Rumbo Patagon is the latest venture of the Urrejola brothers who created one of Chile’s finest lodges, Coyhaique River Lodge. While they didn’t need a second operation, the angling opportunities presented by the greater Puerto Natales region 1000 km south of the waters they know so well was simply irresistible. With countless small rivers, streams, spring creeks, and ultra-fertile lakes and lagoons teaming with unsophisticated 15-to 25-inch browns, they couldn’t help falling in love with the region and the process of unlocking its many secrets. For the Urrejola brothers, the area is the true frontier of South American trout fishing, and remarkably it has been hiding in plain sight, or more specifically, in the shadow of Chile’s most iconic mountain skyline and national park, Torres del Paine. While thousands of international eco-tourists flock to the park to gaze across azure lakes at the massif’s mythical skyline, the surrounding lowlands have largely remained unnoticed, and most significantly, unfished. The end game for the brothers is to not only take a deep dive into these fisheries but to take full advantage of the many hikes and vistas of the national park for travel companions bringing forth one the most diverse, dramatic and productive trips in all Patagonia. 

The Partnership

The key to unlocking the region’s countless fishing venues stems from Gaston Urrejola’s longstanding friendship with Cesar Lobos. In addition to being an avid fly fisher, Cesar is an exceedingly well-connected and respected local in the greater Puerto Natales region. Through his connections, guests will have semi-exclusive access to 12 sprawling estancias, each with multiple angling venues. Cesar and his family will also host and head the Rumbo Patagon program.

The core of the Rumbo Patagon fishing program will be targeting the fertile lowland waters and valleys surrounding Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine National Park. Cesar estimates that his access to the 12 local estancias will provide over 150 miles of essentially private river, stream, and spring creek water as well as countless lakes that hold the region’s largest browns. Many of these lakes have never had a boat launched into them, but that will soon change! Most of the fishing will focus on walk and wade access to moving water as well as shorelines and guests will be able to do most of their fishing with large terrestrial-type dry flies. In the event of strong winds or inclement weather leeches and buggers will also come into play. In addition, there is a vast amount of productive public water as well as the possibility to seasonally target silver salmon, king salmon, and sea-run brown trout in the lower reaches of rivers that dump directly into local fjords. In many cases guests might be able to combine several of these venues tother in a single day.

This is a truck-based program where each day will be road trip one or more fishing locations. Since there is so much territory, there will be a fair amount of windshield time. Typical drive times will be 30-to 90-mimutes but the furthest locations can take up to two hours to reach. Since the weather is highly variable, guests will depart each day prepared for whatever the wild reaches of southern Patagonia might serve up.

Guest will stay in very comfortable accommodations located 15 minutes north of Puerto Natales in the small village of Puerto Bories. The classic estancia style home has been fully renovated and overlooks the Señoret channel on ones and has great views of Balmaceda peak and the Serrano Glacier on the other side. It has four bedrooms all with attached bathrooms and accommodates six guests per week.

Breakfast will include eggs to order as well as other options, lunches will be packed and served streamside, and dinners will be thoughtfully prepared, feature local meats, fish and poultry and be paired with excellent Chilean wines.

This a great venue for travel companions that want to experience the wonders of Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Some of these excursions are so spectacular that even the most serious anglers should consider taking at least one day off from fishing to see one of the most spectacular mountain landscapes on the planet. 

Click here to see a sample itinerary and full list of adventure and tour activities available at Rumbo Patagon.

Friday: Depart home

Saturday: Arrive Santiago – Depart Santiago – Arrive Puerto Natales. In Puerto Natales you will be met by a member of the guide team and transferred to the lodge.

Sunday-Friday: Six full days of guided fishing or touring.

Saturday: Transfer to Puerto Natales. Depart Puerto Natales - Arrive Santiago – depart Santiago.

Sunday: Arrive home

2025 Rates: 7 night/6 day package, per person

• Angler (single room, shared guide): $6,950
• Angler (single room, single guide): $9,950

• Touring (shared guide): $4,250
• Touring (single guide): $6,250

Included: Accommodations and meals at the lodge, beverages including beer, wine and pisco sour, guided fishing, fishing license and ground transportation to/from the Puerto Natales airport

Not included: International and domestic airfare, ground transportation to/from the Punta Arenas airport, flies, premium alcohol, gratuities, and laundry

Species: Brown trout with limited coho, king salmon and sea trout opportunities

Season: January - March

Capacity: Four anglers and four travel companions