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Where To Find Your Honey Hole
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The "F" Spot is the place to discover indepth insight
into worldwide fishing destinations. Information that can help you find your next "honey hole."
Each month Fish n Clips Magazine presents a new destination from around the world. The information is provided by the owner/operator/manager
of the destination resort/lodge/guide service from an email interview answering the questions we all like to know before we lay down our
hard earned cash. If you have questions you feel we need to add to the interview, please send them for consideration in the next "F" Spot. The search
for other destinations on this page will only show those that have been created in this new series.
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This Month's F Spot:
Tres Rios Fly Fishing and Adventure
Brown and Rainbow Trout, Chinook Salmon
56 99 825 8577
john@tresrioslodge.com
www.tresrioslodge.com
Lakes District, Chile
Tres Rios Fly Fishing and Adventure in Puerto Varas, Chile is this month’s ‘F’ Spot. John Joy, owner and operator of Tres Rios (along with his wife and partner, Teresa) has this to say about the origins of his outfit:
Born in Indiana, I first fished Chile 34 years ago while traveling through South America. Fascinated by the landscapes, the people and the culture, I was compelled to come back in 1990 and have been here ever since. In 1995 I married my Chilean wife Teresa who’s passion for culinary arts was the perfect complement to my passion for fly fishing in starting a lodge. We started Tres Rios Lodge in 1999.
Since the beginning we have strived to deliver a complete experience in a fly fishing vacation in Chile not only with quality fishing in solitude among spectacular scenery on the rivers, but also exposing guests to a long list of things typically Chilean that they had never known before; several ocean fish, many shellfish, fresh fruit and fruit only found here (lucuma, murta, etc.), a wide selection of wines, innumerable cultural differences, and many Nat Geo moments as we cover Patagonia to a latin beat. There’s nothing we’d rather be doing and we feel it’s a great place to raise our three children.
FNC: Thank you, John, for taking time to inform our readers about your business and where you fish. Where exactly are you located and what makes your location special?
Tres Rios Fly Fishing & Adventure: We have a full service lodge near Ensenada that is near to rivers Petrohue, Puelo, and Maullin, to mention a few, in an area of incredible beauty with emerald lakes, snow capped volcanoes and transparent jade rivers, all in the foothills of the Andes. There are many non-angling outdoor activities in this area, making it the best option for couples or groups where not everyone fishes. In addition, we run fishing excursions from Chaiten to La Junta for groups of anglers looking for adventure on a different river every day. We also, operate on the best fisheries in Aysen, all around Coyhaique. And finally, we run helicopter fishing excursions to amazing fishing spots in the Andes that can only be reached that way. You could say that we are located in Patagonia, from Puerto Varas to Coyhaique.
FNC: What makes the fish you target special?
Tres Rios Fly Fishing & Adventure: Trout were introduced to Chilean waters about a century ago and have flourished since then, but once established, they haven’t been restocked from hatcheries in any fishery in the country. These wild rainbow, brown and brook trout here are aggressive and brawling fighters. Anglers are always surprised by their strength and tenacity, much stronger than what they are used to.
FNC: Are there days when no targeted fish are seen?
Tres Rios Fly Fishing & Adventure: One guy got blanked years ago fishing a lake on a hot day, but just about everyone else has had good to excellent days. Generally you can count on 20 to 40 trout during a river float trip, depending on a number of factors. Most anglers would hook up at least 3-4 times an hour.
FNC: When are the best fishing days each year?
Tres Rios Fly Fishing & Adventure: We cover a lot of country and it’s always best somewhere. In the Lakes Region I like mid November to mid December, then March and April. Helifishing is best January through March. December through March from Chaiten to Coyhaique.
FNC: When are the bad fishing days each year?
Tres Rios Fly Fishing & Adventure: There’s no such thing when you have as many options as we do. In each area that we fish there are some occasional marginal conditions on some rivers, but it’s never bad on all waters all at once. We don’t have a static itinerary that we have to fulfill, but rather, although we have an outline, we take all factors into consideration every evening and every morning and choose the best fishing option for that day accordingly.
FNC: What weather negatively affects the fishing?
Tres Rios Fly Fishing & Adventure: Some rivers can get murky with glacial runoff on unusually hot days in mid summer. And a heavy rain on the glaciers at that time can really color up some rives for a few days. That happens about once a season for 3-4 days but fortunately there are always some clear water alternatives in whichever area of Patagonia Chile we happen to be in.
