Futaleufú River, Chile
Futa Lodge
Wild brown and rainbow trout on dries, nymphs, and streamers, with riverside cabins steps from the water in the Valle de las Escalas.
Wild brown & rainbow trout
Season 2026–27
6 anglers, 8 guests
Valle de las Escalas, Chile
Futa Lodge on the Futaleufú River
Futa Lodge is a six-angler trout lodge on the bank of Chile’s Futaleufú River, in the Valle de las Escalas, set within a 250-acre private ranch. Wild brown and rainbow trout average about 15 to 20 inches on the Futaleufú and can reach five pounds or more. Guides fish four sections of the river plus nearby rivers and lakes, two guests per boat, with riverside cabins steps from the water at the end of the day. Angler Adventures books Futa Lodge and helps plan the travel.
Across the border from Esquel, Argentina, the Futaleufú runs deep and blue through the coihue forests of Chile’s tenth region. In the Tehuelche language the name means “Big River.” South of the Chilean lake district, it stands as a freestone fishery of its own, with wild rainbows and browns that key on mayfly, caddisfly, stonefly, and terrestrial hatches.
The Valle de las Escalas is hard to reach. Horse trails wind down to the river’s edge through lupins and other wildflowers, no engines run on this stretch of water, and Futa Lodge sits on the bank with its lights on when you come back off the river at dusk.
Since the mid-eighties the lodge has hosted anglers including Lefty Kreh, Mel Krieger, and Lee and Joan Wulff. They came for what still brings guests here: the fishing, the guiding, the rooms, and Chilean hospitality.
Fly Fishing at Futa Lodge
Futa Lodge fishes wild brown and rainbow trout on four sections of the Futaleufú, with more water on the Espolón River, the Río Azul, and Lonconao and Espolón lakes. When conditions allow, the Río Grande on the Argentine side can be added. On the Futaleufú, fish average about 15 to 20 inches and can reach five pounds or more. They eat streamers, dries, and nymphs depending on the season, and terrestrials are a summertime mainstay.
Guides take two anglers per boat and fish from rafts with swivel seats and on foot. A full week leaves room to fish different water each day.
Fly Gear for the Futaleufú River
- Rods: 9-foot 5- and 6-weights
- Reels: at least 100 yards of backing
- Lines: a floating line, plus an integrated sinking line with 10 to 20 feet of 200- to 300-grain tip
- Dry-fly leaders: 9 to 12 feet, 3X to 5X
- Streamer leaders: 2X to 0X fluorocarbon
- Wading boots: no studs; felt soles are forbidden
- Water: can be in the 40s °F
The rate includes loaner rods, reels, and lines. Flies are extra, and the lodge sells local patterns.
The Fishing Day at Futa Lodge
Breakfast is around 7 a.m., and you are on the water around 8 a.m. Boats come back to the lodge for lunch around noon, go out again around 4:30 p.m., and fish until dusk.
Futa Lodge is strictly catch and release.
Staying at Futa Lodge
Futa Lodge hosts up to 8 guests: 6 anglers and 2 non-anglers. Riverside cabins sit steps from the water, and every room has a private bathroom and a wood-burning stove. The main lodge has a living room with a fireplace, and the whole property sits within a 250-acre private ranch.
Meals come from an à la carte, farm-to-table menu, and the open bar covers wine, beer, and local spirits. An outdoor wooden hot tub overlooks the river, and there is outdoor dining around a fire pit.
- Guides: English-speaking, two guests per boat
- Boats and trucks: rafts with swivel seats; 4WD vehicles
- Housekeeping: daily
- Wi-Fi: available
- Flies: local patterns for sale at the lodge
Futa Lodge 2026–2027 Rates
The 2026–27 season opens in December 2026. Angler Adventures confirms whether your week runs through March or April. Rates below are the shared-occupancy, shared-boat price per person.
| Length of stay | Anglers program | Rivers and wilderness |
|---|---|---|
| 7 nights / 6 days | $6,950 | $5,950 |
| 6 nights / 5 days | $6,350 | $5,100 |
| 5 nights / 4 days | $5,750 | $4,250 |
| 4 nights / 3 days | $4,950 | $3,400 |
| 3 nights / 2 days | $3,950 | $2,550 |
Rates are per person in USD, based on shared occupancy and boat, and are subject to change.
