Patagonia

M

mr.badexample

Smolt
We're going on a month long road trip via the Chilean Carretera Austral from Puerto Montt down to Punta Arenas and back up through the Argentine side taking my 5 wt. Fishing is not the focus but when it presents itself a guys gotta do what a guys gotta do... any advice about where's not to be missed or where to miss would be appreciated. We leave in 3 days .
 
suggest calling fly fishing lodge in the areas you visit and ask about short notice for getting a guide for a day, and/or suggestions on where to fish on your own.
 
Bring your rain gear for the Chilean side. Weather looks damp, so to speak, for a while.
Puerto Montt is a cool place. Wind direction looks from the NNW so you’ll probably miss the view of Volcan Calbuco to the NE of the city upon arrival.
In the 80s using Coyhaique as a base we drove north as far as Chaiten and as far south as Lago Verde before turning back to Balmaceda and heading into Argentina. 30+ days of mental joy and trout.

There will be hundreds if not thousands of bodies of water you’ll encounter on both sides of the border but the larger cities in Chile will have information for you, especially Coyhaique. Out of Chaiten heading South of Amengual Chile you’ll cross the Cisnes and after maybe 10 miles you can turn left and head up the river. The higher up you travel the better the water will be. Just south of that turn from rt 7 there was a farm on the right that rented rooms and showers at one time. The back yard view was immense to say the least.
Reality is river fishing in Chile is a completely different universe than Argentina. It would take too much of our time to describe the differences.
Southern Chile = potential monsoons and blown out rivers but your 5 weight might play if…..
Argentina = Everything that grows there leans in the direction that’s based on the direction of the wind.
Save your 5 weight for Bariloche Arg. north and your taste buds for the vineyards in Mendoza…if you go that far.

“Three days”?
That’s like looking for the history of Europe in 50 words or less.

Good luck and also enjoy the flavor of both countries. They are two of my favorite places on earth.
 
VAGABOND said:
Bring your rain gear for the Chilean side. Weather looks damp, so to speak, for a while.
Puerto Montt is a cool place. Wind direction looks from the NNW so you’ll probably miss the view of Volcan Calbuco to the NE of the city upon arrival.
In the 80s using Coyhaique as a base we drove north as far as Chaiten and as far south as Lago Verde before turning back to Balmaceda and heading into Argentina. 30+ days of mental joy and trout.

There will be hundreds if not thousands of bodies of water you’ll encounter on both sides of the border but the larger cities in Chile will have information for you, especially Coyhaique. Out of Chaiten heading South of Amengual Chile you’ll cross the Cisnes and after maybe 10 miles you can turn left and head up the river. The higher up you travel the better the water will be. Just south of that turn from rt 7 there was a farm on the right that rented rooms and showers at one time. The back yard view was immense to say the least.
Reality is river fishing in Chile is a completely different universe than Argentina. It would take too much of our time to describe the differences.
Southern Chile = potential monsoons and blown out rivers but your 5 weight might play if…..
Argentina = Everything that grows there leans in the direction that’s based on the direction of the wind.
Save your 5 weight for Bariloche Arg. north and your taste buds for the vineyards in Mendoza…if you go that far.

“Three days”?
That’s like looking for the history of Europe in 50 words or less.

Good luck and also enjoy the flavor of both countries. They are two of my favorite places on earth.
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thanks for that... yeah I was hoping Olmstead would chime in but ... we have a month for reconnaissance, bringing my rain pants and we like our malbec.
 
I’m sure you can still find some of my posts archived at the old Washington Fly Fishing forum. All of my experience has been in Argentina and all DIY; I have never stayed at a lodge or fished with a guide (although I have made some Argentine friends who have taken me out a few times). This gets harder every year, as the huge private estancias (ranches) increasingly are posting their lands and only providing access to expensive lodges who pay them for the privilege.

I will just make a few observations without giving away too much in a public forum.

