ANGLER RATES

• Double occupancy
One week (Saturday to Saturday) US $ 2.980 p/p
• Single occupancy
One week (Saturday to Saturday) US $ 3.980 p/p
Availability for extra days or shorter stays will be quoted on request.

• Rates include: All transfers between the lodge and the airport in Balmaceda. Seven nights accommodations at Canto de Lluvia Lodge, all meals, wine, beer, and soft drinks, all guided fishing with English speaking guide

• Rates do not include: Air fares from home to Coyhaique/Balmaceda, meals and services in Santiago, fishing license, flies, use of rods, reels or other fishing gear, hard liquor (available at the lodge, though guests are welcome to bring your own preferred brands), Tips and gratuities to guides and lodge staff, telephone calls, personal purchases at the lodge or en route, departure taxes, tourist card fees.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Lan Chile and American Airlines provides daily flights from a number of US gateways to Santiago, Chile. Upon arrival, connect with domestic flights to and from Balmaceda (two and a half hours). From Balmaceda, a Canto de Lluvia Lodge representative will drive you to the lodge (one and a half hours).

• Documents: A valid U.S.A. or foreign passport. A Visa is not required for American tourists, though all visitors must purchase a tourist card (which can be used in future visits to Chile as well). Please retain the "Tourist Card" you will be given at the airport as it is to be shown to customs upon your departure from the country. American and Canadian driver licenses are good in Chile.

• BOOKINGS: Early reservations are strongly recommended. A 50% is required within 21 days to confirm your reservation, with the balance due 90 days prior to the start of the trip.

Deposits are non refundable in case of cancellation. Cancellations received less than 90 days prior to the start date of the trip will result in the forfeiture of the entire amount due.

