GPS Coordinates: 44°34’29.46″S 71°24’50.66″W
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General Travel Information
A trip to Estancia de los Rios can easily be combined with other Patagonia trout lodges, estancias, and outfitters in the Coyhaique Region, as well as other areas in Chile and/or Argentina. The sea-run fishing in Tierra del Fuego perfectly complements Estancia de los Rios resident trout fishery. With close to 30 years of experience in planning excursions to South America, you can rely on The Fly Shop® to customize the ultimate fly-fishing holiday for you.
Preparing for Your Trip:
To take the best advantage of your fishing excursion to South America, and for that matter any fishing holiday you are embarking on, we highly recommend some pre-trip brushing up on your angling techniques and casting. You don’t need water to practice your fly casting (except when roll-casting), any lawn will do. It is a good idea to spend several hours in the back yard, local schoolyard, or elsewhere practicing your fly-casting. If you feel your skills are lacking or need some refreshing, you should consider some professional instruction to help you hone your techniques. Having a solid grasp of the “double-haul” casting technique can be invaluable when encountering windy conditions that are not uncommon in Patagonia. Estancia de los Rios guides are excellent instructors and can also assist, but having a solid foundation of casting knowledge, skills, techniques as well as fly presentation, can go a long way towards making your fishing experience truly successful and more enjoyable.
Estancia de los Rios is owned and managed by the Dufflocq family, a name synonymous with fly fishing in the southern hemisphere, and one the first families of fly fishing in Patagonian Chile.
Getting to Estancia de los Rios
Flight Arrangements:
When making your airline plans, please arrange to arrive in Balmaceda (BBA) from Santiago (SCL) no earlier than 13:00. On departing Balmaceda, please book a flight back to Santiago in the afternoon no earlier than 14:00 This will allow plenty of time for auto transfer to and from the lodge. For making your air reservations between home and the lodge, we highly recommend the travel agent services of Alicia Regueiro, at Holdy Tours, in Walnut Creek, California. She is an expert in South American air travel, as well as hotels, city tours, meet-and-greet transfers, etc. You can reach Alicia at (800) 446-1111 or via email at Alicia@holdytours.com.
Day of Arrival:
After a comfortable night in Santiago (or following a morning arrival from the States), guests are to arrive Balmaceda Airport (BBA) mid-afternoon, no earlier than 13:00. Here you will be met by a staff member of Estancia de los Rios and driven to the lodge, an approximate 4.5 hour drive. The trip to the remote lodge inside the estancia is highlighted by beautiful roadside scenery, waterfalls, forests, and stunning mountain vistas of the Southern Andes.
Anglers and their companions are met upon arrival and introduced to the lodge hosts and staff. Each of the guest rooms is well-appointed, has a private bath, and the amenities are in stark contrast to the remote Patagonian location.
Time permitting, depending on your flight’s arrival time to Balmaceda, and after getting organized in your room, you can join your guide for a fly-fishing session, hiking, horseback riding or bird watching. In the evening you will return to the lodge for cocktails and delicious picada (charcuterie in South America) followed by a hosted gourmet meal.
Your host will discuss with you the variety of fishing options for the week and make plans for the next day’s adventure.
The Angling Week:
These are full fishing days, and the exact schedule will depend on the guest’s wishes. Breakfast and dinner will be served in the lodge and fine mid-day meals are served in the field, streamside.
With more than 60 miles of rivers, several spring creeks and many lakes on the ranch, Estancia de los Ríos provides world-class dry fly-fishing opportunities on a daily basis. The lodge is located on a 360,000-acre ranch in the heart of Chilean Patagonia. Expect vast uninhabited valleys surrounded by the majestic Andes Mountains, a place of spectacular beauty where you can enjoy unparalleled seclusion and privacy.
Each fishing day can be custom tailored to your wants, needs and ability, and you will be sure you will never run of out of angling options.
The after-angling cocktail reception always includes Pisco Sour, the Chilean version of a Margarita, a variety of domestic beers and some of Chile’s finest varietals. Dinners, like all meals at the lodge, are informal, sumptuous, and accompanied by delicious Chilean wines.
