Martin Pescador Lodge 

Chile

With two tasteful lodges providing access to twelve different rivers and eight different lakes, Martín Pescador lodges offer flyfishers the unique opportunity to experience two of Chilean Patagonia’s most dramatic fly fishing regions. Frans Jensen and his highly skilled crew of western guides have developed the most varied and strategic fly fishing program in the Patagonia region. Utilizing jet boats, catarafts, jet cats, rafts and row boats, anglers will never see the same piece of water unless requested. Sight fishing to massive, surface feeding rainbow trout, streamer fishing for big brown trout or wade fishing small systems are all close at hand.

Week long visitors to Martin Pescador enjoy stays split between the stunning lakefront vistas of both Puerto Cardenas Lodge and La Junta Lodge, while those staying longer can visit the entirely different region of Patagonia surrounding Lago Verde Lodge. The three fly fishing lodges are strategically located to minimize drive times and in many cases a short walk from the breakfast table to the lodge’s dock signals the start of your fishing day. After a day of Patagonian fly fishing anglers enjoy very tasteful accommodations and fabulous gourmet meals prepared by acclaimed chef Anna Jensen. With a stunning variety of landscapes, glaciers, waterfalls, birdlife and temperate forests, Martin Pescador is a wonderful place to catch the trout of a lifetime or simply sit back and enjoy some of the best accommodations, food and service that Patagonia has to offer. With an extremely high rate of return, early reservations are required.

Location:
The Martín Pescador lodges are located in Patagonia south of Puerto Montt and two hours south of Alto Palena airport and consist of the following lodges: Puerto Cardenas Lodge located on the Rio Yelcho, La Junta Lodge located on the Rio Rosselot and Lago Verde Lodge located near the border of Argentina.

Fishing Program:
The Martin Pescador program in the Patagonia region of Chile is known for its dramatic mountain scenery, gorgeous turquoise rivers and variety of trophy trout fly fishing. Expert fly fisherman Frans Jansen has used his thirteen+ years of experience in Chilean Patagonia to establish a one of a kind fly fishing program. Professional, English speaking guides using first class equipment will guide you through a broad array of diverse fly fishing experiences. Martín Pescador utilizes jet boats, lake boats, rowboats, and rafts to ensure access to even the most remote rivers, lakes, and lagunas.

Careful placement of Martín Pescador’s Puerto Cárdenas and La Junta Lodges allows flexible and convenient access to the Yelcho, Futaleufú, Palena, Rosselot, Figueroa, Pico, and other smaller rivers. There you will catch rainbow trout, brown trout, sea-run brown trout, and occasionally silver or Atlantic salmon, or brook trout. On the rivers you will be changing rods often (wading or drifting), casting big streamers to the banks, and sight fishing for rainbow trout with small dry flies. Fishing on Lago Yelcho includes casting large dragon fly imitations to the reeds producing incredible takes amid spectacular scenery. Lago Verde Lodge is an optional add-on to your program (arranged prior to your trip). Dry fly fishing is the preferred way to fish in this region. The town of Lago Verde takes its name from the large lake where the lodge sits and is located in Chile near the Argentine border. Lago Verde shares the same topography and weather as neighboring Argentina–rolling pampas and sunny weather, producing a habitat just right for the grasshoppers on the river banks.

Anglers leave the lodges each morning at 9AM and return back around 6PM. Mid day siestas can also be arranged on most fishing days. Your choice of water each day will determine taking a jet boat, motor boat, cataraft, raft, catajet or wooden row boat. Most of the rivers (Rio Figueroa and Rosselot) are large and have trout averaging in the 15-18 inch range. Much of the fly fishing is with dry flies and a good day may yield 20-30 trout dependent upon the weather conditions and the angler’s skill level.

The wade fishing is mostly on the coastal rivers and typically fished with streamers and swinging flies; however, the La Junta area offers some wade fishing on the smaller rivers (Pico, Figueroa and others) as well as a spring creek in the Lago Verde area fishing with terrestrials and attractor patterns. Sea run brown trout may be found in the Rio Yelcho and occasionally on the Palena and Rosselot rivers; however most are found on the coastal rivers during late February and March.