Additional Pricing Information
- Single boat: 50% surcharge
- Non-angler: $650 per night per person
- Full-day fishing on arrival or departure day: $850 per boat
- Half-day fishing on arrival or departure day: $750 per boat
Payment Terms for Futa Lodge
A 50% deposit within 14 days confirms the reservation. The balance is due 120 days before your start date. All deposits and payments are non-refundable.
Angler Adventures services are free. Call 860-434-9624 or send a message to start planning your Futa Lodge trip.
What the Futa Lodge Rate Includes
Included in the Futa Lodge Rate
- Lodging
- All meals, plus wine, beer, and local spirits
- Professional guides, two guests per boat
- Loaner rods, reels, and lines
- Rivers and wilderness activities
Not Included at Futa Lodge
- Airfare
- Transfers (Esquel, Bariloche, or Chaitén), price on request through Angler Adventures
- Laundry service
- Gratuities for guides and house staff
- Flies
Getting to Futa Lodge
Futa Lodge is in the Valle de las Escalas, on the Futaleufú, in Chile’s tenth region, a short drive from the town of Futaleufú.
- Through Esquel, Argentina: fly into Buenos Aires (EZE or AEP), spend a night in the city, and take a domestic flight of about 2¼ hours to Esquel (EQS). The road transfer to the lodge crosses the border into Chile and takes about 1 to 2 hours. This is the most direct route.
- Through Chaitén, Chile: fly from Santiago (SCL) to Chaitén (WCH), usually connecting through Puerto Montt (PMC). A lodge representative meets you for the drive, about 3.5 to 4 hours.
- Through Futaleufú airport: take a private charter from Puerto Montt to the Futaleufú airport, where a lodge representative meets you for a short transfer to the lodge.
Transfers are priced separately. Angler Adventures quotes the transfer for your route on request.
Trout of the Futaleufú River
Brown trout
(Salmo trutta)
Wild browns in the Futaleufú and the lodge's other rivers and lakes. On the Futaleufú, fish average about 15 to 20 inches, and browns can reach five pounds or more. They take streamers, dries, and nymphs by season, and terrestrials in summer.
Futaleufú & nearby rivers · About 15–20 inches
Rainbow trout
(Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Wild rainbows share the same water, on the Futaleufú and nearby rivers and lakes. Futaleufú fish average about 15 to 20 inches, and rainbows can reach five pounds or more. They feed on mayfly, caddisfly, stonefly, and terrestrial hatches.
Futaleufú & lakes · Up to 5 lb or more
Non-Fishing Activities at Futa Lodge
- Horseback riding through the coihue forests.
- Hiking, from about an hour to full days of 3 to 8 hours.
- White-water rafting on the Futaleufú, with a family float for ages 14 and up.
- Kayaking and duckies (inflatable kayaks) on the river.
- Canyoning.
- A half-day tour of the town of Futaleufú.
- A zip-line course about 10 minutes from town: six lines, more than 700 meters, minimum age 12.
Non-anglers stay for $650 per night per person.
Futa Lodge FAQ
What fish can I catch at Futa Lodge?
Wild brown and rainbow trout. On the Futaleufú, fish average about 15 to 20 inches and can reach five pounds or more.
How many guests does Futa Lodge host?
Up to 8 guests: 6 anglers and 2 non-anglers. Every room has a private bathroom and a wood-burning stove, and the riverside cabins sit steps from the water.
How do I get to Futa Lodge?
There are three routes. Through Esquel, Argentina, the drive is about 1 to 2 hours with a border crossing into Chile. Through Chaitén, Chile, it is about 3.5 to 4 hours. A private charter from Puerto Montt to the Futaleufú airport is followed by a short transfer. Transfers are priced separately, and Angler Adventures quotes yours on request.
Do I need to bring my own rods and flies?
The rate includes loaner rods, reels, and lines. Flies are extra, and the lodge sells local patterns. If you bring your own rods, the lodge recommends 9-foot 5- and 6-weights with a floating line and an integrated sinking line. Wading boots cannot have studs or felt soles.
Is Futa Lodge catch and release?
Yes. Futa Lodge operates under a strict catch-and-release policy.
Can a non-angler come along?
