Photo: Martin Aylwin

Fly fishing in Chile was first made known to North American anglers in the early 1950's. At that time a trip to Patagonia was a major undertaking and relegated to the realm of the very serious adventure traveler. Even as late as the mid 1980's Patagonia retained its remoteness. Mel Krieger stated at the time "what you will find in Chile is Alaska 20 years ago". It has only been with in the last decade with improvements to air and road transportation, that the locations of Chile's top fly fishing destinations have become accessible. Chile now boasts some of the top lodges and guide services in the fly fishing world.

We were introduced to Martin Aylwin, one of Chile's leading fly fishing instructors through the trailer of his new film; A Fisherman's Dream (a way of life). We were impressed with Martin's passion and the beauty of the Chilean nature. Martin talked with iFished about nature, fly fishing and Chile.

A Fisherman's Dream - Trailer Watch on Vimeo.

iFished: Having watched the trailer for your film it is very evident that you have a strong passion for nature. What is it about nature that gets you so fired up?

Martin: Nature is related to my personality in a very strong way. I live in one of the most pristine nature countries of the world, I wake up and just as always raises the Andes Mountains, they are present all over Chile from north to south.

Being in the nature gives you a feeling that Mel Krieger describe perfectly as: "being alone with out being lonely". Nature gives you something the cities can never give you, it completes me, it makes me feel enormously satisfied fishing in transparent waters, near volcanos and millenary trees. After fishing in those sceneries, you can never stop fishing on them.

Photo: Martin Aylwin Chilean Brown Trout

iFished: You said in the trailer that "you like to learn about nature in a way that only a fly fisherman can do" could you explain what you mean by this?

Martin: Fly Fishing is about observation of the river, the insects, the weather, and the fish. We study the nature before fishing. That intense study moment make us to observe more the nature than other water sports (like rafting for example). We some times see incredible hatches, some animals near extinction (like Condors or huemules), not everyone has the luck to see that.

iFished: Can you tell me a bit about Chile, Patagonia and fly fishing? What are the best areas/seasons for fly fishing in your opinion (generally speaking).

Martin: Chile is no doubt one of the best fishing places in the world for trout fishing. Patagonia it's an incredibly intense territory full of lakes, rivers, streams, volcanos and millenary trees. Imagine fishing in paradise, well, Patagonia is paradise. Good fishing, a very secure country, nice people, and some still untouched rivers with nice brown and rainbow trout.

Photo: Martin Aylwin Arroyo

Patagonia is so big it has three marked areas. You have Northern Patagonia, from Temuco to Puerto Varas, a more civilized sector, with some bigger cities, and some fine rivers, spring creeks and lakes.
The best places in my opinion in this sector is Lonquimay (the location of the video), and Petrohué River, my favorite river in Chile.

Then Southern Patagonia has infinite fishing places, Chaiten, with Futaleufu and Yelcho River, then Coihaique, dry fly capital, with tons of rivers excellent for dry fly fishing with big flies and very aggressive trout.

And a third sector at the end of the world, in Tierra del Fuego for big brown trout in Rio Grande and Condor.

iFished: What is the best way to approach a trip to Chile for fly fishing.

Martin: Fly fishing in Chile its not different from Montana for example, you have all kinds of fishing, dry flies, nymphs, streamers, big rivers, small, selective trout, easy catching trout, you have almost all fishing situations. So if you want to prepare a fly fishing trip to Chile, be prepared to fish all situations.

iFished: What do I need to know and what should bring with me?

Martin: In term's of fishing you have to bring a small rod for small rivers (#3 or #4) and a mid rod (#6) and you will cover most of the fishing situations in Patagonia. Some lines for fishing dry and nymph flies into the wind, and a fast sinking line for bigger rivers. If you want to fish for Salmon, will be useful to bring a #8 to #10 double handed rod. Salmon fishing is starting to develop in Chile and Argentina. Other than that don't forget to bring sympathy, sun block, and your camera.

iFished: Lets talk insect hatches. Do you have a favorite and why?

Photo: Martin Aylwin Chilean Rainbow Trout

Martin: My favorite hatch is midges. It's incredible how those little insects can save your day when no trout takes flies.

iFished: What are the most popular flies that are must-have to be in any Chilean angler's fly box?

Martin: If you want to fish with dry flies you will need; elk hair caddis, yellow and red humpy, grafith gnat, adams, purple haze, yellow-orange stimulator, fat albert in black and tan colors, Chernobyl ants, and some other terrestrials like hoppers and ants.

Nymph fishing will require pheasant tail, hares ear, some black and yellow stonefly imitations with rubber legs, some caddis emergers and midges. Streamers does not matter the model, but the actions and color are important, black, olive and white, mostly in bunny are excellent for trout.

iFished: Do you have any general tips for fly fishing in Chile?

