Accommodations
Season
Species
Ideal for
Conservation
Fly Fishing The Remote Rio Blanco System
For years, rumors of wetting a line in the remote and untouched Rio Blanco system filtered through circles of local guides and discriminating anglers around the Coyhaique area, Chile’s undisputed mecca of fly fishing. These tales spoke of catching wild and sizeable brown trout living in one of the most inaccessible and beautiful valleys in all of Patagonia. After years of dreaming about the mythical Blanco River, Magic Waters Lodge put the time and hard work needed to explore and gain reasonable access to this amazing and untouched system and created the River of Dreams Basecamp. With exclusive overland access to the valley and no possibility of accessing the area by jetboat, Magic Waters guests have over thirty miles of some of the most beautiful, untouched, and wild trout water all to themselves. This is a trip for true adventurous anglers who seek to explore new waters for big browns well off the beaten path.
Accommodation Details
Lodging Details
The River of Dreams Camp is located 75 miles northwest of Balmaceda airport and about 50 miles from the city of Coyhaique. The basecamp sits at the confluence of a wonderful spring creek and the Rio Blanco, providing easy and quick access to fishing zones. The camp was designed and constructed with minimal impact on this beautiful and sensitive environment and consists of three (3) comfortable wood-framed expedition-style tent-cabins that include cozy beds, gear storage, and heating systems, a kitchen and dining tent, and two (2) fully equipped shared bathhouses complete with hot showers.
Food and Beverages
Meals consist mainly of organic beef, lamb, fish, seafood, and a mix of vegetables to create some of the best Patagonian dishes. Standard and simple breakfasts are served at the camp prior to departing for fishing, with hot and cold lunch selections prepared by the guides and served away from camp. Dinners consist of three courses, including hearty stews and soups, all paired with red and white wines from some of Chile’s most coveted vineyards.
Typical Length of Stay
The typical length of stay is seven (7) nights / six (6) days of fishing. However, trips can be customized for any length and easily combined with the main Magic Waters Lodge program. Please contact Yellow Dog for details.
Non-Angling Activities
This is a fishing-focused destination. However, bird watching, hiking, and horseback riding are all parts of the standard trip experience.
Internet / Communications
A satellite phone is available for emergencies.
Travel Details
How To Get There
Overnight flights from the United States to and from Santiago, Chile (SCL) are available on American Airlines, Delta, or Lan Chile. From there, guests take a three (3) hour flight south to the Balmaceda Airport (BBA). Upon arrival, a representative from the lodge will transport guests 2.5 hours by car followed by a rugged 2 hour horseback ride to the Basecamp. Magic Waters Lodge has recently has added a helicopter transfer to fly from the lodge directly to Basecamp. (Please see helicopter rates under the drop-down rates tab or call us.)
Arrival and Departure Details / Times
Arrival should be on Saturday afternoon and departure the following Saturday morning.
Documents Required
You will need a valid passport to enter the country of Chile. Citizens of the United States, Canada, and the UK do not need a visa unless they plan on staying for more than three months.
Travel Arrangements
Yellow Dog provides airline reservations ad ticketing assistance through etcTravel Group, and a full-service airline logistics agent that can help book airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and more. You can click here to request a quote or contact Yellow Dog for more information at 406-585-8667. etcTravel Group offers dedicated support services for all Yellow Dog clients. Service fees may apply when booking or researching tickets, and etcTravel will discuss this with you before sending quotes.Â
Travel Tools
– Airline Ticketing
– Moon Phases
– Rent This Rod
– Trip Insurance and Emergency Evacuation
– Global Rescue MembershipÂ
Fishing
General Information
The fishing season at the River of Dreams runs mid-October through May. The prime months with the best conditions are October – December and then March-May. October and November have excellent stonefly and mayfly hatches followed by the appearance of many different types of beetles and other terrestrials. In March-May brown trout become very aggressive, attacking big mouse patterns and large streamers. Spring creek fishing is great the whole season, with trout averaging 20 inches and daily catches upwards of 24 inches in shallow waters.
Boats and Equipment
Four catarafts powered by motorized jets provide access up and down the river. Anglers are advised to bring all of their own equipment and flies, including rods, reels, waders, boots, and all terminal tackle.
Rates and Terms
Remember that Yellow Dog’s services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge or outfitter. All prices listed below are per person, based on double occupancy, and quoted in US dollars. Trips of any length can be arranged, so please call Yellow Dog for details and custom package pricing.
2023 Package Rates
Seven (7) nights / six (6) days fishing: $6,990 (Per Angler, Double Occupancy)
Helicopter Rates:Â
1 client: $6,500
2 clients: $3,250
3-4 clients: $1,950
6 clients: $1516
What’s Included:
- Transportation to and from the airport (Balmaceda – BBA)
- All meals and accommodations
- All beverages including alcohol
- All guided daily fishing
- Chilean fishing licenseÂ
What’s Not Included:
- International and domestic airfare
- Fishing equipment
- Trip insurance
- Extra activities
- Gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- A medical evacuation policy is recommended
TERMS AND CONDITIONS – CANCELLATIONS
A non-refundable deposit of 50% per person is due at the time of booking for all lodging and fishing packages, and final payment if due 30 days prior to arrival, with the chance to cancel the trip, without any penalty, due to Covid 19 reasons. For cancellations, all deposits and payments are non-refundable. In no event will the lodge or Yellow Dog be responsible for any cancellation of services or operations due to inclement weather, any event of force majeure, airline delays, flight cancellations, or any other reason beyond the control of the lodge. The lodge will not refund payments in the event of poor weather, or if arrival flights are cancelled or airline connections are missed. Additionally, the lodge and Yellow Dog are not responsible for covering costs associated with alternative travel arrangements including flights, hotels, meals or any other expenses incurred. For all of these reasons, and because of the no refund and no credit policy, Yellow Dog strongly recommends that anglers and guests purchase travel insurance and full coverage for your trip. If a cancelled package is resold by either the lodge or by Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, then a full refund will be issued minus a $100.00 per person fee charged by Yellow Dog. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the deposit, cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses for these packages. Once again, Yellow Dog strongly recommends that anglers and guests purchase travel insurance all Chile packages.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW YELLOW DOG GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND CANCELLATION POLICIES
Payment Terms For All Yellow Dog Trip Bookings
In order to lock in your trip reservation, we ask that you please remit payment at the time of receipt of invoice. For your convenience, Yellow Dog accepts on-line payments via a direct and secure ACH platform – a quick and easy way to complete your trip reservation. Note that all Yellow Dog invoices include a live link that takes you directly to the Yellow Dog ACH platform for fast and easy payment. For open and existing invoices with a remaining balance, payment reminders also include this easy link to the ACH page.
Other customary forms of payment that are accepted are checks or wire transfers. If you would like to pay in a different way or have any questions about alternate payment methods, please contact Yellow Dog at (888) 777-5060 or (406) 585-8667. We are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Beginning September 1st, 2020, Yellow Dog will apply a 3% convenience fee for all credit card transactions.
Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures Standard Forms For Payment
- ACH online payments (for US banking institutions only).
- Traditional checks (sent via mail)
- Electronic wire payments (client is responsible for any wiring fees)
*Please contact us if you prefer or require a different payment option. Convenience fees may apply for other payment methods.
**Please be aware that the ACH platform is only available for US financial institutions and bank accounts. International payments can be made via wire or with a credit card.
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