Headed down south for a few weeks and can’t freakin wait…or sleep in my anticipation! Anyone been down that way in the Lake Districts or can give me any pointers. Spending 1/2 my time in Argentina and the other in Chile…Yes I will bring back pics for you guys ;D
No puede esperar para pescar y para beber!
I was Chile in February 07 and will be returning this next february. Fished for a week in Cohayque (not sure of the spelling) with Rumbo Patagon. Had a great time. Guides were great and the people in Chile and Argentina were very nice.
Afterwards, went over to Argentina for a week of site seeing ( A week isn’t long enough)
Of the two, Argentina was alot less expensive – in fact cheap by comparison. Chile is more expensive – more on a par with the states.
You really won’t be able to tell you are not in the US except for the language. On our first night in Santiago, we went to a mall and ate dinner at Tony Romas because we didn’t speak spanish and were uncertain what to order. We quickly gained confidence and just went about things like we were natives. If you didn’t know you were in Chile or Argentina, you really wouldn’t know.
Communication wasn’t much of a problem – could usually find someone to speak english. Restaurants have menus in english if you ask for them. It is actually fun to try and use what little spanish we remembered from high school.
Both countries are modern and relatively safe – but like anywhere, kind of know where you are going and what you are doing – especially in the bigger cities. We never had any trouble and it was not unusual to be out late at night walking around. These folks usually start their dinner hour at 8 or 9PM.
Before I went, I bought a couple of hundred dollars in currency for each country from AAA - that way I had money for cabs, taxis, food, etc. They usually take Visa or Mastercard or American Express. Usually enough auotmatic teller machines around to get cash as needed. I also took travelers checks but never needed them. Just used the teller machines.
I opened an account with my broker just for my credit card and placed a certain amount of cash in it. My thought was that if the card was stolen, losses would be held to a minimum. Also, the brokerage card gave me a favorable exchange rate.
Depending upon where you are going, remember, this is there summer season and it may be a little more difficult to book rooms, etc. if you are going traveling.
Some of the cities - particularly in Argentina, we found that they took a siesta in the middle of day and everything closed down. In other cities, they didn’t.
Fishing was quite good-- fished a variety of waters. 90% of fish caught were Browns.
I took 4,5,6,8wt rods with floating and sinking lines. Could have done it all with a 5 or 6 wt and an 8wt. However broke my 8 wt and was glad I had back up.
Flies were pretty much the standard thing we would use out west. Nymphs, streamers and Dries. Had a ton of hoppers and never used them. Did use a lot of Chernobyl ants. Used some big articulated streamers and the one I stocked up on for this year is the bow river bugger. If you are going with an outfitter, they should be able to give you a list.
If you are fishing is patagonia area of Chile, be prepared for WIND. Weather will be variable, at least some rain and anywhere from hot to cold – especially in the evenings if you are fishing anywhere near glaciers.
Hey I’m really excited for you and I hope you have as much fun as we did. I can’t wait to get back down there – I loved the countries, loved the people, the fishing, everything about it. Could easily live down there.
JW
hey trout-dawg, this site might be of assistance. Check out their photography section, awesome. The fishing season just opened a couple of weeks ago.
www.riosysenderos.com
Thanks for all of the help, that was some very helpful information and can’t wait to get there! Muchas Gracias!
Trout-Dawg,
I live in Chile and I have no problem to help you in anything you need, just PM to ask anything you want… 
Yep Gringo I have some advice… HAVE FUN!!! 
You might want to send a PM to Ariel Gutierrez. He is from Argentina and says in chat that he will be fishing Patagonia in December. In the member list he is:
ariel gutierrez
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=25379