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Estancia de Los Rios

Chilean Patagonia.
35 Minute Charter Flight from Balmaceda, Chile


There are few places in the world with such an enormous variety of climates, altitudes, and landscapes. Pacific Ocean moisture and the steep western slope of the Andes in Patagonia combine to create a nearly bizarre mixture of rainforest and dramatic mountainous landscape. It is hard to imagine a more wonderfully beautiful place to fish for trout. With all these differing landscapes come equally as diverse fly-fishing opportunities. From the Fjords of the Pacific coast, to the tenured Estancias in the Lake District, or around the famous town of Coyhaique (the birthplace of Chilean Patagonia fly-fishing), the mixture of glacial fed lakes and rivers, spring creeks, small streams, and monstrous private Estancias provide one of the planet’s most alluring and productive trout and salmon fishing venues.

Similar to Argentina, the Chilean culture is rich with interesting people, fine cuisine, and stunning vistas. Tenured anglers compare Chile to the American west one hundred years ago with no competition from other anglers, amazing terrestrial dry fly fishing, and largely unexplored wilderness seemingly lost in time.


Estancia de Los Rios is found in a remote valley nestled in the majestic Andes of Chile. The area's numerous rivers and streams sustain an incredible population of wild and eager brown trout. Estancia de Los Rios's Lodge is located on a 360,000-acre ranch offering incomparable seclusion and privacy. Great care is taken to make this an authentic Chilean experience. The spacious riverside lodge has six double occupancy bedrooms all with private bathrooms and hosts up to twelve guests per week. Professional bilingual guides, good food, Chilean hospitality, phenomenal trout fishing, and the selection of local wines make the Estancia de Los Rios experience one of our favorites. The steeply graded, temperate rainforest hillsides of the Andes Mountains are extremely beautiful and lush, a much differing atmosphere from the dry high mountain desert in neighboring Argentina.

The Dufflocq brothers are Chilean residents who own and operate the fishing program at Estancia de Los Rios, Fundo El Salto Lodge, as well as a Chilean Fjords motor yacht-fishing program. Cristian and Marcelo carry on the Dufflocq legacy of pioneering the greatest in Chilean fly fishing experiences. In addition to running a first class fishing outfit, they are knowledgeable hosts, a delight to be around, and fabulous fishermen.


From the Estancia anglers can easily access more than sixty miles of streams, rivers and spring creeks, all within the ranch, including forty miles of the famed Rio Cisnes. With over 360,000 acres of water to choose from, you will fish in complete solitude with miles and miles of rivers to yourself. The variety of waters from small pocket water creeks to the large freestone stretches of the Cisnes will enable you to sample some of the best fly-fishing available in Chile. Noted as "the perfect trout stream”, this is classic dry-fly water. Anglers access the estancia’s fishery with four-wheel drive vehicles, however the Dufflocq’s program also offers optional horse trips to remote ranch streams overnighting at various cabins and campsites on the estancia.

Expect fishing with large terrestrial patterns such as chernobyl ants, hoppers, beetles, as well as numerous caddis, stonefly, and mayfly patterns. Most of the fishing is done with dry flies, but of course there are occasions when a nymph or a streamer is required for success and produces good fish. The variety of the water dictates wade fishing in the smaller water and spring creeks, or a float trip in the lower sections of the Rio Cicnes. The guide ratio is two fishermen per guide unless you specify fishing alone. The brown trout is the vastly dominant species in the Cisnes and neighboring creeks. Although freakish specimens of the ten-pound variety have been conquered on the estancia, guests should expect high quantities of “good sized” browns in the 16-22 inch range.

Anglers looking for endless stretches of the world’s greatest dry fly fishing in complete solitude should look no further than Estancia de Los Rios. This phenomenal fishing venue combined with superior service, amazing hospitality, exclusive accommodation, and authentic Chilean culture combine to create a truly memorable angling vacation.


The spacious riverside lodge has six double occupancy bedrooms all with private bathrooms and hosts only a maximum of twelve guests per week. The lodge is located one hundred yards from the famous Rio Cisnes. The log cabin facility is very comfortable and consists of a large wader/gear room, a giant living room, den, and great room where meals are taken. Huge decks and lounge areas overlook the well-manicured grounds and the beautiful Cisnes River; a delightful place to enjoy and cocktail and Patagonian sunset

The food and drink at Estancia de Los Rios is fabulous with fine Chilean Wines are served with every meal and are included in the package cost of the trip. Dinner meals in Chile, similar to many Latin cultures are a big event. Don’t visit Estancia de Los Rios if you are trying to lose weight! The menu of spectacular dishes differs from delicately prepared fish to the traditional Chilean / Argentine “Asado” (barbeque).


