Coyhaique River Lodge: The Heart and Soul of Patagonia

The story of Coyhaique River Lodge is really a story about brothers Gaston and Claudio Urrejola - their upbringing, combined skills, vision, and their never-ending drive to learn, create and improve.

By KEN MORRISH

Born in the mid-70’s on a small farm 300 miles south of Santiago, Gaston and his older brother Claudio had the type of childhood many kids dream about. There was a trout stream flowing through their property, endless open space and a culture of trust and independence that enabled kids like themselves to run wild and free in the great outdoors. More than anything else, these two loved exploring and fishing, and while they got plenty of both, life in the country was by no means all fun and games.

Living on their property came with real chores and responsibilities starting at a young age. By the age of 10 they were driving trucks and tractors, working in fields of hay, wheat, and corn, and tending to their family’s cattle and sheep. It was all normal enough but now, looking back they were unknowingly building the knowledge and skills that would ultimately enable them to create one of the finest, most versatile and widely praised lodges in all Patagonia.

Both of them recall vividly in the early 80’s when their father first drove them south on the new Austral Hwy. to the Coyhaique region.

Gaston recalled, “There was just so much water and we wanted to fish it all!” Since that trip, a great deal of their adult life has been about assembling an array of skills to enable themselves, and most importantly their guests, to do exactly that.

Combined, Claudio and Gaston are likely the handiest and most capable lodge management team we have encountered, with shared skills in ranching, farming, road building, fine home construction, hospitality, and best of all, guiding fly anglers. Additionally they share between them careers as a veterinary doctor, a fisheries biologist, a full-time mechanic and a government director of tourism. It’s the full package and with it they have created arguably the finest and most versatile fly fishing and outdoor adventure lodge in South America.

Location, Location, Location

It is easy to make the case that the Coyhaique region of Chile is the most diverse, strategic and productive trout fishing hub in Patagonia. It was this simple fact that initially attracted Gaston and Claudio to the region and ultimately compelled them to buy land, build their dream lodge and raise their families here. While the area is often compared to the American West or Montana 100 years ago, in large part due to its low population and abundance of large uneducated trout, the real magic of the area stems from its geography. The landscape of the Aysén region is incredibly diverse, enabling anglers to travel from the dry, arid pampas of the east to the temperate rainforest of the west in just over an hour.

Additionally the area is more friendly and open than the steep regions to the north or the ice field-dominated regions to the south, making for perfect trout fishing habitat. With rivers of all sizes, streams, spring creeks and an array of trophy stillwaters all within a stone’s throw of the lodge, the region is a virtual dreamscape for all who love spectacular trout fishing and eye-popping scenery.

The Fisheries

When pushed on the subject, Gaston confessed to having over 50 distinct day beats that Coyhaique River Lodge fishes over the course of a season. Of those there are roughly 15 staples, 75% of which the lodge enjoys private access to. Most of their private land use agreements originate with downhome community relations in which neighbor needs help cutting a road, harvesting trees, or managing their cattle. Always capable and happy to help, this often leads the brothers to land exclusive access rights to trophy rainbow lakes, small walk and wade gems or special put-ins on rivers that few others float. In a land where anglers are already relatively few and far between, these arrangements will virtually assure that you will have days with a beautiful spring-creek, river or lake entirely to yourself.

The Lodge Experience

Coyhaique River Lodge has everything you would expect from a premier fishing destination. It was purpose-built out of local timbers in a style that could be described as a perfect combination of rustic and modern. It is located on a high bank overlooking the Coyhaique valley and the small intimate flows of the Coyhaique River. They have a beautiful exposed beam great room as well as eight double suites, all with private baths.

Meals are of the highest level with dinners featuring local beef and lamb dishes, fresh vegetables, and Chilean salads all paired with renowned Chilean wines from the lodge’s wine cellar. However, all of this is only a piece of what make the place special. What makes it truly special is the fact that this is the home and the future of the Urrejola Family and they want nothing more than to share it with you. At first you might not notice the depth of the family’s personal touch because they are a subtle and modest bunch.

In the same breath, the observant might notice that Claudio’s wife Francesca had a hand in sourcing the locally woven wool blankets on your bed, or that Gaston is close friends with ranchers that raised your dinner’s delicious lamb, or that all the vegetables came from the lodge’s own garden. If you look more closely you might see that that they have done away entirely with plastic bottles, that the beer on tap is brewed by their friends in town and that their kids are part of the team and contribute to the family business by taking any task they can get at the lodge.

These are some of the more subtle things that make this lodge so sincere and meaningful to those who have the pleasure of visiting. Last but not least, this lodge is hands down the best value in a truly premium product that we have seen anywhere in South America.

For more info, visit: https://www.flywatertravel.com/ destination/Coyhaique_River_Lodge