Chucao Lodge 

Chile

When Gonzales Cortes, author of Fly Fishing in Chilean Patagonia set his sights on building the fly fishing lodge of his dreams in Chile, it quickly became clear that one location in Patagonia would not suffice; there was simply too much good water for fly fishing. His solution was simple. He hand-built two lodges, Yelcho and Rosselot, in Patagonia, enabling his guests to split their fishing week between the two spectacular locations offering very diverse angling and scenery. Both of Chucao’s lodges are strategically located near the mouth of the Yelcho and Rosselot rivers and offer fly fishing anglers a taste of the real Chile, complete with warm native wood construction, wood fire cook stoves and hot tubs, stunning views of the surrounding landscapes, and spectacular Patagonia fishing.

Under the watchful eye of skilled Chilean guides, fly fishing anglers will float and fish the turquoise flows of several remarkable dry fly fisheries as well as enjoy the option to fish for brown trout and rainbow trout in a few small walk and wade streams and trophy stillwaters. Mid-week anglers will transfer between lodges and begin the process of discovery all over again. For those that want variety, exceptional scenery, dry fly fishing, and a chance at some very large trout, we feel that this is an authentic Chilean value that is hard to beat.

Location:
The Chucao Lodge and fishing program is located south of Chaiten in the Patagonia region of Chile and includes stays at Rosselot Lodge and Yelcho Lodge. The lodges are located roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes from one another and not far from the charming town of La Junta.

Driving distances:
Yelcho Lodge from Alto Palena Airport: 1 hour & 20 minutes
Rosselot Lodge from Alto Palena airport: 2 hours
Rosselot Lodge from Balmaceda: 5 hours

Fishing Program:
The Chucao Lodge fishing program offers anglers a diversity of rivers and lakes that are home to rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout. There are also seasonal runs of sea run browns, coho, king and Atlantic salmon that frequent these waters. The first stay at Chucao is at Yelcho Lodge on the shore of the Yelcho Lake very close to where it empties into the Yelcho River. On the fourth fishing day guests transfer to Rosselot Lodge, situated on the shore where the Rosselot Lake empties into the Rosselot River.

Lago Yelcho area holds some of the biggest brown trout and rainbow trout in Patagonia. Dry fly fishing can be exceptional along the reeds of the lake where big rainbow trout stalk the dragonflies in the early season. The Yelcho River is large and swift in many places but offers log jams, cut banks, overhanging brush, and small tributaries that offer very interesting and productive fly fishing. Sight fishing is common in many locations with 18-20 inch rainbow trout suspended in the water column. Casting big streamers to structure produces some of the larger brown trout of the river.

The Rio Figueroa, empties into Lago Rosselot and the Rio Rosselot flows from the lake, heading west, and joins the Rio Palena at the town of La Junta. Both the river and the lake fish well with dry flies for big browns and rainbows from late November to mid-March (depending upon the weather). The Figueroa River is accessed by using custom-made catarafts, some of which are also equipped with jet-pump engines that allow access to the productive spots on the river. The Rio Rosselot typically offers more numbers of trout with a slightly smaller average size than the Figueroa. Dry fly and streamer fishing are productive all the way downstream where it enters into the Rio Palena.

Much of the fishing at the Chucao lodges is done from boats however a few good wade fishing options are available on the Rio Pico (upper Figueroa) as well as on some sections of the larger rivers and their tributaries.
 

Accommodations and Meals:
Yelcho Lodge and Rosselot Lodge were built by Gonzalo Cortés, an experienced fisherman and author of the book "Fly Fishing in Chilean Patagonia." Constructed of fine native woods, the Chucao lodges have a warm and welcoming feeling. Each lodge has five rooms, each with twin beds and private bathrooms accommodating up to eight anglers.

The Chucao lodges are designed for fishermen to relax after their day on the lakes and rivers. Both lodges feature large living rooms with an open fireplaces and comfortable dining rooms connected to the kitchen, which is equipped with a wood-fed cooking stove that is typical of the Patagonia region of Chile. They have strategically located terraces with magnificent views of the surrounding lakes, rivers, glaciers, and mountains. When the weather permits, drinks and lunch are served on the terrace. Once a week the lodge chef prepares a Chilean style lamb barbeque. Be sure to bring your bathing suit to enjoy the hot tub too! Please notify the staff in the morning if you wish to enjoy the hot tub in the evening.

Non-Angling Activities (included):
From Yelcho Lodge
• Visit the El Amarillo area of the Pumalin park (www.parquepumalin.cl )
• Kayaking on Yelcho lake from the lodge
• Trek to Ventisquero Yelcho (from the Rosselot Lodge- a trekking guide is not included as it is not necessary.)
From Rosselot Lodge
• Visit the lodge’s greenhouse and huerta (vegetable garden)
• Visit the rain forest near the lodge
• Additional local adventures

"Chucao" is the name of an enchanting little rainforest bird common to the areas surrounding both of these lodges and it is endemic to the coastal southern Andes.  Its exotic call will be heard often during a day's outing and the curious birds will often approach to within just a few feet.

 
Additional Non-Angling Activities (not included):
From Yelcho Lodge
• Visit El Amarillo hot springs (Approximately US$100 per vehicle up to 4 people). These are very rustic hot springs with three hot water pools, surrounded by magnificent rain forest.
• Visit the city of Chaiten to see firsthand the devastation of the 2008 eruption of Mt. Chaiten (Approximately US$150 per vehicle up to 4 people.)
• Horseback ride through the Michimahuida River canyon (Approximately US $150 per person) A fun all day activity and great for horse lovers.
From Rosselot Lodge
• Visit Puyuhuapi hot springs (Approximately US$150 per person). Cost includes use the thermal pools and transportation.
• Ride horseback to Lago Claro Solar y Valle Quinto (Approximately US $100 per person)
• Visit to Raul Marin Balmaceda, (Approximately US$150 per vehicle up to 4 people). This is an interesting small village located at the Boca of the Palena River where it enters into the Pacific Ocean.

The Chucao lodge switch happens on the fourth fishing day. Guests will travel with their belongings and be taken to the Rosselot Lodge at the end of the day. A dry bag is provided if necessary.

Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: Depart Home
Day 2: (Friday) Arrive Puerto Montt, Chile.
Day 3: (Saturday) Fly from La Paloma airport in Puerto Montt to Alto Palena. You will be picked up at the airport by the Chucao lodge representative and driven to Chucao Lodge.
Days 4-9: Full days of guided fishing.
Day 10: (Saturday) Depart lodge and fly to Puerto Montt. Overnight in Puerto Montt.
Day 11: Fly to Santiago and depart for home.
Day 12: Arrive back in US

Complete Trip Details

My sincere and heartfelt thanks to Gonzalo, Nini, and their family and friends for their endearing friendship and warmth. What they have achieved at Chucao Lodge makes it a benchmark for any other lodge and gives guests a truly unforgettable experience. The stunning and breathtaking views combined with the variety of fishing makes the lodge so uniquely different. Clearly this is God’s Country. I am saddened to leave this place and already counting the days to my return! – M. Seward