Chile Fly Fishing - Cameron Lodge

The Rio Grande Sea-Run Browns

Night fishing is Allowed for Sea-Run Browns.

Tierra del Fuego, Spanish for Land of Fire, is a cluster of islands covering about 18,000 square miles. The main island—Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego—is divided between Argentina and Chile. Estancia Cameron Lodge is on a large working sheep and cattle ranch, covering over 373 square miles. The Lodge overlooks the Darwin Mountain Range and is less than 100 yards from the Rio Grande. Cameron is the only lodge on the Chilean side of Tierra del Fuego with total access to the Rio Grande River, as well as access to other very productive lakes, creeks, and lagoons, where resident browns weighing up to 12 pounds reside.


Fly Fishing the Rio Grande

Fishing the Rio Grande Tierra del Fuego

The Lodge has access to up to 55 miles (90 km) of the Rio Grande.
The Rio Grande is regarded as the best river in the world for sea-run browns. Sea-runs average 10 pounds in size. Many 18 to 20-pounders are landed here, with some reaching up to 26-pounds.
The Rio Grand is the largest and widest river in Tierra del Fuego, originating in Chile before traveling west to the Atlantic on the Argentinean side.
The Rio Grande is only about 30 meters wide, so you’re able to fish both sides with a nine-foot fly rod.
The Rio Grande is also great spey rod water. If desired, the guides can teach you how to handle a double-handed fly rod. The river is not for beginners, as the wind can blow hard, and in some pools, long casts are required to reach the fish.
All fishing is from shore, with no need for boats. The river has a lot of character, and in places, the terrain becomes hillier, offering greater protection from the wind. Fishing is almost always done on floating and sinking lines.


Fishing Facts:

sea-run brown trout tierra del fuego chile

Night Fishing is allowed here. Unlike Argentina, you can legally fish after dark in Chile.
Season:  Cameron Lodge is open from November through April.
Sea-Run Brown Fishing runs from November through April, with peak fishing from late February through April.
Guides:  Two anglers per English-speaking guide. Guides drive you to the fishing areas via well-kept 4WD trucks. Whether you want to fish a small stream or lake or stay on the Rio Grande for the week – you call the shots.
Fishing Rods:  They recommend two-handed rods to effectively cover the pools in big water years and help combat the wind that usually blows downstream. The wind is a fact of life on the Rio Grande, and any advantage they can get in keeping the flies wet is welcome.
Fishing Equipment:  No tackle is provided. A detailed list of what to bring is provided in our confirmation packet.
Fishing License:  You will be fishing on the Lodge's private land, so fishing licenses aren't required.
Fly-Tying Desk:  The Lodge has a fly-tying desk, and some materials are provided.

Kurt Pettipiece with 24-pound Sea-Run Brown.

Kurt Pettipiece Kneeling with Large 24-pound Sea-Run Brown

A Typical Fishing Day:
8:00 a.m. Breakfast is ready.
9:00 a.m. You’ll head out to fish. If you want to spend the whole day fishing, the guides will take packed lunches. Otherwise, you'll return to the Lodge for lunch and a nap if desired.
You’ll fish from 4:00 p.m. until dark. (The distance to one of the largest fishing beats is about 14 miles from the Lodge, near the Argentinean border.) Each evening, the lodge manager will discuss your fishing options for the next day. Dinner is served at 10:30 p.m. Relax with an after-dinner drink before turning in for the night.

About Cameron Lodge

cameron lodge tierra del fuego

Cameron Lodge is less than a hundred yards from the Rio Grande River. The area is stunning—close to the mountains, trees, flowers, and wildlife, such as guanacos, condors, even parakeet flamingos, foxes, and, if you're lucky, armadillos.
Meals:  Regional dishes, seafood such as king crab, scallops, and beef or lamb asado (barbeque).
Alcohol:  Cocktails such as the typical Chilean Pisco Sour and their famous Chilean wines served with meals are included in the package.
Power:  The Lodge has diesel-generated 220-volt electricity. A power plug adapter and a voltage converter is required for U.S devices.
Communications:   Free Wi-Fi is available in the living room and dining area. Guests often use WhatsApp for outside calls.

The Great Room at the Lodge

Stone Fireplace with Couches Facing Each Other

Appetizers at the Lodge

Two Bottles of Wine and Appetizers

Single Occupancy Bedrooms

Comfy Queen-Sized Bed with Wood-Paneled Walls

The Lodge host up to six anglers in seven guest rooms. You'll have your own bedroom with a private bathroom and central heating.

Very Modern Bathrooms

Getting to the Lodge:

The best option is to fly to Santiago, Chile, and connect to Puntas Arenas on the same day, a 3.5-hour flight. A Lodge staff member will greet you at the Punta Arenas Airport and drive you to the Lodge in a heated and air-conditioned truck, a six-hour drive. More information is provided in our information packet.

USD Rates Valid Through April 2024

The minimum booking is two anglers. One angler per room.
Sea-Run Brown Fishing:
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing $6,000.00 per person
An additional day of guided fishing $700.00 per person

Non-Angler Companion  $500.00 per day
Non-Angler Activities include kayaking the nearby rivers or lakes, visiting archeological places, photography opportunities, and more. For anyone desiring the gaucho lifestyle, there are opportunities for horseback riding, join in sheep shearing, and cattle and sheep mustering on the working farm.

The Package Includes:

• Roundtrip ground transfers between Punta Arenas and the Lodge
• 6-days guided fishing
• Daily transportation to fishing areas
• 7-nights Single-occupancy lodging
• Wi-Fi in the great room
• All meals and snacks at the Lodge
• All beverages, including Chilean wines and liquors

The Package Does Not Include:

• International airfare to Santiago, Chile, and return
• Domestic airfare from Santiago to Puntas Arenas, and return
• Optional charter flight from Punta Arenas to Pampa Guanacos, instead of lodge-provided ground transfers
• Extra days, hotels, and meals in Santiago or Punta Arenas
• Gratuities to guides and staff
• Tackle and equipment
• Items of a personal nature
• Global Rescue
• Travel insurance
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.

Cameron Lodge

Peak fishing runs from late February through April.

Guide with Bright Sea-Run Brown at Water's Edge

Two anglers per guide and 4WD truck.

Guide Holding Large Sea-Run Brown at River's Edge

King salmon fishing is now an option.

Angler with Bright King Salmon

Fishing after dark is Legal Here - Jim Teeny (right).

Jim Teeny and Guide with Sea-Run Brown at nightfall

Guides drive you to fishing areas in 4WD trucks.

Nice 4WD trucks in a Row

The dining and lounge area of Cameron Lodge

Vaulted Dining Area and Great Room

Entrance to Estancia Cameron Lodge

Flag in Breeze at Entrance to Property

Fishing Travel Experts


Guy Schoenborn

1-800-205-3474 ext. 1

MT Office:  406-322-5709

Email:  guy@fishingwithlarry.com

Brad Staples

1-800-205-3474 ext. 3

Cell (503) 250-0558

Email:  brad@fishingwithlarry.com