The Day of Departure from the Lodge:
Anglers will be transported to the Balmaceda Airport and begin their journey home with a mid-afternoon flight to Santiago (SCL) or the continuation of their South American angling or travel holiday. Please book your departure flight out of Balmaceda (BBA) no earlier than 14:00
Contact Numbers
The Fly Shop®
4140 Churn Creek Road
Redding, CA 96002
(800) 669-3474 | (530) 222-3555 | travel@theflyshop.com
Estancia de los Rios
Cristian Dufflocq
(406) 241-8645 | +56 9 9309 3685 | cdufflocq@andesjourneys.com | cdufflocq@gmail.com
South America Travel Agent
Holdy Tours
Alicia Regueiro
(800) 446-1111 | (925) 927-6617 | Alicia@holdytours.com
- Can book your air and any additional hotel rooms you may request.
Embassy of the USA in Chile
Avenue Andrés Bello 2800, Las Condes Santiago, Chile
PH: (56-2) 330-3000 | FAX: (56-2) 330-3710, 330-3160 | https://cl.usembassy.gov/
- Embassy hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
For U.S. citizens solely inquiring about passport, citizenship and other consular services not related to visa matters, please E-mail at SantiagoAmCit@state.gov
Recommended Equipment
This tackle and equipment planner is a guideline to help anglers assemble a reasonable collection of flies and necessary equipment. You are by no means required to purchase all of this equipment, but do make sure you have a good cross-section. It is generally true that properly outfitted and prepared anglers have the best chance of having a trip of a lifetime.
Although selling fly fishing tackle and flies is part of what The Fly Shop® does, it is not our main concern. Our biggest priority is that people have a great trip. That being said, we feel there is no-one better suited to outfit you for your trip. It is a trip we’ve taken dozens of times. We know what works, but more importantly, we know what works best. We’d love to have your business if you need to purchase new equipment.
One thing we’ve all learned from years of fishing in Patagonia, and the word that we as anglers must always keep in the back of our minds, is “ADAPT.” It is almost impossible to tell what kind of lines and flies are going to be most successful on the river at a given time. Conditions can change without warning and we must be able to adapt to the conditions at hand. Thus, you’ll want to bring a wide selection of fly tackle and enough different types of flies to meet conditions.
Guides will normally have a fly on hand in case you don’t have the right one in your box for the situation, but we cannot guarantee this, as equipment is not included in your trip, nor is it available for purchase at the lodge. Therefore, you’ll want to come prepared with everything you’ll need.
If you have any questions concerning tackle and equipment recommendations, please feel free to call us, toll-free at (800) 669-3474 or email us at travel@theflyshop.com
Fly Rods:
You will want two fly rods, one 4-weight and one 6-weight in 9 foot or 9 foot 6 inch length. We strongly recommend a multi-piece travel rod (4 piece). Top-quality rods you might consider are: Winston, Sage, or Scott. For great value options, consider The Fly Shop’s Signature H2O series.
Fly Reels:
Good quality, lightweight fly reels, with simple disk drags, are the best choice. Reels should be filled with fresh 20-pound backing. Reel models to consider include: Ross, The Fly Shop’s L2A, Galvan, Abel, Hatch, and Hardy reels. Extra spools are a definite advantage. 75 – 125 yards of backing is more than adequate.
Fly Lines:
You will need two fly lines for Estancia de los Rio. Please do not bring bright or florescent lines.
- 4-weight: a weight-forward floater – preferably with an aggressive forward taper – good choices would include the Scientific Anglers Mastery MPX taper, or the Mastery Anadro floating line. This is for your dry fly and nymph fishing.
- 6-weight: For your streamer work it is important that you include a 24’ sink-tip in an extra fast sink rate (200 grain), such as Scientific Anglers Sonar sinking tips.
Leaders & Tippet:
Standard monofilament will work just fine, and we like the Rio, Scientific Anglers, and Trout Hunter brand leaders and tippet.
- 9 ft 2X (2)
- 9 ft 3X (2)
- 10 ft 4X (4)
- 10 ft 5X (4)
- 2X – 3X – 4X – 5X (One spool of tippet material for each size)
Wading Staff:
If you use a staff at home, bring it along. They can be handy, particularly the collapsible models. While Patagonian rivers are considered easy to moderate wading, there will always be a fish that likes to hang out in swifter deeper water, tempting you into position.
