STUFF & PRO TIPS
Here are some tips about your trip, the fishing equipment that will make your stay easier.
Trip Tip
Most airlines accept a fishing rod tube in the cabin, given the possible roughness of handling luggage in the hold we advise you to take your rods in the cabin. In addition, we encourage you to carry a minimum of fishing equipment in the cabin so that you can still fish when you arrive in case of delayed luggage.
Rods
If a large part of the dry and tandem fishing will be done on a 6wt rod we advise you to also take a 7wt with a plunging line of S5 at least for streamer fishing. For European nymph lovers, consider taking a 3/4wt because the fish here are powerful!
Waders & Clothings
The lodge is equipped with waders and Patagonia shoes but we advise you to take your own. Regarding shoes, prefer shoes without studs in order to respect our rafts.
If February is warm, December and March are colder and wetter, the Patagonian weather can be very changeable and it is better to bring good underwear and a real rain jacket!
The Trip
Note that it is cheaper to take a flight to Santiago and another from Santiago to Balmaceda. In this event, after your international flight you will have to take a domestic flight and change terminals, plan a stopover of at least 3 hours to transit from one to the other in order to collect and re-check your baggage
FLIES
Dry Flies
If the local trout like big bites, don't hesitate to bring light models, especially in February when the water is low and finer fishing :
- Olive, dun, mayflies, etc...
- Caddix
-Parachute emerger
Streamers
Streamer fishing depending on the season is by far one of the best strategies to look for beautiful fish.
Here are some basic models :
- Wooly Bugger (black/olive)
- Rabbit Zonker&Pouic( black/olive/white)
- Intruders
Terrestrials
Imitations of terrestrial are really important, especially at certain times of the season with grasshoppers and beetles.
The essentials:
- foam hoppers (dun)
- Fat Albert and smaller beetles
- Chernobyl
Nymphs
As everywhere in the world most of the trout's diet takes place below the surface, nymph fishing is not to be put aside!
Classic models are also in order here:
- Pheasant tail light
- Pheasant tail tungsten (2/3/4)
- Perdigons (red tag/olive/melon)
- Copper Johns
- Dragon fly and scuds (for the lakes)
