The Fly Shop800·669·3474

Your angling package at El Saltamontes includes meet and greet at the Balmaceda Airport, round trip auto transfers to the lodge, all meals, accommodations (double occupancy), liquor (wine, beer, spirits), fishing permits/license, and daily guided fishing (two anglers per guide).

Not included in your El Saltamontes package are airline accommodations to Santiago and Balmaceda, gratuities, items of personal nature, tackle, and equipment, horseback riding guide.

The Fly Shop® is not in the insurance business, but we recommend Travel Guard coverage as a service with a desire to see your best interests protected. It is impossible to know when an unfortunate situation (loss of luggage, fly rods, illness in the family, or an accident) may occur. However, such things can and do happen, and this insurance can provide a means of recourse against non-refundable financial losses.

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around Puerto Montt - now that's dedication!

Getting there is easy with a wide choice of convenient, daily flights from Los Angeles, Atlanta, Dallas, Miami, and New York. Most flights are direct, departing the States in the afternoon or early evening and arriving early the next morning in Santiago, the Capitol of Chile. Airlines that service Chile include LAN, Delta, United and American.

Arriving in Chile is simple, hassle free and safe. The flights are almost always on time, the new ulta-modern airport is clean, and the entire experience, from clearing immigrations and customs to connecting with domestic flights, is very smooth. Airfares from the U.S. to Santiago vary widely, with tickets from New York, Miami and Los Angeles ranging from $900 to $1,200 round trip. Usually the best fares can be had by flying LAN, the national airline of Chile. LAN is one of the largest air carriers servicing South America. Their modern, new air fleet has a superb record for reliability, safety and on time departures and arrivals.

Immigration Requirements for entry into Chile:
U. S. Citizens: When traveling to Chile, a valid passport is required with an expiration date occurring at least 6 months later than the day of arrival. Chilean Tourist Card: A Chilean Tourist Card Application will be handed out by your carrier during your flight to Chile. Please fill out the application and present it and your passport to Chilean Immigrations upon arrival into Santiago. Immigrations will take one copy of the Tourist Card and leave you with another which you must keep with your passport and present to Immigrations when you leave Chile. Loss of your tourist card may result in a penalty upon departure.

Inoculations and Health Concerns:
There are no formal requirements, or recommendations, for immunizations and very little risk of infectious disease in Chile. The risk would be about equivalent to what it would be for a trip to Colorado. You should check with your personal physician if you are concerned. We recommend that anglers be up-to-date on their Tetanus, Hepatitis-A and Hepatitis-B vaccinations.

Political Situation:
Chile is a safe, pro-American country and has been a democracy since 1989. On March 11th, 2006 the new president of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, took office. Michelle Bachelet is Chile's first woman president. Chileans are overall a very friendly people and welcome foreign tourists. The hospitality of the campesinos (country people) in rural Chile (where all the fishing takes place) is renowned.

and cabins but adapters must be used for North American 120 volt appliances and chargers. The water supply is sourced from a pure mountain spring, gravity supplied to the lodge.

The main Lodge, accessed over a sweeping, curved timber deck, is an impressive building with high ceilings and two immense fire places. The communal living room is furnished with magnificent antiques, cozy leather sofas and rich rugs. The adjoining bar, with a cheery wood stove, offers another option for socializing. It is always open but the focus is more often on fly-tying and card games, rather than the comprehensive array of beverages.

The dining room seats a maximum of 15 people intimately around a heavy, antique table, and a warm fireplace. Set with gleaming candelabra, silverware and crystal, it is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. Huge picture windows provide a back drop of dramatic Andean peaks. The kitchen beyond, is always a hive of activity into which guests are welcome. Through the door, waft inviting aromas and friendly laughter and banter from the domestic staff. Although the chef has an array of modern appliances, the big wood stove takes pride of place. If the kitchen is the heart of the lodge, the old wood stove is its soul. A stones throw away, is a 100% organic vegetable garden, providing the kitchen with fresh greens, salads and vegetables throughout the season.

