Get ReadyMartínfor Pescador Lodge
SUMMER PLANNING GUIDE
Let’s Get Planning
Eleven’s Experience Team is here to help you design the perfect adventure. This guide outlines what to expect during your stay and how to prepare for your upcoming trip. We look forward to meeting you at Martín Pescador Lodge, but until then, let’s start making some plans.
Getting Here
FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS
U.S. and British citizens entering Chile must have a valid passport. There is no reciprocity fee. U.S. and British citizens traveling to Chile for recreation, tourism, business, or academic conferences do not need to obtain a visa prior to their arrival in Chile. Citizens from other countries, please inquire. Upon arrival in Chile, customs will give you a small piece of paper that is titled “PDI”. Make sure to save that document for the duration of your stay, as you will be asked to hand it back to customs upon departure. We recommend that all travelers make copies of their passports and keep them separately.
IMPORTANT NOTES
° Luggage restrictions require that your total weight — including backpacks and personal items — not exceed 15 kilograms (~33 pounds). Any overages will be added to your final bill.
° Any extra taxi rides and hotels in Puerto Montt are not included.
FLIGHTS
From the moment your booking is confirmed, your Eleven team is here to assist with your travel arrangements. We recommend finalizing your flights as soon as possible to secure the best fares and ensure availability. Shortly after booking, your Experience Team will be in touch shortly after booking to begin coordinating the details of your journey.
1. Getting to Santiago:
• If you’re visiting Chile from another country, you’ll fly into Santiago (SCL)
• LATAM, a Chilean airline, as well as American, Delta, and United offer direct flights from many major cities.
• Most flights are overnight, so be sure to depart at least one day before your check-in date.
• Before booking, please send a draft flight itinerary to your Experience Team for review. Guests are responsible for booking their final itinerary.
2. Santiago to Puerto Montt:
• Take a commercial flight from Santiago to Puerto Montt (PMC). We recommend LATAM or Sky Airlines.
• Please aim to arrive in Puerto Montt between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm, as this window offers the best availability for connecting flights.
3. Puerto Montt to Martín Pescador Lodge:
° After landing in Puerto Montt, we recommend staying in Puerto Varas, a scenic town 30 minutes from the airport. We will arrange for your ground transfer from the Puerto Montt airport to the hotel as well as confirming your hotel accommodations. Hotels in Puerto Montt are not included and come at an additional cost.
° The next morning, we’ll coordinate your ground transfer from your hotel to La Paloma Airfield, where your commercial flight will depart
° Take a commercial flight to Chaitén Airport.
GROUND TRANSFER
From Chaitén airport, our team will pick you up and drive you to the lodge
• One round-trip ground transfer per group is included. If your group requires two charters, both pickups are included.
Santiago
Puerto Montt
Martín Pescador Lodge
Puerto Varas
Chaitén
Fly Fishing
Learn what to expect on your Patagonian adventure.
FAQs
What water will we fish during our stay?
Your stay at Martín Pescador includes time at two distinct lodges—Rio Yelcho Lodge to the north and Rio Rosselot Lodge further south—giving anglers access to a remarkable range of waters and fishing conditions.
Rio Yelcho Lodge sits right on the banks of the Rio Yelcho, with easy access to Lago Yelcho, the lower Futaleufú, and Rio Palena. Highlights include the legendary dry dragonfly fishing on Lago Yelcho and the lower Futaleufú, known for its big browns and rainbows. Here, guides focus on sight-fishing for suspended trout, cruising lake fish, and exploring miles of prime dry-fly and streamer water.
Rio Rosselot Lodge rests along the Rio Rosselot, opening the door to a completely new region to fish. The surrounding rivers and lakes are lightly pressured, scenic, and easily accessible. Days here are spent exploring Rio Rosselot and Lago Rosselot, Rio Figueroa, Rio Pico, and other wild systems within an hour’s reach—often with steady dry-fly action throughout the day.
What are the most common flies?
Small dry flies, often size 8-18, are productive near the lodge. These waters teem with river-born insects like mayflies, caddis flies, and stoneflies, offering excellent dry fly fishing. Streamer fishing is good throughout the season. Lake fishing involves dry dragonfly patterns, dragonfly nymphs, dry-dropper and streamer fishing, along with the ‘eeling’ technique. Eels are actually a semi-transparent minnow, one to three inch long, and they school up and attract trout, leading to thrilling blitzes.
What is your guide team like?
Eleven’s team of highly trained, passionate guides is at the heart of your Patagonia experience. Each guide brings deep expertise, a commitment to safety, and an unmatched knowledge of the region’s waters. Just as important, they take the time to understand your angling style, making every day on the water both dialed-in and deeply personal. If casting to wild trout in some of the world’s most spectacular fisheries excites you, you’re in the right hands.
What gear does the lodge provide?
We provide all equipment, including industry-leading rods and reels, waders and boots, nets, and flies. Our fleet of gear includes Thomas & Thomas fly rods, Abel Vaya fly reels, Fishpond and Rising nets, Simms waders and boots, and Montana Fly Company flies as well as our guides’ custom-tied flies.
If you’d like to bring your own gear, check out our packing list for recommendations.
Food & Drink
Enjoy an all-inclusive experience that focuses on locally sourced ingredients and traditional Patagonia cuisine.
FOOD
Breakfast, lunch, après, and dinner are included and served daily, and we are happy to cater to dietary preferences and restrictions as noted in your guest information form.
Each chef-prepared meal focuses on seasonal ingredients that are thoughtfully prepared and locally sourced. Dishes are served family-style, and deliver an authentic culinary experience true to Chile and Patagonia’s traditions. Guests will also experience two customary Chilean-style asado BBQs, which are special evenings at each lodge that many guests remember as the trip highlight.
