Deep in the heart of the Andes Mountains is an area that offers unsurpassed fly fishing and scenic beauty both in rivers, lakes and lagoons. You will be fascinated by snow capped mountain peaks, glaciers, hot springs, waterfalls as well as 9 lb trout! Everywhere you look is a lifetime-type view!

We have the best equipment to guide out of, including drift boats, rafts & cata rafts, that are professional and give our customers the advantage they are looking for.

Our lodges and bed & breakfasts are top-notch, and our weeks are customized, so your trip is about you and not everyone else staying at the lodge. If you book a group of 4 or more, you are guaranteed that your 10 days will be private with your group only. We don't stay at one location all week; we move to 3 different lodges and bed and breakfasts in our comfortable 8 person minivan so you can fish different locations and really see the entire area. Our packages are customized so give us a call and we can discuss an itinerary just for your Chilean dream vacation.

We offer 10 day, 9 nights, 7 or 8 day fly fishing package for $3975 and $4450. We also offer a 8 days, 7 nights or 6 day, 5 nights Fly Fishing package that costs $3250 or $3450. These are absolutely the best packages available in Chile.

We especially like this region because of the diversity it offers for fly fishing its waters with dry flies, nymphs or streamers. It all works here! The rainbows, browns, brooks, sea-runs and steelhead only have a short season to feed, so the fly fishing is not only productive, but the trout average around 2 lbs and many were caught this passed season over 5lbs on dries! Imagine Rio Yelcho and Rio Futaleufu's crystal clear eddies where trout hover in turquoise glacier water inches from the surface just waiting for your dry fly to float down to them.

Here is where we float and wade: Upper Futaleufu, Lower Futaleufu, Upper Yelcho, Lower Yelcho, Rio Negro, Rio Blanco, Rio Espolon, Lago Espolon, Lago Yelcho, Lago Blanco, Laguna Seno Muerto, Lago Lonconao, Posón de los Reyes, Laguna Ramirez, Lago Escondido, Rio Correntoso, Rio Verde, Palvitad Fiord, Rio Pumalin, Rio Reñihue, Rio Palena, Rio Rosselott

UPPER RIO FUTALEUFU- Futaleufu is a native Mapuche word meaning, "Big River". The Upper Rio Futaleufu starts its course out of the Pampas of Argentina where it is called the Rio Grande. It then turns and runs through the middle of the Andes Mountains Range where it drops into the deepest most remote valleys of  Patagonia Chile. Near the Argentine/Chilean border, the Upper Rio Futaleufu offers some of the best dry fly, nymphing, and streamer fishing available today in Chile or Argentina. The majestic beauty of the mountains and surrounding glacier peaks places one in a 360 degree world of paradise. Trout live large on the abundance of aquatic insects and minnows, for the nutrient rich glacial waters provide a perfect habitat for the large populations of rainbows, browns and steelhead that flourish here. We only drift this section in cata-rafts, drift boats and rafts, and often get out to wade the perfect gravel-bar riffles the river has to offer! This is truly one of the most productive and beautiful places to fly fish in the world.

LOWER RIO FUTALEUFU-   The Lower Rio Futaleufu is a bigger river than its upper stretch. As it rolls  through the deep canyons of the Futa, many tributaries increase its flow and size until it finally dumps into Lago Yelcho. We love this section of river for its enormous trout. We also float this river but do get out of the boat to wade riffles we know to be productive. Here we mainly use streamers and dry flies. We put-in just below the famous class 4 & 5 rapids where the river mellows for an 8-mile section, drift and fly fish to our lodge on the banks of the Lower Futaleufu and Lago Yelcho. You're truly in for a spectacular experience.

RIO YELCHO  - The Rio Yelcho begins its journey out of Lago Yelcho and flows some 40 miles to the Pacific Ocean. Without a doubt, it is one of the best rivers for fly fishing anywhere in the world! In many eddies and side channels, huge trout sip small mayflies from the surface. It is not uncommon to catch several trout over three pounds on dry flies in one day. Rainbows, browns, sea-run browns and steelhead reside here or run up from the ocean. We float two sections and stay at our cabins, a double-haul away from the river. The snow-capped Yelcho Glacier watches over your entire drift, making this a world-class experience in every aspect!

LAGO YELCHO-   Lago Yelcho is among the best dry-fly lakes for large trout anywhere in the world. January, February and March are the best months to catch monster rainbow, browns and brooks by casting large dragonfly imitations along the reeds and river structures. Streamers also work, but why use them when you can catch trout on the surface jiggling your dry fly to make the trout think it's an injured terrestrial and an easy meal. Trout average 6 lbs in this lake and last season we caught many over 7 lbs. The biggest was 11 lbs on a dry!!!