Hidden discretely to one side of this building, is one spacious guest apartment with a super king-size bed, a single bed, wood stove, living room, en-suite bathroom and river views. Returning guests and couples often request this room for its comfort and proximity. The four guest cabins are all within a short walk from the main lodge and have river views. Built also of river stone, they are solid, roomy and comfortable. Each of the cabins has two bedrooms, accessed from opposite sides of a cozy living room, warmed by a wood stove. All six bedrooms have recently re modeled, en-suite bathrooms. Some have twin single beds, some twin doubles and others a mixture of the two. All rooms are designed to accommodate two guests comfortably but in some instances, single occupancy is an option.

Nestled amongst the cabins and woods is a spa. An open air, wood-fired, hot tub, steams invitingly in the evenings as anglers return after a hard day on the river. Cocktails and nibbles appear spa side to those guests who chose to soak away the day’s exertions. A hot sauna and a massage room complete the little Spa installation.

Just beyond the main Lodge is the "Quincho", a three sided building with a huge fire place. A traditional structure on all ranches, the Quincho allows outdoor dining in sheltered comfort. Every week guests enjoy a typical Patagonian style barbeque or "Asado", with a whole lamb and choice, roasted beef. Neighbors arrive on horseback to enliven the atmosphere with local music and it is always a memorable night.

The Ranch:
El Saltamontes Lodge is situated within the Gorroño family ranch "Estancia Adelaida". The River Ñirehuao meanders through this 5,000 acre property, nestled in an Andean valley, surrounded by dramatic mountains.

Initially, the ranch was dedicated to the production of BEEF CATTLE. Jose Gorroño was an innovative grazier and the first in the region to successfully undertake embryo transplants. By introducing fine pedigree Hereford embryos into rustic, local cows, he was able to effectively fast track the improvement of the quality of his herd.

During travels to Australia, Jose was amazed at the popularity and value of the South American ALPACAS, both "down under" and in the USA. These docile and intelligent "Camelids", produce a luxuriously soft, warm fibre, which is highly valued. The animals themselves have a special charm and there is a high demand for breeding stock.

This prompted the couple to embark on a new venture. They spent weeks on end, scouring the "Altiplano", in the extreme north of Chile, bordering with Peru and Bolivia, at over 4,500 metres altitude (13,500 feet), purchasing export quality alpacas from the Aymara Indians.

These were vetted and trucked south the entire length of the country, to form the base of what is now the largest, single herd in Chile. After building their own quarantine station, the Gorroño's chartered a DC8 and exported 300 live alpacas to New York. There, they were exhibited, bred and sold all over the country, over a period of four years.

Back at El Saltamontes, guests are charmed by the numerous alpacas and their babies that graze freely around the cabins. Along the River Ñirehuao, large herds of these gentle creatures, curiously watch the antics of the fishermen and women.

Local Chilean ladies hand-spin and weave the natural colors of the alpaca fiber into beautiful shawls, scarves, throws and clothing, which are available to the anglers at the lodge. HORSES are the other passion of the Gorroño family and some sixty head roam the Estancia Adelaida. Having ridden horses to school in their earliest years, the children are all accomplished equestrians. Son Lucas has represented Chile in international junior show-jumping championships and placed second in Australian nationals, in 3 day Eventing.

The Chilean horse is a stocky, chesty, hardy, pony with a willing and dependable nature. These form the basis of the working herd. The family's interest in equestrian sports has prompted the introduction of other breeds such as Arab, Holstein and Thoroughbred. Some are pure-bred, others have mixed blood lines. One of the favorite crosses produced on the ranch, is the result of a Chilean/Arab hybrid. These horses are wonderful to ride and ideal for exploring the rough terrain of the Andes.

Many anglers and their companions choose to trail ride whilst fishing at El Saltamontes. Mounts are selected and rides are tailored to suit each individual, from the total novice to the experienced thrill seeker.

Anglers staying at El Saltamontes enjoy the authentic atmosphere of being immersed in a working ranch. Cowboys in goat-skin leggings, ponchos and berets ride by with lean, scruffy dogs at foot. There is always something going on in the corrals or the barn, from branding to shearing and guests are most welcome to observe or even "have a go" at some of these activities.