DRINKS
Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included in your stay at Martín Pescador Lodge. Guests are treated with local cocktails served by the manager, and there is a self-serve bar with a fine selection of liquor, beer, and wine. If you have a special beverage preference, please discuss it with your Experience Team in the pre-trip planning process.
Preparing for Your Trip
Check out the essential information you need to know before you go.
Packing List
DON’T FORGET TO PACK:
Passport
Wallet with Chilean Pesos, cash, and cards
Prescriptions and medication
Cell phone and charger
International adapter
Camera and charger
Batteries for devices
Personal toiletries
CLOTHES YOU’LL BE GLAD YOU PACKED:
Long-sleeve fishing shirts
Warm capilene layers
Fleece tops
Windbreaker
Rain and quick dry pants
Comfy clothes for the lodge
Casual dinner wear
Warm layers for chilly summer nights
Puffy jacket
Bathing suit
Wool socks
Socks (lightweight and thicker wool)
Comfy shoes for the lodge (sandals, clogs, slip-ons)
Light hiking boots (Gore-tex recommended)
Sun gloves and fleece gloves
Waterproof fishing jacket
Sun protection (sunscreen, lip balm, sun mask, and gloves)
Polarized sunglasses (two pair) and Croakies
*Guide tip: We recommend wearing light, natural colored clothing (and avoiding dark blue/navy) to avoid bug attraction.
Fly Fishing Gear List
All gear is provided, but here is a list of suggestions if you’d like to bring your own.
Rods
We recommend two medium-fast to fastaction rods that deliver accuracy in the Patagonia wind.
9-foot, 6-weight
9-foot, 7- or 8-weight
Reels
Large arbor reels are best for quick retrieve and less line memory. We recommend 75 to 100 yards of 20-lb backing.
Lines
#7 floating line for 6-weight rod
#8 floating line for 7-weight rod
20–24’ integrated sinking line for your 7wt 200-250 grain
Leaders
9ft. tapered leader 0X–4X
7 1⁄2 ft. 0X and 1X leaders with tippet
Tippet spools of 0X, 1X, 2X, 3X
10-lb Clear Maxima for streamers
Equipment List
Spools
Extra fly line
Leader and tippet material
Waterproof tackle bag
Dry/Waterproof bags
Floatant, pliers, forceps, nippers, hook sharpener, fly line dressing, and cleaning pad
Wearables
Waders
Wading staff
Wading boots (rubber sole recommended)
Good to Know
COMMUNICATION SERVICES:
• If you have cell service in the U.S. with Verizon or AT&T you can sign up for a plan specifically for Chile for about $40 USD per month. This should cover your trip for cell and internet/ email service wherever there is coverage. Santiago and most cities and towns have good coverage. At Rio Rosselot lodge, there is cell service and internet available, but weather conditions can interfere with both at times. Rio Yelcho Lodge does not have cell service but does have WiFi when the internet is working. The lodge has a telephone for use in emergencies.
LOCAL TIME ZONE:
• Time in Santiago, Chile is (GMT-3). U.S. Eastern Time is +1 hour. Chile does change to and from daylight savings time with the U.S.
LOCAL LANGUAGE:
• Spanish is the official language of Chile. English is widely spoken in tourist areas and in most hotels in Santiago. All Eleven hosts and guides speak English.
CURRENCY EXCHANGE:
• The Chilean peso (CLP) is the official currency of Chile. The exchange rate does fluctuate and is currently inflated, so please check the exchange rate before you depart for your trip. Don’t change USD or euro before arriving in Chile. You can exchange at the airport, at most hotels, at banks (ATMs are available in Santiago and other cities), and exchange houses. Exchange houses (Casa de Cambio) usually give the best rates.
GRATUITIES:
• While gratuities are not expected at our properties, guests wishing to leave a tip for the lodge team may consider $100.00 - $150.00 USD per guide day and $50.00$75.00 USD per night for the lodge staff. This amount will be distributed among all in-house lodge staff who have contributed to your stay. Gratuity can be left in cash or in the local currency on your final bill.
• General Tipping Standards:
• Taxis in Santiago: No tip or small change. Airport transfer drivers in Santiago and Puerto Montt: $10–20 USD per way. Porters: $1 USD per bag. Restaurants: 10% of bill.
ELECTRICAL CURRENT:
• Throughout Chile, the power sockets are type C and L. The standard voltage is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. U.S. guests will require a voltage converter for 110 volt devices. Electrical sockets have two or three holes and accept round (European) plugs. You will need an adaptor for your U.S. plugs. We have adaptors at the lodge, but not converters. Please bring them for devices not already equipped. Most laptop computers and cell phones have chargers with converters, requiring only an adaptor.
CASH AND CREDIT CARDS:
• You will need Chilean pesos (cash) to pay for taxis and incidentals around Santiago and other cities and towns since foreign currency is not widely accepted. It’s always good to have $50 to $100 USD in Chilean pesos. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants. Depending on your credit card, this is the way to get the best exchange rate. It is best to use MasterCard or Visa. AMEX is less commonly accepted.
SPECIAL REQUESTS:
• Please take care in filling out the pre-trip questionnaire, which you have received separately via email and other correspondence. It is crucial that our team is aware of any food allergies, physical limitations, and medical needs. Please also share any special requests like favorite food, wine, or alcohol; any celebrations taking place while you’re with us; any requests related to the type of fishing you prefer; or anything else that could make your trip more enjoyable. We do everything possible to meet all special requests.
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
• We highly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance. The Sales Team can help you arrange trip cancellation insurance prior to your trip. Please let us know if you would like us to connect you with our preferred insurance partner, Global Rescue, to provide you with a quote.
