Southern Chile is off the beaten path. In this magical land of mountains, rivers and forests there are many fantastic choices for the fly angler.

The Valle Bonito is a great base for fishing, hiking and cultural trips in the Futaleufu area. For the serious angler, we are close to the Futaleufu  and Espolon Rivers,  Lake Yelcho, Lake Espolon and numerous smaller lakes and ponds that have some big fish. The Espolon River runs through the property and a short walk up or downstream can offer some fun fishing within sight of the Lodge.

For the non-angler the Valle Bonito is a perfect base as horseback riding, hiking, sea kayaking, mountain biking, white-water rafting and breath taking beauty are right out the door. Accommodations are in rustic but comfortable riverside cabins with dining in the common lodge. Custom trips can include anywhere between six and thirteen days. The season is from early November through April. Packages are $2750 per angler and $2500 non-angler for seven nights/six days.

The nearby Futaleufu River has three full day sections that can be outstanding float and wade fishing  for Browns and Rainbows. Twenty inch fish are common on large dries and streamers. This river also offers spectacular scenery as it’s clear waters wind through the Andes in deeply cut, green canyons.

Some days we take the local Ferry six miles across nearby Lake Espolon and tow our rafts behind to spend the day fishing the reed beds at the head end. Aside from being a cultural experience in a very remote community, the fishing can be hot and heavy for the super bright resident Rainbows that run between twelve and twenty inches. Thirty to fifty fish sessions are not uncommon.

Two lakes within five minutes of the Valle Bonito offer a chance at some very large fish. Both Lago Seno Muerto and Lago Lancanoa hold some monsters. I have seen Browns over ten pounds hooked in Lancanoa. These fish never seem to come easily but persistence can produce some big results.

In addition to owning the Valle Bonito Lodge, Lu has a close relationship with the nearby Chucao Yelcho and the Chucao Rosselot Lodges in the heart of the best trout and salmon fishing that Chile has to offer. He has guided and fished in Patagonia since 1995 and this in particular is an area very close to his heart. A week at Chucao includes fishing and lodging at both of the Chucao lodges. Guests are transported by Van one and a half hours from one to the other. Trips normally include three nights at Rosselot and four nights on Lago Yelcho. 2011/2012 Packages are $4200  per person for seven nights/sixdays fishing including two lodges. Discounts possible for larger groups and early and late season bookings.

Every day from the Chucao one has an amazing diversity of waters to choose from including the Rosselot, Figueroa, Quinto, Palena, Yelcho and Futaleufu Rivers as well as countless lakes, lagunas and smaller creeks. More than you could fish in a lifetime!. I have been trying!

If you are looking for the biggest trout of your life, there is a good chance that you may find it on Lake Yelcho right in front of the Chucao Lodge. Last year in the lake many Rainbows were landed that weighed over fifteen pounds, including a few giants of twenty five to thirty pounds. The Yelcho River right out the door can and does produce Browns in the same size range.

While the Rosselot area is not known for monsters like Yelcho is, a good day on Lake Rosselot in front of the Chucao Lodge can yield twenty to thirty Browns between fourteen and twenty three inches on dries.  The diversity of waters accessible from the lodge is impressive with many lake, river and laguna options less than a half an hour away. The really cool thing about fishing any of these waters is that you never know when you might just hook onto the fish of a lifetime. It happens here!

I always recommend that a week in Patagonia is not enough. Most of the custom trips that I do include between eight and ten days of fishing/activities. On such trips I can and do combine different lodges in Chile and in Argentina. Combining a week at the Chucao with a few days at the Valle Bonito is a great way to make the most of your trip to Chile.

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