Martin: Fish in Chile are not very selective in terms of flies. Be more preoccupied about casting, recognizing fishing places and presentation of the cast. Trout will take your fly if its at the appropriate depth or without drag. The most classic flies in Chile work perfectly. I don't use more than 15-20 flies fishing all over Chile.

Photo: Martin Aylwin Chilean Trout

iFished: Lets talk a bit about instructing. What do you like about teaching?

Martin: The nice thing about teaching is to transfer your knowledge. You study a lot to fulfill your need of knowledge, and you know, what you don't teach it rots inside of you. Watching how one of your students progress until they beat you, its a extremely satisfactory experience.

iFished: How can ordinary fly anglers improve their casting?

Martin: This is no secret, but the only way to master you cast is by practicing. Practice make the masters, so if you want to become one, just practice. There are three very important tips I can give you for improving your casting. First, speed up and stop is the key for the success in casting. Focus on the forward and backward speed up and stop, and you will be having nice casting and good loops. Second, stop the rod at the same angle at the backcast and the forward cast. If your line travels more lineal the tighter your loop will be. And three, when you are casting, watch your back (turn your head to see the backcast) in that way you will notice your errors and then fix them.

Photo: Martin Aylwin Casting with Andes in the Background

Don't ever think there is only a single style of fishing. There are many styles, all of them very effective. Fly fishing is about respecting some principles: angle, speed up and stop, and keep the line moving, other than that, you can create you own style. And don't think you know everything. Even the most experienced fishermen learn more everyday.

iFished: What are your "fishy" plans for this year? Some good trips coming up?

Martin: I will be fishing and filming some short clips on Northern Patagonia in Petrohue River, I will be in a trip in the South East Asia, and hopefully catch some GT, and if I still have money, I will be fishing in Honduras or Nicaragua.

iFished: Is there on special river in Chile for you?

Martin: Petrohue River. It was the river in which I started fly fishing, and I come over to it every year to fish in between of its white waters.

iFished: One last question, a hypothetical one; We are going on a trout stream and I only let you take four flies, 2 dries and 2 wets . . .

Martin: Griffith gnat, adams, CDC pheasant tail, and caddis emerger

Photo: Martin Aylwin Martin with a Rio Paloma Trout

iFished: Thank You Martin! This is a trip we must definitely make some day.

About Martin:

Martin Aylwin holds certifications as a Patagonia Pro Guide, G. Loomis Pro Guide and Scientific Anglers Pro Guide.

Martin is available for guiding in the high mountain Rivers near Santiago Chile.

Martin is also available for fly fishing instruction in the Santiago Chile area.

Martin's blog http://martinflyfishing.wordpress.com/
Another video about Martin Martín Aylwin | Shangri-La
Martin's contact information http://martinflyfishing.wordpress.com/about/

If You Go:

The Patagonia fishing season opens in mid November and ends in mid April.

During months of November and December fishing is good but with high water levels in rivers. During this period many big rainbows and browns on the move back to lakes, so chances to catch real trophy fish are good. Fishing with streamers and sink tip lines are the norm.

During the months of January to February rivers tend to be easily wadeable and is the time of the dry fly. Lots of caddis and mayfly hatches put trout on the surface almost everywhere.

During the months of March and April low water levels provide easy wading and invite you to use the lightest possible tackle on rainbows and big browns entering the rivers from the lakes to spawn.

Flight Times to Chile:

Dallas Texas to Santiago Chile
9 hours and 45 minutes

Los Angeles California to Santiago Chile
11 hours, 9 minutes

London England to Santiago Chile
17 to 18 hours

Santiago Chile to Punta Arenas Patagonia
2 hours, 43 minutes

Visas:

Citizens of the following countries may be exempted from tourist visa requirements:

Up to 90 days: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Republic of Macedonia, Malta, Mauricio, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Noruega, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay and Venezuela.

American, Australian, Canadian and Mexican Citizens

Citizens of four countries must pay a "reciprocity fee" of varying amounts. The fee is USD 132 for Canadian citizens, USD 140 for American citizens, USD 61 for Australian citizens and USD 15 for Mexican citizens. This fee is equivalent to the amount that country requires for entry visas from Chilean citizens. The fee is only for tourists entering by plane, and the one-time charge is good for the life of your passport. US citizens should have cash or a credit card to pay the $140 fee. Citizens of other countries, such as the UK, do not have to pay a fee.

Patagonia Seasons:

Seasons, climate and weather of the Southern Hemisphere are reversed from those in the Northern Hemisphere. The table below offers seasonal equivalents.