fishing and overnight stay LOCATION 1.
In some cases evening fishing possible . Full Board

Day 03 Guided Fishing incl. Full Board
Day 04 Guided Fishing incl. Full Board
Day 05 Guided Fishing incl. Full Board
Day 06 Transfer to fishing and overnight stay LOCATION 2. Fishing and full Board
Day 07 Guided Fishing incl. Full Board
Day 08 Guided Fishing incl. Full Board
Day 09 Guided Fishing incl. Full Board
Day 10 Guided Fishing incl. Full Board
Day 11 Transfer to Balmaceda Airport and Returnflight to Europe via Balmaceda and Madrid
Day 12 Arrival at Home airport

Note: Day 5 and 6 and Day 6 and 7 may be switched. Fishing possible on 09 days, but it is fair to count on 7-8 days due to weather circumstances and/or distances between Location 1 and 2 ( max 525 km).

We will take only 4 guests( some programs 6) for every program

 

Programs 

15 Days/12 Nights/ 10 fishing days

LOW BUDGET PROGRAM
Big Spring Rainbows in 2-4 Top Inland Rivers and Active River/Lakefishing(also wading) for Large Browns and Rainbows around Lago General Carrera, Southern Patagonia.

 

12 days/9 nights/ 9 possible fishing days

BUDGET PROGRAM
Big Autumn BROWNS in 2-4 Top Inland Rivers and Active River/Lakefishing(also wading) for Large Browns and Rainbows around Lago General Carrera, Southern Patagonia.

 

12 days/ 9 nights/8,5 fishing days

HIGHEST CLASS PROGRAM
For Fresh Kings( yes, you will certainly hook them, even o a fly but landing them is another story) , Atlantic Salmon, Silver Salmon, Seatrout , Brown Trout and Rainbows, The Ruca Chalhuafe Lodge at Lago Llanquihue, in this period, is the place to be. Every day another fishing place; helicopter optional. Pure luxury . The local fishing program of the Lodge starts at Saturday. So you are 7 nights and 6,5 fishing day in the Ruca Chalhuafe Lodge. After that we will fish 2 more days from another luxury coastal lodge.

 

12 days/ 9 nights/9 days of fishing

HIGH CLASS PROGRAM
Fishing from a newly built Lodge in a magnificent Coastal area North of Chaiten, close to Pumalin National Park. Very family friendly ! Main goal is Coho, coastal rainbows, Atlantic Salmon , Rainbows and the odd King in 3 different rivers and a couple of lakes.
Average weight 4-7 lbs , max 27 lbs . A private plane will bring us from Puerto Montt to the lodge and back.

 

12 days/9 nights/9 days of fishing

BUDGET PROGRAM
Coastal Rivers for Coastal Rainbows(Steelhead), Seatrout, Coho and Atlantic Salmon including 1 day TOP-level lakefishing for Brown-and Rainbow Trout. Mid Patagonia

 

Rates Include : All Transfers Airport Balmaceda/Puerto Montt- Locations-Airport Balmaceda/Puerto Montt, 9 Nights Full Board Accomodation including Wines, Guided fishing on all possible days, boats, fishing licences , personal assistance from Marlies and Wim

Rates do Not Include: Insurances, Tips, Flights Europe-Balmaceda/Puerto Montt-Europe . Now! we can book LAN Quality tickets. The prices go up closer to departure date and Easter.

Dates may change a bit.

 

Program upon request.

For more info and booking details
SALMON FISHING CLUB,
Marlies & Dr Wim Ramakers
Overkwartier 9, 6065 CM Montfort
Netherlands
Phone/Fax: + 31 475541365
e-mail: ramakersw@planet.nl

 


Wim with Searun Rainbow out of Coastal river

 


Dr Maiz with Fly caught Chilean Salmon


One of Ruca Chaluafe’s Fly caught Kings