Although the Coyhaique region has become a well known destination the increased attention to these trout waters has not diminished the fishing and it remains an outstanding destination for the angler interested in excellent fishing and breathtaking scenery. Access to most rivers is still very limited and fishing pressure is minimal. New, largely untouched fisheries are still waiting to be discovered, a reminder that much of the Chilean Patagonia is - even now largely undeveloped.
Canto de Lluvia Lodge is centrally located within easy reach of many of the most productive waters around Coyhaique. Carlos Munoz, the lodge manager, has been a long time pioneer in developing local trout fishing opportunities and together with the lodge’s crew of experienced guides, works tirelessly to introduce visiting anglers to the many charms of this trout rich region.
Guests can expect trout that average an impressive 14 to 18 inches, with daily chances for trophies in excess, sometimes well in excess of 20, even 22 inches. The late Jim Chapralis, writing in The PanAngler newsletter stated it quite simply: ¨It´s harder to catch a fish here under14 inches than it is to catch one over 18 inches". While actual fish populations may not rival the sheer numbers in some top rated US rivers, anglers can still rack up totals that can eclipse memorable days on prime North American fisheries. For example, famed angling author and guide Doug Swisher’s fished the Elizalde outlet to cap off his final day in the area. During his last hour of fishing he landed ten trout, the smallest one 18” and the largest approaching 23 inches. On another day, Fly Fisherman Magazine Editor John Randolph and Jim Chapralis each landed several trophy browns over 21 inches on dry flies.
Surface feeding trout are plentiful in these waters. Even when hatches are not evident, these trout almost always seem to be looking up for their food. While dry fly activity can occur on any day from November through late April, the peak time historically takes place during the warmest months, December through mid-March.
And on those occasions when a dry fly is not productive, stripping a streamer can result in rod jarring takes, especially during the later months of the Chilean summer when the waters begin to cool and the larger fish feed actively in anticipation of the approaching winter.
No matter the fertility of the fishery, weather is always a factor in success. Rain and wind can impact a day on the water anytime due to the region’s proximity to the ocean. But throughout the season, days when success is minimal are rare..With such a wealth of rivers to select from and an abundance of hungry trout, the odds favor the angler.
The Rivers we fish
The Simpson and the Paloma Rivers are the two main watersheds and together form the foundation for the regions superb trout fishery.
The Simpson River begins at Villa el Blanco and runs to the ocean. After merging with the Mañihuales river it becomes the Aisén River. Another 20 miles downstream the Aisen incorporates the Blanco drainage, which includes the Paloma River and the 5 lakes within that system.
The upper section of Simpson River flows from Villa El Blanco to Coyhaique. When water levels allow, usually only in the spring and early summer, the river is easily floated, a spectacular day winding through the river’s deep walled canyons. During the remainder of the season, walk-wade fishing is the most productive way to enjoy the river’s ample populations of browns and rainbows.
The lower Simpson begins in Coyhaique and ends in Puerto Aysén where the river flows into the ocean. The river varies in character along its route, flowing through scenic canyons and open plains. Large, clear pools and sparkling riffles abound. The entire length can produce exciting dry fly fishing for resident browns and rainbows. During the fall months, salmon also migrate up this section, adding an additional dimension to the fishery.
Canto de Lluvia’s property includes over 4 miles of the Simpson River and this private water deserves a special mention. Guests access the river right out the front of the lodge. Although there’s plenty of fishing for a full day, the early morning and evening often provide the most spectacular opportunities. Anglers can enjoy a full day on another stream, returning to the lodge for dinner and then hitting the lodge’s waters for the evening rise. This stretch is rich in insect life and during the heat of the summer, evening hatches bring most every trout in the river to the surface. It’s a very special way to cap off a day of great fishing.
Several tributaries of the Simpson are on the lodge’s menu and worth mentioning:
Huemules River: Flows in a wide loop from west to east and then north meandering for some 15 miles through fertile valleys and low hills up to El Blanco Village Lots of underwater obstructions and deep banks provide excellent shelter for large brown trout, which still rise eagerly for dries as well as whack large streamers. In the early fall King salmon begin their spawning run, stacking up in several large tributary pools below a scenic waterfall..
Blanco River (not the same as the earlier mentioned Blanco) A 30 mile long freestone stream born well up in the mountains that eventually joins the Huemules. The final ten miles are a delightful, pocket water fishery with the potential for lots of action, usually for smaller trout.
The Paloma River – A treasure that some have described as a cross between the Beaverhead and Bighole rivers. It begins with the outflow from lake Desierto, then passes for several miles through a deep, inaccessible canyon, exiting into the very scenic Paloma Valley. Day-long floats on four different stretches offer outstanding dry-fly fishing, sometimes challenging and sometimes mind bogglingly easy, but always with the potential for some very large browns. The brown trout average 16 to 18 inches with many opportunities for 20 inch plus trophies. The less easily reached lower sections feature even larger trout that typically run 17” plus.
Desierto Outlet This is considered the headwaters of the Paloma River. The actual outlet of the lake is a short stretch of river about one mile long populated by mostly browns, with the occasional rainbow taken as well. Most of the fish are in the 14 to 17 inch range, but don’t be surprised by trout over 21”. Fishing can be exceptional both in the outflow as well as in the lake itself, where large trout cruise the shorelines.
Rio Azul -- the connection between Azul Lake and Desierto, this short section of moving water holds lots of trout in the 15 to 18” plus range.
Mogote River -- A miniature version of the Madison in Montana, with solid action all day on dries. Most browns and rainbows are between 8-12 inches with a decent number in the 14-16 inch range, and a rare 18-20 incher. Situated in a very picturesque valley, it’s an intimate, action packed fishery where 50 fish days are not uncommon.
Rio Desagüe –a unique river that connects another large lake to the Paloma, this is truly trophy trout water. Browns and rainbows in the 18 to 20” range are plentiful with daily opportunities for 23 to 25” plus giants. Wading is easy, though casting at times can be challenging as these big fish can be wary at times.
Lake Elizalde -- a very large lake that holds some truly outsize browns. On calm days anglers can sight fish to these monsters on a series of flats, almost like bone fishing. There is also the opportunity explore several bays with float tubes, working drop offs and underwater structure for large trout.

Additional Lakes – Eight additional lakes exist in the immediate area, all good bets for float tubing, gulper fishing, or Loch-style fishing. Some of these lakes have produced double digit trout. Lake fishing always seems to take a back seat to the rivers, but it can produce some incredible fishing when conditions are favorable.