Chile’s ‘Quiet’ Waters – Part One

We have all heard the people who describe Chile’s southern trout streams and lakes as Montana 50 years ago. To a degree, this is true, except there are some watersheds that are more like 100 years ago. Rainbow and brown trout have only been in Chile for a little over 100 years, so some wiggle room is required for the perfect analogy. In any case, I can look back at a dozen or more trips to Patagonia and recall over 60 float trips, and I have yet to see another guide or angler. I fished Montana 50 years ago and there were people on the Madison, Yellowstone, Jefferson, Blackfoot, Clarks Fork, Bitterroot and Big Hole.

Not many, we gave another angler a five-mile cushion back then. So today, when you fish and float a variety of rivers in Chile and still never see another boat, or bank angler, you understand the significance. Fingers crossed that it stays that way for a long time. My last trip was between Christmas, 2021 and New Year’s, 2022. My base camp was Martin Pescador Lodge, their Puerto Cardenas Lodge on the Rio Yelcho and their La Junta Lodge which has access to several rivers with stoneflies, mayflies, caddis, streamer fishing, something for everyone.  

Anglers can customize itineraries to suit their favorite fly fishing technique, streamers, big lake rainbows and browns, dry dropper, dry dragonfly, etc. Or try it all and fish new water each day. Some of South America’s best scenery is just outside the lodge windows and is continually distracting from the boat.

As in, I missed a lot of dry fly takes while gazing at the Andes, glaciers, waterfalls, etc. Combine all of that with some of the best steaks in the world, carne asado cook outs, fresh salmon from nearby Puerto Montt and the national drink of Chile, the pisco sour. While there, if you don’t feel lucky and a little humbled, there is something wrong with you, seek counseling!