About Rumbo Patagon

Rumbo Patagon is the latest venture of the Urrejola Brothers who created one of Chile ́s finest lodges, Coyhaique River Lodge. While they didn't need a second operation, the angling opportunities presented by the greater Puerto Natales region 1000 km south of the waters they know so well, was simply irresistible. With countless small rivers, streams, spring creeks and ultra-fertile lakes and lagoons teaming with unsophisticated 15 - 25 inch browns, they couldn't help falling in love with the region and the process of unlocking its secrets.

For the Urrejola brothers, the area is the true frontier of South American trout fishing, and remarkably it has been hiding in plain sight, or more specifically, in the shadow of Chile's most iconic mountain skyline and national park, Torres del Paine. While thousands of international eco-tourists flock to the park to gaze across azure lakes at the massif ́s mythical skyline, the surrounding lowlands have largely remained unnoticed, and most significantly, unfished.

The end game for the brothers is to not only take a deep dive into these fisheries, but to take full advantage of the many hikes and vistas of the national park for travel companions, bringing forth one of the most diverse, dramatic and productive trips in all Patagonia.

The Partnership

The key to unlocking the region's countless fishing venues stems from Gaston Urrejola ́s longstanding friendship with Cesar Lobos. In addition to being an avid fly fisher, Cesar is an exceedingly well-connected and respected local in the greater Puerto Natales region.

Through his connections, guests will have semi-exclusive access to 12 sprawling estancias, each with multiple angling venues.

Fishing Program

The core of the Rumbo Patagon fishing program will be targeting the fertile lowland waters and valleys surrounding Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine National Park. Cesar estimates that his access to the 12 local estancias will provide over 150 miles of essentially private river, stream and spring creek water as well as countless lakes that hold the region ́s largest browns. Many of these lakes have never had a boat launched into them, but that will soon change!

Most of fishing will focus on walk and wade access to moving water as well as shorelines and guests will be able to do most of their fishing with large terrestrial-type dry flies. In the event of strong winds or inclement weather, leeches and buggers will also come into play. In addition, there is a vast amount of productive public water as well as the possibility to seasonally target silver salmon, king salmon and sea-run brown trout in the lower reaches of rivers that dump directly into local fjords. In many cases guests might be able to combine several venues together in a single day.

This is a truck-based program where each day will be a road trip to one or more fishing locations. Since there is so much territory, there will be a fair amount of windshield time. Typical drive times will be 30 to 90 minutes, but the furthest locations can take up to two hours to reach. Since the weather is highly variable, guests will depart each day prepared for whatever the wild reaches of southern Patagonia might serve up.

Accommodation

Guests will stay in a very comfortable accommodation located 15 minutes north of Puerto Natales, in the small village of Puerto Bories, Chile.

Most of fishing will focus on walk and wade access to moving water as well as shorelines and guests will be able to do most of their fishing with large terrestrial-type dry flies. In the event of strong winds or inclement weather, leeches and buggers will also come into play. In addition, there is a vast amount of productive public water as well as the possibility to seasonally target silver salmon, king salmon and sea-run brown trout in the lower reaches of rivers that dump directly into local fjords. In many cases guests might be able to combine several venues together in a single day.

This is a truck-based program where each day will be a road trip to one or more fishing locations. Since there is so much territory, there will be a fair amount of windshield time. Typical drive times will be 30 to 90 minutes, but the furthest locations can take up to two hours to reach. Since the weather is highly variable, guests will depart each day prepared for whatever the wild reaches of southern Patagonia might serve up.

Rates and Details

2024 Rate: 7 night/ 6 day package.

Angler (single room, shared guide)
Angler (Single room, single guide*)

*Note: This is only if there is not a second angler to share the guide.

Touring (Shared guide)
Touring (single guide)

For further information about the rates click here

Included: Accommodations and meals at the lodge, beverages including beer, wine and pisco sour, guided fishing, fishing license and ground transportation to/from the Puerto Natales airport. Not Included: International and domestic airfare, fishing equipment and flies, premium alcohol, gratuities and laundry.

Species: Brown trout with limited coho, king salmon and sea trout opportunities.

Season: January and February.

Recommended Fishing Equipment

Wader, Rain jackets, Ploarized sunglasses, Sun hats

Fly Rods: 6wt and 7wt with floating and sinking lines.

Floating Lines:
Rio Gold / All around

Sinking Lines: 24 sink tip
F/S4 150gr for the 6wt
F/S5 200gr for the 7wt

Leaders & tippets: 1x-2x-3x

Terrestials:
Chubby Chernobyl / Purple, tan, gold / size: 10
Cicada / size: 8
Fat Albert / Black, Tan / Size: 8,10,12
Charlie Boy Hopper / Tan / Size: 8
Morrish Hopper / Tan / Size: 8

Attractors:
Purple para wulff / Size: 14
Parachute Adam / Size: 12,14
Swisher ́s Parachute Madam X / Size: 8
Elk Hair Caddis / Tan / Size: 12,14

Streamers:
Sparkle Minnow / Size: 4, 6
Autumn Splendor / Size: 4,6
Rubber Bugger / Size: 4,6,8
Beldar Rubberlegs / Size: 4,6,8
Bead Head Crystal Bugger / Brown, Black / Size: 6

Nymphs:
Tungsten Pheasant Tail / Size: 14,16
Tungsten Prince Nymph / Size: 10,12
Copper John / Red, Copper / Size: 12,14
CDC Flashback Pheasant Tail / Size: 12,14
Pat ́s Rubberlegs / Brown, coffe-black / Size: 6

Recommended Pack List

Since the weather can be unpredictable in Patagonia, we recommend our guests to bring:
- Wind and rain jackets
- First and second layer
- Shorts
- Good walking shoes
- Gloves
- Hats and sun hats
- Polarized sun glasses
- Sunscreen
- Small backpack