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Estancia Del Zorro

Chilean Patagonia


The sister operation of Cinco Rios Lodge near Coyahique, Estancia del Zorro is also owned by Chilean partner Sebastian Galilea, and Jay Burgin and Mary Jacques of Five Rivers Lodge near Dillion, Montana. There are a lot of similarities in the style and character with the two operations, however Estancia del Zorro is definitely unique to most Chilean fishing lodges. Located approximately twenty-five miles (45 minutes) up a bumpy Patagonian road from the city of Coyhaique, Estancia del Zorro is actually within sight of the Argentine border. This is more open pampa-like country with rolling hills and enormous sheep ranches.


Estancia del Zorro guide staff also work in conjunction with the sister lodge, Cinco Rios. As a result, Estancia del Zorro’s mix of Chilean and American guides have collectively experienced nearly all accessible water in the Aisen region. Fishing from Estancia Del Zorro has as much of an Argentine type feel to the style and character of the landscape and waters fished when compared to most other Chilean operations. In fact, many of the waters fished from Zorro are located across the Argentine border on a private ranch approximately thirty minutes from the lodge facility. Anglers will go back and forth between Chile and Argentina every other day experiencing new angling venues. All types of lakes, freestone rivers, spring creeks, and lagunas are accessed from Estancia Del Zorro, allowing for a very diverse fishing experience for both brown and rainbow trout.

The jewel of the Zorro operation is its five miles of private Spring Creek that run immediately in front of the ranch house. This is classic creek fishing, usually with large terrestrial patterns for loads of uneducated browns. The creek meanders through the prairie, and nearly every corner holds feeding trout; some of which are enormous. The Zorro Spring Creek is only fished a few times a week, but is definitely the highlight of the Estancia Del Zorro experience. The only other guests on the river are the occasional stray sheep or fox.

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.


The newly updated lodge building has recently undergone a facelift restoring the ancient ranch house on the ranch. 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. Each room is also outfitted with a private balcony overlooking the ranch, the Spring Creek, and the vast pampas.

As is the case at Five Rivers Lodge in Montana, meals at Estancia del Zorro 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 Per Week


Estancia del Zorro 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 from the lodge and transfered one and a half hours through Coyhaique and onward to the ranch.

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 one and a half hours to the lodge.

Sunday - Friday
Six full days of fishing with Estancia del Zorro!

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.


Estancia del Zorro 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 Estancia del Zorro, 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 Person (based on double occupancy)


7 Nights accommodations at Estancia del Zorro; 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 Estancia del Zorro 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 Estancia del Zorro. 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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