Chile - Patagonia

Patagonian-BaseCamp Lodge

Fly Fishing Trip or Lodge Details:

You can't beat the beauty and pristine conditions of Patagonia.

Countless rivers, creeks and brooks bring the rain and melting water from the mighty Andes Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. In almost all of these waters wild trout live and reproduce in abundance. Even salmon are finding their way upstream to their spawning beds. The population of trout consists of wild brown and rainbow trout, but also some brook trout. Every day you will have the chance to catch a real wild trophy fish in, without any doubt, one of world’s most beautiful natural environments. During your expeditions in the wilderness you might (in the right time of the year) even expect Coho (Silver), Chinook (King) and Atlantic salmon.

The fortunate absence of bears, poisonous snakes or swarms of mosquitoes makes Patagonia a safe and pleasant outdoor destination. Because Chile is so narrow you can fish in totally different scenery each day: wading in a virgin river in the dry semi-pampas where grasshoppers are the daily food for trout; drifting in a row boat or belly boat in a mountain lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains while a damsel imitation is decorating your tippet or wading in the mouth of a river, where salmon, steelheads and sea run browns commence their upstream journey while feeding on Pancora (a crayfish specie) or floating down a crystal clear river through the evergreen forest and launching your fly from a drift boat. Enjoy maximum diversity in fly-fishing in pristine scenery without seeing any other fishermen other than your own partner.

From the BaseCamp Lodge fishing trips by drift boat, raft or jet boat, horseback, on foot, or 4-wheeldrive cars are organized. We bring you to places where you will feel, and indeed often are, the first fisherman ever. Next to the daytrips from the lodge or the cabin, the BaseCamp will offer a spectacular multi-day float-trip on the Río Palena. The guides will accompany you during all expeditions and will be pleased to offer you their services and knowledge of the area, the fish and the fishing. All rates are per person and based on double-occupancy and include accommodation, meals, guided expeditions and transfers, but exclude flights to and from Chaitén.

The homey and warm lodge is located in the midst of the evergreen forest of the Province of Aysén, on the banks of the Río Palena in Southern Chile’s 11th region. Just in front of the lodge, a large beach offers perfect possibilities for fishing and as a berthing place from where you will explore the river. The 6 double and quadruple rooms, with en-suite facilities, all offer a beautiful view over the Río Palena.

On the terrace at the riverside or in the cozy lounge by the fireplace, you will share your stories and adventures with your fellow anglers. During dinner you will enjoy the quality of international cuisine accompanied with the best available Chilean wines.

On the shore of the Lago Verde and the Río Figueroa/Río Pico is a rustic cabin, a so-called “cabaña”. The Lago Verde area is dominated by semi-pampas and ruled by a very pleasant microclimate. Both the environment and the flora and fauna are very distinct from that surrounding the BaseCamp. By being able to offer you both locations in one trip you are guaranteed to enjoy the diversity of fly-fishing in untouched Patagonia to the maximum.

With numerous airlines serving Argentina and Chile, the air fare to arrive in one country and depart from another is reasonable. Fares are very competitive and service is outstanding.

Due to our experience in Patagonia, we have the full capability to transfer you from one lodge to another. We utilize unpublished scheduled air service, border hand offs, and special charters, so that you can fish multiple areas.

For a more leisurely pace, we can arrange a one or two day ferry crossing the beautiful Lago Todos los Santos and Lago Nahuel Huapi that joins Bariloche (Argentina) and Puerto Montt (Chile). The two day crossing includes a night in the hamlet of Peulla in a Swiss style hotel by a magnificent falls. Plane service is also available that takes only 45 minutes, and virtually "rims" the Osorno volcano.

THE FISHING: Big browns and rainbows. Dries, streamers and nymphs. From the BaseCamp Lodge fishing trips by drift boat, raft or jet boat, horseback, on foot, or 4-wheeldrive cars are organized. You go to places where you will feel, and indeed often are, the first fisherman ever. Next to the daytrips from the lodge or the cabin, the BaseCamp will offer a spectacular multi-day float-trip on the Río Palena. The guides will accompany you during all expeditions and will be pleased to offer you their services and knowledge of the area, the fish and the fishing.

Season Information

2nd Friday in October to the 1st Sunday in May

Rate Information

RATES: $4,995 per person, double, 7 nights (Friday to Friday ), 6 full days of fishing. Effective through April 2012.

ACCOMMODATIONS AND CAPACITY: 6 double and quadruple rooms, with en-suite facilities, all offer a beautiful view over the Río Palena. On the terrace at the riverside or in the cozy lounge by the fireplace, you will share your stories and adventures with your fellow anglers. During dinner you will enjoy the quality of international cuisine accompanied with the best available Chilean wines.

INCLUSIONS: Overnight in Puerto Varas (including brakfast), transfers to and from Chaitén or La Junta, accommodations, all meals, wines with meals, open bar, guiding, license.

EXCLUSIONS: International air to Puerto Montt. gratuities, telephone calls, items of a personal nature, etc.

General Information

LOCATION: On the Rio Palena, Chile S 43°49.324'  - W 072°21.788'  - Elevation 244'

HOW TO GET THERE: To Santiago (SCL) and then on to Puerto Montt (PMC) by 11am and additional flight to Chaitén.

OWNER: Marcel Sijnesael