cayutue lodge

     The Lodge

     One of the Chilean lodges we frequent lies just across the Andes mountains from Bariloche. It is located on Todos Los Santos Lake at the very end of the most south reaching arm. One must travel from Petrohue Chile or cross the Andes by boat and bus in order to reach the Todo los Santos Lake. Then there is a 30-minute boat ride to reach the lodge. The location is quite remote has electricity only at night by use of a generator. The Cayutue Lodge was built more then 65 years ago and still remains family owned and operated.
     The name Cayutue means 6 volcanic craters. The main lake behind the lodge is just one of the 6 craters in the area.

     The northern view from the main lobby window is breathtaking with a straight shot up the narrow arm of the lake and finishing with the scenic, snowcapped volcanic mountain, Funnel Peak.
      The lodge holds a maximum of 6 guests that can divide their time between fishing the lakes and rivers, horseback riding, relaxing within the lodge or infront of the lodge on the lake's best beach.
     The Cayutue Lodge has a professional chef from Santiago de Chile. The food is brought in for the week and prepared fresh each day. Salmon is as popular in Chile as beef is in Argentina! Expect large portions of four course meals and a variety of Chilean wines.
     This lodge is perfect for those who wish to find a secluded area with total privacy and uninterrupted fishing and peace.

    The Fishing

The fishing at the Cayutue lodge is probably one of the most unique fishing experiences to have in Patagonia. The lodge got it's name from the lake located behind the lodge called the Laguna Cayutue, which means six volcanic craters. This particular lagoon is one of six craters in the area. Although this body of water is called a lagoon, it is actually a lake having an inlet and an outlet. To reach the Cayutue Lagoon, anglers must take a 45 minute hike or horseback ride through the Chilean rainforest to where the lodge's motor boats are located along the shore. Rainbow and brown trout inhabit these waters and are extremely healthy and eager to eat your fly. The views from the lake are spectacular with high, lush and surrounding mountains and a pointed snow capped volcanic peak to the north.
     The river that drains the Cayutue Lake is the Cayutue River and is characterized by the crystal clear water.The water is so clear that fishing the river becomes a serious challenge for some anglers. It is very much like spring creek with slow moving currents and massive algae blooms. The only way to fish the majority of the river is to motor up the river and slowly fish and float down. The challenge lies in spotting fish before they spot you. It is helpful to remember where you saw fish on the way up so that you can cast to them when you eventually float down.
The other interesting fishing opportunity lies in fishing the Todos Los Santos Lake just in front of the lodge. The best times are sunrise and late afternoon into sunset. This is the time brown trout are most active and will take moving dry flies off the surface. By fishing the early morning hours on the Todos Los Santos Lake, anglers can still have the rest of the day to fish either the Cayutue Lake or River. In the evening, a few casts are made again in the Todos Los Santos Lake before settling down for a pisco sour or a glass of wine and a delicious Chilean dinner.
Season: September- May

Click here to get information on the Rio Puelo Lodge in Chile.