Equestrian Program:
El Saltamontes is nestled in a valley in the Andes mountains. As well as being the home of our flyfishing Lodge, It is a fully working cattle, horse and alpaca ranch. Our guests are always welcome to join in the farm's activities and many have ended up learning how to shear alpacas, work cattle and work horses using rational horsemanship techniques.

We have a herd of around 60 horses; Chileans, Arabians, Holsteins, Thoroughbred's and mixes of these breeds. Our main riding herd of 12 horses is made up of sturdy Arab-Chilean crosses and local mountain ponies. These horses are bred in the wild and are well suited to rigorous mountain riding.

Our family has been very involved in show jumping and eventing in Chile and Australia at both national and international levels. However, here we offer "adventure riding." Our guests enjoy riding through landscapes rarely (if ever) visited by other humans. We can take leisurely scenic rides through valleys or, if you are up for a challenge, tackle the steep Andes mountains and be rewarded with wild riding and breathtaking scenery.

El Saltamontes can tailor riding activities to suit every level of riding competence, from the novice to the experienced rider. Depending on current weather conditions (it is Patagonia after all!) and how long riders are willing to spend in the saddle, these can include:

• Day rides in to the surrounding valleys and mountains, joining the fishermen for lunch on the river and riding back to the lodge in the evening for well deserved 'pisco sour' cocktails, a wood fired hot tub, sauna and sumptuous Chilean cuisine.

• Cultural rides to visit locals, experience their lifestyle, drink mate and see alpaca and sheep's wool garments being made by hand. Fishermen can join in on horse back or meet us there by 4WD.

• Full day treks to surrounding properties where we will find camp set up and waiting for us, enjoy a hot meal cooked by our chefs, red wine and stories by the fire.

• Expeditions where we can leave horses at the end of our day's destination over night, return to our friends and comforts of the Lodge by 4WD and pick up where we left the next morning to continue on.

You are most welcome to watch, learn and help in the rational breaking in process of our horses. If there is anything in particular you would like to do please do not hesitate running it by us. Our aim is to provide the equipment, logistics and venue for you to maximize your horsey experience in the Patagonia.

High praise, indeed, from someone who has experienced the finest fly fishing on the planet!

The Chilean government has designated the Ñireguao as the first study-catch-and-release river in the country. It has been estimated that approximately 9,000 brown trout swim in each mile of the river, a mid-sized stream that is easily waded and very user-friendly. Expert casters often hook large numbers of trout each day, and when the "hopper grab" is on, even novice flyfishers can expect lots of strikes, with a monster fish an everyday possibility. The lodge record, set during the 2003 season is in excess of 14 pounds!

Anglers who have visited El Saltamontes in the past will attest to this remarkable fishing, but recently the program has improved even further. Spearheaded by innovative professional guides like Argentinean Leandro Troncoso and his intrepid crew of local and imported guides, the angling opportunities at El Saltamontes have blossomed.

In addition to the home water, fly fishers now have the opportunity to ply pristine off-property waters, fisheries that, for the most part, get absolutely no outside pressure. Our own Pat Pendergast describes a day exploring an unnamed grassy, spring-fed lake that was full of heavy-shouldered 18-20 inch browns. Wading the edges, he'd plop a #6 Chernobyl Ant into openings in the weeds, and watch as huge mouths engulfed his offerings.

Clients have reported fishing remote spring creeks full of feisty 12-16-inchers, rising eagerly to large dries.

For the angler wanting a challenge, the lodge has found locations that seasonally offer demanding, small dry fly opportunities for heavy-shouldered browns, as well. The lodge even has rafts and pontoon boats for day trips to local lakes and rivers. Finally, Jose Gorroño has reclaimed nearly two miles of a picture perfect little stream flowing through the ranch. Fishing the miniature, pristine pools and riffles throughout this past season produced encouraging numbers of 10-18 inch browns.

