Estancia de Los Rios
Adrian Dufflocq is the grandson of a Frenchman who brought the Cabernet
grape vine to Chile in the late 1800's. The enchanting stories of
Chilean angling by noted author and angler Ernest Schwiebert are
replete with tales of this remarkable man's angling prowess. He certainly
is Chile's most known and respected fly fisher. Adrian's two sons, Cristian and Marcelo are outstanding guides. Raised at their father's superb fishing lodge, they have been fishing
with and guiding for some of the world's most notable anglers all
their lives.
Cristian
and Marcelo together with their partner, Claudio Pumarino, opened
the lodge on the Estancia Rio Cisnes near Coyhaique in January
1996. With over 360,000 acres of solitude for just 12 guests, the
Estancia offers over 60 miles of prime dry-fly water (40 miles of
the Cisnes River) for the exclusive angling of its guests. It is
located north of the town of Coyhaique and adjacent to the border
with Argentina. It is on the east (dry) side of the Andes and offers
some of the finest dry fly fishing we have ever encountered. With
all this space you can enjoy solitude and never see another soul
on the river.
The
Estancia's Fishing
On the estancia, the rivers are meandering meadow streams rarely
more than 2-3 casts across. Wading is easy. Anglers can cross almost
at will. Offering a variety of waters from expert-challenging to
novice-friendly, there is abundant water for every skill level.
The streams are loaded with Brown Trout. Often guests are wading in shin deep water casting to pods of rising trout. Hatches are excellent. This is classic dry-fly water. Leave the sink-tip home (unless you want to go for the 10 pounders in a few of the deep pools). Noted angling author Dave Hughes describes the Cisnes as "the perfect trout stream."
In addition to the Rio Cisnes, the Estancia has numerous spring creeks and streams (some to yet see a fly). Their program also offers optional horse trips to remote ranch streams overnighting at various cabins and campsites on the estancia.
Guests
love it
Dinner, fine Chilean wines and fish stories. Fine foods including
fresh seafood and an Asado (Patagonian barbecue) are just a couple
of the treats that might make your waders fit a little snugger.
Guests return from the Estancia with universal acclaim. To quote one guest, "Best fishing trip I have ever taken.....and I've taken many!". Another said, "If you can afford to take only one exotic trip in your life, this is the one."
"For any but the most jaded flyfisherman, this trip would
be ranked as excellent by any standards." M.S. Georgia.
"The Rio Cisnes is the dryfly fisherman's vision of heaven." A.K.,
Oregon.
This is an ideal choice for avid fly fishers seeking abundant fish, good hatches, stunning scenery, delicious food, superb Chilean wines, unmatched solitude, and gracious hospitality, Chilean-style.
Below is a video sampler of Estancia de Los Rios. Please be patient while it loads. Requires Flash Player v8.0 or later.
| Season: | December to May; closed Christmas week. |
| Capacity: | 12 guests. |
| Getting there: | Friday: Arrive to Santiago, connect
to the first available flight to Puerto Montt. On arrival,
you will be met outside the baggage claim area by a Rios
Azules representative who will assist you with your luggage
and show you to your private transport to your hotel in
the lakeside village of Puerto Varas, only 30 min away,
where you will overnight.
Saturday: Depart your hotel around 10:30 am, After a 30 minute drive to La Paloma airport in Puerto Montt, you will take a twin engine charter plane for an 80 minute scenic flight you will arrive to the lodge’s airstrip. Then a short 30 minute drive to the lodge arriving around 13:20 on time for a good 4 hour afternoon fishing session. On departure: Air charter from lodge to Puerto Montt and land transportation to from La Paloma airtrip to the main Puerto Montt airport for your flight to Santiago. |
| Length of stay: | 5, 6, or 7 night stays. |
| Other things to do: | Horseback riding, trekking, photography, bird watching. |
| 2010-2011 Season Rates (per person) | Double Occupancy | Single Occupancy |
| 5 nights / 6 days fishing | $3,650 | $4,150 |
| 6 nights / 7 days fishing | $4,250 | $4,850 |
| 7 nights / 8 days fishing * | $4,600 | $5,300 |
| Additional nights | $600 | $700 |
| * The suggested itinerary, Saturday to Saturday. | ||
Transfer Details
Getting there: (typical Saturday to Saturday itinerary)
Friday: Arrive in Santiago, connect to the first available flight to Puerto Montt. After a 90 minute direct flight, you will be met outside the baggage claim area by a Rios Azules representative who will assist you with your luggage and show you to your private transport to your hotel in the lakeside village of Puerto Varas (only 30 min away) where you will overnight.
Saturday: Depart your hotel around 10:30 am, After 30 minutes drive to La Paloma airport in Puerto Montt, the charter pilot will show you to your twin-engine plane for a 1:20 minute scenic flight to the lodge’s airstrip. Then a short 30-minute drive to the lodge arriving around 13:20 in time for a good 4 hour afternoon fishing session.
Land Transfer: On Friday you will fly from Santiago, fly to Balmaceda. You will be met outside the baggage claim area by a Rios Azules representative and driven to Loberias del Sur hotel in Puerto Aisen. Then on the Saturday morning, take a scenic 4 hour drive through beautiful Andean valleys to the lodge.
Transfers Costs (per person):
Land roundtrip: $300 (1)
Services P. Chacabuco: $50 (2)
Air charter roundtrip: $550 (3)
Services P. Varas: $150 (4)
(1) Balmaceda- Lodge -Balmaceda, Min. group size 2
(2) Double occupancy room incl. breakfast in Puerto Chacabuco.
(2) La Paloma - Lodge- La Paloma, 4 guests sharing twin-engine plane.
(3) Junior suite double occupancy room incl. breakfast. Private transfers from Puerto Montt airport to Hotel in Puerto Varas to La Paloma airport on arrival. Transfer from La Paloma to El Tepual airport on departure.