Ruta 265 KM. 89 Mallin Grande
Region de Aysen, Patagonia Chile
U.S. Contact: +1 814 699 1215
Chile Contact: +56 9961 67101
Coyhaique /Cerro Castillo Full Description
Coyhaique / Cerro Castillo Rivers (7 nights / 6 days)
This fly fishing trip is based in the Coyhaique Valley and Cerro Castillo lake systems in Central Patagonia. The remoteness and beauty of the region creates the allure of the American West a hundred years ago. Coyhaique is the largest town in the region and serves as the cultural and trout fishing hub in Central Patagonia.
The valleys that are situated among the dry grasslands, the Andes, and the Pacific Ocean present a wide variety of angling options that range from diminutive spring creeks to large glacial rivers that offer wild resident trout yearround. Between Coyhaique and Cerro Castillo, there are over twenty lakes with both rainbow and brown trout. In addition, the fjords that barricade the mainland from the Pacific Ocean serve as an entrance point for migratory trout and salmon.
These valleys offer excellent dry-fly fishing opportunities. Anglers can toss grasshoppers and beetles in every undercut bank, and sight fish for hunting trout in the shallow riffles and back eddies. This trip is reserved for anglers of all skills. The fishing may take place on jet boats, rafts or walk/wade depending on the destination and fishing conditions.
October-December: The trout/salmon season in the region starts the first weekend of October. Many rivers and lakes offer great conditions as fish have not yet inhaled any fly imitations for almost six months. Most snow-fed rivers, creeks and small tributaries are gin clear. A significant part of the fishing takes place with streamer and nymphing techniques. The fish are hungry after the winter and usually take the imitations with aggressiveness. By this time of the year, you can already experience big terrestrial fishing in the Cerro Castillo area. December fishing and weather conditions can be very similar to the American West in June. The temperatures increase and little by little daylight stays longer. During this time, the first mayfly and caddis hatches take place. An important part of the fishing takes place with streamer and nymphing techniques. However, the dry fly imitations become more important especially by the end of the day.
January – February: Aquatic insects on the surface, predominantly mayflies, become more and more active in the morning and early afternoon. However, terrestrial fishing is at its best. This is the time of the year where most of the fishing takes place on the surface throughout the day. The Nirehuao creek offers excellent hopper fishing opportunities like no other creek in the area. Lake fishing is always very consistent with its terrestrials and streamer fishing.
TRIP FORMAT
Inclusions:
6 days of guided fishing / 7 nights of lodging, Breakfast, lunch and dinner, Wine, beer, cocktails and local hard liquor, Ground transportation to/from Balmaceda Airport (BBA), Fishing license, Terminal tackle.
Exclusions: US Passport (required), Airfare, Any additional accommodations outside this trip package. Gratuities to staff.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Friday: Depart USA by plane.
Saturday: Arrive in Santiago, Chile (SCL) early morning on Saturday. Go through Chilean Customs. Pick up bags. Recheck bags. Depart morning or early afternoon to Balmaceda, Chile (BBA) form the same SCL airport. It is important to be on one of these flights if you want a direct flight. However, there are more flights available with one and two stops:
Latam Airlines SCL BBA
LA 271 07:12 09:32
LA 275 11:11 13:31
LA 279 13:21 15:41
Saturday Afternoon: Shuttle from BBA airport to lodging accommodations will be provided by guides/assistants.
Transportation from Balmaceda to lodging accommodations is typically 45 minutes. Dinner on Saturday night at 6-7 PM.
Sunday through Friday: Guided fishing days. Start time-approx. 9:00 AM; End time-approx. 6:00 PM. Breakfast served at 8:00 AM, streamside lunches, appetizers/drinks at 7:00 PM, and dinner at 8:00 PM.
Saturday: Depart lodging accommodations by 9 am (depending on flight). Shuttle from lodging accommodations
to airport provided by guides/assistants. Arrival in SCL airport. Connecting flight back to USA.
Sunday: Arrive in USA
SOUTH-CENTRAL PATAGONIA
This fly fishing trip is based inside the General Carrera Lake watershed in Chilean Patagonia which offers some of the most remote, ‘off-the-grid’ angling opportunities for trophy brown and rainbow trout in the area. General Carrera is Chile’s largest lake (700+ sq. miles) and is the second largest lake in South America, only smaller than Lago Titicaca in Bolivia. The trout that inhabit ‘Carrera’ grow big and thrive in the lake’s deep cold waters. Our operation targets these fish as they transition from the lake into the headwaters of the watershed through a number of glacial tributaries.
There are more than twelve different fisheries with over 200 miles of gin-clear creeks and rivers flowing from the rugged Andes Mountains and native beech-tree forests to the Pacific Ocean. With dramatic natural scenery combined with outstanding fishing opportunities for wild browns and rainbows. The early spring season (October/November) and the late summer and fall (February to April) respectively present the most suitable water conditions with serious trophy-size fishing opportunities. Streamer fishing is definitely a good option that can reward the persistent angler with browns and rainbow over 25’. Regardless the size of the fish you capture, you will realize that these trout are powered with high stamina due to the amount of food and hydraulics present in the fisheries.
The angler visiting this location will find that the water structures found in the area provide the ideal spots for trout to dwell with excellent sight-fishing opportunities if the conditions are appropriate. Anglers that have the patience and educated eyes to spot these trout can be greatly rewarded, and have the experience of a lifetime stalking them. Our operation bases its fishing itineraries on the prevailing water and weather conditions. We also teach different techniques that have proved effective in numerous times, making this destination a very diverse one that involves fishing streamers, and occasionally big terrestrial and mouse fishing. While this trip may be initially attractive, it should be mostly reserved for those who wish to cover large amounts of water on foot over rugged terrain. Additionally, the techniques used to target these fish often require medium-to-advanced angling experience, a conditioned casting arm, and the ability to navigate in and around boulders/pocket water.
NOTEBOOK
Where: Southcentral Patagonia (General Carrera Watershed)
When: Oct-Nov (Rainbow) / Feb-May (Browns)
What: Fly fishing for trophy wild trout
Format: Walk/Wade & Float Trips. 2:1 guide/angler ratio
Skills: Intermediate to Advanced
TRIP FORMAT
Inclusions: 5 days of guided fishing / 6 nights of lodging, Breakfast, lunch and dinner, Wine, beer, cocktails and local hard liquor, Ground transportation to/from Balmaceda Airport (BBA), Fishing license, Terminal tackle. Exclusions: US Passport (required), Airfare, Any additional accommodations outside this trip package. Travel Insurance, Gratuities to staff.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Saturday: Depart USA by plane.
Sunday: Arrive in Santiago, Chile (SCL) early morning on Saturday. Go through Chilean Customs. Pick up bags. Recheck bags. Depart late morning or afternoon to Balmaceda, Chile (BBA) form the same SCL airport.
Sunday Afternoon: Shuttle from BBA airport to ferry and then lodging accommodations. Dinner by 8 PM.
Monday through Friday: Guided fishing days.
Saturday: Shuttle from lodging accommodations to airport. Arrival in SCL airport. Connecting flight back to USA.
Sunday Morning: Arrive in USA