La Posada de Los Farios (The Inn of the Brown Trout) lies on the banks Rio Cisnes and is an ideal place to relax while fishing for the iconic wild Brown Trout. Nestled among rugged glaciated Andean peaks, the surrounding mountain scenery is nothing short of spectacular and the nearby fishing options are abundant and varied. The lodge itself is an authentic 60- year old Patagonian ranch house constructed of hand-hewn lumber, modified to comfortably handle a maximum of just 6 guests per week, fly fishing to wild brown trout.
The rustic comfort provided by the lodge allows you to rest and relax off the water, and enjoy some of the finer things Chilean Patagonia has to offer. The Lodge provides a delightful blend of comfort and class. A place to unwind, and get refreshed after a long day of fishing, there will be no roughing it with warm fires, delicious Chilean cuisine, cosy beds, wood-fired hot tub, and fine Chilean wines will compliment your Patagonian experience.
This is one of Patagonia’s truest experiences, and the remote off-the-beaten-path location of La Posada de Los Farios means true solitude and the real possibility you may not see any other fisherman at all during your stay.
La Posada de Los Farios is situated on the banks of the river Cisnes and has been operating since 1994.
The fishing lodge can accommodate a maximum of six guests in three comfortable twin-bedded suites, each with en-suite facilities. There are no single occupancy rooms at the lodge. The lodge has a lounge where all guests can gather to discuss the day’s events and a dining-room where all meals are taken. The lodge has a friendly homely feel. There is no phone at the lodge, however, there is a radio in the event of emergencies. There is plenty of room to store fishing gear and tackle up with your wading gear. There is also a hot tub in which you can relax after a day on the river.
The resident chef is a magician serving local Chilean dishes of fresh fish, chicken, beef and barbecued lamb all with home-grown vegetables. All complemented with a selection of fine Chilean wines. A generator provides 24-hour electricity for the lodge.
For the non-angler, there are plenty of things to enjoy, such as visiting the nearby coastal fjords, horse-back riding, hiking and walking along with river-rafting and bird-watching.
There is no internet at La Posada de los Farios.
Most fly fishing is for wild Brown Trout with some specimens seen close to 30 inches and the occasional Rainbow Trout. The river is just a few short steps from the fishing lodge, and there are several miles of direct river frontage on the Cisnes. This part of the river is relatively large and slow-moving, making it easily wadable and great for after-hours wading. Several tributaries enter the Cisnes within walking distance of the lodge. Several small lakes, loaded with Brown Trout, are also easily accessed.
The lodge provides a fantastic float fishing program also throughout one of the sections of the Cisnes or the Manihuales or exploring one the hidden lagunas and stream tributaries. A variety of methods can be employed from using streamers and stripping them back from under rocks to floating foam bugs, Mayflies and Hoppers. All this with the backdrop of the Andes that form the border with Argentina and the beautiful Queulat National Park.
This float starts right in front of the lodge and is roughly 4 miles long. This is the perfect place to start your week after the long trip down to Chile. This section is wide and meandering and floats through some beautiful old-growth Coihue (coy-way) forest that makes up the transition zone between the drier Patagonian steppe and the coastal temperate rain forest. Fish average 12-16 inches on this section of the river and are very abundant; however, that is not to say that larger fish cannot be found here! Several of the very largest predatory browns (25 inches +) we have been caught have been on this section of the river. The river passes by 2 small tributaries, The Rio Las Torres and the Rio Rodriguez, and anglers may stop to fish the lower sections of either one of these, as well.
Black-bottomed foam flies seem to be the most productive – we believe this is because fish are always on the lookout for beetles that are especially abundant in this area. Every two years (even years) we experience a prolific hatch of the huge Cantaria beetles (large stag beetles) from mid-December through February. Streamer fishing can also be very productive, especially with high water conditions. Woolly buggers with white rubber legs perform very well. From the take-out it is only about a 15-minute drive back to the lodge. This float can also be done in 2 parts. The lodge often offers the upper 1⁄2 of this float as an option on a guest’s day of arrival.
Then, when you have tackled the Brown Trout, why not take a trip to one of the coastal fjords and try for aggressive Sea Trout with many fish in the 5-10 lb range and larger ones just waiting to be caught. There are also Pacific Salmon to target. It is not uncommon to catch and release a number of these fish in a day.
Excluding excursions, the fishing is literally on the door-step – even the furthest fishing is only about an hour away. Journeys are in 4WD vehicles.
A typical day involves leaving the lodge after breakfast around 8:00-ish and drifting down the river working the pools until lunchtime when a packed lunch is provided, then streamside and often return just after dark.
Whether you are a beginner or an expert, the guides will help you make the most of your time at the lodge. Anglers are advised to bring all the gear and equipment they need with them – waders and boots, rods, reels, lines and terminal tackle.
Passport with minimum six months validity and photo ID to purchase a fishing licence.
Fly direct to Santiago and take a three-hour flight to Balmaceda where you will be met by the lodge representatives and taken for a three-and-a-half-hour transfer to the lodge.
Let us do the groundwork for you.
Our tailored fly fishing and accommodation itineraries are designed with you in mind to suit your preferences. They are also quoted in your local currency with very favourable exchange rates.
Fly Odyssey has access to the best guiding and lodging rates, suitable tides and updated availability to this destination which can vary throughout the season.
This includes flight bookings, transit accommodation, transfers and a host of non-angling activities and experiences.
We specialise in group stays to the region, and our long involvement with our partners on the ground in Chile will ensure you are well looked after both on and off the water.
This includes extended stays in Chile, Argentina and throughout South America.
Please enquire for the latest rates and availability, including information on any applicable special offers.
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