GPS Coordinates: 43°49’19.20″S 72°21’44.82″W
Elevation: 200 feet
Trip Questionnaire: Please click on the link below. This will take you an electronic questionnaire form that we ask you to complete and submit to The Fly Shop®. Please be sure to click the “Submit” button at the end of the form. The information provided will help us — and the outfitter best coordinate your trip.
THANK YOU!! CLICK HERE
Dear Patagonian BaseCamp Guest,
Within the coming months you will be traveling to our lodge. We are looking forward to having you here and being able to show you the beauty of Chilean Patagonia as well as top class fly fishing for wild trout.
To make your stay with us as comfortable as possible, please review this document. It provides you with a short breakdown of items you might want to bring and things to expect during your stay.
The area around The Patagonian BaseCamp is scarcely inhabited. Items like medicines, clothing, fishing equipment, etc., are hardly available or not available at all. Please consider this prior to arrival.
We wish you safe travels and are looking forward to seeing you soon.
** Please Note: In an unprecedented effort to eliminate the chance of aquatic hitchhiker introduction into the virgin waters of Chile, Patagonia, guests can either choose to bring their own boots, or if they prefer the Lodge can supply them – very convenient. If you bring your own boots, the lodge will disinfect them upon arrival.
Best regards from Chile,
Marcel Sijnesael
The Patagonian BaseCamp
General Travel Information
Due to strict safety regulations on the flight from Puerto Montt/Chaiten, the weight limit of your total luggage (total check-in and carry-on) is 45 lbs (20 kilos). Any overweight will be charged overweight fees, approximately $2.00/kilo. If you might travel with more weight, we offer free and safe storage in Puerto Montt. Please prepare for this. Please don’t use hard-shell suitcases, but soft travel bags only.
At the airport of Santiago and Puerto Montt, Chilean Pesos can be withdrawn from ATMs (Redbanc). Most accepted cards are American Express, Visa and MasterCard. US Dollars and Euros are accepted at certain places only and generally at poor rates. In the lodge, however, US Dollars, US Dollar banker’s cheques and Euros are accepted. Credit cards are not accepted.
We offer free twice-weekly laundry service, so please limit the amount of clothes you bring. Back-up fishing gear in case of breakage or loss of equipment (rods, waders, boots, etc.) is available, so there is no need to bring spares. In the lodge we have a small shop with items like flies, lines, reels, rods, leaders, etc, for sale. All the rooms are equipped with hairdryers, towels, bathrobes, flip flops, shampoo, body gel, cotton pads, tissues, electric plug converters, etc. There is also limited WiFi internet connection for you to use at the Lodge, but please bring your own device, tablet, laptop, etc.
General conditions of visit
- The Patagonian BaseCamp Lodge, its subsidiaries, management, staff, personnel, guides, any of its affiliated or associated companies, agents, sub-agents, sub-contractors or anyone, either directly or indirectly, involved in the organization or execution of the programs or services will not become liable or responsible in any way in connection with accommodation, lodge, restaurant, transfer, expedition and guiding services, information supplied, or for any loss, injury or damage to or in respect to any person or property howsoever caused or arising.
- Guests are to be aware that The Patagonian BaseCamp Lodge and the outpost camps are very remote and that medical support is often hours or even days away. Guests are required to be in good health and sound medical condition prior to and during their trip. The Patagonian BaseCamp Lodge must be made aware of every guest’s personal special medical or dietary requirements prior to and throughout the trip.
Personal Information:
In order to facilitate the charter, we will need your full name as it reads on your passport, passport number, nationality, sex, and date of birth. This information will also be used to secure your Chilean fishing license.
Please don’t hesitate to call us here at The Fly Shop® at (800) 669-3474 or send us an email at travel@theflyshop.com if you have any questions.
Contact Numbers
The Fly Shop®
4140 Churn Creek Road
Redding, CA 96002
(800) 669-3474 | (530) 222-3555 | travel@theflyshop.com
Patagonian BaseCamp/El Escondido Camp
011-56-9-79996873
dialed in Chile: 09-79996873
Marcel Sijnesael
011-56-9-56180977
dialed in Chile: 09-56180977
marcel@patagonian-basecamp.com | pbclodge@gmail.com
Land based phone number: 011-56 67 2638316
If you have any problems while in Chile, please call us at any time in the lodge at 56-9-79-996873 or 56-9-87-207694.
