Two Amazing Weeks Hosting The Fly Box

Week One: Sun, Sips, and Sizable Trout

We started the first week with unseasonably warm weather and lower water levels than usual, but the trout were still biting. Splitting our time between walk-wading and floating, we had record days in both numbers and size. The dry-dropper bite was on fire—hitting em hard black and purple Chubbies paired with PTs or Pat’s Rubber Legs. It was great to see them target rising trout tucked right up against the willows, landing several 18–20” fish that put the 6-weights to the test.

Week Two: Wind, Rain, and Epic Streamer Eats

In true Patagonian fashion, the second week delivered a dramatic shift in the weather. Classic winds and cold rain rolled in, keeping us off the larger lakes and pushing us to fish Chile’s rivers. But rather than shutting the fishing down, the cooler temperatures fired the rivers right up. Embracing guide Ben’s “risk it for the biscuit” mentality, the group threw streamers like Chile Buggers and Sex Dungeons, resulting in explosive, bass-like eats from some of the largest, most aggressive fish of the trip.

Family, Fire, and Feasts

After a lifetime of guiding these lakes and rivers, the fishing is always special to me, but some of the most memorable moments often happen off the water. Seeing the pure amazement on the faces of guests experiencing Chile for the very first time is exactly why we love hosting these trips. Every evening, as everyone returned to the Vista Patagonia Lodge, our Head Chef Claudio had regional appetizers waiting so we could all swap stories of the day’s adventures—and the heartbreak of that one legendary lost dry-fly giant! We finally capped off the second week with a traditional asado dinner—a whole lamb roasted over an open fire.

I always strive to make everyone who walks through our doors feel like family, and it is safe to say the crew from The Fly Box will always have a home here at Vista Patagonia. We’re already counting down the days until Forrest returns for the Week Three group in February!

To read the full recap and see some incredible photos from the trip, check out The Fly Box’s original post here.