Flying 2 1/2 hours south of Santiago, along the incredible Chilean Andes, brings you to Coyhaique, located in Chile’s Region XI, between parallels 44.30 and 46. The Aysen District, a narrow strip of land within an entanglement of islands, fjords, bocas and channels, appears to drop into the Pacific Ocean. Thousands of glaciers and waterfalls pool to form deep lakes and then flow through reed lined channels, wild rivers, and dark canyons. These peaceful depths of Chilean Patagonia are home to an abundance of healthy, resident brown trout and rainbows.
The lodge is located on the outskirts of Coyhaique and overlooks the picturesque Rio Simpson valley. Cinco Rios was a converted hosteria until 2007, when a brand new lodge was built right on the bank of the Rio Simpson. The new lodge can accommodate 12 anglers in 6 spacious guest rooms, each with their own private baths and 2 Kingsized beds. Cinco Rios Chile is owned by Montana lodge owners Jay Burgin and Mary Jacques and their Chilean partner Sebastian Galilea.
The variety of rivers and lakes accessible from Cinco Rios is astounding and includes Rios Simpson, Manihuales, Aysen, Paloma, Blanco, Deseques, Pica Flora, Nireguao, Emporer Guillermo, Humeles, Azul and Megote, lakes Pollux, Frio and Castor and many small rivers and spring creeks, which see little to no fishing pressure.
This fishing is as varied as the selection of waters. The Coyhaique area is home to numerous grasshoppers and 11 beetle species. Casting big terrestials will bring up big fish almost anywhere. Summer evenings on the Simpson offer match the hatch fishing similar to the US. Floating faster sections of the remote rivers requires pounding the banks with dries and wets. The smaller streams can be waded or walked upstream, casting small dries and nymphs, which can produce 6 – 12 trout out of a single run or pool. In the clearest rivers and lakes you will find sight fishing opportunities as challenging as New Zealand. The trout come in all sizes according to the waters you fish, from foot long chunky fish to deep bellied 30 inchers.
Cinco Rios has been in operation since 2004, but Jay Burgin’s experience running fishing lodges and working with the Chilean people goes back to 1996, when he opened Paloma Lodge. Cinco Rios has continued it’s relationship with the guide staff from Paloma Lodge, insuring that Cinco Rios guests fish
with some of the best guides in Chile. Each of the full time guides at Cinco Rios several years of guiding experience in Chile and many more years in overall total guiding expertise.
Each two clients (or single angler paying the single rate) are assigned a guide, who comes equipped with a 4 wheel drive vehicle, trailer and an inflatable raft. Cinco Rios guides use Zodiak inflatable rafts with high back seats to ensure clients confort on the river and owns several new Jet boats which are strategically placed on specific rivers to help maximize fishing time.
The Rio Simpson directly in front of the lodge and the furthest river, the Paloma, is a 45 minute drive. The fishing options available are close to an even split between “walk and wade” streams and larger rivers that require float trips or jet boats to cover the water.
Cinco Rios operates a 7-night/6-day fishing package, which begins and ends on a Saturday. During your 6 days of fishing a typical fishing itinerary would be as follows (All the waters listed below are within an hour drive from the lodge and most are less than a half hour):
- 2 days of jet boat access; one day to the lower Paloma river and the boca of the Claro and one day to the Rio Azul, and the Elizalde Outlet.
- 2 days of floating, which could include any of 4 separate floats on the Simpson, two on the Manihaules, one on the Paloma and one on the Aysen.
- 2 walk in trips to rivers such as the Simpson, Nireguao, Emperor Guillermo, Humeles and Pica Flora as well as numerious smaller rivers, which receive virtually zero fishing pressure.
- Other options include fishing lakes such as Lago Pollux and Lago Frio for large browns and rainbows up to 30+ inches and remote laguanas, which can also hold big fish.
On your way to the nearby rivers and lakes, you may encounter localhuasos or ranchers driving their cattle or sheep along the road or into the hills. You might think you are lost in the wild west of days gone by until you realize a huaso may shuttle your boat with his oxen. You can also encounter glaciers, tropical flowers pollinated by bees and temperate rain forests without the dangers of poisonous snakes, spiders and other creepy crawlies.
There are numerious topical wild plants abound; bamboo, fuchsia, lilies, honeysuckle, nasturtium, lupine and mammoth rhubarb only begin the list. The Rio Simpson area is peaceful, secluded, and a paradise for bird watchers A variety of birds like Andean condors, Chilean Southern – ringed kingfishers, eagles, ibis, torrent ducks and parakeets can been viewed around the Rio Simpson. There is an amazing amount and variety of natural beauty to be taken in by fly fishers, photographers and hikers.
How to get there: From the United States you will fly into Santiago. An impressive, scenic flight on a 737 jet from Santiago, with a stop in Puerto Montt takes you to Balmecada. Upon arrival in Balmaceda, you will be met by your Cinco Rios Chile representative and transferred by vehicle to Cinco Rios. This trip takes approximately 45-55 minutes.
Our Services are Free!
Contact us for Seasonal Discounts, Special Offers or Promotional Pricing
Cinco Rios 2020 – 2021 Rates
(subject to change)
6-days guided fishing / 7 nights (in on Saturday, out on Saturday) is $5,495 US per person for a, double occupancy, two anglers per guide.
Rates include: Pick and return to Balmaceda Airport; daily guided fishing by vehicle / foot and by drift boats or jet boat; accommodations at Cinco Rios Chile, all meals with house wine and beer; soft drinks, flies, leaders and tippet material (provided by your guide) and tax.
Not included: Airfare; fishing license (approximately $15 US to be paid at Cinco Rios Chile); entrance taxes ($100 US cash to be paid upon arrival in Santiago); laundry; tips to guides and staff; hard liquor (a limited selection is available at the lodge, you may want to bring your own); tackle, possible meals or sightseeing during layovers in Santiago.
Documents: US Citizens visiting Chile are required to carry a passport. Please be sure your passport will be valid 6 months after your departure from Chile. When using a passport for proof of citizenship, we recommend carrying a photocopy of your passport picture page and two spare passport photos in a separate piece of luggage. This will greatly expedite matters should you lose your passport during your travels. Once again, remember the $100 US dollars, cash Chilean entrance tax which you need to pay upon arrival in Santiago.