La Cabaña Fishing Lodge – Lago Yelcho Fly Fishing, Chile

Fishing at La Cabaña Fishing Lodge

La Cabaña Fishing Lodge stands above Lago Yelcho in Chile's Los Lagos Region, close to where the Río Futaleufú enters the lake. Guided fly fishing covers the lake, the Futaleufú, Yelcho and Palena rivers and nearby lagunas for rainbow, brown and brook trout, with king salmon in the spawning run.

Lago Yelcho and the Futaleufú Mouth

Lago Yelcho is known for the quality of its fly fishing, and La Cabaña Fishing Lodge sits a short distance from its shore. The reeds along the shore near the lodge and the mouth of the Río Futaleufú are fished with dry flies, droppers and streamers, and a half day on the lake is fitted in on arrival day when the schedule allows. Rainbow, brown and brook trout all live here, and chinook salmon run during the spawning season.

Rivers, Lakes and Lagunas

The week moves between waters according to season and conditions. The Futaleufú is fished either on its lower 15 kilometers below the rapids or on the upper section near the Argentine border. The Río Yelcho and Río Palena fill other days, while smaller streams and lagunas, some of them hidden, offer quieter fishing. A lake day targets the larger fish around stream and river inlets and outlets on Lago Yelcho, Lago Rosselot and Lago Espolón.

Guides, Tackle and Season

Head guide Tyler Romig, who spent 18 years guiding in Alaska, leads a team of guides who know these waters. A 5 or 6 weight rod with a floating line and a 6 or 7 weight with a sinking line cover most days, and fly trolling is available on request. The standard week offers six days of guided fishing, with venues chosen each day around the weather and what guests want to fish. All fishing is catch and release, and the season runs from November 1 to early May.

To learn more about the fishing and express an interest, message The Support Team.

Fishing Highlights

Active adventure
Customizable itinerary
Group-fishing excursions
Guided fishing
Wilderness fishing

Fishing Program Overview

Fishing Program: Freshwater Fly Fishing
Species to Target: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Chinook (King) Salmon, Rainbow Trout
Season: The fishing at La Cabaña Fishing Lodge runs from November to April.
For seasonal updates and recommended gear, message The Support Team.

Commitment to Sustainability

La Cabaña Fishing Lodge follows catch-and-release (C&R) practices to help sustain fish populations for future generations.

Advocates for Catch & Release

La Cabaña Fishing Lodge Accommodation

Built in 2014 on a hillside among dense Patagonian forest with no neighbors in sight, the lodge looks over Lago Yelcho from every room. It holds up to ten guests in five rooms, and the cooking is Elisa's, from scratch.

Lake-View Rooms and the Great Room

There are five rooms, each with a private bathroom and a view of the lake, for a maximum of ten guests. The dining and living room has a vaulted ceiling and large windows over the water, and a wooden balcony looks out over the lake by day and the Milky Way on clear nights. Larger groups are easily accommodated, as the lodge has hosted fishing groups for more than 15 years.

Home Cooking from the Greenhouse

Meals are Patagonian home cooking made from scratch with local produce, much of it grown in the lodge’s own greenhouse, and the farm’s raspberries are a favorite. Owner Elisa runs a professional kitchen and welcomes requests, and guests who want to try making something new can join in. Breakfast and dinner are served at the lodge, with a picnic lunch on the water, and an asado is held on one of the final evenings.

To explore room options, availability, and planning your stay, message The Support Team.

Accommodation Gallery

La Cabaña Fishing Lodge – Lago Yelcho Fly Fishing, Chile - Accommodation

Accommodation Highlights

Complimentary drinks
Ensuite bathroom
Gourmet chef
Lake views
Mountain views
Panoramic views

Amenities

Double occupancy rooms
Packlunch available
Prepared meals
Private bathroom

Travel Information

Guests fly to Santiago and connect to Puerto Montt (PMC), where the lodge meets arrivals and arranges a night in Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas. The next morning a small plane flies about 40 minutes to Nueva Chaitén airport, and lodge staff drive guests the final 1 hour 45 minutes to the lodge, where owners Benjamin and Elisa greet them. The standard week is seven nights with six days of fishing, and the lodge transfers guests back to Chaitén airport on the last morning.

Visa & Vaccine Requirements

Citizens of the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia and New Zealand do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days in Chile. Passports should be valid for at least six months beyond the travel date, and travelers should check current entry rules with their own government before departure. No vaccinations are required for entry. Routine vaccinations should be up to date, and hepatitis A and tetanus are commonly recommended. Yellow fever vaccination is not needed for Patagonia.

Travel regulations and health recommendations may change, so guests should verify current visa and vaccination requirements before traveling.

Beyond Fishing Experiences

Quiet is the main draw here. The lodge sits among dense forest and green mountains, and the clear nights suit stargazing from the balcony. A road walk of about three kilometers leads to a private beach, and the forest can be explored on foot in waterproof boots. The lake itself lies within 1.5 kilometers of the lodge, so a camera and a short walk make an easy afternoon.

For longer days away from the river, the lodge offers optional extra-day activities: rafting on the Río Futaleufú, Patagonian horse riding, and hiking in the national parks of Pumalín and Corcovado. These suit non-anglers and rest days alike, and can be arranged with the lodge.

To find out if this fishing trip is right for you, message The Support Team.