On day three, we’ll drive an hour downstream to continue our journey on the river, now called the Rio Grande. From our base at classy El Encuentro Lodge, we have perfect access to the two contiguous full day sections that we will be floating. In front of the riverside Lodge is an incredible whirlpool of half an acre or so and in the evenings, pods of up to 300 fish come up and slurp small midges offering spectacular dry fly fishing. The rainbows in this part of the river average around 17 inches but many are in the 18-22 inch range and ALL can find your backing in a hurry. These are the strongest strain of rainbows I have ever seen.

On day five we’ll leave El Encuentro in the morning and drive along the river about ten miles to the Chilean Border. After crossing the Border we immediately put the boats in and float a long flat water stretch of the same river, now called the Futaleufu. This is a great piece of water and when the caddis are hatching you will see more fish rising than you can believe. The river here begins to change character a bit and there are more riffles and faster runs than above on the Argentine side. The “aquarium” is a deep slow pool along a steep cliff wall where we can sight fish cruising rainbows beneath a huge waterfall shooting into the river from above. Always on the Futa, the fish come alive for the last hour before dark, rising to the surface and sipping madly, so we’ll be sure to catch the evening rise before driving twenty minutes to the Valle Bonito Lodge on the banks of the Espolon River, where cozy cabins and hearty dining await. Your cabins are right on the water and you will be sure to sleep peacefully with nothing but the gentle sounds of the river to break the deep silence.

The following morning, we’ll drive a short distance from the Valle Bonito and float a canyon stretch of the River with excellent dry fly opportunities. This part of the river was pioneered by the late Jim Repine and when it’s on, the fishing can be off the charts with small dries for big rainbows. Below the canyon, the river turns to class five white water and we’ll leave that for the kayakers. After our second night at the Valle Bonito, we’ll drive a scenic hour downstream and put in the rafts at the base of the rapids. Here we’ll spend all day floating the lower river amidst towering mountains, huge glaciers and deep green forests. The Futaleufu enters Lake Yelcho at the end of this section and we’ll float to the confluence with the lake, casting to rising fish in the huge foam line that marks the end of the current.

After fishing, we’ll drive around the lake for an hour and a half to the wonderful Chucao Lodge located on the northern end of the lake. Here we’ll spend three nights and enjoy close access to the outstanding fishing in the reed beds of the Lake and the outlet, known now as the Yelcho River. On some trips we can float through to the Pacific Ocean, spending two long days on the river, but generally it is recommended to float the upper section of the Yelcho and return to the Lodge, as the water loses it’s clarity for the last twenty miles to the Pacific.

The last day, we’ll eat a hearty breakfast and drive four-five hours, arriving back in Esquel, Argentina in time for the p.m. flight and your departure. This unique trip is not only an adventure into two different countries and cultures, it follows one of the best and most famous fisheries in South America while allowing you to stay in comfortable accommodations each night.

Rate:
u$s 5,600.- per angler, based on a double room.

Included: Rate include transfer from and to Esquel airport, local transfers, daily guided fishing by raft, motor boat or foot, park entry, accommodation, breakfast, lunch in the forest, gourmet dining in he lodges, maid service, use of lodge facilities and access fees to private waters.

Not Included: Airport taxes, fishing license, fishing tackle, flies, whisky and/or other strong drinks, tips, cigars and phone calls.

<< BACK