Coyhaique River Lodge

Travel & Tackle Guide

Welcome to your Fly Water Travel trip guide. We’re excited to help you prepare for your upcoming adventure! Inside, you’ll find everything you need: your to-do list, travel logistics, destination notes, and a curated tackle guide tailored to your trip.

Getting Ready

Getting Ready
We’ve created a quick checklist of essential tasks to make sure you’re fully prepared for the journey ahead. If questions come up or you need anything at all, just give us a call, we’re here to help every step of the way. 

To-Do List:

✓ Arrange flights to/from Santiago, Chile

✓ Arrange hotel in Santiago (for arrival, if needed)

✓ Arrange flights to/from Balmeceda, Chile

✓ Complete your personal online guest registration form

✓ Forward a copy of your passport photo page to Fly Water Travel

✓ Get travel cash

Coyhaique River Lodge

Travel Guide

From how to get there and what documents you’ll need to tipping guidelines and destination details, this section covers the practical information to ensure smooth travels.

Getting to the Lodge:
To reach Coyhaique River Lodge, you will need to arrange travel to and from Balmaceda, Chile (BBA). International and domestic flights arrive through the Santiago (SCL) airport making same day transfers possible.

Arrival Day:
Upon arrival to Balmaceda (BBA), a representative of Coyhaique River Lodge will meet you at the airport and transfer you 45 minutes to the lodge.

Departure Day:
After breakfast a representative of Coyhaique River Lodge will transfer you to the Balmaceda Airport (BBA). Please choose a flight time that departs before 3:00PM.

Documentation Requirements:
To enter Chile, all guests are required to have the following:

  • Passport: Valid for the duration of your trip.

Note: U.S. citizens traveling to Chile for recreation and tourism do not need to obtain a visa prior to arrival. Upon entry, immigration will issue a tourist card (Tarjeta de Turismo) valid for up to 90 days. Do not lose this card! It must be presented upon departure — failure to do so may result in delays. If lost or stolen, the card can be replaced by the PDI at their nearest headquarters.

Recommended Travel Agent:
For assistance with your flights, hotel and transfers, we recommend Alicia from Holdy Tours:

Alicia Regueiro, Holdy Tours
800.446.1111 or 925.927.6617
alicia@holdytours.com

Domestic Flight Note:
Domestic flights within Chile typically operate through Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) in Santiago, connecting to regional airports such as:
• Balmaceda (BBA) – for Coyhaique and Aysén region
• Puerto Montt (PMC) – for northern Patagonia, Palena, and Futaleufú
• Puerto Natales (PNT) - for southern Patagonia
• Punta Arenas (PUQ) – Tierra del Fuego

Santiago Recommended Hotels:
Las Condes Neighborhood:
Mandarin Oriental, Santiago
Presidente Kennedy Avenue #4601 7560994 Las Condes Metropolitana
https://www.mandarinoriental.com/en/santiago/las-condes

Lastarria / Bellas Artes Neighborhood
Hotel Cumbres Lastarria, Santiago
299 José Victorino Lastarria, Santiago
https://www.cumbreslastarria.com/en/

Recommended Santiago Restaurants:
Las Condes Neighborhood

  • La Cabrera Chile Isdora
    Isidora Goyenechea 3275, 7550129 Las Condes
  • Pinpilinpausha
    Isidora Goyenechea 2900, 7550033 Las Condes

Barrio Lastarria

  • Bocanáriz
    José Victorino Lastarria 276, 8320126 Santiago
  • Chipe Libre - República Independiente del Pisco
    José Victorino Lastarria 282, 8320165 Santiago

Currency:
The official currency of Chile is the Chilean Peso (CLP).
U.S. dollars (USD) are not widely accepted for purchases but may be used for gratuities at lodges or with outfitters. We recommend exchanging a small amount of USD (around $100–$150) into Chilean pesos (CLP) for tips, taxis, or small purchases.

Exchange Options:
We recommend the following for exchanging currency:
• Airport Currency Exchange Counters: Convenient but may have slightly higher rates.
• Hotels: Often provide exchange services for guests.
• ATMs: Widely available in Santiago and regional hubs like Coyhaique or Puerto Montt. ATMs dispense Chilean pesos directly from your home bank account.

Electrical Requirements:
Chile uses Type C or Type L plug adapters with a 220V / 50Hz electrical system.
Travelers from North America will need a voltage converter for devices that do not support dual voltage.

