Fly fishing in Chile, adventure at El Encanto Lagoon

Paradisiacal settings for Fly fishing in Chile

The fascinating art of fly fishing is a discipline that provides endless lessons to learn and pleasurable experiences to enjoy. We know that paradisiacal settings are becoming increasingly scarce and difficult to find.

Success in fly fishing should not be evaluated solely by the number of fish fighting for release at the end of the line, or trophies measured in centimeters. There are other reasons to return to a particular spot to fish.

Fifty-five years have passed since 1960, when I first visited and fished El Encanto Lagoon, located within the Futangue Park in the southeast of Lake Ranco, in the Los Rios Region, Chile.

The name of the lagoon does full justice to this place: a jewel embedded in an amphitheater of native forest-covered mountains, with the Andes Mountains in the background.

Advantages of fly fishing in El Encanto Lagoon

The quality of this natural resource is due to several comparative advantages:

• The remoteness of the place, in complete solitude
• The subtlety of the music of silence interpreted by unspoiled nature
• Spectacular scenery with crystal clear, unpolluted waters
• The incredible variety of native flora and fauna

A self-sustaining population of wild trout complements the scenario.

Laguna El Encanto is part of an isolated hydrographic basin. In the upper course of the Pichi-Riñinahue River there is a series of thermal springs, which mix with small streams coming from the snows, from the peaks of the Cordón del Caulle, a system where the Caulle volcano is located, formed by dozens of cracks and craters, to the southeast of Lago Ranco.

A self-sustaining population of wild trout

The tributary, with its very cold waters, flows into the lagoon after descending for several kilometers through an almost unexplored valley.

El Encanto Lagoon is an almost perfect wild trout reserve. Its tributaries have spawning gravels of the ideal size, which have never been disturbed.

The biotic productivity of the lagoon is abundant: photosynthesis is very efficient, since an important part of the bottom is within the reach of light, so that the benthic fauna is very rich. The quantity and variety of invertebrates, such as insects and crustaceans, is surprising. These constitute the main diet of the trout. Both the growth rates and the condition of the fish are excellent.

Suitable to use light tackle

The fishing conditions in this area make it possible to use light tackle. Fishing for trout of considerable size with light rods is a delight.

“Quality” is the key component and it is not necessary to fish with weighted flies (something very fashionable nowadays, but far from being pleasant).

Other adventures

On the other hand, the Futangue Natural Park has a remarkable variety of adventure activities, which may tempt even the most fanatical fisherman to skip a day or two and dedicate them to experience other programs.

Trekking

Upon reservation, it is possible to make a guided excursion by an almost endless trail of several kilometers and about four hours of entertaining duration, going up a pristine valley, with almost unexplored places, to reach the upper course of the Pichi-Riñinahue River.

Horseback Riding

Another program is a horseback ride through the vast plains and hills of the park. The excursion takes place through beautiful pastoral landscapes that contrast with the forest-covered mountains in the background.

Kayaking

Kayaking enthusiasts can glide along the calm mirror of the lagoon and tour the beautiful riverbanks, stopping at the beaches and exploring the surroundings. It is also possible to descend the river in selected sections, with rapids and currents of different categories, depending on the experience of each kayaker.

Mountain Bike

For enthusiasts of off-road bicycle tours, there are excellent trails where beautiful programs and rides are developed. The park has trails in tailor-made conditions for two-wheeled transport enthusiasts.

The enthusiasts of adventure tourism and related activities should feel privileged to have the opportunity to visit this park. wonderful, one of the few similar ones left in the world today.

The latest in Futangue