Patagonia Fly Fishing

A Week on the River in Chile

A week of river fly fishing in a Patagonian valley — a mix of guided days and time on your own terms.

Imagine yourself surrounded by picturesque mountain landscapes and a river flowing with crystal-clear water full of trout. You might find yourself armed with a Parachute Adams, sneaking up to a trout you spotted, or casting a big streamer to trophy-size fish hiding under a log or the undercut of the riverbank — and you might just catch yourself thinking ‘this is the life’.

Starting from €1,800 / Week

Location

Coyhaique, Aysén, Chile

Accommodations

Private cabins with direct access to Rio Paloma

Species

Brown trout, Rainbow trout

Season

October – April

With a mix of guided days and time to explore on your own terms we set you up for success. Get right on the good water equipped with local knowledge without having to worry about accommodation or permits.

The riverside cabins are perfect for a group of friends or a couple, and if you want to go solo we can also offer a smaller more barebones cabin suitable for the budget-oriented solo traveller.

Patagonia Fly Fishing
Itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival to Balmaceda Airport
Transfer from Balmaceda Airport to your riverside cabin. Stop in Coyhaique for groceries on the way. Settle in and get your first look at the river.

Day 2 — Guided wade fishing — Río Paloma
Your guide shows you the river, the best runs, and what flies are working. A full day on the water with local knowledge.

Day 3 — Independent fishing 
The river is yours. Use what you learned yesterday and explore at your own pace.

Day 4 — Guided float trip
A day on a lake or river by boat with a guide. Lunch included. Cover more water and target different fish.

Days 5–7 — Independent fishing
Three full days to fish on your own terms. Try new stretches of river, revisit your favourite spots, or just take it slow. Second grocery run available.

Day 8 — Departure
Transfer to Balmaceda Airport.

  • Fly fisher on a emerald green river in Patagonia
  • River with green water in Chilean Patagonia
  • Patagonia fly fishing and mountain landscape
  • Kalakamu founder Tommi Fly fishing a mountain lake in Patagonia
  • Kalakamu founder Tommi holding a wild brown trout caught on the fly
  • A lake landscape form patagonian valley with mountains
  • Orvis fly rod with mountain landscape in Patagonia
  • Patagonia fly fishing and crystal clear river
  • River valley with mountains in Patagonia
  • Kalakamu founder Tommi casting on crystal clear river in Chilean Patagonia
  • Fly fisher on a river with green forest
  • Fly fisher casting dry fly to brown trout
  • Coyhaique Patagonia cabin by the river with fly fishing
  • River valley in Patagonia
  • Mayfly closeup in Chilean Patagonia

What’s included

  • Accommodation — 7 nights in a private cabin by the river
  • Airport transfers from Balmaceda Airport, with the option to stop in Coyhaique for supplies
  • Guided wade fishing day on the river with a local guide
  • Guided float trip with a local guide, lunch included
  • Local fishing tips and on-the-ground knowledge
  • Fishing permit
  • Grocery shopping service — focus on the fishing while your host picks up your chosen groceries from Coyhaique.

What’s not included

  • Flights – Fly to Balmaceda airport and we will pick you up from there
  • Travel insurance — your own travel insurance is required
  • Meals — the guided float trip includes lunch, otherwise meals are not included
  • Fly fishing gear — bring your own; rental gear can be arranged if needed

Frequently asked questions

The fishing season in Aysén region runs from October to April, but the best time depends on how you like to fish.

For dry-fly fishing, the main window is roughly mid-December to mid-March, peaking in January and February.
Those months bring the most caddis and mayfly hatches.
Terrestrials like the cantaria beetle and grasshoppers peak around February and March, but fish will often take a big dry even outside that window.

Streamers and nymphs are productive the whole season.

The cabins sit right on the Río Paloma, about an hour from both Coyhaique and Balmaceda Airport — so you’re settled by your home water soon after you land. Kilometres of fishable river run right outside the cabin.

Beyond the Paloma, on guided days we offer the Mogotes River, Boca Leones, Lago Caro, Lago Desierto, and Lago Elizalde, for example. The package can be customised with more guided days.

Closest airport is Balmaceda Airport (BBA).
There are no direct international flights to Balmaceda so the typical connection is Santiago de Chile (SCL).

A 200€ per-person deposit secures your booking, and the balance is due 60 days before departure.

The cabins are right on the river, so there are kilometres of fishable water on your doorstep — no driving required. You can walk straight out and fish at your own pace.
Car rental is available if you’d like the freedom to explore further.

Patagonia is famous for sea-run brown trout, but the legendary fishery for them is Tierra del Fuego, far to the south.

The waters we fish in the Aysén region are a resident wild trout fishery: strong, naturally reproducing brown and rainbow trout in clear rivers, spring creeks, and lakes. Some coastal systems hold the occasional sea-run brown, but our focus is the world-class dry-fly fishing the Aysén region offers.

If sea-run browns are your main goal, we’re happy to point you toward the Tierra del Fuego operations that specialise in them.

Absolutely. The cabins suit a couple well, and we can arrange activities like horseback riding for anyone who’d rather not fish.

We understand that plans can change. Our cancellation terms are outlined on our terms page and depend on how far in advance you cancel. Generally, earlier cancellations are eligible for a larger refund. Please review the specific terms at the time of booking, and feel free to contact us if you have questions.

Our focus is trout fishing but send us a message and we can arrange salmon fishing days too.

If you’re bringing just one rod, make it a 6-weight. Patagonia can be windy, and a 6wt has the power to punch through it. You’ll mostly be wade fishing, so wading gear is a must. Patagonia has strong UV, so sunscreen, a good hat, and protective clothing are highly recommended. Coyhaique has a couple of fly shops with a decent selection if you forget something. A more detailed packing list will be provided after booking.

EU citizens do not need a visa to enter Chile for stays under 90 days. Travellers from other countries should check Chile’s entry requirements.

A valid passport is required and make sure your passport is valid for 6 months after departure. Local fishing licenses are arranged as part of the trip — we take care of that so you can focus on fishing.

You need your own travel insurance.

Yes. If you’d like custom dates, extra guided days, or anything else, just send us a message and we’ll see what we can do.

Questions about the trip? Get in touch — we’re happy to help you plan
Contact us

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