Floating the Petrohué, 15 Minutes from the Door
The Río Petrohué is the home river of Tres Rios Lodge and the start of most weeks. Floats run in roomy cataraft drift boats, two anglers per guide and boat, and a day lasts 6 to 9 hours from put-in to take-out, with a hot lunch packed by the guides.
Brush, steep banks and deep water rule out fishing these runs from the bank, which is why a boat matters, and most days pass without another boat in sight. The Petrohué float ends in some of the best salmon pools on the river.
Maullín, Rahue, Pilmaiquén and Puelo
These four rivers flow out of large lakes at the foot of the Andes, and the lakes buffer the rain so the water stays clear and fishable. Resident rainbows and browns mostly run 15 to 20 inches, trout over 20 inches are common enough that anglers regularly release, lose, miss or roll them, and fish up to 24 inches are landed.
Smaller streams such as the Coihueco and San Antonio suit wading with dries, nymphs and streamers, and the Traidor headwaters, reached by helicopter or horseback, hold large trout on dries. Rainbows also cruise the calm shoreline of Lago Llanquihue near Ensenada.
Streamers, Dries and Pool Tackle
A 6-weight with size 6 streamers imitating minnows and crayfish, fished tight to the banks from the boat, is the standard rig. On small streams a 4-weight and floating line with dries do the work, and for big fish in the pools a 7-weight with a sink-tip and a large streamer. Nymphs stay in the box for changing conditions, and loaner waders, rods, reels and lines are available.
King Salmon from February and a Season to May
The season runs from the second Friday in November to the first Sunday in May. Kings enter the Petrohué from mid-February through March and into April, typically 26 to 40 pounds, and are fished on 8 or 9-weight single-handed fly rods or Spey from the beach or the boat. In dry summers the run waits for rain, and the guides move to rivers where kings are already running.
Spawning fish show in the Río San Antonio in April and May. Itineraries are set each evening around the forecast, and road trips to rivers such as the Futaleufú, Yelcho and Palena can be added.
To learn more about the fishing and express an interest, message The Support Team.
