Fly fishing for browns - Photo: Todd Moen.
Estancia del Zorro Lodge - Chile
Rio Simpson Sea Run-Browns and Rainbow Trout
Fly Fishing in Chile and Argentina
Estancia del Zorro Lodge is a working ranch and an Orvis-Endorsed Fly Fishing Lodge. The Lodge sits on 15,000 private acres adjacent to the Argentina and Chile border. Many large browns and rainbows are on the property. The Rio Simpson, the crown dry-fly jewel of the Coyhaique region, is an hour from the Lodge.
Fly Fishing at Estancia del Zorro
Estancia del Zorro is a 15,000-acre ranch and the sister operation of Cinco Rios Lodge, twenty-three miles away in Coyhaique.
Because the Lodges are so close, guests have the unique opportunity to explore private, productive waters in both Chile and Argentina, reached by 30-to 90-minute rides in four-wheel-drive vehicles from the Lodge.
While some waters offer exciting dry fly action, others require challenging sightfishing in pristine, crystal clear waters where trout can grow as large as 32.” The Estancia del Zorro spring creek is 200 yards from the Lodge and offers easy walk-in fishing for large, heavy brown trout.
The Rio Simpson, the crown dry-fly jewel of the Coyhaique region, is just one hour from Estancia del Zorro. A float and fishing day can be arranged.
Fishing Facts:
Lodge Season: The Lodge is open October through May, with the best wade fishing November through March.
Fishing Seasons: November and December, Chile’s spring season, are good months to catch browns and rainbows on streamers and nymphs.
Stonefly hatches are constant and exciting to fish. During their summer months—January and February—are their best dry fly months, and the time to fish dries,
terrestrials, and emergers. In March and April, temperatures cool, and the brown trout spawn, proving the best months to land the big one.
Boats: The Lodge has rubber rafts with wooden floors, knee braces, high-back seats, and Zodiac inflatable boats with jet engines. Two anglers per guide and boat.
Equipment: Flies, leaders, and tippets are provided by your guide. A comprehensive gear and tackle list is included in our confirmation packet.
Boots: No felt-soled boots are allowed unless they are brand-new. With advance notice, loaner boots are available at the Lodge.
Guides: Experienced bilingual guides speak Spanish and English.
A Fishing License is included in the package.
About Estancia del Zorro
Estancia del Zorro is in the habitat of the red fox (Zorro), the namesake of the Lodge. The Estancia is a remodeled ranch house with six air-conditioned bedrooms. Each room has two king-sized beds, a private bath, and a balcony overlooking the sheep farming ranch, the spring creek, and the vast pampas.
A main great room or quicho is where anglers relax and socialize. The Lodge has Wi-Fi in public areas.
Gourmet meals are served with house wine. The open bar includes beer, wine, and liquor is included in the package. There's a satellite TV in the clubhouse.
The area is peaceful, secluded, and a birdwatcher’s paradise with Andean condors, Chilean Southern-ringed kingfishers, eagles, ibis, torrent ducks, and pink flamingos. Nature’s wonders abound for fly anglers, photographers, and hikers. The non-angler package includes birdwatching, sightseeing, kayaking, horseback riding, trekking, photo tours, and more...
Getting to the Lodge:
You'll fly to Santiago, Chile. From Santiago, you'll take a two to three-hour flight to Balmaceda. (No flights are included in the package.) Upon arrival in Balmaceda, you'll be met by a lodge representative and transferred by vehicle to Estancia del Zorro, a 90-minute drive.
2024 and 2025 USD Rates:
November 2024 to the first week of May 2025.
Two Lodges Combo:
Cinco Rios Lodge and Cinco Rios Lodge, its sister LodgeA great option for those who want to fish both sides of the Andes… and a different river each day.
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing
$6,750.00 per person
14-nights and 13-days guided fishing
$13,500.00 per person
The Package Includes:
• Ground transfers between Balmaceda Airport and the Lodges
• Guided fishing
• Fishing license
• Some flies, tippets, and leaders
• Accommodations at the Lodge
• Wi-Fi at the Lodge
• Meals and beverages (wine, cocktails, and bottled water)
• Lodging tax.
The Packages Do Not Include:
• International airfare to Santiago, Chile, and return
• Domestic airfare from Santiago to Balmaceda, Chile, and return
• Rod and reel rentals ($120.00 p.p.)
• Laundry service
• Gratuities for guides and staff
• Items of personal nature, including telephone calls
• Global Rescue
• Travel insurance
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.