Fishing conditions range from easy to moderately demanding at El Saltamontes - though there truly are few scenarios that accomplished anglers would describe as remotely difficult. The vast majority of the fishing is done with a floating line, with rods in the 4-wt to 6-wt range. Occasionally, a heavy rain spate may briefly cloud the water, making streamers as effective as dries, but most of the fishing here is done with surface flies, particularly large terrestrials. As in most of Patagonia, breezes range from light to strong - fortunately, the lodge has such a diverse fishing program, there is always someplace to go to avoid the heaviest winds.

The Ñireguao River (Home Water):
Much of this river flows through high desert grasslands, reminiscent of Wyoming's portion of Yellowstone National Park. In addition to the many miles of 4-wheel drive accessible river that flows through the ranch, El Saltamontes also has the fishing rights to nearly all of the best off-property water, including some beautiful canyon stretches accessible only via raft. The Ñireguao is a wonderfully fisherman-friendly stream, with open banks for easy backcasting, and washed-gravel bottoms that make wading a pleasure. The fishing, season-long, is heavily oriented around large terrestrials, with hoppers and jumbo-sized beetles standard fare. Average fish will run 12-18 inches, with specimens over 20 inches available. As a bonus, the lodge is located right on the river - very convenient for those hard cores that want to put in an extra hour or two before sundown!

Creek Fishing (Outside the Ranch):
In addition to the main river, El Saltamontes has a number of outstanding small streams for the adventurous flyfisher - many of which offer nearly virgin fishing. One little waterway flows into a small lake - when the stillwater warms up, the big browns move into the moving water to cool off a little. The water is very clear, so the fish are edgy, but are suckers for a well-placed beetle. This is visual fishing at its best. Another little freestoner has miles of miniature riffles, runs and crystalline pools, full of aggressive 10-18 inch trout that absolutely annihilate hoppers.

Yet another stream pours out of a lake and winds through a spectacular Andean setting. The fishing in this creek's fast-moving flows is wonderful, though the scenery is so incredible; it is very hard to keep your eye on the fly!

Finally, there is the upper Ñireguao itself - this smallish spring creek flows through the Chilean "Valley of the Moon" for miles, with each miniature meadow bank and riffle home to gorgeously-marked browns averaging 12 inches, with an occasional "surprise" fish in excess of 20 inches. While hoppers work as well here as downriver, there are more aquatic insects present, meaning more diverse hatches - mayfly emergencers and spinner falls are common. Serious birdwatchers will love this area, as condors and other indigenous bird species are often observed here.

Lagunas:
A large number of what can best be described as ponds, ranging in size from pools the dimension of a small automobile, up to small lakes of 1-2 acres. Some of these are actually ancient river oxbows, while others are spring fed. They are fascinating fisheries, and consistently hold browns of larger proportions than the average of the main river, often in the 18-20-inch range, with fish over thirty inches occasionally hooked. They seem to pop up at random over the landscape of the ranch - the knowledge of the guides is invaluable in locating them.

Lakes (Local Stillwaters):
These stillwater additions to the program have been met with great enthusiasm from recent clients. One of the most unusual lakes is largely surrounded by what can best be described as "floating tundra", essentially undercut banks of gargantuan proportions. Getting close enough to the water to fish involves hiking across areas of spongy terrain - safe, but quite bizarre! There are many other small lagunas in the immediate area, most of which are connected subterraneanly to the main lake, and are also loaded with fish. Another favorite, Lago El Saltamontes, is best described by guide Leandro Troncoso:

"Lago Saltamontes is quite simply awesome. Any angler harboring a prejudice against stillwater fishing will change their point of view after this experience! Using the lodge's pontoon boats we can cover most of the lake's shoreline over the course of the day. From cliffs, logjams and weedbeds, this lake offers a lot of great structure. Large browns are often found hugging the shorelines in unbelievably shallow water. The fish enjoy dragonflies, damselflies, grasshoppers, beetles, caddis, mayflies and midges on their daily menu - basically, anything will work, as long as it is big and ugly! The lake area is incredibly scenic and guests seem to very much enjoy the 45-minute ride through the native forest to get there."

There is even a beautiful, glass-walled little lakeside cabana on Lago El Saltamontes for fishing couples, or pairs of anglers that would like to wake up lakeside.