Communications:
While traveling in Chile, we recommend using WhatsApp, as this is the primary communication method used by most lodges, outfitters, and drivers. Messaging through the app will allow you to stay connected with your hosts, guides, and family when Wi-Fi is available.

Travel Cash:
We recommend each guest travel with:
• $1,500 (USD) per week of travel,
• Bills should be new and in larger denominations, such as $50s and $100s.

Credit Cards:
Coyhaique River Lodge accepts Visa and Mastercard

Gratuities:
The following are guidelines, and all gratuities are up to the discretion of the individual guest. Gratuities can be left with the lodge manager at the end of the week for distribution to guides and lodge staff.
• USD $850 for a week

Fishing Licenses:
Included in package

Cell Coverage and Wi-Fi:

  • Cell Coverage: Decent cell phone coverage
  • Wi-Fi: Available at the lodge

Power:
Chile uses 220V electricity with Type C (and Type L) plugs, so U.S. travelers should bring a plug adapter and ensure their devices are dual-voltage (110–240V).
Laundry:
Is available for an additional charge.

Water:
The tap water is safe to drink. The lodge will provide guests with a reusable water bottle for use during the stay.

Beverages/Alcohol:

  • Soft Drinks: Included
  • Beer and Wine: Included
  • Alcohol: Included. Premium alcohol is not included

Emergency Medical Assistance:
Coyhaique serves as the primary hub for emergency and medical services in Chile’s Aysén region. The main facility is Hospital Regional de Coyhaique, a modern public hospital equipped to handle most medical situations, including emergencies. It’s recommended that travelers carry emergency medical evacuation and insurance due to the regions remote location.

Recommended Medical Evacuation Carrier and Insurance Provider:
Global Rescue - https://partner.globalrescue.com/fwtravel/index.html

Coyhaique River Lodge
Tackle Guide

Here you’ll find everything you need to be ready on the water: our preferred setups, favorite flies, recommended packing list, and notes on tackle available at the lodge.

COYHAIQUE RIVER LODGE - SAGE EXPERIENCES PROVIDED TACKLE

As a Sage Experiences Outfitter, Coyhaique River Lodge is an elite outfitter that has committed to offering their guests onsite access to first-class Sage and RIO tackle that has been carefully curated to ideally suit their respective fisheries.

Coyhaique River Lodge Perfect Setups:

  • SAGE R8 CORE 590-4
  • SAGE TROUT 4/5/6
  • RIO ELITE RIO GRANDE 5WT
  • SAGE R8 CORE 790-4
  • SAGE ARBOR XL 6/7/8
  • RIO PREMIER 24FT SINK TIP 7WT
  • RIO ELITE RIO GRANDE 7WT

Coyhaique River Lodge Tackle Overview:

We always travel with at least two set-ups for this trip. A 9ft 5-weight paired with a slightly heavier weight forward floating line and a 9ft 6-weight paired with a weight forward floating line, plus a spare spool with an integrated sinking tip line. The majority of the fishing situations can be tackled with a fast action 5-weight and the 6-weight shines on windier days, casting larger rigs, or targeting fish with streamers.

Coyhaique River Lodge - Provided Equipment

• Rods/Reels/Lines: As a Sage Experiences Outfitter, Coyhaique River Lodge provides guests with first-class Sage rods, reels, and RIO lines curated specifically for their fishery.

• Flies: Flies are not included. We recommend carrying a small thoughtful selection of proven patterns to cover multiple situations.

• Waders/Boots: Good selection of boots and waders. Please reach out to Fly Water Travel if you plan to use the lodges equipment so we can let the outfitter know.

Coyhaique River Lodge Primary Setup

The 5-weight is the most versatile trout rod in Patagonia and handles everything from foam terrestrials to medium streamers with ease. It strikes the right balance between presentation and
power, making it a dependable choice for both walk-and-wade days and drift fishing. A 5-weight has enough backbone to punch a fly through moderate winds without overpowering smaller dries. It’s especially useful when you’re covering mixed water types in a single day. Pair it with a ½ weight heavier floating line.

Coyhaique River Lodge 6-weight Setup

A fast action 6-weight is the workhorse for Patagonia’s bigger rivers, windy valleys, and high-water conditions. It throws larger terrestrials, heavy nymph rigs, and medium-to-large streamers with confidence. The added power helps anglers manage long casts, deep drifts, and the region’s notoriously unpredictable gusts. It’s also a smart choice when targeting larger fish in fast water where lifting power matters. Match it with a half-size-heavy line or a dedicated integrated streamer line to maximize turn-over and distance.

