We're A
Family Here
Our team is absolutely incredible—they’re genuinely good humans who care deeply about the people they fish with and host at the lodge. Whether it’s helping you land your first trout or swapping stories at the end of the day, they make every moment on and off the water worth sharing. And that’s Vista Patagonia’s greatest asset: its people.
Diego
AKA Big Boss
A lifelong angler and certified guide since 2000, Diego has spent over three decades traveling the depths of Patagonia in search of the perfect cast. When he’s not on the oars, he’s likely at the local skatepark where his 30 years on a board have earned him the nickname “Unc” from the neighborhood kids. Passionate about the lodge he built from the ground up, Diego combines a love for eclectic music and fine Chilean wine with a commitment to showing guests the soulful, authentic rhythm of his homeland alongside his wife, Maca, and their two dogs.
Macarena
AKA Maca
Maca is Vista Patagonia’s final boss—the one who keeps the wheels turning. She handles the details, the backstage work, and makes sure everyone is cared for. Always ready to lend a hand, she’s the driving force behind the family. A proud mother of her daughter Javiera, Maca is also a successful businesswoman who owns Acuarela, a boutique in Coyhaique. Pro tip: never sing her the “Macarena” if you want to keep getting fed at the end of the day.
Benjamin
AKA Micro Boss
This American-Chileno is like an old soul trapped in a young body. Thoughtful, witty, and never afraid to grind, Ben goes to work to make things happen for his anglers. After graduating from Chile’s most prestigious university, he traded his Agronomy degree for a life in fly fishing. These days, he lives the endless summer, guiding both in Montana and Chile. A fishy, sweet kid at heart, Ben makes every guest feel right at home, no matter their skill level.
Huf
AKA Oso Blanco
The most experienced of the crew, Huf seems to be aging in reverse—unofficially diagnosed with a touch of Benjamin Button’s. This “large mammal,” as he calls himself, is full of energy, humor, and a personality big enough to keep you smiling all day. His skills were forged on the technical waters of Wyoming and Utah, and his fishing knowledge is matched only by his endless imagination. Huf’s ties to Patagonia run deep—he first guided here in the late ‘90s on the Futaleufú with the legendary Jim Ripine, and he’s been coming back ever since. Everyone wants to hang with Huf, and we’re lucky to call him part of the family.
Daniel
AKA TEMU’s Pedro Pascal
A proud father of two, Daniel has been guiding in Patagonia for more than 15 years and has stood by us through thick and thin. Professional, knowledgeable, and relentlessly hard-working, he’s the kind of guide every team dreams of having. Honest, humble, and steady, Daniel is Vista’s best-kept secret.
Sebastián
AKA Seba
Seba is part of the González family, a respected guiding lineage in this region. A soft-spoken gentleman who speaks the language of fish, he moves with the grace of a silent assassin—finding fish even in the trickiest conditions. When Seba’s at the helm, we know our guests are in the best hands.
Cristian
AKA Pino
The newest member of our team, Cristian brings a background as a former special forces police agent—so trust us, he has stories. Now a full-time fly-fishing guide, his passion lights up every time he talks about fish. With his humble personality and service-first approach, guests feel cared for from the first cast to the last. Off the water, Cristian hosts a fly-fishing podcast that shines a spotlight on the local scene and the challenges our fishery faces.
Claudio
AKA the Latin Jeff
Claudio is the lodge’s chef and a brilliant cook who knows how to bring flavor to the table. With a laid-back personality, he glides through the kitchen creating delicious meals for our guests. His vast experience in top restaurants has prepared him to deliver even under pressure. Always in good spirits, Claudio is a true team player who understands how important a solid kitchen is to a fishing lodge. It’s not uncommon for our dinners to end with cheers and applause for the kitchen staff.
