The area where the Patagonia Baker Lodge is located is widely known for its famous Baker and Cochrane Rivers that carry their unique crystal clear waters and a generous population of very active trout.

Near the Lodge, the Baker River offers over 10 kilometers full of fishing spots you can access only by boat. This area is mostly populated with Rainbow trout and Brown trout. The latter preferably found at the river’s birthplace, near Lake Bertrand.

Fifty kilometers to the South is the Cochrane River, revered by fishermen who had the chance to visit it. Its deep waters are unusually crystal clear, and the scenery seems to be captured from a dream. The Cochrane trout are a true challenge, with sizes ranging between 25 to 35 inches.

They are very a very discerning kind of trout, and powerful too. It’s a very technical fishing, to be performed with small nymphs, floating lines, and very long leaders. If you are the kind of angler who enjoys trophy fishing, this river can be your chance to take back home that picture you have always dream of.

In both the Baker and the Cochrane fishing is performed by wading. The upper Baker area has also a number of alternative spots such as creeks, lakes and ponds.

Fishing season:

Our fishing season runs from mid October through mid April.

Catch & Release

Fishing at PBL is strictly catch & release. Barb less hooks are required in order to protect the rivers wildlife.

Accessing the fishing spots?

Our Lodge has two 4WD double cabin trucks, perfectly fit for the transportation of both guests and boats to the selected fishing spots. Our vehicles are also used for passenger transportation between the airport of arrival and the Lodge.

We also have three different Zodiac-type outboard motor boats, very appropriate for lake and river navigation. They are specially equipped for a safe and comfortable fishing day.

There’s also a McKenzie drift boat, a classic specially designed for row-drifting downstream. It is also adequately equipped. Going downstream in this row boat gives you an entirely different fishing perspective, for you can access unique spots.

Fishing Programs

Enjoy our comfortable rooms and our outstanding gourmet cooking, our staff’s professional dedication, and the safety and quality of our vehicles. Our fishing guides are all Chilean nationals, hence experienced and knowledgeable of the area’s fishing secrets.

PROGRAMS INCLUDE

- Luxury rooms with private bathroom and direct view to Baker River.
- Ground transportation Balmaceda - Lodge - Balmaceda.
- Breakfast and two gourmet meals a day, with selected wines, beer or soft drinks.
- Cocktails before dinner with Chilean Pisco Sours
- Traditional Gaucho barbecue, Lamb on open fire.
- Bilingual Fishing Guide (1x2) and appropriate fishing boats.
- Fishing in different spots, ground transportation included.
- Fishing license (issued directly at PBL).
- One tour or outdoor activity for accompanying non angler.
- Satellite TV (Club House).
- Wi- Fi Access (unlimited usage with own portable).

3 days and 4 nights

This program includes fishing in Baker and Cochrane rivers. It’s the shortest period of time you will need to become acquainted and thoroughly experience this great fishing area, for there are a number of freshwater and wild trout spots waiting for you.

6 days and 7 night

With this program you will be able to reach some of the most remote and exclusive spots in our rivers, enjoying your experience in full. You will access diverse fishing spots from a selection made for you by our guides’ team, based on the time of the year and a fresh update of the rivers conditions. Hence, in addition to the Baker and Cochrane rivers, we will show you to other little explored water courses. Our seven night program will surely be an unforgettable adventure.

Sample itinerary for a 7 nights Program

Arrival Day:

Arrival at Balmaceda Airport, a PBL staff member will pick you up and drive you to the lodge. It's a 270 Km. drive, a great opportunity to thoroughly enjoy some of the most breathtaking views in the Chilean Patagonia.

Don't forget to bring your camera with you. A snack stopover can be arranged for half way, including hot coffee, beverages, cookies or chocolates. Upon arrival you will be welcomed with a typical Pisco Sour cocktail, and if you feel like fishing right away, you will only need to walk only a few steps to get to a very productive eddy, right by the lodge. Should you choose to reach the lodge earlier by air, the lodge's guides will be ready to take you out in a zodiac for your first encounter with the Baker's trout at no extra cost. The sun sets between 8 and 10 p.m. in this area, with great hatches at dawn.

