The small city of Coyhaique is the mecca of dry fly fishing in Chilean Patagonia. It is often compared to the American West 100 years ago but with less people, and with non-educated, larger than average sized fish. Surrounded by mountains and glaciers, it has more fishable waters that you can imagine. The landscape of the Aysén region is incredibly diverse; you can travel from the dry, arid pampas (Patagonian Steppe) to the temperate rainforest (Paloma River) in just over an hour. One day you can fish a meandering “Montana type spring creek” while spending the next day in a gin clear river system of “Pacific Northwest style” in a temperate rainforest.

The main watersheds are the Simpson and Paloma Rivers, both famous for the finest dry fly fishing in Chile. Wild brown and rainbow trout are the main species targeted in these rivers, as well as a short, but decent run of King and Coho salmon during the summer months. The salmon are not easily caught on fly, but the runs are significant enough to give the occasional “shot” at one or two on a trip if they are in the river system.

January and March trips available, please contact Tom for rates and dates.