Futa Lodge, Chile
South of the Chilean lake district, Futaleufu is a stand alone fishery and Futa lodge offers immediate access to some of the finest parts of the river.
As well as the mighty river where trout are free rising and plentiful there are beautiful lagoons and lakes that can be accessed from one of the nicest lodges in the country.
The famous Futaleufu river grows healthy stocks of rainbow and brown trout that are fed by abundant hatches of mayfly, caddis and stoneflies. A heavy resident stock of fish and great hatches combined with classic fly water make the Futaleufu a trout fisherman's paradise.
Average rainbows and browns are in the 14"-16" class but much larger fish are caught regularly. There are even the occasional sea-run fish, guaranteed to put a bend in your rod! In truth though, whilst the chance of a big fish is a daily occurrence, it's hard to be totally focused on the fishing in a place this special.
The fishing is a combination of floating and stripping wet flies back from the bank where trout wait to ambush and wading and stalking the edges of the current where back eddies provide a constant source of food. For the more adventurous the lodge offers remote fishing that can only be accessed on horseback where you can pretend to be a mix of gaucho and fisherman in the same day.
Accommodation
Futa lodge stands high on the river bank with an excellent view of the river. It is one of the prettiest lodges in Chile and has a uniquely warm atmosphere.
The Futa lodge has a capacity of six rods and is particularly cosy and comfortable. The food is wonderful with a real emphasis on local produce which means it is always fresh.
The lodge's inaccessibility through the Valle de las Escalas makes this part of the river unique, lazy horseback trails wind down to the river´s edge - a riot of lupins and other wild flowers cover the banks of each side of this amazing river; no engines pollute the river here chemically or audibly, and time appears to have stood still. Futa is a true and total wild fishing experience.
Other activities that one can do at Futa are white-water rafting and kayaking in the Futaleufu River. Horse-riding through the magical coyhue forests, hiking to local waterfalls and bird watching.
