By Dane Emerson & Chiara De Tomaso
Well, we’ve concluded a wonderful 2025/2026 season down here at El Saltamontes. The season flew by, with the normal hustle and bustle one would expect from another nearly sold out season. We abbreviate the Patagonia season in our little corner to focus on the optimal 12 fishing weeks that starts around Christmas, and runs to mid-March. With a second season under our belt, my wife Chiara and I have settled into the Patagonian lifestyle and this special place has become a focal point of our lives. All of the hype and romanticism Patagonia receives for being a top tier fishing destination continues to live up to its reputation, and more. I truly believe that long after you finish your week with us, you’ll find yourself reminiscing and reliving in your mind the power and majestic beauty that surrounds the Lodge.
El Saltamontes and much of the Aysen region had a marginal 2025 snow year with little runoff for our surrounding freestone rivers. Fishing started out with a bang at the end of December and beginning of January, but we were losing water fast in the upper Nireguao valley, a situation that was exacerbated by some record-setting 95 degree days. Adjustments were made, yet I was a little apprehensive as to how the remaining 10 weeks of the season were going to play out. Much of the previous years’ programs relied almost entirely on a walk-wade dynamic with very little fishing from a boat. Our first season we dabbled a little more into the floating, and for the 2026 season I made it a point to round out more floating options as well as expanding our fishing program in general to touch every possible piece of water within an hour’s drive of the lodge. To offer guests the best possible float fishing experience we increased our inventory to five state-of-the-art NRS Dodger 13’9” fishing rafts, each equipped with full frames, leaning bars, standing platforms, etc. These boats are the absolute best on the market and some of the most comfortable rafts I’ve ever fished from. By the end of the season we added our three 14’ catarafts equipped with Stealthcraft cat frames, creating a driftboat–like experience for guests on the surrounding lake systems.
In addition to our nearby Norte and Nireguao river drainages, a 30% expansion of our fishing program in 2026 allowed us to further solidify our reputation as one of the most well-rounded outfitters in the area. Sticking to our mantra of two days on the ranch, two days floating the Simpson and Manihuales, and two more spread between lakes and private lease streams, we were easily capable of navigating a low water season. Our dry fly and dry/dropper fishing was solid from the opener and carried into our last week. Working around daily temperature fluctuations is crucial with a freestone dynamic – our hotter days saw early productive fishing that tapered midday, then would pick back up in the afternoon. On the flipside, cooler days started slower with us probing riffles and foam lines with long droppers, then by midday one would find themselves throwing dries with good success. I was biting my tongue with rapidly climbing water temps in mid-season, and was careful to alleviate pressure where needed and push more on the larger Simpson and Manihuales rivers to the southwest of us. The Manihuales is a huge system that joins the Simpson to form the mighty Aysen River – the region’s gateway to the Pacific. It can be a little intimidating fishing a larger volume river from a boat with main channel depths that can reach 20 feet, so the lower water really opened our eyes on the Manihuales. Shelves became more pronounced, structure was exposed, and gorgeous 100-yard long dry/dropper runs opened themselves up and were a treat for anglers.
We kept an eye on water levels closer to home as a rapidly approaching hopper season came in the last third of the season. This area is known for the millions of small hoppers that fill the Nireguao valley, annually causing trout to lose caution as they relish the high protein morsels being blown into the water. But fall rains came early this year and drowned (literally) much of the hoppers in the area. Honestly, as much as I love the normally predictable hopper action, this season I preferred the much-needed rain, as it was so healthy for the fish. And despite blowing out hopper season the extra water placed jumper cables on our local fishery and gave way to an abundance of small mayflies and caddis hatching during the better weather windows.
