Lago Yelcho, one of Chile's deepest lakes, is a world-class destination for extraordinary fly fishing vacations. This Patagonia lake is legendary for its wild and trophy-sized brown, rainbow and brook trout. It is fed by innumerable streams and the Futaleufú river itself, creating the perfect breeding conditions for very strong, hard fighting fish. The view with the glaciated peaks thrusting up out of the lake is nothing short of breathtaking.
Our fly fishing lodge is located on a private 250 acre island just where the Rio Futaleufu enters Lago Yelcho. This ensures exclusivity and privacy.The views of the surrounding mountains are majestic and serene. The lack of traffic and noise ensures abundant birdlife and, of course, the Yelcho dragon flies are there from November to May.
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Introductions
Arrive in Santiago and connect to Puerto Montt. In Puerto Montt you board your 40-minute flight to Chaitén, a flight back in time. We will meet you at the airport where we start our drive into the Andes. The landscape will be be volcanoes, hanging glaciers and the turquoise waters of Lago Yelcho. We arrive at our dock and take the launch over to the island two miles across the lake. After you get moved into your room at the Isla Monita lodge there is time to fish.
Day 2: Futaleufu Delta
A short motor boat ride from the Isla Monita Lodge will take us to the delta of the Futaleufu river. We will fish among a group of islands populated by willow trees. Casting beneath the trees will test our fly fishing skills but the rewards will be well worth the effort because large brown and rainbow trout inhabit these waters.We will have lunch streamside and for the rest of the day we will fish with streamers and nymphs and look for opportunities to dry fly fish should we run into a late day hatch. After the evening'sfly fishing we go back to Isla Monita for cocktails followed by a superb dinner with Chile’s finest wines.
Day 3: Lower Futaleufu
We motor up the lower Futaleufu against its mild current to the base of the thundering whitewater section. From there we will drift through a canyon of steep granite walls , the banks of which are covered with a dense bamboo forest. Nuimerous high waterfalls will accent this Yosemite like landscape. On this stretch we will fish with streamers and look for fish under the thick vegetation that populates the banks of the Lower Futaleufu. We'll have lunch streamside and continue fishing. Later in the day we will take advantage of the evening hatches with dry flies, then journey back to Isla Monita for dinner.
Day 4: Rio Palena
We drive over to the Rio Palena for a fly fishing float trip through a canyon with Class II riffles. The prime fishing is in between the moving water. Some of these spots are so remote that the browns and rainbows here have never seen an artificial fly. This all day float takes us past the confluence with the Rio Tigre, we will see spectacular water falls coming off the canyon walls. Our take out is at a ferry crossing. This is how the locals cross to the few farms on the far side of the river. After fly fishing the entire day we will head back to Isla Monita for a hearty dinner.
Day 5: Lago Yelcho, Dragon Fly Cove
We will take a short motor boat ride from Isla Monita to one of the most secluded and productive coves on Lago Yelcho. Hovering dragon flies will be the stars of this fly fishing day. We will be fishing for large rainbows that jump in pursuit of the numerous dragon flies that dart across the water. We will have lunch lakeside and start out for another productive cove known for its heavy caddis fly hatches. After fishing, we head back to Isla Monita.
Day 6: Lago Yelcho, Secret Lagoons
We have two secret lagoons where we have boats hidden. These two jewels never fail. They are both close to our lodge and offer protection if the wind is blowing. We'll fish one lagoon in the morning and the other until late afternoon Return to Isla Monita for dinner.
Day 7: Rio Yelcho
We drive to the far end of the Lago Yelcho where we find the Rio Yelcho draining the lake as the water flows towards the ocean. Here we have a drift boat and a jet boat waiting. The water flows off the top of the lake and runs very clear. We have the boats to customize your day of fishing to the conditions. If we use the drift boat we take out at the Rio Michimahuida. Farewell dinner at the lodge.
Day 8: Farewell & Departure
After breakfast we will have a half day of fishing in nearby area that we found most productive. We will help you pack up your gear and begin your journey back to Chaiten, Puerto Montt and onward to Santiago.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Included: round trip airfare between Puerto Montt and Chaiten. All local transportation, food and lodging while at Isla Monita. All equipment and guides for the week of fishing.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Chile
Fishing
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