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Cinco Rios Lodge

Coyhaique, Chile
Patagonia


Cinco Rios Lodge is owned by Chilean partner Sebastian Galilea, and Jay Burgin and Mary Jacques of Five Rivers Lodge near Dillion, Montana. Jay and Mary have imparted their decades of experiences operating their fine operation in Montana onto their brand new lodge facility in the Aisen Region of Patagonian Chile. Although the Cinco Rios Lodge structure is new, Jay and Mary have been lodge owners and operators in Chile for over a decade dating back to their beautiful Paloma Lodge, which unfortunately burned down a few years ago. Fortuitously for our clients, Jay has replaced Paloma with the ground up construction of his incredible new lodge with all the amenities. The lodge is located at ground zero of some of the region’s best trout fisheries, and only a few miles from the lively and stylish Patagonian town of Coyhaique.

Chilean Patagonia is absolutely beautiful and in many regards vastly different from Argentine Patagonia to the east. Being on the Pacific side of the Andes, many of Chile’s regions receive an enormous amount of precipitation annually… unlike the dry and high mountain dessert in Argentina. Combine all the rainfall with dramatic changes in altitude and he result is an almost endless number of micro-climates ranging from arctic glaciers, tropical rainforest, evergreen hillsides, sprawling grasslands, and everything in between. One thing is for certain, the geography in Chilean Patagonia is perhaps the prettiest in the world, and the trout fishing is even better!


The enormous Aisen region of Chilean Patagonia is host to every kind of trout fishing venue imaginable. Cinco Rios’ mixture of Chileno and American guides have experience on dozens of the regions endless rivers, creeks, and lakes and are extremely mobile, ensuring flexibility the ability to find quality fishing. Their guides are continuously in search of new water to fish for their guests, and depending how adventurous you are, the options are truly endless. Unlike fixed base Estancias, Cinco Rios has the flexibility to move in the event conditions are poor in any one area. We encourage first timers in Chile to consider Cinco Rios, as they will receive an education and sampling of all the different types of fishing options and geography available in Chile.

We are most attracted to the Cinco Rios operation because of their incredible fleet of well maintained boats and vehicles. The lodge employs traditional inflatable rafts with comfortable frames for float trips, spacious aluminum boats with reliable outboards for lake fishing, and inflatable zodiacs equipped with jets for exploring and fishing some of the most remote and inaccessible areas.

The lodge facility overlooks the famous Rio Simpson, the mainstay fishery the Cinco Rios program is founded on. The Simpson is broken up into multiple sections with varying style and character making it a very dynamic and user friendly, long freestone. Depending on the conditions and angling preference, guests with Cinco Rios can float or walk and wade the Simpson for big browns and rainbows, as well as a very reliable King Salmon run typically later in the season. In addition to the upper and lower Simpson, Cinco Rios guides fish an uncountable number of named and unnamed rivers, creeks, and lakes in the area. A typical weeklong itinerary would encompass rivers such as the Paloma, Rio Azul, Rio Blanca, Manihuales, Rio Megote, Rio Nireguao, Rio Deseque, among many others. Those interested in lake fishing will have a dynamite time chasing HUGE rainbows up over 30 inches on lakes such as the Pollux and Lago Frio. Lake Elizalde is also a cool option for a longer day trip through some of the most stunning scenery imaginable. Anglers typically fish the lower end of the lake as well as the lake outlet.

The average sized Chilean brown trout is around 17 or 18 inches, and the vast majority of the fishing is done with cumbersome, high floating dry flies. The typical Chileno fly box should be loaded with lots of foam and deer hair, as juicy terrestrial patterns such as beetles, hoppers, ants, crickets, etc are a huge part of the trout’s diet in Chile. Although the guides are happy to explore further, the average drive times to fishing venues do not exceed forty-five minutes under most circumstances.


The brand new lodge, opened for the 2007 – 2008 season, is absolutely stunning. With six double occupancy bedrooms, the lodge will accommodate twelve guests maximum. Each room has twin king sized beds, is very tastefully decorated, spacious, has air-conditioning a private bath. The view of the Simpson river valley is stunning from the front veranda or dining room, and is an excellent spot to enjoy the sunset over a glass of Chilean wine or a Pisco Sour.

