The fishing in Patagonia, Chile
Chilean Patagonia, particulary the Coyhaique area, offers an incredible variety of fly fishing waters and landscapes -from small spring creeks in the dry pampas to big rivers in the temperate rain forests. And all of this within 50 miles of Coyhaique. Of course this also provides a great fly fishing diversity, from tiny dry flies to large Foam flies and Hoppers: From big streamers to small nymphs.
Flyfishing for resident Rainbows and Browns are our main targets, but we also focus on the great King Salmon runs we have.
Flyfishing for resident Rainbows and Browns are our main targets, but we also focus on the great King Salmon runs we have.
Wally with his first King Salmon
October/November: Glaciers are not melting yet, so it’s a great period to fly fish glacial fed rivers, as they run small and clear. Some good examples are the Rios Baker, Blanco and Paloma. Spring creeks are also at their best, with good water flows and fish that haven’t seen an imitation in months. All the lakes (to many to mention here) fish excellent at this time, with lots of surface action for big dries.
December/January: A good opportunity for flyfishing the outflows of some lakes, such as lakes Elizalde and Azul, and some others that I rather not mention here. The rivers Simpson, Manihuales, Aysen, Nirehuao, Emperador and Huemules start to get in shape.
February/March: Mayfly hatches on the Simpson and Lago Frio, grasshoppers on the Nirehuao and Huemules and evening caddis hatches on Lago Pollux. It is the best period for dry fly fishing.
April/May: The Fall is already here. Days are shorter and mornings cooler. Lenga trees are turning red while the mountain peaks turn white. It’s the most beautiful time of the year, the rivers are very small and there are mayfly hatches all day long. The big browns of the giant General Carrera Lake (2,000 Km2) start moving up the Ibañez and Jeinimeni rivers to spawn. It's like fishing for Atlantic salmon, although these ones are browns ranging from 6 to 15 pounds.
December/January: A good opportunity for flyfishing the outflows of some lakes, such as lakes Elizalde and Azul, and some others that I rather not mention here. The rivers Simpson, Manihuales, Aysen, Nirehuao, Emperador and Huemules start to get in shape.
February/March: Mayfly hatches on the Simpson and Lago Frio, grasshoppers on the Nirehuao and Huemules and evening caddis hatches on Lago Pollux. It is the best period for dry fly fishing.
April/May: The Fall is already here. Days are shorter and mornings cooler. Lenga trees are turning red while the mountain peaks turn white. It’s the most beautiful time of the year, the rivers are very small and there are mayfly hatches all day long. The big browns of the giant General Carrera Lake (2,000 Km2) start moving up the Ibañez and Jeinimeni rivers to spawn. It's like fishing for Atlantic salmon, although these ones are browns ranging from 6 to 15 pounds.
I have lost count of the great fishing days i have enjoyed with Alex since my first visit to Patagonia in 1990.
Alex is a highly skilled flyfishing guide, an expert angler and extremely good company. I thoroughly recommend his services.
David Richardson
York, England
davidfrichardson@mac.com
Pam Bryan with a 28' brown, on a Stimulator. Fish of a lifetime
Let’s talk about “average fish size”.
This will depend mostly on your goals. In the spots described above you can get a good balance between size and quantity. Your average fish will range between 16 and 20 inches, with plenty of opportunities to get fish up to 24 inches
But If you enjoy having lots of action on the surface, we can fish small creeks like the Emperador Guillermo or Coyhaique, where the average size is 14 to 17 inches, with an occasional 18 to 22 inches fish.
On the other hand, if you want to catch big fish on the surface, we can fish the Lagos - Las Ardillas, Alto, Tamango or Los Juncos - with Chernobyl Ants (lots of fun!!) where the average goes from 20 to 24 inches, with the possibility to get one up to 28”.
Do you want to try for even bigger ones? Well, then get your sinking lines and streamers out and we can have a shot at fish ranging 25 to 30 inches in some secret lakes. It’s your call!!
This will depend mostly on your goals. In the spots described above you can get a good balance between size and quantity. Your average fish will range between 16 and 20 inches, with plenty of opportunities to get fish up to 24 inches
But If you enjoy having lots of action on the surface, we can fish small creeks like the Emperador Guillermo or Coyhaique, where the average size is 14 to 17 inches, with an occasional 18 to 22 inches fish.
On the other hand, if you want to catch big fish on the surface, we can fish the Lagos - Las Ardillas, Alto, Tamango or Los Juncos - with Chernobyl Ants (lots of fun!!) where the average goes from 20 to 24 inches, with the possibility to get one up to 28”.
Do you want to try for even bigger ones? Well, then get your sinking lines and streamers out and we can have a shot at fish ranging 25 to 30 inches in some secret lakes. It’s your call!!