Fishing Vest/Tackle Pack:
For vests we like a high-quality product, in a shorty model. Choose one that has room for a rain jacket or camera in the back. Simms vests are great choices. If you prefer a tackle pack, take a good look at the Fishpond, Simms and Patagonia products.
Boat Bags:
These hold extra gear, clothes, flies, camera, snacks, etc., and keep them safe and dry during floats and boat rides. We recommend Patagonia and Fishpond boat bags.
Tools:
Nippers, flat jawed hemostats, a hook file, floatant. These are essential on any fishing trip.
Polarized Sunglasses:
Good quality polarized sunglasses are a must both for seeing fish and for safety. Brown, amber and copper are the best lens colors. Costa and Smith make excellent fly fishing sunglasses, and even offer prescription options. Bring a spare pair!
Flies for Estancia de los Rios
When you walk the banks and meadows of this region of Patagonia, you’ll often raise a literal cloud of hoppers. The fish are keyed to the hoppers or anything that floats and looks buggy. But opportunities for classic streamer fishing abound too. Each angler should have about 2 dozen terrestrial patterns, a half dozen assorted streamers, some assorted dry flies, and maybe a couple each of dragonfly and mouse patterns. 48 flies should be just about right for the week. Guides normally have a very limited selection on hand in case you don’t have the right fly for the situation.
Note: All the flies needed for the week can be provided by the guides for $100. Unused flies can be returned for credit or purchased for $2.50 each. This can be arranged with the head guide.
We also offer an easy way to know you have the correct flies for your trip. We offer a Chile Trout Selection that can be customized for your specific dates during your visit to Estancia de los Rios. This selection comes with a great assortment of the below flies loaded into the perfect fly box.
Dries:
- Mercer’s Missing Link – #16 (6 each)
- Purple Para Wulff – #14 (6 each)
- Parachute Adams – #14 – 16 (6 each)
- Goddard Caddis – #10 – 12 (8 each)
- Royal Wulff – #14 (8 each)
- Sofa Pillow – #6-8 (6 each)
- Tarantula – #8 (8 each)
Emergers:
- Captive Dun – #16 (8 each)
- CDC Transitional Dun – #16 (6 each)
- CDC adult Caddis Gray – #16 (6 each)
- CDC Comparadun Mahogany – # 16 (8 each)
Terrestrials:
- Chernobyl Ant – #6 (8 each)
- Stimulator Olive – #10 (8 each)
- Black Ants – #16 (8 each)
- Parachute Hopper – #8-10 (8 each)
- Fat Albert – #10- 12 (8 each)
- Chubby Chernobyl – #8; peacock, gold (4 each)
Nymphs:
- Pheasant Tail (bead head) – # 14 (one dozen each)
- Prince (bead head) – #12 (one dozen each)
- Brassie with and without beads – # 16 (one dozen each)
- Black Copper John – #16 (one dozen each)
Streamers:
- Muddler Minnows Unweighted – #4 – 6 (6 each)
- Black Leech – #4 (6 each)
- Slumpbuster – #4; olive, natural, rust (2/2/2 each)
- Beaded Crystal Buggers – #8; olive, black, brown, silver (3/3/3/3 each)
- CH Sparkle Minnow – #4; sculpin (3 each)
Recommended Clothing
The weather in Patagonia is constantly changing. One afternoon it may be 70° (+) and sunny, down right hot; then only a few hours later it may be rainy, damp, windy and in the low 50°s or cooler. It is not uncommon to have morning temperatures in the mid to low thirties, especially when clear weather prevails, warming to a balmy 50° or 60° degrees by the end of the day. Clothing strategies should be based on the “layering system.” By using the “layering system,” anglers can adapt to whatever Mother Nature dishes out. The whole idea behind layering is to trap heated air (generated by your body and stored between the different layers of insulation), thus keeping you warm.
Here is the formula preferred by the staff at The Fly Shop®:
Base Layer:
Start off with a synthetic fabric next to your skin. This often is a pair of thermal underwear (tops and bottoms) and they usually come in three weights: light, mid and expedition. According to your individual metabolism, pick what is best for you. Synthetic (non-cotton) materials retain little moisture and “wick” moisture away from your skin. This is very important when you are walking in waders or when outside temperatures heat up. 1 set mid-weight Simms, Skwala or Patagonia.