Lodging is superb in the Futaleufu Valley Our package includes staying at a real working raspberry farm located on the banks of the Rio Futaleufu. The private estate offers a large bed and breakfast style ranch house that sleeps up to six comfortably. All aspects of this country estate are exquisite, including the comfortable beds and rustic historic hospitality in modern decor. This casual, contemporary ranch house combines luxury with the charms of living in a simpler time. The farm itself is a work of perfection, even the farm animals are brushed and groomed daily for appearance!  Dine in elegance with world-class meals by house chef Rodrigo Villablanca prepared just for you. The desserts Rodrigo prepares are legendary, the service and atmosphere impeccable!   We stay at a lodge when based out of the town of Futaleufu. We eat here at the lodge or go out to local restaurants and tour the culture scene after the fly fishing is over. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are always 1st class, being dedicated food lovers ourselves. Our tours are about fly fishing, culture and food! We want to earn your repeat and referral business, providing you with excellent lodging as well as the highest standards in food. Your needs are a priority we never take for granted.  

Located 3 minutes away from the Rio Yelcho are two cabins that sleep up to six comfortably. After an adventuresome day on the river, relax in your own private cabin boasting classic interior built with authentic local hardwoods, cut tongue and groove. Country style kitchen, hardwood floors, tiled bathrooms are tastefully done in traditional Chilean decor. A personalized cook prepares your meals daily. Every week we do a Chilean asado outside (BBQ). These cabins are perfectly located to the rivers, lakes, hot springs, Chaiten's night-life, Pumalin Park and more!

Packages Include (except for shorter itinerary#3 see below): 10 days from the day you arrive to us in Puerto Montt, Chaiten, or Bariloche. 9 nights lodging, breakfast, lunch and dinner. All ground transportation to and from the airport . All guiding, drifts, floats or wading. 2 anglers to 1 guide ratio. All guides are bilingual.   7 or 8 days of fly fishing .   Not included in any package: Any airfare transportation, hard alcohol.

*Please don't hesitate to contact us for a list of references from previous years' customers. A past customer's testimonial is the best advertisement an outfitter has!

jack trout international ~ central patagonia, chile ~ fly fishing packages

Sample Itinerary 1 

Day 1. Arrive Bariloche, Argentina- Stay in Bariloche and sample authentic Argentine Parrilla, quite possibly the best steak you've ever tasted. Go out on the town and check out the night life. Bariloche is like a village you would see in the Swiss Alps. It's a great city to visit before heading into the remoteness of central Patagonia!

Day 2. Breakfast at lodging in Bariloche. Leave early and witness a beautiful drive through the towns of El Bolson, Esquel, and Trevelen Argentina. Enjoy the breathtaking landscape as we wind our way past mountains, rivers and lakes. Have another authentic Argentine meal usually in the town of El Bolson. Arrive in Futaleufu in the afternoon and wade the Rio Espolon or do a short float on the Upper Rio Futaleufu.  

Day 3. Float the Upper Futaleufu and devour an excellent lunch on the river.  

Day 4. Float the Lower Futaleufu and drift to our lodge on the banks of the Lower Futaleufu and Lago Yelcho  

Day 5. Float the Lower Futaleufu  

Day 6. Float Lago Yelcho

Day 7. Float Upper Rio Yelcho

Day 8. Float Upper Rio Yelcho  

Day 9. Float the Lower Rio Yelcho,  Rio Negro, Rio or Lago Blanco  

Day 10. Fish 1/2 day and leave in the afternoon for 8th day or just fly out from Chaiten.  

**Ask about fly fishing the Palena area for 2 days as another option.   We have so many choices and places we can take you. Most folks like to fly fish 7 or 8 days on the rivers that fly fish the best. Just let us know what you have in mind, and I know we can come up with a package custom designed just for your Chilean dream vacation!

Sample Itinerary 2

10 Days,    7 or  8 Days Fly Fishing   

Day 1. Arrive Puerto Montt in the morning. Take catamaran or plane to Chaitan, Chile. We pick you up and take you to cabins on the Rio Yelcho. Go that night to nearby hot springs and savor a great dinner.

Day 2. Float the Upper Rio Yelcho.

Day 3. Float Lago Yelcho

Day 4. Float the Upper Rio Yelcho

Day 5. Float the Lower Futaleufu

Day 6. Float the Lower Futaleufu or Rio Palena / Rosselott

Day 7. Float the Upper Futaleufu or Rio Palena / Rosselott

Day 8. Float the Upper Futaleufu

Day 9 . Fly fish 1/2 day on the Rio Espolon or Laguna Seno Muerto then head out for a drive through the towns of Trevelin, Esquel and El Bolson Argentina. arriving Bariloche, Argentina for dinner and possibly a little night life to tour a great city. You can also return and leave from Chaiten.