As is the case at Five Rivers Lodge in Montana, meals at Cinco Rios are wonderful with international and local cuisine on the menu. All meals and beverages and a generous wine list are included in the trip cost. The service and hospitality of the lodge is truly first class, with a team of attentive and dedicated staff ensuring your stay is comfortable.


12 Anglers Max in 6 Double Occupancy Bedrooms


Cinco Rios Lodge operates on a weeklong Saturday – Saturday schedule with travelers from the USA departing on the Friday preceding and arriving home the following Sunday.

Anglers first travel to Santiago, Chile (SCL) via direct overnight flight (9 hours from DFW) from several U.S. cities including Miami, Houston, New York, and Dallas/Ft. Worth international airports. After an early morning arrival the next day, travelers connect on to Balmaceda Airport in southern Chile with Lan Chile Airlines on a three hour flight with one brief stop in Puerto Montt en route. Upon arrival into Balmaceda, guests are collected by a representative of Cinco Rios Lodge and driven forty-five minutes towards Coyhaique and the lodge.

Many guests will prefer to overnight in Santiago on the way down to relax after the long plane ride and see the city. Another option is to push southward to the town of Puerto Montt halfway between Santiago and Balmaceda. The nearby port town of Puerto Varas is a very pleasant and affordable venue to get over jet-lag and hang out before making the onward 1 hour flight to Balmaceda the next morning. Please ask us for details if you are interested.


7 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, anglers are met and driven approximately forty-five minutes to the lodge.

Sunday - Friday
Six full days of fishing with Cinci Rios!

Saturday
Following a leisurely morning hanging around the lodge, guests are returned to Balmaceda in order to catch the afternoon flight to Santiago in time for the late evening connection on to the United States.

Sunday
Early morning arrival back into the U.S.


Cinco Rios Lodge is open from the first week in November through the first week in May. November and December are considered early season and equate the late Spring early summer in the Rockies. Water conditions and river flows have peaked and are stabilizing, and rested uneducated trout are abundant after the winter.

January through mid-March are the peak summer months in Patagonian Chile with warmer temperatures and the lengthiest days with dry fly fishing with terrestrial patterns as the chief style of fishing. Later in March through May marks the end of summer and early fall. By mid April the leaves begin to change and cooler temperatures are prevalent.


Trout fishing is the predominant activity at Cinco Rios Lodge, however anglers enjoy a myriad of non-angling distractions. The Andes Mountains are an endless playground for outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts. The city of Coyhaique is loaded with excellent shops and restaurants and offers a nice break from fishing to explore town, grab lunch, or enjoy the café. There are also professional river rafting guides in the area, an endless number of hikes, mountain biking, and the more photographic opportunities than you can imagine.


2008 - 2009 SEASON

$3675 per angler
(based on double occupancy)


7 Nights accommodations at Cinco Rios Lodge; 6 Full days of guided fishing; All meals and beverages including wine, cocktails, and bottled water; Applicable ground transportation; Fishing Licenses


Round-trip Airfare to/from Balmaceda, Chile; Use of fishing equipment and flies; Gratuities; Items of personal nature including telephone calls; Laundry service; $100 Chilean Entry Fee; Airport departure taxes; Meals, Hotels, Ground Transportation and other travel expenses before and after the Cinco Rios portion of the trip in Puerto Montt or Santiago


A fifty percent non-refundable deposit is due at the time of booking to secure your reservations with Cinco Rios, Chile. The remaining balance is due 60 days from arrival. Please note that Tailwaters Travel is subject to the cancellation policies of the guides and lodges which it represents. Deposit is non-refundable unless written cancellation is received 60 days or more prior to departure. However, please note that a $100 handling fee will be charged to all customers to process all cancellations. Refunds or credits cannot be issued for fishing time lost due to inclement weather. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgement that registrant has read and accepts the cancellation/refund/responsibility clauses.

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