Yes. Non-anglers stay for $650 per night per person. Activities include horseback riding, hiking, white-water rafting, kayaking, duckies, canyoning, a tour of the town of Futaleufú, and a zip-line course about 10 minutes from town.
Plan Your Futa Lodge Trip
Book now, get a quote, or ask about fly fishing on the Futaleufú.
Around Futa Lodge
Fishing the Futaleufú River
Rooms and Evenings
Across the border from Esquel in Argentina, and deep into the Coyhue forests of the tenth region of Chile flow the azure depths of the Futaleufu river.
A world away from the hustle and bustle that even sleepy Esquel represent, the “Big River”; (for this is how Futaleufu translates from the Tehuelche tongue) rolls along, amid some of the most unspoiled mountain scenery on the planet.
South of the Chilean lake district, Futaleufu is a stand alone fishery. The freestone giant grows healthy stocks of rainbow and brown trout that are fed by abundant hatches of mayfly, caddis and stone flies. A heavy resident stock
of fish and great hatches combined with classic fly water make the Futaleufu a trout fisherman’s paradise. Average rainbows and browns are in the 14″-16″ class but much larger fish are caught regularly.
There is even the occasional sea-run fish, guaranteed to put a bend in your rod! In truth though, whilst the chance of a big fish is a daily occurrence, it’s hard to be totally focused on the fishing in a place this special.
There’s a magic in the valley that transcends mere fishing. Futaleufu is a place to re-charge your batteries, to feel your spirits soar.
The lodges inaccessibility through the Valle de las Escalas make this part of the river unique, lazy horseback trails wind down to the rivers edge, a riot of Lupins and other wild flowers, no engines pollute the river here chemically or audibly and time appears to have stood still. Futa Lodge stands sentinel on the river bank wishing you well on your daily fishing foray, its lights twinkling a greeting in the evening as you return from the river.
Since the mid -eighties Futa Lodge has welcomed the greatest names in fishing, from Lefty Kreh and Mel Kreiger to Lee and Joan Wulff. The reason they came is the same now as it always has been, Futa represents the best of Chilean fishing, hospitality, accommodations, guiding and service.
Futa Lodge fishes primarily for Brown and Rainbow trout, with dry and wet flies in the Futaleufu river itself. The lodge also fishes neighboring tributaries and lakes which are mostly populated by Browns and Rainbows.
Other species occasionally encountered in the Futaleufu and Espolon rivers include Chinook, Silver & Atlantic Salmon, Sea-run Brown Trout and Steelhead. During a full week stay, anglers can visit different waters each day.
Easy access to some of the prime water on the Futaleufu river from right in front of the lodge. Great wade and drift boat fishing. Superb Dry fly and Streamer fishing. Varied fishing program taking in local tributaries and Lakes.
Fly Gear: Nine foot 4-7 weight rods for dry flies, 5-8 weight rods for wet-flies and streamers. Floating lines and sink tip and fast sinking lines. 8 foot to 12 foot leaders tapered down to two pound tippet for dry-flies and tapered down to 6 lbs for streamers.
Flies in Dry fly would be all mayfly patterns from size 12-20, spent patterns in similar sizes. Nymphs and Scuds in sizes 10-18 weighted and un-weighted. Streamers, Sculpins and Wooly Buggers in sizes 6-12.
Fishing Schedule is flexible but will normally start after breakfast at 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM. Shore lunches are the norm followed by fishing in the afternoon until into the evening. Seasonal changes will take into account the changing light but early season fishing may be as late as 10 PM, late season as early as 7 PM.
Futaleufu Lodge is strictly a catch and release fishery.
Location: Futa Lodge is situated in the Valle de las Escalas on the Futaleufu River, about half way between Puerto Montt and Coyhaique, 40 minutes drive from the village of Fuateufu.
How to get there: From Argentina, there are weekly flights to Esquel. You will be met by a lodge representative, cross the border to Chile and driven to the lodge (approx 1 1/2 hours)
By air from Santiago and Puerto Montt to Chaiten. You will be met in Chaiten and transfers to the lodge by 4WD vehicle (approx 4 hours).
From Puerto Montt you can also charter direct to the Futaleufu airport, where you will be met by a lodge representative and driven to the lodge (approx 40 minutes).
