Low pressure trout Another appealing factor that keeps drawing me back to Chilean Patagonia is the relatively light fishing pressure that can be expected. While fly fishing is gaining in popularity amongst native Chileans, it is still a newer pastime for residents. If you do encounter another angler on the water, there is a good chance they have travelled from abroad. The large number of rivers, lack of local population and the long travel distances for visiting anglers all add up to result in lots of water to fish without a lot of competition. Most days we don’t see another angler when on the water. Although more lodges and guide services are springing up throughout Chilean Patagonia - there is still a lot of room to spread out. The lack of fishing pressure is also readily apparent in the behavior of the region’s trout. Refusals are rare and trout can be quite aggressive. On multiple occasions I’ve experienced trout hitting large foam dries such as dragon fly patterns 4 or 5 times before getting hooked up. Since trout haven’t seen a lot of flies, larger patterns are
often very effective. The larger presentations also move fish further and in the clear Chilean waters it can be quite a rush to watch a large brown move a long distance to intercept your offering. The extensive variety of waters and the relative lack of anglers certainly enhances the overall experience of a visit to Chilean Patagonia. As the sport of fly fishing continues to gain popularity on a global level, we will certainly see increased pressure even on Chile’s great trout waters. For now, however, one of the great attributes of a Chilean fly fishing trip is the ability to stand in a productive river with the knowledge that you are often the only angler for miles in any direction. Seasons and Hatches Although good fishing can often be found year round throughout Chilean Patagonia, most anglers visit between October and April. In the spring months of October through early December even the most famous waters will be devoid of anglers. This is a fantastic time to visit and the trout are eager and hungry.