Patagonian BaseCamp Transfer Agent – Puerto Montt
Mr.GONZALO PINCHEIRA: transfer driver in Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas
Cell: 011 56 9 733 64469 or dialed within Chile: 73364469
011 56 9 9869 6433 or dialed within Chile: 998696433
E-mail: trans.monteverde@gmail.com | g09pincheria@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
A note on equipment: Although selling fly fishing tackle and flies is part of what The Fly Shop® does, it is not our main concern. Our main concern is that people have a great trip. Over time, however, we’ve found that properly prepared and outfitted anglers have the highest chance of having a great trip. Taking care to insure you have the correct gear in the correct line weights and that you are familiar and comfortable using it is often the key to success. Our staff has fished, guided, and lived in Patagonia extensively over the past 30-plus years and we feel there is no one better suited to outfit you for your trip than The Fly Shop®. 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 or upgraded equipment.
One thing that 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 what is at hand. Thus, you’ll want to bring a wide selection of fly tackle and enough flies to meet the various conditions you may find during your angling travels.
Fly Rods:
Multi-piece, 6 and 7 weight fly rods will cover most of the fishing situations you’ll encounter in Chile. We strongly recommend a multi-piece travel rod (3, 4 or 5 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 basically need two fly lines at Patagonian BaseCamp: a weight-forward floater like a Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX, and a 15’ sink-tip to match your rod size, like Scientific Anglers Sonar Sinking Tip lines.
Leaders & Tippet:
For a week’s fishing, you will need no less than three tapered leaders – 9 ft. 2X and 3X for your floating line, and straight 15 pound Maxima Ultragreen for the streamers). For tippet, bring fresh spools of 4X, 3X and 2X. Fluorocarbon is great tippet and leader material and we highly recommend it. Rio, Trout Hunter and Scientific Anglers make some of the best tippet and leader material available.
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 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.
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.
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!
Camera & Case:
Waterproof or splash-proof Digital cameras are handy. Canon or Nikon digital SLR cameras with a good zoom lens (28 – 80) are the best. Almost all camera battery chargers these days can accommodate a 100 – 240 volt range.
The best hard plastic cases to protect expensive camera equipment are made by Pelican Products, www.pelican.com
Headlamp:
Headlamps are great for late night gear fiddling and trips to the loo. We prefer a model 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.
Flies for Patagonian BaseCamp
Browns and rainbows in the Palena region love terrestrials. Beetles abound and patterns that imitate them should dominate your box. But opportunities for classic streamer fishing abound too. The lodge will provide all flies needed for the week – if anglers want to bring their own, here are some patterns we have had success with in previous seasons.
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 Patagonian BaseCamp. This selection comes with a great assortment of the below flies loaded into the perfect fly box.
List of essential patterns and quantities that you should have in your fly box:
- Chubby Chernobyl – #8; gold (5)
- Chubby Chernobyl – #8; peacock (5)
- Rance’s Gypsy King – #2 (4)
- Rance’s Gypsy King – #8 (4)
- Fat Albert – #6; tan and black (4 each)
- Pat’s Rubberlegs – #8; brown, olive and coffee (5 each)
- Sparkle Minnow – #4; gold (4)
- GTC Autumn Splendor – #4 (4)
- Chilean Rubber Bugger – #8 (4)
Other patterns that you may have in your trout fly boxes that have proven to be successful at Patagonian BaseCamp.
Dry Flies:
- Carl’s Cicada – #10
- Double Dutch Bug – #10
- Mercer’s Missing Link – #14 – 16
- Parachute Ant – #16 – 18
- Black Foam Beetle – #14 – 16
- Parachute Adams – #14 – 16
- Hopper Grande – #10 – 12; tan
Streamers:
- Beldar Rubberlegs – #4; olive/brown
- Home Invader – #2; black or olive
- TFS King Smolt – #2
- Dali Lama – #2 or #6; black/white or olive/white
Nymphs:
- GB Flashback PT – #14 & #16
- Prince Nymph – #14 & #16
- Copper Johns – #14 – #18; green, black, & red
- Mercer’s Micro Mayfly – #14-18
- Lightning Bug – #14 & #16; green & black
- Mercer’s Poxyback Golden Stone – #10 & #12
- P.T. Prince – #12 & #14
Recommended Clothing
The weather in Patagonia is constantly changing. One afternoon it may be 70°+ and sunny, downright 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 or heavy. 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 of midweight Simms or Patagonia (tops and bottoms).
