Rumbo Patagon

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 with 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 was 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 of Patagonia. 

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. They estimate that their access to the 12 local estancias provides 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! Most of the fishing focuses 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 many cases guests might be able to combine several venues together in a single day. 

This is a truck-based program where each day guests will take a road trip to 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 minutes 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.

Guests 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 one side 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 up to 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, featuring local meats, fish, and poultry and paired with excellent Chilean wines. 

This is a great venue for travel companions that want to experience the wonders of Torres del Paine National Park. Some of these excursions are so spectacular that even the most serious anglers should consider talking at least one day off from fishing to see one of the most spectacular mountain landscapes on the planet. Activities can be as rigorous or as mild as one wants. The less physical venues will include driving tours of the park with short walks to special vistas, a lake catamaran tour, as well as birding, photo touring, and cultural tours. For hikers, there are endless options including an iconic hike to the base of the towers. Horseback riding and special early morning tours in which guests try and see pumas are also available. 

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

Thursday: Depart home 

Friday: Arrive Santiago, overnight 

Saturday: 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: Full days of guided fishing or touring 

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

Sunday: Arrive home 

2026 Rates: 7 night/6 day (fishing or adventure) package, per person 

• $6,950 based on single occupancy and shared guide 
• $9,950 based on single occupancy and private guide 

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

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