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Patagonia Drifters Granite Canyon Lodge - Coyhaique, Chile
There is little argument among experienced fly fishermen that are familiar with Chilean angling that the fish-rich rivers and streams that surround Coyhaique are among the finest in South America. There are both Rainbows and Browns from modest to trophy proportions in this incredibly diverse fishery, and none of the regional flyfishing guides are more knowledgeable or more successful than outfitter Monte Becker (Patagonia Drifters).
Using four-wheel drive vehicles, McKenzie-style drift boats, and state-of-the-art inflatable rafts, Patagonia Drifters have their choice of a large menu of nearby streams and rivers. From a comfortable base at Granite Canyon Lodge, on the bank of the Manihuales River, anglers are within easy striking distance of 6 other rivers, and 13 different float trip destinations (not including wade trip opportunities to dozens of small streams, spring creeks, lagoons, lakes, and rivers too small to be navigated). This is often wilderness fishing, through terrain much too difficult to access comfortably on foot. Some of these trout have yet to see their first fly and may die of old age without battling an angler or seeing a lure.
The fish, though decidedly wild, are not notoriously selective and an accurate and gentle presentation usually assures success. There is a broad range of angling options, from dry fly stream fishing to matching the hatch on spring creeks.
Traditional boca fishing options can yield tackle-challenging trophies on streamers, and daily schedules and destinations are tailored to mirror the angler's interests and ability.
A sample travel and angling itinerary is shown below, but the length of an angling holiday with Patagonia Drifters can be modified to match any schedule. A few days drifting the spectacular rivers near Coyhaique is a wonderful accent to any of the other regional lodges and four or five days is the perfect schedule to sample the best of the angling.
Patagonia Drifters is small and popular. Everything is included in this package (every airport transfer, meals, accommodations, guide service, license, and all soft drinks, beers, and wines). The season is short (December through mid-April), and space is limited.
Photos courtesy of Patrick Pendergast & Mike Parker Species of Fish: Rainbow trout and Brown Trout.
Travel Arrangements: Travelers usually arrive in Santiago in the morning and transfer to the Carrera Hotel adjacent to the Governor's Palace in the city center. After a comfortable night in Santiago, guests travel by jet to Balmaceda, usually arriving in the late afternoon, where they will be met by a representative of Patagonia Drifters and driven to Granite Canyon Lodge, on the outskirts of the community of Coyhaique. The drive from the airport is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Anglers may choose to depart Santiago on the early morning flight, arriving before lunch, and add an extra half-day of fishing on the day of arrival. This is not included in the standard package.
Hoppers on a log.
Length of Stay: Minimum of two days fishing. See available options in the rates section.
Season: November through April.
Occupancy: Patagonia Drifters can accommodate 6 guests.
Rates: (December 01, 2007 through April 30, 2008)
Rates for Double Occupancy, Single Occupancy and Non-Angler
Inclusions: The rate includes: Lodging, meals, guided fishing, fishing licenses, transportation to and from the airport, beer, wine, limited pisco sours. You will also have use of the fly tying table, materials and complementary us of internet (e-mail).
Non-Inclusions: The rate does not include: Flies, hard liquor, gratuities, items of personal nature or non angler activities that have substantial additional cost (i.e.; plane rides or boat trips to the fjords).
Reservations, Deposits and Final Payments
Cancellations and Refunds
Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
Travel Itinerary
Day 1, The day of arrival in Chile: Travelers usually arrive in Santiago in the morning and transfer to the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Santiago Chile. The rest of this day is at your leisure to relax and explore Santiago.
Day 2, The day of arrival in Patagonia: After a comfortable night in Santiago, guests arrive in Balmaceda mid day, where they are met by Monte Becker and driven to Granite Canyon Lodge, the new river based lodge overlooking the Manihuales River. The trip to the lodge from the modern, regional airport is about one hour and forty-five minutes. After storing your gear, you'll have the chance to fish the evening hatch on the local river.
Photos courtesy of Patrick Pendergast & Mike Parker Very little of the water that Monte guides is heavily fished. Sportfishing is not part of Chilean national tradition and trout were not introduced in these waters until after the turn of the century. There are few roads in the region and only a couple of drift boats in all of Chile. The water, tea-colored or clear, is occasionally choked with fish.
The after-angling cocktail reception includes Pisco Sours, the Chilean version of a Margarita, appetizers, a full bar and fine domestic wines. Dinner is served late in the evening to allow for a full day of fishing.
Dinners, like all meals at the lodge are informal, superb, and accompanied by the finest Chilean wines.
Anglers may choose to depart Santiago on the early morning flight, arriving before lunch, and add an extra half-day of fishing on the day of arrival. This is not included in the standard package.
The Fishing Schedule: Breakfast and dinner are served in the lodge and fine mid-day meals are prepared and served in the field. Each evening your host, Monte Becker, will discuss the best of the angling options available for the next day, and help you select the appropriate clothing, tackle, and flies. The exact schedule will depend on the guests' destination preferences, the best performing locations, and prevailing weather and water conditions.
These are very full fishing days that begin early and end late. Fishermen generally relax with a filling mid-day meal, and short streamside siesta.
Part of the attraction of Patagonia Drifters is the myriad of regional drift fisheries. All of the thirteen different float trip options cover water that is seldom fished by any but the most intrepid and dedicated fishermen. They are all beautiful and within easy striking distance of Granite Canyon Lodge overlooking the Manihuales River.
Departure Day: Anglers will be transported to the Balmaceda Airport after breakfast in time to connect with their flight to Santiago. An optional half-day of guided fishing is available for guests that wish to depart on the late afternoon flight to Santiago (which connects easily with most flights bound for the United States).
Waters Fished: There are many still water fisheries close by with monster Rainbow and Brown Trout. This is all very good water and most of it within an hour of the lodge.
Fishing Season by Monte Becker
December: The Patagonia summer commences with a mind baffling wild flower display. Known locally as 'Chocho' (Chilean word for Lupine) Season, European Lupin carpets the landscape in an explosion of violets, reds, purples and yellows. Fish are on the surface with Caddis and Mayfly hatches as well as blizzard hatch of small creamy moths.
January: With daylight lasting until 11 p.m. or better, we have plenty or time on the water. Foxglove and wild daisies have replaced the Chochos. Trout are keyed into strong hatches and an abundance of feed. Huge Mayflies (March Browns) the size of a quarter highlight the month.
February: The dog days of summer. Farmers are harvesting their crops and the trout are putting on weight rapidly. Caddis, Mayflies, and small Stonefiles provide feed lanes full of options for selective trout. In late February, flying black ants become the number one target with large trout rising aggressively to these little terrestrials.
March: The first frost of the season signifies the start of the best fishing of the year. Mid day hatches of PMDs, Cahills and Variants will have every fish in the river on the surface for the mid-day show. In addition, the Sea-Run fish start to show in sufficient numbers that hookups are likely.
April: The landscape is ablaze in shades of yellow and orange as autumn works her magic. This is the best fishing of the year as the mid-day hatches continue. However, days are short (dark at 7 p.m. and morning are quite chilly.
Photo courtesy of Mike Parker

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