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 or Patagonia. 1 Fleece jacket – Simms 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:
Stocking foot, breathable chest waders are the only way to go. 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. The Simms, Skwala and Patagonia makes a product that is equally durable and comfortable.
Rain Pants:
Several still-waters form part the El Escondido program. For safety and comfort reasons waders are not preferred on those lakes and wearing rain pants is strongly recommended for rainy days.
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 Socks:
Consider bringing neoprene wading socks to use in your wading boots if you like to wet wade.
Wading Boots:
If you bring your own boots, the lodge will disinfect them upon arrival. Either rubber-soled or felt bottomed are best. The Camp prefers you not wear studded boots, but if you do, you’ll be asked to take them off before walking on the wooden boardwalks and tent platforms, and when fishing in their boats.
Hats:
Bring a hat with a good brim for sun protection, and a warmer stocking hat for cold days (which can occur anytime during the season.)
Gloves:
Fingerless insulating gloves are great for boat rides and cold days. We have had the best success with synthetic or wool gloves, rather than neoprene which retain water. Simms fleece fingerless gloves are great, or TFS fingerless fleece gloves are an economic way to go. Sungloves are a great idea, to protect your hands from the intense Patagonia sun.
General Lodge Information
Lodge Shop:
In the lodge we have a small shop with a limited number of items for sale, like flies, lines, reels, rods, waders, tippet material, etc. The prices will not be the most economical in the market, but in case you forgot something we most likely will be able to help you out. Payment for such items is in cash (US$, Euros or Chilean Pesos), please.
Beverages:
During your stay with us, all drinks, snacks and meals are included in the Camp rate. If, however, you have a specific preference on beverages you are more than welcome to bring your own choice, as your preferred drink might not be available in Chile.
Laundry, Sauna, Bikes, Etc…:
You are also welcome to make free use of our twice-weekly laundry service. If you wish, our mountain bikes, horses, canoes, or rafts are available to you without extra costs. The sauna and riverside hot tub will be heated for you if you request, with at least 6 hours anticipation.
Communications:
As with most Patagonia lodges, Patagonian Basecamp has Wi-Fi available for clients who would like to bring their own Wi-Fi-enabled electronic devices. They just recently got set up with the Starlink system, so there is plenty of Wi-Fi for all guest needs. There is very limited cell service there – you would need an international plan with a US provider which accepts the Entel network – but this service is very spotty.
Electricity:
The lodge is connected to a permanent power source. The voltage is 220. For your convenience we have available the most common adaptors to enable you to connect your equipment. If you have any doubts, please contact us. If you have a CPAP sleeping machine, there is 24-hour electricity at the main lodge, but not at the outcamps. With forward notice the lodge can provide a 12-volt marine battery at the camps – you will need to come prepared with an adaptor kit that will allow your machine to be hooked up to this battery (typically the adaptor kit has alligator clips that clip onto the battery).
CPAP Machines:
CPAP nighttime breathing machines have become increasingly prevalent among our clients over the past few years. Generally speaking, our Chilean lodges have 24-hour power and electrical outlets in their guest rooms that allow for easy use of the machines at night. This is certainly the case at Patagonian Basecamp. However, at their optional out camps – Palena Camp, Temple Camp, Escondido Camp – they do not have 24-hour electricity, so guests that would like to take advantage of these camp experiences and need to use their CPAP nightly, the lodge will arrange to have a fully charged 12V battery at the camps, when the request is made in advance. Guests will need to bring with them any needed attachments to hook their machine up to this battery.
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.
Potable Water:
Being in this remote part of the world guarantees us the best possible drinking water. Our drinking water has been chemically and biologically tested and is of excellent quality.
Meals:
During your stay at Patagonian BaseCamp Lodge all meals will be provided at high standards. Should you have special wishes or preferences (e.g., allergies or vegetarian diet) please report these before arrival and we will do our utmost to accommodate them.
Gratuities:
Our staff and guides will do everything to make your stay and fishing as comfortable as possible. Your appreciation of their work and efforts will be very welcome. Like in all of North and South America, gratuities and tips are customary though not required in Chile. Tips should be an accurate expression of your feeling about service received. To guide you, Chilean standards are in line with an international standard of 10 – 15% of package cost. Gratuities should be paid in cash $USD.