Coyhaique River Lodge Optional Streamer Setup

The 7-weight comes out when you’re hunting truly big fish, battling wind, or stripping full-size articulated streamers in deep runs. This rod weight provides the strength needed to drive large flies, sink tips, and heavier lines without collapsing the loop. It’s also the preferred tool for lakes and stillwaters where long casts and strong takes demand more authority. Anglers chasing migratory browns or fishing high-flow tailwaters will appreciate the added leverage and fish-fighting power. Pair it with an integrated sink-tip in the 250-grain range.


Top 5 Flies for Coyhaique River Lodge

The Coyhaique region and surrounding areas trout’s primary diet consists largely of terrestrials, which are plentiful throughout the season as well as mayflies and caddis. A variety of large foam dry flies, mayflies, attractor patterns and streamers will be effective throughout the entire season, and it is good to have a good cross selection of colors and patterns. For an in-depth look at flies, please click HERE.

Top 5 Coyhaique River Lodge Flies 

  • Fat Albert – Black/tan (Size 8) 
  • Bead Head Pheasant Tail (Size 14) 
  • Parachute Adams  (Size 14-16) 
  • Woolly Bugger – Black (Size 8) 
  • Rio’s Morrish Hopper – Tan (Size 8-10)  

Suggested Packing List

We understand packing for an adventure is not easy. On a trip like this it is very important to have everything you need and nothing you do not. As the climate is extremely changeable and a wide range of temperatures and conditions can be expected, we recommend layering clothes. Anglers should be prepared with thermal underwear, fleece/soft shell jacket, and a rain jacket. Synthetic fabrics are preferred to cotton. Dress at the lodges/camps is neat but casual.

Documents:
Passport, plane tickets, itinerary, credit card, cash, business cards.

Waders:
Breathable stocking foot waders are recommended. For anglers prone to cold (especially feet), boot foot waders are excellent.

Boots:
Felt soles are permitted in Patagonia, but please ensure all gear is clean and completely dry before travel to prevent the spread of invasive species. Rubber soles without cleats are also an excellent option.

Wet Wading:
One pair of neoprene socks with gravel guards and quick dry pants.

Forceps:
We like the Dr. Slick scissor pliers for crimping barbs, releasing fish and trimming flies.

Nippers:
One line nipper.

Wading Staff:
One wading staff and belt.

Socks:
Four pairs of wool or synthetic socks to wear under your waders. Two pairs of camp socks.

Base layers:
One to two pairs of synthetic or merino wool long underwear (tops and bottoms) to wear beneath your waders. One mid-weight and one heavyweight. These can be worn alone or together depending on conditions.

Shirts:
Two or three long sleeve fishing shirts. One or two lodge shirts.

Pants:
Two pairs of comfortable pants for wearing around the lodge and travelling.

Warm Layers
One or two warm insulating layers. Down, synthetic or fleece mid layers are good options. Avoid cotton.

Rain Jacket
One high quality rain jacket.

Hats
Two fishing/baseball hats. One warm cap.

Lodge Shoes
One pair of shoes for around the lodge.

Buff
One “Buff” facial sun protector (good for bugs too).

Warm Layers:
One or two warm insulating layers. Down, synthetic or fleece mid layers are good options. Avoid cotton.

Rain Jacket:
One high quality rain jacket.

Hats:
Two fishing/baseball hats. One warm cap.

Lodge Shoes:
One pair of shoes for around the lodge and travelling.

Buff:
One “Buff” facial sun protector (good for bugs too).

Sunglasses:
One pair of polarized sunglasses. It is great to have a lens cleaner and a soft cleaning cloth as well.

Sunscreen:
One bottle SPF 30+

Lip Balm:
One tube of SPF 30+ lip balm.

Backpack:
One waterproof backpack or boat bag for day gear.

Headlamp:
One small LED headlamp with batteries.

Toiletries Kit
Toothpaste and toothbrush, deodorant, razor, lotion, mini shampoo bottle, Advil, Ambien, ear plugs, band aids, anti-bacterial ointment, Benadryl, Gold Bond powder.

Contact Liam Donohoe

Liam was born and raised on the trout rivers of Idaho, where a lifelong passion for the outdoors eventually led him into the world of professional guiding. Over the past decade, he has built a career guiding and managing lodges across some of the world’s most celebrated fisheries, from Alaska’s Bristol Bay to Chilean Patagonia and the Rocky Mountains in Idaho.

CONTACT US