Flexibility and diversity define our fishing program, and what we know is that we can accommodate any various extremes with ease under the careful streamside instruction from our wonderful crew of guides. Our home river that runs through the ranch property – and what I consider the jewel of our program – lends itself not only to daily fishing by guests assigned to fish there, but also for our anglers fishing elsewhere who get blown off that other water by weather. The home water becomes a viable option for them as well, with the opportunity to drive a short distance back to the lodge, dry off, and pick up a few more productive hours fishing before dinner.
I have been pushing very hard to establish that, thanks in part to a healthy fishing program, El Saltamontes can really welcome and accommodate anglers of all fishing abilities. Some of our guests have only trout fished a few times but were curious about visiting Patagonia for the first time. In addition to great fishing water and superb guides, for those who don’t have the correct gear, or prefer to not haul their own to Patagonia, we have top of the line waders, boots, rod/reel combos, flies and everything you need in the way of terminal tackle. Arriving with an open mind and a couple of clothing layers is all we really ask of you. The rest we can handle with ease.
This second season we enjoyed the return of the guide team we had in 2024/2025, and we’re looking forward to having the same hard-working crew next year. Patagonian by nature with an unwavering reserve of enthusiasm, I can’t thank this team enough for their hard work and dedication to represent the area in which they’re from. I found myself laughing one morning during our last week at an example of this sincere and amazing energy. Chiara and I share separate living quarters from our guides and staff, and this particular morning was cooler with a slight drizzle – everything seemed to beg one to stay under the covers for another hour. Despite the chilly rain, our normal rooster morning serenades were accompanied by a couple of the guides merrily belting out gaucho ditties at the top of their lungs. Hell with weather! They’re living their best life, guiding people with whom they share a deeply rooted love for fishing. It makes Chiara and I proud to have these guys behind us. I can’t say enough good things about our crew!
The kitchen under Chef Emanual put out 12 weeks of succulent plates, asados, apps, and desserts. He and I curated a menu that was a flavorful representation of Latin culture, and the Patagonia region, in particular. Common cooking themes were staged with fire and deliciously drowned by regional Cabernets and flagship Carmeneres. Those who know me will testify that I care very much about our food, and we’re always looking for ways to improve our guests’ culinary experience. We are in the process of making some adjustments to the menu and will be adding a highly anticipated “Del Mar” portion for your palate to enjoy.
As the doors of one season close we’re keeping the fire warm and are filling our time away from guests getting ready for the season to come. Bookings are clipping along and we have comfortably booked out more than half our next season already, a year out! We will continue to offer more waters to fish – from lakes, home river advantages, and 7 more floatable beats. I would conservatively estimate an uptick of 30% to this past season’s fishing options. New sections of the Nireguao – bordering current downstream access – will become available. The addition of smaller, high desert walk and wade options to the east, and rainforest- lined rivers to the west will make it virtually impossible for an angler to fish everything we have to offer in a mere six days.
We’re retiring the 34-plus year old décor the lodge has entertained, making some changes and giving it a few touch ups. A remodeled sauna is being tackled as we speak. An open bar policy will allow one to further indulge. It is onwards and upwards with our program, and it’s such an exciting time for us. What we have is something very special, and now another chapter is being written for this storied fly fishing establishment.
A shout-out to our partners in crime over at The Fly Shop®. I’ve had the pleasure of working with them with two personally-owned, signature destinations for the better part of the last decade. I appreciate the single-minded dedication and importance they see in sharing such a wonderful destination. Drop them a line to further inquire about the latest with EL Saltamontes. You’ll see our head guide, Sebastian, on the cover of their 2026 Travel and Retail Catalogue!
Finally, Chiara and I thank you all so much for allowing us to enjoy a life we dream about, and for letting us share it with you. Connectivity with the natural world is a necessity and obligation, to both enjoy and protect. We patiently wait for you in the coming months to once again share a riverbank in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Saludos, un fuerte abrazo,
Dane Emerson and Chiara De Tomaso
Following our great season in 2026, space is booking quickly at El Saltamontes for 2027. January dates are almost gone, but we still have some prime openings in February and March.