Day 10. Fly out of Bariloche (or Chaiten)    Cost $3950

Sample Itinerary 3

8 Days, 5 or 6 Days Fly Fishing

Day 1. Arrive Puerto Montt in the morning. Take catamaran or plane to Chaitan, Chile. We pick you up and take you to cabins on the Rio Yelcho. Go that night to nearby hot springs and savor a great dinner. (1/ 2 day fly fishing Rio Negro, Lago Blanco or Lago Yelcho)

Day 2. Float the Upper Rio Yelcho.

Day 3. Float the Upper Rio Yelcho or Lago Yelcho

Day 4. Float the Lower Futaleufu. Lodging on the banks of Lago Yelcho & Lower Rio Futaleufu.

Day 5. Float the Lower Futaleufu

Day 6. Float the Upper Futaleufu. Lodging either in the town of Futaleufu or on the banks of the Upper Rio Futaleufu

Day 7. 1/2 day Upper Futaleufu or Rio Espolon

Day 8. Fly out from Chaiten to Puerto Montt 8 Days, 5 or 6 Days Fly Fishing Cost $3250 or $3450

Want Even More of a Taste of our Futaleufu + Yelcho Adventures?

Check out weblog entries from past Central Patagonia Chilean Trips!

March 10th. 2008 - 2007 Central Patagonia Adventures

March 5th. 2006 - Central Patagonia Adventures

Feb 4th. 2007 - More Central Patagonia Adventures

Feb 27th. 2007 - Even More Central Patagonia Adventures

**ASK ABOUT OUR FLY FISHING/ ADVENTURE COMBO 10 DAY FLY FISHING THE LAKE DISTRICT & CENTRAL PATAGONIA, DRIVING OVER THE ANDES FROM CHILE THROUGH ARGENTINA TO CHILE AGAIN!

***NON-ANGLER Package!

Guided Chilean Tours for Non-Anglers is available featuring : Horseback riding tours below the Andes Mountains, Rafting on the class 4 section of the Rio Futaleufu, Scenic tours to glacier fields, Hot springs tour, Sea kayaking, Scenic driving tours, Wild flower tours, Alerce forest tours, Penguin tour, Pumalin Park tour, Cruise by foot the towns of Futaleufu and Chaiten, Float trip and a book. Includes three days of fly fishing (optional)     

10 days, 9 nights Adventure Pack ~ $2950

8 days, 7 nights Adventure package ~ $2450

Rod and line information: Bring 3 weights to 7 weights. We suggest like a small, med and large rod when in Chile. For example, I use a 4 weight, 5 weight and a 7 weight. We recommend, Winston, Thomas & Thomas or Sage Rods with a good reel and good drag system like those on Gavin, Ross or J Ryall Reels. 0X 1X 2 X 3X 4X 5X Tippet 2 3 & 4 X Leaders 9' foot.

Fly List Dries: Parachute Adams 18 & 20, Adams Cripple 18 & 20, Damsels 12 & 10, Ants and beetles 16 & 14 Blue Wing Olives 18 & 20 Brown Midges 20 & 22, Brown or light olive or ginger or tan  CDC 20, Comparadun 18 & 20 (it could be black too. light olive, ginger, dun, light brown) , Green Comparadun 18, Griffith's Gnat 18, 20 & 22,  Dragon Fly Imitations (green and blue) 2, 4, & 6, Chernobyl Ants 14, Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches 12.

Nymphs: Prince size 14, 12 and 10, Black and brown stones 14 to 10, Mike Mercer's Golden Stone 14 to 10, Hairs Ear 14 to 10, Andre Puyon's 14 to 10, Green Drake Nymph 14, Caddis Beaded 14 to 10, Pheasant tails 16 & 14, Red, Black, Green, Copper, Copper John 14, Tan & Green Tim Fox Pupa 16 & 14 , Ron Hart Dark Lord 14, Jim Pettis Pulsating Green Caddis 14.

Streamers: *Beadhead is an option, Leaches, Damsel nymph, size 14 to 10 (green), Dragon Fly Nymph 8 to 6, Wooly Bugger 14 to 8 (Black, Olive, Cinnamon), Crystal Bugger 10 (Pearl, Green & Black) Rubber legs wooly buggers 12, to 6.

Bring a Floating Line W. F. and at least 1 or 2 sink tips 15 ft. to 20 ft. # 2 & 3 sink rate for rivers. Also bring an intermediate sinking "slim-line" for streamers in the lakes. Each river has it's own personality and mood for dry fly, nymphing as well streamer fishing. Call us for more precise fly list for the rivers you plan to fish this upcoming season.

Flight Information:

Take American Airlines or Lan Chile to Santiago Chile. Then take Lan Chile from Santiago Chile to Puerto Montt, where I'll pick you up at the airport and take you to our lodge. American Airlines 1-800- 433-7300 Lan Chile 1-800-735-5526 Call me if you have any questions: Jack Trout ~ 530-926-4540 email me at info@jacktrout.com