Rod and Gun

We know Chile and West Argentina first hand. We live here.

FishinChile, the Rod and Gun travel center

Our shops in Santiago and Puerto Montt can solve any last minute shortages with the brands you know and trust. They also give constant hot tips to do it yourself fishermen and set up day trips with local guides(Pto Montt), and are the central guide hang outs for story swapping and breaking news. We have our fingers on the pulse of

We offer our honest and informed opinion on which outfitter per region has the best to offer for each month of the season and parallel activities as well. For those interested in do-it -yourself trips we also aim to please. As we are permanent residents and part of the flyfishing community in Chile through our wholesale distributor of fine flyfishing products (G Loomis, Umpqua/Metz, Scientific Anglers/Mastery, Redington, Tiemco, etc), we maintain contact with the outfitters and understand when their region in particular performs best for travelling anglers in terms of water, weather, and fishing. In terms of attention the outfitters we represent are of the same high standard.

Some options for your flyfishing travel in Chile are as follows-all will differ given your preferred travel dates and specific fishing desires.

We design the perfect trip for with the best outfitters, guides and lodges for each geographic area and time of year, tailered to your fishing desires.

Here's what awaits the travelling angler for the best trout and sea run fishing in Chile and West Argentina, North to South.

Mendoza High Desert

For those looking for the best in big trout small stream fishing we have 'El Gordo' working two magical valleys near Las Leñas (4 hours from Mendoza, Arg). Exclusive access for only five weeks a year to upstream nymphing or dry fly fishing over the largest stream trout(4-10 pounds) we have witnessed. Come back hospitality for 2-4 wt rods and dry lines is why our amigo "El Gordo" is a star attraction. The trip is for those hardy travelers who are willing to travel 4x4 a bit for a truly spectacular wet wading show of unrivaled trout fishing . (Guided access only)

Pucon paso Tromen

The Pucon/Paso Tromen area is more known for the touristic beauty of the area. There are good guides working the Chile side under the shadow of the Villarica Volcano with hidden and secret spots for Bows and sBrown off the well beaten paths of the tourist circuit. The trout and are mostly smaller in this region on the chilean side, but the local guides will know how to get you into the best areas. (Guided and do it yourself)

On the Argentine Side the famed Rio Malleo winds out of the Araucaria Monkey puzzle forests into the high desert pampa with the providing legendary dry fly fishing on the bountiful streams of the area. Malleo, Alumine, Chimehuin are stuff of legends when the hidden secrets of the guides (and padlocked gates) come open. (Guided and do it yourself)

Further south the big fish mecca of the Puerto Varas/Puerto Montt area on the Chilean side rings with names like Rio Petrohue, Rio Puelo, Rio Cochamo, Rio Maullin, Lago Llanquihue(pronounced Yan Kee Way). Big browns, bows, and their sea run bretheren, make this area one of constant mention in Chilean flyfishing. The Rio Petrohue and Puelo are two of the only rivers in the world where during the right time of year, and with the right tactics, the lucky angler can tangle with the Chilean "big five." Chinook, Coho, Atlantic Salmon, resident and sea run Bows and Browns, AND the right guides to put you in front of them are an irresistable combination for many anglers. The fish of this area grow fat and tough on the pancora crab-a crawdad type critter-that dominates diet for the residents. (Guided or do it yourself)

On the other side of the border lies the Bariloche area of the Argentine patagonia, with legendary fishing on rivers like the Limay, Manso, Collun Cura, Carriluefu, Pichi Leufu. The best in the hospitality business and fishing business in this sector are our friends and customers and make travelling anglers the same. High desert weather(and wind) and dry fly action during some months of the year, make this area a come back zone year after year for trout chasers.

Further south, back on the Chilean Side, Lago and Rio Yelcho are fishing like never nothing in recent memory. Three different lodges with three different styles, locations and levels of service give access to a giant fishery ranging from the famed dry dragons of the reeded bays of the lake to the midging schools of visible 2-5 pound trout in the rivers. With daily flights from Puerto Montt into Chaiten, Lago Yelcho and the surrounding area is a destination of choice for some of our most exciting fishing. If you are after big fish on a dry fly, the Dry Dragons of this lake will pump the adrenalin levels to new heights.

