Koon Outfitters

Koon Outfitters has carefully selected boutique hotels or private homes for each of their programs. This includes small hotels in the city of Coyhaique to private locations for small groups that want something other than a lodge.

One of the unique characteristics of being based out of the city of Coyhaique is being able to experience the local culture. You can explore the city and small towns after a day of fishing and get to know the local customs, cuisine, and superb Chilean wine. The hotels we use have excellent dining service. These boutique hotels are not “fishing lodges,” but offer top-notch service and will be waiting for you with a pisco sour to renew your energy after a long day on the water.

Our private homes are located outside of town and right on the water, reducing driving times to our fishing spots. Two of the favorites are the Ardillas Ranch in the Cerro Castillo area and the Cascasas Park on the Simpson river banks. At these locations, our own chef prepares freshly made Chilean meals and possibly even a classic, Patagonian lamb Asado.

Gear Recommendations:

Basic Tackle:

5-wt. rod for dry flies and 6/7-wt. rod for streamer fishing. The all-around rod, if you only want to bring one, is a 6-wt. rod.

Rods must be loaded with at least one WF floating line and one fast sinking line (200 grains sinking head recommended and is the most most versatile line).

9 ft. and and 7.5 ft.; 2x, 3x & 4x leaders. For streamer fishing, we recommend Fluorocarbon, 0x and 1x leaders.

Koon Outfitters carries a large selection of the most used flies in the area, and this is provided in our program, but feel free to bring your own favorite patterns as well.

What to Bring (Additional):

Breathable waders and felt wading boots are highly recommended. If the weather is warm, wet wading in shorts and sandals can be a great break from the heat. It is important to always bring a good rain jacket and layers in case it does get cold. We will provide a detailed packing list before your trip.

We understand the importance of preventing the area from invasive species, but due to the security of the anglers, we prefer felt instead of rubber soles. We have a large stock of felt wading boots, please request your specific size at time of booking if you don't want to bring yours or you don't have felt shoes. If you do bring your own wading boots, please clean/disinfect them before the trip.

No cleats or studs are allowed in our boats or rafts.

A typical day of fishing around Coyhaique:

8:00-8:30 am: Departure from the lodge to the selected destination of the day.

9:30 am: Spend the day fishing on a lake, river, or stream. A gourmet lunch will be provided and a rest after if needed.

7:30 pm: Time to return to the lodge. This is flexible: if you want

to fish the last hour or spend more time on the river, feel free to tell us. We don't have schedules.

8:30 - 9:00 pm: Arrival at the lodge, where we will be met with a refreshing pisco sour or glass of wine. Dinner at the lodge or local restaurant.

Season:

The season starts in mid-October and ends in early May. The prime season in the Coyhaique area is from late November to April. In the beginning and end of the season, we have several destinations different than the classic Coyhaique program. We do this to put you in the best fishing opportunity with clear and fishable waters.

Species:

Brown trout and rainbow trout are the main species we fish for. There are salmon species, depending on the time of the season, but the most common species is king salmon. Other salmon species are the Atlantic and silver salmon that can be sporadically found in specific waters during certain times of the year.

Region/Terrain:

Koon Outfitters is headquartered in Coyhaique, the Capital City of the Aysén Region in Chile. Aysén is the least populated region in the country. The landscape is marked by several glaciers that formed many lakes, channels, and fjords. The region contains ice fields, including the Northern and Southern Patagonian Ice Fields, the world’s third-largest after those in Antarctic and Greenland.

The most efficient way to access the region is via Balmaceda Airport (BBA) located 35-miles south of Coyhaique. There are daily, non-stop flights from Santiago (SCL), and they take about 2 hours and 15 minutes.

There is no place in South America that has access to so many different rivers, lakes, and small streams. This is simply an angler’s paradise.

Typical Weather:

The weather in Patagonia is famous for being extreme. Temperatures will range between 50F/10C and 80F/27C during the day. The nights can be cool 44F/7C. Patagonia weather is well known for the dramatic changes that can be experienced in one day, “you can pass all the seasons in one day.” At times, the weather is unpredictable but normally very nice during the fishing season.

2023-2024 Season & Rates:

Daily all inclusive rate:

• Per Angler Double Occupancy: $700 per day
• Per Angler Single Occupancy sharing a guide: $800 per night
• Per Angler Single Occupancy: $875 per night

What is Provided:

Included:

• Professional, knowledgeable, local guides (one guide per two anglers)
• Specialized equipment (new, state-of-the-art boats) & 4wd Vehicles
• Gourmet lunches and superb Chilean wines
• *Comfortable, cozy lodge or private homes (*only in all-inclusive programs)

Not included:

• Gear rental
• International and domestic airfare
• Fishing license
• Trip insurance
• Guide gratuities

Additional Activities:

Koon Outfitters can arrange non-angler programs: Hiking, Horseback riding, biking, bird-watching, and others. These programs can vary from half-day trips, to overnights. If you are interested in taking in local culture or seeing the natural flora and fauna of Patagonia, or just want to take a break from fishing, we will customize the perfect program for you.