Estanica De Los Rios Chile Hosted Trip Report:
Estanica De Los Rios Chile Hosted Trip Report: Traveling to Chile for WorldCast Anglers’ private week at the Estancia De Los Rios, was an excellent way to break up our North American winter. We were a group of twelve anglers, or six (6) couples, and we had reserved the entire lodge. We arrived on Friday February 26th, which is roughly the seasonal equivalent of late August, here in the Tetons of Wyoming and Idaho. Upon arrival to Balmaceda we stayed in the Patagonian mountain and river town of Coyhaique, Chile. We stayed at Nomades Hotel Boutique near the central Plaza de Armas, and enjoyed pisco sours and a traditional meal of lamb and corvina at La Casona for dinner.
Rising early the next day our group split into four, all-wheel-drive trucks and we left Coyhaique for the Estancia De Los Rios. We drove north up the Andes and crossed many rivers and streams until we reached a fork in the road turning right, towards Tapera and Argentina. The road became a classic Patagonian gravel road and continued to gain elevation as we headed east. We passed through the gaucho town of Tapera, and roughly one (1) hour later crossed the Rio Cisnes (literally driving through the river in our Toyota Hiluxes) and arrived for a late, multi-course lunch at the Estancia. After lunch we prepared for an afternoon of wade fishing different beats of the Rio Cisnes. The head-waters of the Rio Cisnes is fully within the private property of the Estancia and is exclusively a brown trout fishery.
“This 360,000-acre ranch is nestled in a wide valley in Chilean Patagonia on the Argentina-Chile border. The Estancia is Chile’s largest ranch. The crystal-clear waters of the Cisnes river, plus half a dozen of its trout-filled tributaries and several spring creeks, meander for more than 60 miles through this property. The proximity to the Andes allows a transition from temperate rain forest to open prairies and high mountain valleys giving a wide diversity of environments within a short reach from the lodge. This unique situation provides the 12 privileged guests with just about every type of trout fishing experience and landscape imaginable. Although nymphs and streamers are also very effective, the main feature of this program is world-class dry fly fishing.
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Each riffle, tail water, river bend, pool and cut bank of the many rivers & streams within the property hold trout. Dry flies, nymphs, streamers and terrestrials all take large numbers of fish. The vast property ensures miles of fishing in total solitude and seclusion. Absolute privacy is truly a unique experience in today’s angling world. With the exception of the occasional passing gaucho (local cowboy) on horseback you are alone in your surroundings. There is a wide variety of water including several spring creeks with large fish for those wanting a technical challenge. Additionally, there are stretches of water perfect for the novice where instant success will build confidence in fishing techniques. All the fishing beats are less than 60 minutes from the modern and spacious lodge. An overnight trip to a well-appointed cottage provides the opportunity to fish a beautiful, deep and meandering creek in a gorgeous and remote valley where the trout rarely have seen a fly. The gravel-bottomed waters within the estancia make for easy wading. The experienced English-speaking guides provide great tips for taking trout and are knowledgeable of the history and geology of this remarkable land.” (Christian Dufflocq)
We spent the next week fishing all aspects of the Estancia including two couples taking an overnight horse-packing trip to Lago Sarta, and camping in a tent lakeside, where both couples experienced exceptional lake fishing for brown trout, some exceeding 30”. The other four (4) couples, over different nights, spent the night at the “Outpost Cabin” in Magdalena Valley, a two hour, rough, but spectacular drive north from the Estancia’s main lodge. There are three lakes (Aprieton, Foca and Magdalena) which also hold large cruising and rising brown trout, some exceeding 30”. The highlight for many of our group was Magdalena Spring Creek, a crystal clear spring creek, where sight fishing for brown trout 10” to 18” was excellent. The property of the Estancia De Los Rios is so large there are still sections of Magdalena Spring Creek that simply have never been fished. The brown trout population of this remote unpressured spring creek was incredible.
Early in the week, we were able to attend a provincial rodeo in the town of Tapera. This was true, local, cultural immersion. They raised the Chilean flag and everyone sang the Chilean national anthem. Before the gauchos began to chase and pin young steers against the rodeo walls, a young black steer was released and guided through the rodeo grounds in memory of the lives of those lost over the prior year. The tribute and anthem were quite moving and all present stood out of respect.
Our week ended with a mid-afternoon asado of a young lamb, split and roasted over an open fire. During our week of February 27th through March 5th we could not have experienced a better week of weather, tremendous personal service by the fully Chilean staff, and the exquisite, epicurean meals produced from the wood-burning kitchen of the Estancia.
The Estancia De Los Rios is authentic Patagonia. The lodge is remote and comfortable. The staff and guides are all Chilean bi-lingual proud, professional guides. Marcelo Dufflocq the on site managing partner/owner/host of the lodge has made available a truly extraordinary property and angling experience in isolated Chilean Patagonia. The rivers, streams and spring creeks hold beautiful brown trout and the lagos (lakes) hold the opportunity of a brown trout of a lifetime. It was a wonderful week, in a wonderful place, and excellent fishing with friends and clients of WorldCast Anglers. Along with the fishing the level of service, accommodation and food was truly world class.
Email Us for more information or call 800.654.0676 to reserve your spot on the next WorldCast Anglers Chile Fly Fishing Trip to Estancia De Los Rios with WCA head guide Derek Hutton.
Derek Hutton
March 2016
Head Guide, WorldCast Anglers