12 Anglers Per Week in 6 Double Occupancy Bedrooms


Guests travel to Santiago via direct flight from several U.S. cities including Miami, Houston, New York, and Dallas/Ft. Worth international airports. After an early morning arrival the next day, you will connect on to Balmaceda Airport in southern Chile. From Balmaceda you will fly via private air charter approximately 35 minutes to the ranch's private airstrip. Guests should expect a short drive to the estancia and to be fishing shortly after lunchtime.


6 Night / 6 Day Fishing Package

Friday
Afternoon (red-eye) departure from the United States to Santiago Chile. Arrival into Santiago the next morning (Saturday).

Saturday
Upon arrival into Santiago, guests commute via an early flight from Santiago on to Balmaceda, Chile with Lan Chile Airlines. From Balmaceda, the lodge pilot will meet you and take you to your private plane for a short thirty-five minute flight over one the most scenic areas of the Andes will bring you to the lodge's airstrip. At the lodge, after getting organized and having a light lunch, your guide will take you to the river to start a week of great fishing.

Sunday - Thursday
Five full days of fishing, asados, wine, and relaxing at Estancia de Los Rios!

Friday
Departure Day. Fishermen have the opportunity to fish one more morning before traveling home. After lunch a lodge's vehicle will take you to the airstrip, the lodge’s private plane will fly you to Balmaceda airport. Catch the flight from Balmaceda to Santiago in time for the connection on to the United States.

Saturday
Early morning arrival back into the U.S.


Estancia de Los Rios is open December through April (Christmas week closed)

The weather in the Patagonian regions of Chile is variable throughout the season and is comparable to early fall weather in the Rocky Mountains. The seasons are opposite of those in the United States. November corresponds with May, December with June, January with July, etc. The trout-fishing season runs from mid-November through early April. Due to its southern latitude, the weather in Patagonia is variable and can change hourly. All fishermen visiting Patagonia should be aware that wind is often times a factor and can limit fishing as well as make things a bit chilly. It is best to be prepared for all weather scenarios no matter the time of year visited.


For the non-fishing guest Estancia de Los Rios offers: Guided horseback riding on various sections of the ranch, scenic float trips, a guided tour to Puerto Cisnes Fjord; visiting the small village and local salmon farming operation, guided tour to the Queulat National Park with magnificent views of the Queulat Glacier and hikes within the temperate rain forest, guided tours (by vehicle or horseback) to the Estancia’s headquarters and other places of interest within the ranch. Guided Mountain bike and hiking tours within the ranch are also available.


Air Taxi Service:
Private air taxi service is available from Balmaceda Airport (BBA) to the lodge and vice-versa. Comfortable twin-engine planes for 4 to 8 passengers will fly you over one of the most scenic areas of South America. After 35 minutes you will arrive at the lodge's airstrip where our vehicles will be waiting. The cost per person is $450 round trip. Note: This charter cost is based on a minimum of 4 guests. In case guests need special charter arrangements, such as late arrival or early departure, this will be quoted separately.


2009 RATES

Saturday - Friday Program (6 Night / 6 Days Fishing)
US $ 4,850.00 per person based on double occupancy.
US $ 5,450.00 per person based on single occupancy room / private guide

*** Inquire for shorter week trips if interested


Six nights lodging in room with private bathroom; Guided fishing; All meals, lunch and dinner accompanied by our selection of Chilean wines, beer and non-alcoholic beverages; All transfers to and from fishing places; One professional guide for every two anglers; One guide for every four non-fishing guests; Use of boats and horses as required; Fishing license


Air travel, air taxi or land transfers between Balmaceda Airport and estancia; Hotel and transfers prior to and after those included within Estancia de Los Rios itinerary; Use of fishing gear, flies (available for sale at the lodge); Gratuities, and items of a personal nature such as: laundry, telephone, Internet (satellite Phone available at $6.00 per minute) and other items not specifically mentioned as included. Transfers to/from Argentina border for clients arriving or departing via Argentina. Sorry, no credit cards.


A non-refundable 50% deposit is required to secure all reservations. Final balance is due 60 days prior to departure. All funds are non-refundable unless a replacement client is found. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgement that registrant has read and accepts the cancellation / refund / responsibility clauses.

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