WWFG Fishing Reports

Late season fishing in the Puerto Varas, Chile area was the best in years. Typically there are few rods on the river in April as most traveling fishermen come during the peak heat of January and February. This season we had an unusual number of last minute booking and many more hours on the water, which gave us a new perspective on late season fishing. It's always been good but this season the rivers were smokin'. Well, actually they were hot, or rather the water got warm, in March as the rivers dropped to an all time low. Then on April 3, 4, 5 the rain came in buckets pushed by gales. The Petrohue River went from minimum flow to winter norm in about a day. A few days later the water level and transparency were perfect, the temperature back under 60Â° F, and the trout were feeding voraciously. The Maullin River didn't even rise but the temperature dropped. We virtually had the rivers to ourselves, for peaceful, action-packed floats among the fall colors on the banks and in the forested mountains. I can definitely recommend April for top hooking, but with the caveat that rain must be expected during a week, even though itâ€™s not assured. April was not cold.
Early season, November and December, are equally great times for Lakes Region rivers with little pressure, cold, clear water, and active trout. It can rain but itâ€™s usually warm and sunny in our late spring.
Have a great season up north,
JJ