If you are after a trophy, rest assured, big fish are available in good numbers throughout the season. If the idea of catching big rainbow trout during a dragonfly hatch appeals to you, consider a trip in December. Throwing a streamer to the river banks can produce large resident brown trout in January and February with some monster sea run browns showing up late in the season.

Non-Angling Activities:
Non-anglers may enjoy horseback riding, thermal hot springs baths, glacier walks, or tours of nearby villages. Most of the fishing trips are mini adventures in themselves, each day offering a ride on a horse, an ocean boat, an ox cart, a jet boat, a row boat, a raft, etc.

Accommodations and Meals:
The Martín Pescador program includes visits at two or three lodges during your stay. The Puerto Cardenas, La Junta Lodge and Lago Verde Lodge can all be a part of the Martín Pescador fishing package.

The Puerto Cárdenas Lodge is set up with five private cabins located right on the banks of Rio Yelcho. The exquisitely designed lodge features stunning glacial views, cozy guest rooms and is outfitted with modern amenities. Despite the comforts and conveniences, the distinctive Chilean country feel is still apparent. Each guest cabin features a private bath, wood burning stove and a deck with river views. The rooms are situated within a short walk to the main lodge, where guests gather for cocktails, conversation and meals. All of the buildings are built by local craftsman using local woods and building techniques that accentuate the natural feel of the surrounding environment. Be sure to bring your bathing suit to enjoy the hot tub too! The lodge accommodates a maximum of only eight anglers. You typically spend three nights at the Puerto Cárdenas Lodge.

The lodge switch happens on the fourth day, when your luggage is transferred to Martín Pescador’s La Junta Lodge. This transfer is seamless and happens while you are out fishing. If you don’t like packing, the attentive staff will make sure your belongings arrive at their appropriate destination in the exact manner that you left them that morning. At the end of the fishing day you will mysteriously find yourself at your new home for the next four nights.

The La Junta Lodge is a newly built, all wood structure, with a spacious, modern design and has a hot tub for guests to enjoy. This lodge has a distinctly different feel from the lodge at Puerto Cárdenas. The La Junta Lodge is right on the banks of the Rio Rosselot and all windows face the river providing a perfect setting for relaxation after a long day on the water. In the distance you have a view of Volcano Melimoyo and the area’s pastoral countryside.

Lago Verde Lodge can be added for a three day extension onto your weekly stay and is located near the border of Argentina in the XI region. This new lodge, built on a rock bluff, has panoramic views of the lake and nearly one mile of private beachfront. Guests will dine and relax in the main lodge; a handsome tastefully furnished all wood structure with 180 degrees of stunning mountain views. Guests at Lago Verde Lodge will overnight in cozy, carpeted canvas wall tents with wood burning stoves. A generator powers the tents and each has a separate bathhouse including shower, toilet, and vanity. Anglers depart by boat from the lodge and float or walk wade some of the most scenic rivers to be found anywhere including Lago Verde, Rio Claro, Rico Pico and Rio Precioso to name a few.

Overseeing your needs at the three lodges is Anna Jansen (a professional chef trained at the Culinary Institute of America) who accompanies the guests from lodge to lodge. Meals are prepared by Anna and her staff utilizing locally grown produce in traditional Chilean dishes. During your fishing day, lunch will be cooked riverside or you can opt to come back to the lodge for lunch and a short siesta. Dinner and cocktails on the deck, a hot shower and a comfortable bed await your return each evening. The rooms in each lodge are supplied with bathrobes and hairdryers.

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 a Martin Pescador Lodge representative and driven to the Puerto Cardenas Lodge.
Day 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.
 

"Over the past four decades I have spent time at close to 100 fly fishing camps throughout the US, including Alaska, across Canada and in Central and South America. They ranged from rustic to basic to very elegant. I caught lots of fish. Once I found the Martín Pescador operation in Patagonia Chile I knew I had something very special. The fishing for large rainbow and brown trout, often on dry flies is, in my opinion, unmatched. The lodges are world class, the food is great and the hospitality provided by Frans and Anna Jansen and their guides and staff always makes you feel like someone welcome and very special. What started for me as a one week trip eight years ago is now three weeks in order to spend time at each of the lodges and be able to fish the many rivers, lakes, ponds and streams.”- G. Westerhoff

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