FNC: How long is the typical guided full day or charter?
Tres Rios Fly Fishing & Adventure: When the fishing’s good we don’t want to stop, and when it’s slow we go late hoping that a trophy will make up for lack of numbers. Often we’re out of the lodge for about 11 hours. Our float trips typically cover 8 to 12 miles of wild river with no access between put-in and take-out. Everyone is ready for a pisco sour when we finish up.
FNC: For the most successful trip, what do your guests need to practice/work on before showing up?
Tres Rios Fly Fishing & Adventure: Anyone with basic casting abilities will be prepared for our fishing, and we’ve intiated a lot of novices as well. Folks get the most out of a trip when they come with curiosity about cultural differences and looking for adventure.
FNC: If rod and reel are not provided, what should the angler bring?
Tres Rios Fly Fishing & Adventure: For trout 4wt to 7wt rod/reel combos with floating line and a 200 grain sinking tip line are recommended. For salmon an 8wt rig is necessary.
FNC: If tackle/leader/flies are not provided, what should the angler bring?
Tres Rios Fly Fishing & Adventure: Many streamer patterns are effective here, but we have developed some we tie ourselves that we always share with our guests. Foam beetles and many classic dry flies like the Adams, Elk hair Caddis, among others, plus caddis nymph patterns are all useful.
FNC: If a day charter: What do the anglers need to bring in addition to fishing gear for day trips?
Tres Rios Fly Fishing & Adventure: Sunblock, sunglasses, hat, ...jokes that haven’t made it to Patagonia yet.
FNC: If longer than day charters (week trips): What should the angler bring in addition to fishing gear?
Tres Rios Fly Fishing & Adventure: Couple changes of clothes. They can travel pretty light actually, as we have back up equipment of all kinds. Some guys want to bring every box of flies that they own but they only need a couple.
FNC: : Are there other activities or companion activities for a spouse or friend?
Tres Rios Fly Fishing & Adventure: There’s hiking and trekking on volcanoes or up rainforested valleys to Yosemite-like vistas, horseback riding and trekking, white water rafting, kayaking in lakes, ocean and rivers, biking, windsurfing, birding, touring of Chiloe Island where there’s a penguin colony and tradicional fishing villages, flamengos in the Maullin estuary, ...and there’s a scenic Lakes Crossing to Bariloche, Argentina which is just over the hump.
FNC: Does your country require visas as well as passports for entry from other countries?
Tres Rios Fly Fishing & Adventure: Not for the USA or European countries. Visa may be required if your country does not have diplomatic relations with Chile.
FNC: Where can we find out the current requirements for visas and travel to your country?
Tres Rios Fly Fishing & Adventure:: Easy to check with Chilean Consulate or many online travel websites.
FNC: For overnight fishing trips, can you please describe the accommodations and meals you provide?
Tres Rios Fly Fishing & Adventure: Tres Rios Lodge is a full service lodge as comfortable as they come. My wife and partner, Teresa is a fabulous cook that prepares a wide range of dishes, always taking into consideration guests’ preferences. Her table is a great place to get acquainted with Chilean dishes, seafood and fine wines. We also have a Bed and Breakfast in Puerto Varas, Tradicion Austral, with which we can package an easy-on-the-budget fishing vacation including a wide range of restaurants for the evening meal. On Road Trips we use a number of comfortable local guest houses and hotels that serve good food. In Coyhaique we use a well known lodge there that caters mostly to anglers. The food always surpasses expectations.
FNC: Do you recommend travel insurance? Why?
Tres Rios Fly Fishing & Adventure: I don’t know of any guests that have bothered with it. Things run pretty smoothly down here.
FNC: As a final word from your operation, can you describe for our readers just what it is that sets you apart from other nearby locations or operators:
Tres Rios Fly Fishing & Adventure: We are a small scale family operation welcoming people into our family for as long as they can stay. We guide them, cook for them, spend 24/7 with them during their stay, looking after everything. We want the experience to be perfect for them and do all in our power to make make it happen. Our strong points are hospitality, personal attention, natural friendliness, know-how and hard work. Perhaps most importantly to the anglers, we go to whatever lengths necessary to get at the best fishing for quality wild trout and salmon. Guests seem to appreciate all that and it’s gratifying when they come back several times over the years, considering there are so many alternatives out there. The high rate of returning anglers gave us the impetus to cover more of Patagonia.
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