Premier international recognition for the challenge of its fishery, yet it remains a mostly private experience.

One of the premier, featured activities for visitors to the famous waters of Chilean Patagonia is fly-fishing. Our guests have ready access to fly fish some of the most spectacular and productive waters in southern Chile. Our local fishery is comprised mostly of rainbow trout---including the incredibly strong and athletic Río Baker variety, steelhead-like in size and life cycle, though not in selectivity for the fly. Brown trout also populate the area’s streams, rivers and lakes, and provide somewhat more of a challenge with a fly rod. Additionally, on hot summer days, we may target a lake fish native to South American waters called a perca by the local Chileans, a species of black perch that responds willingly to small dry flies and is a hard fighter when hooked.

A highlight of a fly fishing vacation with Patagonia Frontiers is the full range of water type available in a day’s outing from the ranch. You and your guides will consult and choose from lakeshore and small inlet stream fishing, a 3-minute walk off of the front porch of the main house, to a boat approach for some of the hotspots within the first 15 kilometers of the renowned Río Baker.

The Río Baker is Chile’s largest volume river with an average flow rate of over 50,000cfs. It is an un-dammed, crystal-clear, turquoise-colored beauty that yields impressive results wade fishing along its banks. In addition to Lago Plomo, its larger sister Lago Bertrand, and the Río Baker, we fish another 3 to 4 lakes and ponds, and 6 to 8 clearwater, freestone streams. 

Tackle strategies are as diverse as our fishing waters. Four, five, six and eight weight rods have all been used, appropriately matched to fly and fish sizes. Weight-forward floating lines, sink-tips and fast-sinking, ‘depth charge’ lines all have their place. Classic dry fly fishing with #14 Parachute Adams or #12 Royal Wulffs can produce great results as well as working big Wooley Buggers or Clousers, deep in the water column. There is an active and exciting hopper season during which the brown and rainbow trout are eager to investigate an assortment of terrestrial imitations. The diverse waters of this fishery provide ample opportunity to fish a selection of fine dries, large terrestrials, nymphs and streamers in still and moving water. Various factors, including the weather, will inform our choice of water and technique that will be the most suitable.

Whether you are a novice or an expert, our guides will craft each day’s activities to best meet your desires and objectives.

We can combine any trip with a selection of additional activities such as trekking, horse-riding, whitewater rafting, wildlife viewing, and agritourism. 

We end all our trips with a customary Chilean asado (barbeque). Guests, staff, and neighbors traditionally all share in this feast of lamb, slow-roasted over an open fire, new potatoes, fresh salads from our greenhouses, bread and wine. Don't be surprised to find yourself staying up late listening to the strumming of a guitar and a soft Spanish melody as the horses' nicker in their home pasture. 

We invite you to take a look at our 15-day fly-fishing and supported trek itinerary.

Please contact us for more detail.