Thermal Layer:
Your second layer of insulation should match the weather and conditions you are going to be fishing in. Lightweight insulation for cool weather, mid-weight for colder conditions, and heavy weight for really frigid days. Fleece is an outstanding choice here in either tops and bottoms or overalls. Merino Wool is also a good choice as it stays warm when damp, though dries very slowly. 1 set fleece pants–Simms Bibs or Pants, or Patagonia Fleece or Skwala. 1 Fleece jacket—Simms, Skwala or Patagonia.
Waterproof Shell:
The final layer on your upper body should be a rain jacket. High quality Gore-Tex type products are the best. Your rain jacket should be 100% waterproof and breathable, multi-layered, with sealed seams. Buy the best rain jacket you can afford, as it is one of the most important pieces of equipment you can own. The Simms, Skwala, and Patagonia are high quality jackets designed specifically for fly fishermen.
Waders:
You will want to bring stocking foot, breathable chest waders for this trip, as a lot of your fishing will be via hiking to the various moving waters – the Rio Escondido and its various braids and tributaries. You will experience little or no moisture build-up inside the waders, even after a long hike; they wear like iron, pack down very well, and are comfortable to be in all day. For safety we strongly recommend wearing a wading belt at all times. Simms, Skwala, and Patagonia waders are the time-tested gold-standard.
Socks:
For a week’s fishing trip, three pairs of heavy socks will be adequate. Wool, polypro or a combination of both are the best choices in sock material. Try on your socks with your waders and wading boots before you go to insure you have plenty of room to move your toes. Being unable to move your toes and cramping your feet in your wading boots are the biggest reasons for numb toes and cold feet. Simms and Patagonia synthetic and SmartWool are the way to go.
Wading Boots:
Wading at Estancia de los Rios is not difficult. The rocks can be slick with rubber bottom boots so we suggest felt bottom wading boots. They have a sanitation station at the lodge so you do not have to worry about spreading invasive species. Patagonia, Simms and Korkers – there are lots of good brands.
Hats:
Bring a hat with a good brim (dark underside) for sun protection, and a warmer stocking hat for cold days (which can occur anytime during the season.)
General Lodge Information
Wi-Fi:
Estancia de Los Rios has the Starlink internet system available for clients who would like to bring their own Wi-Fi-enabled electronic devices. It is satellite-based and very effective. The lodge runs on a generator so Wi-Fi is restricted to the hours of 6 am to midnight.
Gratuities:
Gratuities are a personal decision based on service rendered, and should be based on merit. Normally guides and staff are tipped upon departure, in cash (US dollars are fine). Generally speaking, a tip reflecting 10% – 15% of the cost of your package will tell everyone that they met or exceeded your expectations. And a normal split of whatever total amount you decide to leave would be 70% given to the guides, and 30% split among the lodge staff), at the trip’s end. The tip can be given to the lodge manager.
Electricity:
Electricity in Chile is 220 volts. Most modern day chargers are designed to function with 120 – 220 volts. You will need a universal plug adapter, one that will function with one of the outlets below.
Hairdryers:
Each room has a hairdryer.
Non-Angling Outdoor Activities:
In addition to fly fishing, Estancia de los Rios has the following activities available to their non-angling guests: horseback riding , hiking, scenic float trips, guided tours by vehicle or horseback to the Estancia’s headquarters or to visit the gauchos – Patagonia’s cowboys at work, photographic safaris, tour to the Puerto Cisnes Fjord or a small local village, tours to the Queulat National Park with magnificent views of the Queulat Glacier and hikes within the temperate rain forest, or cooking classes by the lodge’s chef, focusing on traditional Chilean dishes.
Headlamp:
Headlamps are great for late night gear fiddling and trips to the loo. We prefer models with LED bulbs and that can be recharged.
Sun Protection:
The summer weather in Chile Patagonia is generally pleasant. Average temperatures range between the low 50’s and mid 80’s. Though usually not hot, the ultra-violet rays of the sun in this part of the world are very intense and will burn even the most sun-seasoned anglers. Wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, and frequent use of a strong sun block (SPF+ 30 UVA/UVB) are highly recommended. Sun gloves will save the backs of your hands.
Landing Nets:
All Estancia de los Rios Guides carry landing nets. You are free to bring your own if you like.