In the far south (not so far as Tierra del Fuego) my preference is for the spring creeks over the big rivers. The rivers have sea run browns in season, but with them, crowds. I’ve never been crowded on any of the spring creeks; heck, I’ve never seen another fisherman! Look for them on the Chilean side of the border north of Punta Arena and in Argentina south of El Calafate. They may be spring creeks, but 3X tippet is your friend. Enough said. Be sure to take time to visit Torres del Paine, the glaciers near El Calafate, and Fitzroy near El Chalten. If El Calafate is your first stop in Argentina, you can get a license at the national park Headquarters in town. The license is good in all five southern provinces of Argentina.

I would love to drive the long lonely stretch of hwy 40 from El Calafate to Esquel sometime, and I would certainly bring my fly rod, but from what I understand there is little public access to good water through there. Enjoy the drive; let me know what I have missed.

From Esquel north to Lago Alumine there is so much fantastic water you can’t go wrong, which isn’t the same as saying it’s all equally good or readily accessible. My experience is not so extensive that I can say with confidence what will fish well and what won’t. I will mention a few of my favorite rivers in this part of Patagonia, knowing that I am not giving any secrets away. From south to north, consider fishing Rio Rivadavia, Rio Chubut (below El Maiten), Rio Chimehuin and Rio Malleo (I like the lower end on the Mapuche reservation), and Rio Alumine. I like Junin de los Andes for a base in that area and always stay at the classic Hosteria Chimehuin. These recommendations are like telling someone who is going to Montana to fish the Bitterroot, Madison, and Gallatin, without naming any of the lesser known gems. You can’t go wrong, but there’s more to find if you have the time to explore.

Have fun, and report back when you return!
 
Richard Olmstead said:
I’m sure you can still find some of my posts archived at the old Washington Fly Fishing forum. All of my experience has been in Argentina and all DIY; I have never stayed at a lodge or fished with a guide (although I have made some Argentine friends who have taken me out a few times). This gets harder every year, as the huge private estancias (ranches) increasingly are posting their lands and only providing access to expensive lodges who pay them for the privilege.

I will just make a few observations without giving away too much in a public forum.

In the far south (not so far as Tierra del Fuego) my preference is for the spring creeks over the big rivers. The rivers have sea run browns in season, but with them, crowds. I’ve never been crowded on any of the spring creeks; heck, I’ve never seen another fisherman! Look for them on the Chilean side of the border north of Punta Arena and in Argentina south of El Calafate. They may be spring creeks, but 3X tippet is your friend. Enough said. Be sure to take time to visit Torres del Paine, the glaciers near El Calafate, and Fitzroy near El Chalten. If El Calafate is your first stop in Argentina, you can get a license at the national park Headquarters in town. The license is good in all five southern provinces of Argentina.

I would love to drive the long lonely stretch of hwy 40 from El Calafate to Esquel sometime, and I would certainly bring my fly rod, but from what I understand there is little public access to good water through there. Enjoy the drive; let me know what I have missed.

From Esquel north to Lago Alumine there is so much fantastic water you can’t go wrong, which isn’t the same as saying it’s all equally good or readily accessible. My experience is not so extensive that I can say with confidence what will fish well and what won’t. I will mention a few of my favorite rivers in this part of Patagonia, knowing that I am not giving any secrets away. From south to north, consider fishing Rio Rivadavia, Rio Chubut (below El Maiten), Rio Chimehuin and Rio Malleo (I like the lower end on the Mapuche reservation), and Rio Alumine. I like Junin de los Andes for a base in that area and always stay at the classic Hosteria Chimehuin. These recommendations are like telling someone who is going to Montana to fish the Bitterroot, Madison, and Gallatin, without naming any of the lesser known gems. You can’t go wrong, but there’s more to find if you have the time to explore.

Have fun, and report back when you return!
Click to expand...
W
 
We're heading down to El Chalten for a week here in 10 days. Does anyone have any info on public water in this area? Seeing alot is private and guides are full. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated
 
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