Included / Not Included –
Included: Accommodations and meals at the lodge, guided fishing, transfers between Rio Grande and the lodge, alcohol,and flies.
Not Included: Airfare; all other accommodations, meals, and transfers not specified above, fishing licenses, staff and guide gratuities, phone calls.
Travel Logistics:
Arrival Information: To get to Tierra del Fuego Lodge you need to make flight arrangements to Rio Grande, Argentina. The lodge itinerary is Saturday to Saturday. You may need to overnight in Rio Grande on Friday. (Hotel not included in package.)
Getting to the Lodge: A lodge representative will pick you up in Rio Grande and drive you to the Argentina/Chile border. You will be met at the border by the lodge host and driven to the lodge. Total transfer time from Rio Grande to Tierra del Fuego Lodge is approximately two hours.
Departure Information: On your departure day (Saturday) you will transferred to the Rio Grande airport for Buenos Aires flight.
Travel Recommendations in Chile
Documentation Requirements:
You need a valid passport to enter Argentina and Chile and it must be valid for six months after the last day of your trip. Please note that before you clear customs, Chile charges a one-time entrance fee of US $100 (cash or credit card) good for the life of your passport.
Currency:
We have found from our experience that you do not need to exchange dollars for pesos for your travels in Chile. US dollars are welcomed at the lodge for paying gratuities, and additional services at the lodge (laundry, souvenirs, etc).
Travel Cash:
The lodge only accepts cash, traveler’s checks, and personal checks. We recommend each guest travels with approximately $750.00 - $1000.00 (per week of travel) for gratuities, miscellaneous gifts, and additional services at the lodge. Most of the restaurants and shops in the larger cities take credit cards.
Gratuities:
We recommend guide and staff gratuities of approximately 10% of your package price. Gratuities are pooled and divided up between guides and staff. Please leave your gratuities in U.S. dollars with the lodge manager at the end of your stay.
Fishing Licenses:
Fishing licenses are NOT included in your fishing package. Please be prepared to pay for these onsite with U.S. Dollars. See your itinerary for details.
Climate:
The summer climate of this southernmost region of South America is extremely changeable, and a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions should be expected. The sun can be very strong during the day, but the wind chill factor makes the use of protective gear necessary all season long. Ice in the guides is not uncommon during the late season.
Medical Facilities:
The closest medical facility is in Punta Arenas, Chile approximately a 2 hour drive and 30 minute flight from the lodge. In emergency situations, a charter flight may be required to reach a medical facility. Guests may want to consider medical evacuation coverage. We recommend Global Rescue. Guests have the responsibility to disclose any special medical, physical, or dietary needs to the lodge ahead of time.
Power and Communications:
A generator provides power every day from 8:00 p.m. until about midnight. The lodge has 220 volts and takes the rounded two prong adaptors. The lodge does provide adaptors for use during your stay upon request. Satellite phone and internet services are available for a charge.
Water:
Bottled water is available at the lodge and everywhere in Chile. The water at the lodge is safe to drink from the tap. There is a 100 foot deep well and all water in the lodge and cabins is filtered.
Clothing:
Dress at the lodge is neat but casual. As the climate is extremely changeable and a wide range of temperatures and conditions can be expected, we recommend layering clothes. Anglers should be prepared with thermal underwear, fleece/soft shell jacket, and a rain jacket. Synthetic fabrics are preferred to cotton.
Laundry:
Laundry is NOT available at the lodge. Please pack accordingly.
Beverages/Alcohol:
The lodge offers an open bar with a selection of Chilean wine and local beer and a full array of spirits; however, if you are interested in a 30 year single malt scotch, you will want to purchase at the airport.
Tackle/Equipment List:
Rod: You should bring two rods: a 5/6 weight and a 7/8 weight
Lines: Floating line for both rods, Teeny 200 or Rio DC 200 sink tip for the 7/8 rod. A floating line will be used most of the week however a sink tip should also be brought. We also recommend bring a few sinking poly leaders to add to your floating line.
Leaders/Tippet: 1X, 2X,3X,4X leaders and 1X-4X tippet
Flies: Your guides will supply you with the flies needed during your stay. Chernobyl Ants (#2-6), Dragon Fly imitations (#2), black/brown/olive/white wooly buggers (#6-10), Egg sucking bunny leeches #4-8, Smolt patterns (#6-10), Hare’s ear nymphs(#10-16), San Juan Worms (#6-8), Black Gnat(#10-16), Midge patterns(#20), and various Hopper patterns(#6-10).