Vicente
AKA Vice
This hard-working young fellow is an inspiration to the whole Vista Patagonia team. His work ethic is unmatched—he’s not afraid to put in the hours to make sure every detail in the kitchen is perfect. Likely the hardest-working member of the crew, Vicente is up before everyone else, serving breakfast, and he’s still there late at night assisting Claudio with dinner. He’s the first one to wake up and the last to go to bed. We love Vicente!
Cristina
AKA Cristi
Cristi has been part of our team for years and is one of the most important pieces of the entire operation. With her keen attention to detail, she makes sure everyone’s rooms are spotless every day. A proud mother of three, Cristi is a badass Patagonian woman who carried her family on her shoulders. Guests rarely see her at work, since she’s busy while they’re out fishing—but without her dedication, this place simply wouldn’t be the same.
Folko
AKA Gordo
Folco is Clo’s son—and clearly took a different career path. Less “head of security,” more “head of snacks.” Lazy, goofy, and powered almost entirely by food and butt scratches, he’s the sweetest soul you’ll ever meet. He may look intimidating at first glance, but in reality, he’s just a big softie with zero bad intentions.
Clo
AKA Mom
Clo is an elite-level athlete and part-time head of security. She keeps a close eye on her surroundings at all times—nothing gets past her. Fiercely loyal, slightly dramatic, and deeply sensitive underneath it all.
Our Story
From a Boat and a Truck to a Dream
For years, Vista Patagonia Lodge existed only as a "Plan B." As a fishing guide, I knew that life on the river—while beautiful—comes with an expiration date. It is hard to guide past fifty, and Maca and I began to wonder what would come next. At the time, we didn’t have much more than a truck, a boat, and a small amount of savings. We initially envisioned building a couple of humble cabins for long-term rentals or to host a few of my fishing clients.
But as we looked at the land we had acquired and began to dream bigger, the vision started to shift. With Maca’s encouragement and a healthy dose of "holy cow" realization, we decided to go all in. We sold our land, applied for grants, took out bank loans, and maxed out every resource we had to turn a "Plan B" into a world-class destination.
Built with Intention
The soul of the lodge was shaped by a friendship that began when we were just twelve years old. My childhood fishing buddy, Roberto, had grown up to become a talented local architect. Years ago, he joked that he would design my lodge one day; when the time finally came, I held him to it.
Roberto worked pro bono to help us get off the ground, and it was his vision that transformed our "humble cabins" into the sleek, functional, and modern lodge that stands today. We wanted to build something that felt high-end but smart—a space that brought the outside in. Every design choice was intentional: huge windows to frame the McKay Mountain and Divisadero range, double-insulated walls for total privacy, and a layout that ensures our senior guests have easy, stair-free access from the truck to their rooms.
The Grit Behind the Lodge
The story of Vista Patagonia isn't just about design; it’s about the four years of sweat equity it took to even break ground. The property was once thick with old-growth trees. To clear the site, we installed a lumber mill right on the property, milling thousands of boards by hand. We actually sold enough timber to the mill owner to pay for our wedding.
The construction year was one of the most challenging experiences of our lives. we were hands-on every single day, learning the trade as we went. We were so committed to the project that when we finally opened, our own home stood empty for three years because we had moved all of our personal furniture into the lodge to ensure our guests were comfortable.
A Finished Vision
In 2024, we reached a milestone that once felt impossible: we officially paid off the debt. For the first time in eleven years, the lodge is truly ours. We look back at the "copycat" designs appearing in the region and the clients who have built their own homes inspired by our architecture as a badge of honor. It means we did it right.
Today, Vista Patagonia Lodge is more than a business; it is a reflection of our personal style and our high standards for the Patagonian experience. Every reel we post, every meal we serve, and every morning view of the mountains is part of a dream we worked tirelessly to build. We didn’t just build a lodge; we built a legacy, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
Latest news
The
Journal
Follow our travels around the Aysén region and learn more about fly fishing in Patagonia. From the places we fish to the species we catch, we love showcasing everything Chile has to offer.
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