Days 1 to 6 :

During these full fishing days you will have the chance to fish the Baker in at least ten different spots. You will also be fishing different spots of the Cochrane River, being its upper section like a big spring creek because of the structure of its waters. And its lower part a typical pampa river with slower flowing and darker water. Several other smaller rivers and streams will be visited, depending on the time of the year and fishing conditions: the Mataquita river, Maitén river, Bertrand lake, and Cochrane Lake, are some of the options that this unique part of the world has to offer for your enjoyment.

Departure day:

After breakfast and check out, one of the lodge's vehicles will be ready for return to Balmaceda airport. Yet another chance to enjoy watching the magnificent mountain ranges lakes and forests from a different perspective. Again, keep your camera handy.

Angler´s Sample Daily Routine

Although daily schedules are prepared according to the angler's preferences, the following is a sample typical routine:

7:00 wake up call.
7:30 breakfast at the restaurant.
8:00 fishing gear and equipment preparation.
8:30 boarding the Lodge's vehicles.
8:45 / 9:30 arrival to pre selected fishing spot. Morning fishing.
12:30 lunch break, on the spot or back at the Lodge.
15:30 afternoon fishing, in same or different location.
20:00 boarding the Lodge's vehicles for returning to the lodge.
21:00 cocktails and dinner. Review of next day's fishing activities.

Trip Information

Clothing for this area is fairly basic. The usual is thermal underwear, Gore-Tex waders, fleece jacket, and a rain jacket. The sun during the mid-summer days can be pretty intense, so bring along your favorite sun screen (15 or above), polarized sun glasses, and a hat. Life jackets are provided by the lodge.

During the months of January and February you will need a good insect repellent, especially during the afternoon hours.

Finally, you might want to bring along your camera in order to capture the spectacular scenery and preserve the memories of your adventure. At any rate, your fishing guide will carry a camera to record one by one your catches.

Equipment Recommendatios

We recommend rods in the 3 – 7 weight range, in medium to fast action.
The ideal rod setup is 3#, 5# and 7# or 4# and 6#, if you only want to travel with a singe rod a 5# weight would be the best choice.
Line inventory should include floating and sinking tip lines, and some shooting in the 150- 250 grains range. Leader stock should include 01X to 6X, from 7 to 9 Feet, with tippets in the same sizes. Some occasions demands Fluorocarbon leaders and tippets.
The lodge does not provide fishing gear, however it does offer for sale a good selection of flies.
The lodge has however fishing equipment to loan, in case our anglers breaks or looses their equipment.

The recommended flies

Dry Flies

CDC Caddis, tan and olive 12-16
CDC Elk hair Caddis 12-16
Goddard Caddies 10-14
Elk Hair Caddis 12-16
Adams 12-16
Light Cahil 12-16
Two feather fly 14-16
Black Gnat 14-16
Ants 14-16
Midges 18-20
Dave’s Hopper 8-10
Chernobyl Ants 6-8
Yellow Jacket 12-14

Pupas

Shane Stalcup Diving Caddies 12-14
LaFontaine Sparkle Caddis Pupa 12-16
Any kind of Olive and tan pupas, w/wo bead heads 12-16

Nymphs

Olive and tan free-living Caddis with black beads 12-16
Pheasant tail and pheasant tail flash back w/wo bead head 12-16
Pheasant tail rubber legs 12 - 16
Copper John in Red Green and Copper 12-16
Prince nymph w/wo bead head 12-16
Hare Ear w/wo bead head 12-16
Hare Ear rubber legs 12-16
Small black nymphs with black bead heads 14-16
Black M.O.A.T. (Tungsten Stonefly Reinys).

Streamers

Zonkers Black and White 6-8
Wolly Buggers Black, Olive and White 6-10
Gummy minnows 8
General White and Gray Streamers 6-8