The Fly Shop Travel Department/Chile

From his comfortable lodge on the banks of the prolific Rio Palena, Marcel and his guides can access an amazing array of fisheries. One of the beauties of Marcel's location is the dearth of anglers on many of the waters. On most you will see few, or no other fishermen during your stay. In addition, using state-of-the-art inflatable rafts and catarafts, he is able to organize two and three day overnight float trips into wilderness rivers, spending the nights at either small riverside cabins, or camping out under the Southern Cross. These are truly a highlight of most guests' trips, and an opportunity to cast over virgin fish in spectacularly scenic surroundings. As well, the lodge has access to a small lake, full of heavy-shouldered trout, accessed via a short oxcart-pulled carriage ride, or horse ride. Rounding out the menu are a variety of smaller float streams and larger jet boat rivers.

The fish you'll see in this area are wild, and largely untouched - moderate-length, accurate presentations usually assure success. You need to be prepared for all types of fishing here. At any given time, on any of the fisheries, fish may be looking up and smashing skated dries, cruising deeper, requiring sinking tip lines and streamers, or sipping drifting terrestrials off the banks. Plan on using boats a lot here, whether actually casting from them, or simply using them for transportation to wading areas, as they are a necessary component to accessing the generally wilderness waters.

Included in the package is the driving transfer for the airport at Chaiten or La Junta to Patagonian BaseCamp, lodging, all meals and all drinks consumed (so called "open bar policy"), as well as all guided expeditions, fishing licenses and laundry service.
Patagonian BaseCamp is a small occupancy lodge, with a fishing package that has made it and well-known in the fly fishing world. Handling up to 8 guests, the two-story facility is warm and inviting, with spacious, well-appointed rooms overlooking the river. Your hostess, Carolina, cooks up amazing and sumptuous meals every morning and night, the latter capped by desserts you won't soon forget!

Non Fishing Activities

Next to world-class fly fishing The Patagonian BaseCamp Lodge offers a great variety of non-fishing activities.

The programs include:

horseback riding
bird and porpoise watching
river-float trips and rafting
hiking and mountain-biking
visiting natural thermal hot springs

The Southern most part of Latin America is dominated by the vast wilderness of Patagonia. An area that is sparsely inhabited or developed. Because of this, it offers almost unlimited possibilities for many kinds of outdoor activities: fishing, rafting, canoeing, horseback riding, mountaineering, hiking, mountain biking or bird watching. The beautiful Andes Mountains form the spine of Patagonia. Squeezed between these mountains and the Pacific Ocean lies the thin country of Chile, the homeland of, amongst others, the Mapuche Indians. It was not until the beginning of the 20th century that the first colonists arrived in Chilean Patagonia. With the lack of any form of infrastructure, the only access was by boat or horseback. Over the last several decades only a few small villages have been established. Following the recent opening of the Carretera Austral, Patagonia has a newfound, though limited accessibility by road and even today, huge areas still remain completely unknown. Because of this, a pure and almost untouched landscape remains to be explored.

One of the geographic attractions of Chilean Patagonia is its width, or rather its narrowness. On average its not even 100 km or 60 miles wide. As a consequence it is possible to experience totally different climate zones and landscapes in only a short distance. While the mighty Condor circles the bare peaks of the high Andes, nearby, in the fjords, hungry dolphins are showing off in their hunt for fresh salmon and sea trout. The landscapes vary from extensive open pampas to impenetrable evergreen forest, from rough, snow-capped mountains to beautiful deep blue fjords. Vast ice fields flow into the ocean to form floating icebergs.

Residing in the Southern Hemisphere, the Patagonian seasons are exactly opposite to the European and North American seasons. The highest temperatures and lowest rainfall rates are measured in the summer months of January and February. However, in general, the area is favored by a mild sea climate, in which the coastal areas receive the most and the mountain areas the least rainfall. A golden rule here is: “if you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes”. The fortunate absence of bears, poisonous snakes or swarms of mosquitoes makes Patagonia a safe and pleasant outdoor destination.

Programs and Conditions

7N/6D TOTAL: $5,090 pp dbl occupancy

Inclusions: Meet-and-Greet at Puerto Montt Airport and transfer to charter flight airport, charter flight from Puerto Montt to Chaiten or La Junta ($495) and onto Patagonian BaseCamp. There is a recommended but optional overnight lodging in Puerto Varas the night before going into the lodge, as well as the Meet-and-Greet at the Puerto Montt Airport earlier that day, transfer to Puerto Varas, and transfer back to charter airport in Puerto Montt the next morning, included in your package price. The lodge owner prefers you do this instead of over nighting in Santiago the next morning, to insure everyone is present for the charter flight. We will arrange it for you, if you decide on this option. Breakfast, lunch and dinner and all drinks consumed (so called "open bar policy"). In case of special drink preferences, we recommend you to bring libations of your own taste, because they might not be available in Chile. All guided expeditions, by horseback, boat, raft, kayak, 4x4 vehicle, mini van, etc. All necessary fishing licenses. Daily laundry services which will help you meet your 60 pound maximum luggage restriction.

Non inclusions: Other non-inclusions are possible extra lodging, transfer, travel expenses or trip modifications as result of a delay, either planned or requested by the guest or as a result of an act of God. Fishing equipment, like waders, rods, lines, flies etc. Gratuities, which are customary though not required and should be an accurate expression of your feeling about the service received.