Peak Fishing runs from late February through April.
Estancia Cameron Lodge - Chile
The Rio Grande Sea-Run Browns
Fly or Spin Fishing - Night fishing is Allowed for Sea-Run Browns.
Tierra del Fuego, Spanish for Land of Fire, is a cluster of islands covering about 18,000 square miles. The main island—Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego—is divided between Argentina and Chile. Estancia Cameron Lodge is on a large working sheep and cattle ranch, covering over 373 square miles. The Lodge overlooks the Darwin Mountain Range and is less than 100 yards from the Rio Grande. Cameron is the only lodge on the Chilean side of Tierra del Fuego with total access to the Rio Grande River, as well as access to other very productive lakes, creeks, and lagoons, where resident browns weighing up to 12 pounds reside.
2025 Rate: $6,000.00 per person for 7-nights and 6-days guided fishing.
Fishing the Rio Grande
The Estancia offers access to up to 55 miles (90 km) of the Rio Grande, known as the best river in the world for sea-run brown trout. Sea-run trout typically weigh around 10 pounds, with many caught here ranging from 18 to 20 pounds, and some even reaching up to 26 pounds.
The Rio Grande is the largest and widest river in Tierra del Fuego, originating in Chile and flowing west to the Atlantic on the Argentinean side. Despite its size, the river is only about 30 meters wide, making it suitable for fishing with a nine-foot fly rod that allows you to cover both sides of the river.
Additionally, the Rio Grande is excellent for spey rod fishing. Guides are available to teach you how to use a double-handed fly rod if you're interested. However, it's important to note that the river is not recommended for beginners, as strong winds are common and longer casts are often necessary to reach the fish in some pools.
All fishing is done from shore, so there's no need for boats. The river features diverse terrain, with some hillier areas that provide better protection from the wind. Fishing is typically carried out using floating and sinking lines, and one of the largest fishing beats is located approximately 14 miles from the Lodge, near the Argentinean border.
The Fishing Program:
Season: The Lodge is open from November through April, with peak sea-run brown fishing from late February through April.
Night Fishing is permitted here, as opposed to Argentina, where fishing after dark is not allowed.
Methods: Fly, spey, and spin angling is allowed with one or two hooks. All fishing is catch-and-release.
Guides: Two anglers per English-speaking guide. Guides drive you to the fishing areas in 4WD trucks. You call the shots whether you want to fish a small stream or lake or stay on the Rio Grande for the week.
Fishing Rods: They recommend two-handed rods to effectively cover the pools in big water years and help combat the wind that usually blows downstream. The wind is a fact of life on the Rio Grande, and any advantage they can get in keeping the flies wet is welcome.
Fishing Equipment: No tackle is provided. Our confirmation packet includes a detailed list of what to bring.
Fishing License: A weekly fishing license is $65.00 per person and may be purchased at the Lodge. (A license is not required when fishing on the Lodge's private land.)
Fly-Tying Desk: The Lodge has a fly-tying desk, and some materials are provided.
Kurt Pettipiece with 24-pound Sea-Run Brown.
A Typical Fishing Day:
8:00 a.m. Breakfast is ready.
9:00 a.m. You’ll head out to fish.
Midday: If you want to spend the whole day fishing, the guides will take packed lunches, or you can return to the Lodge for lunch and a nap if desired.
4:00 p.m. You’ll return to fishing and fish until dark.
The lodge manager will discuss your fishing options each evening for the next day.
10:30 p.m. Dinner is served (a late dinner is common in Chile). Relax with an after-dinner drink before turning in for the night.
About Estancia Cameron Lodge
Estancia Cameron Lodge is less than a hundred yards from the Rio Grande River. The area is stunning—close to the mountains, trees, flowers,
and wildlife, such as guanacos, condors, even parakeet flamingos, foxes, and, if you're lucky, armadillos.
Meals: Hearty and traditional meals are prepared using locally sourced seafood (fish, king crab, scallops, and clams), beef, lamb, and more.
Alcohol: The package includes alcohol—including cocktails, like the Chilean Pisco Sour and famous Chilean wines
Power: The Lodge has diesel-generated 220-volt electricity. A power plug adapter and a voltage converter are required for U.S. devices.
Communications: Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the living room and dining area. Guests often use WhatsApp for outside calls.
River Views from the Lodge
Appetizers at the Lodge
Modern Bathrooms
Single Occupancy Bedrooms
The Lodge hosts up to six anglers in seven guest rooms. You'll have your own bedroom with a private bathroom and central heating.
4WD Trucks are used for Transfers and Fishing Days.
Getting to the Lodge:
1.) The best option is to fly to Santiago, Chile.
2.) On the same day, you'll take a 3.5-hour connecting flight to Puntas Arenas.
3.) A Lodge staff member will greet you at the Punta Arenas Airport and drive you to the Lodge, a six-hour drive.
Optional Private Charter Flight: Instead of the Lodge-provided six-hour ground transfer, you can charter a private Cessna plane for up to seven passengers. The 45-minute flight is $2,190 one-way, divided amongst passengers, plus a boarding fee of $5 per person. Rates are subject to change. There is a strict checked baggage limit of 10 kilos (about 22 pounds) and a limit of 5 kilos (11 pounds) of carry-on baggage per passenger. From Pampa Guanacos airstrip, a staff member will drive you to the Lodge in a heated and air-conditioned pickup truck, a 20-minute drive. This flight is subject to change due to weather conditions.
2025 USD Rates
Two-angler minimum booking
Season: November through April
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing $6,000.00 per person
An additional day of guided fishing $700.00 per person
Non-Angler Companion $500.00 per day
Non-Angler Activities include kayaking the nearby rivers or lakes, visiting archeological places, photography opportunities, and more.
Any guests desiring the gaucho lifestyle can horseback ride, join in sheep shearing, and cattle and sheep mustering on the working farm.
Information Packet
The Package Includes:
• Roundtrip ground transfers between Punta Arenas and the Lodge
• 6-days guided fishing
• Daily transportation to fishing areas
• 7-nights single-occupancy lodging
• Wi-Fi in the great room
• All meals and snacks at the Lodge
• All beverages, including Chilean wines and liquors.
The Package Does Not Include:
• International airfare to Santiago, Chile, and return• Domestic airfare from Santiago to Puntas Arenas, and return
• Optional charter flight from Punta Arenas to Pampa Guanacos
• Extra days, hotels, and meals in Santiago or Punta Arenas
• Gratuities to guides and staff
• Tackle and equipment
• A fishing license
• Items of a personal nature
• Global Rescue
• Travel insurance
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.
Estancia Cameron Lodge
Two Anglers per Guide and a 4WD truck.
King Salmon Fishing is now an Option.
Fishing after dark is Legal Here - Jim Teeny (right).
The Great Room Area of Cameron Lodge
Entrance to Estancia Cameron Lodge
