Yan Kee Way Lodge

Trout and Salmon Fishing in Chilean Patagonia

Yan Kee Way sits on the banks of Lago Llanquihue the southern most lake in Chile’s famous Lake District. The lodge and its 320 square mile lake look up the foothills of the Andes and are in the center of the best fishing in Southern Chile. The lodge is located just a one hour drive north and east of Puerto Montt (known as the “Gateway to Chilean Patagonia”), near the little town of Ensenada. The lodge is nestled within a small 12-acre forest on the lake’s edge, in the shadow of Volcano Osorno.

Yan Kee Way Lodge is located in the middle of one of the most prolific fisheries in all of Chile. The rivers and lakes surrounding the lodge are home to resident Brown and Rainbow Trout as well as a large population of Atlantic, Coho, and King salmon that don’t head out to sea. Each year, migratory Sea Run Brown Trout, Steelhead, Atlantic salmon, King salmon, and Coho salmon pass though the river systems on their way to distant spawning grounds. The resident salmon population is well established in Lago Llanquihue, that Yan Kee Way is allowed to open their fishing season for all trout and salmon species in September – 2 months prior to Chile’s country-wide opening the season in November.

Yan Kee Way’s primary river, the Rio Petrohue, is known for its big, clear, cool water and big Chilean trout. The Rio Petrohue is only minutes from the lodge and is best fished out of the boat with sinking lines and streamers, however there are sections of prime water to be waded. The main river does offer some dry fly fishing opportunities, the dozen’s of tributaries are more easily waded and have more prolific hatches. Anglers can choose from main waters of Lago Llanquihue and Rio Petrohue or from the smaller rivers like Maullin, Cayatue, El Salto, San Antonio, Cobre, Sin Nombre, Coiheco rivers as well some more remote, spring creek type water. Yan Kee Way uses a variety of different watercraft, so the right boat, for each water type, because there isn’t one boat that can do it all. This gives anglers at Yan Kee Way an advantage and the ability to locate fish no matter what the weather or the conditions.

The lodge is unique in Chile. The compound was carefully constructed over a five-year period, with great attention to detail. The main lodge building has exposed, sandblasted post and beam throughout, which highlights beautiful local woods, black lava encrustations and old-world style craftsmanship. Yan Kee Way’s accommodations are comprised of private chalets, bungalows, hotel style rooms, and suites. The 1,400 square foot chalets and bungalows are designed to accommodate groups of various sizes. Each building was carefully designed and constructed from the beautiful local woods, in a style that reflects the Southern Chile’s architecture but still incorporated modern features, like central heating.

Yan Kee Way also features Latitude 42º Restaurant. The restaurant has been consistently recognized as the best dining in Patagonia and was given the title of best restaurant outside of Santiago for the whole of Chile. Latitude 42º offers excellent international cuisine, a wine cellar with over 350 distinct labels from 30 Chilean vineyards, and a talented master Sommelier who is an expert at matching the perfect wine with your meals. Yan Kee Way and Latitude 42º Restaurant also provide the extraordinary service expected to accompany the gourmet meals and fine wine.

The artwork and furniture add to the Chilean ambiance at Yan Kee Way. Most of the furnishings were custom designed and crafted in Chile and Argentina. There are numerous pieces of original art on the grounds, created by Chilean artists, like the 6-foot long Stonefly nymph sculptor in front of the restaurant. The most prolific of which is the beautifully sculpted, 350 year old Coihue Tree. The tree began to die and loose it’s limbs in 1998. Yan Kee Way decided to preserve the tree and hired Arnaldo Diez, a well know Chilean sculptor, to transform the tree into a work of art. The tree currently stands with 120 distinct, wonderfully colored carvings, depicting the “Legend of Osorno Volcano.”

The artwork and furniture add to the Chilean ambiance at Yan Kee Way. Most of the furnishings were custom designed and crafted in Chile and Argentina. There are numerous pieces of original art on the grounds, created by Chilean artists, like the 6-foot long Stonefly nymph sculptor in front of the restaurant. The most prolific of which is the beautifully sculpted, 350 year

old Coihue Tree. The tree began to die and loose it’s limbs in 1998. Yan Kee Way decided to preserve the tree and hired Arnaldo Diez, a well know Chilean sculptor, to transform the tree into a work of art. The tree currently stands with 120 distinct, wonderfully colored carvings, depicting the “Legend of Osorno Volcano.”

Yan Kee Way is the perfect place for groups, families and couples to come and relax, enjoy great fishing and/or indulge in a variety of outdoor activities. In addition to fishing packages, Yan Kee Way also offers a number of guided outdoor activities, from light to extreme, for the non-angler from photography or cultural tours to canopy tours on a zip-line to shopping. There is also satellite television and access to telephone, fax, and the Internet. Guests can enjoy excellent stargazing and usually gain a new appreciation of the night sky – there are an incredible number of celestial objects, not to mention two galaxies and the Southern Cross, which are not visible from much of the Northern Hemisphere.

Yan Kee Way is perfect for a week-long fishing trip or as a family vacation, where you can get a few days of fantastic fishing in. Yan Kee Way is also a great place to add a day or two to the beginning or end of another fishing trip to Chile because it is so close to world-class trout fishing and is an easy drive to the Puerto Montt airport.