Towards the border of this area lies the giant Futaleufu River and lago and rio Espolon and the Esquel sector of the Argentine pampa. Rivers like the Rio Grande, Rivadavia and Arrayanes in the Alerces national park, and the famed Butch Cassidy and Sundance kid region of Chubut and Arroyo Pescado spring creek make this sector of the Argentine patagonia a land of great variety for the angler willing to get there. It gets tougher to find guides and lodges through this area and many who make the trip will do so through our reliable friends in Bariloche.

Further south from Lago Yelcho and the Chaiten entry point is the Palena section of the Chilean Patagonia. Again, big rivers and big fish (ever heard of a size 2 chernoble ant?) are the rule and our friends from Lago Llanquihue have a lodge in the region with a great toy box full of the latest tools to open up this remote areas best hidden secrets All that, in the kind of comfort and grace you might not expect so far from anywhere. There are only two lodges operating an area with countless rivers and lakes and tremedous fishing.

And further south, Coyhaique. A name that rings in the ears of the travelled angler for great reasons. With numerous lodges and dozens of outfitters and guides plying her waters we had to pare down the choices based on personal experience and fishing styles. Our favorites best work the best water and have the acceses the rest lack. The Rios Simpson, Manihuales, Cisnes, Nirehuao, Paloma, Aysen, Huemules all hold days of fishing in different stretches that would keep anybody happy. The secret spring creeks, special stretches combined with "hopper hell" and "gator browns" create addicts to this towns huge fishery. From the guides and outfitters to the on the water lodges, this area is pure magic to flyfish.
Ask us who does it right for your travel dates well in advance.

And still further south from the Coyhaique landing point, the magical valley of Cerro Castillo and the hidden lakes and creeks, and the big lake-General Carrera, provide the entrance to the Rio Baker valley. The Baker and Cochrane are always in shape to give flyfishers a thrill. From the abundance of the Baker, a turquiose giant short for this world due to her hydro power potencial, to the challenge of ten pound rock solid torpedoes in the gin clear water of the Cochrane, where an almost fishless day will see you back in the morning begging for more, this area is a favorite for anglers. The weather shadow provided by the Northern Icefield is also a big plus when you get this far south!! Two guides and two lodges make this sector a winner year after year.

Amigos, these are the highlights that make the patagonia so special. There is something here for all tastes and each area perfoms different at different times of year. Let us share our knowledge with you and join our circle of repeat friends on the fishing trip of your life. Tell me when and I'll tell you where!!

Hasta pronto!
Marc Whittaker

What they said about their trip

"The Chilean Big Five-finally got em all and with a 24 pound king to top it off. The Pet(Petrohue) is my favorite river ever!!" Robert Haskins, Fairmont,CA

"Caddis, Caddis, Caddis, a 50 fish day on the Baker was just what I needed after the three fish day in the Cochrane. The Cochrane will keep me coming back though!! Randal Kingsley, Seattle, WA.

"Where do you find these guides? Three different weeks in three different areas, all with great new friends and great new waters and stories. Can you do it again next year? Bill Yeats, Pittsburgh, PA

"Terrible weather, and yet we found clear water and lots of big fish-What a lodge, what Pisco sours, what a country, what about November 06!! Brian Holstrom, Denver, CO

"Never have to think of where to going again-Marc and the team do it for all of us" Hiraoki Takahashi, Nagano, Japan.

"A number 2 Chernoble Ant is NOT a dry fly." It is a disgrace to our sport that I will only use every year in Chile. William (Surname withheld by request), London

"The fishing class given at the lodge was worth years of fishing experiences all over the world." Erich Steiner, Hamburg, Germany

"Eight Rainbows in the sky and 20 in the water all in one day, I belong to Coihaique now. Same dates next year, same place, and SAME GUIDE, please" DR. B. Freidman, Napoli, Italy

Bio: Marc Whitt