(PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS DESTINATION FEATURES IN OUR ‘TWO COUNTRY PROGRAMME’ – see the FEATURES PAGE)

Situated on a private 250-hectare island on Lago Yelcho in the heart of the Chilean Patagonia wilderness, Isla Monita and its Lodge sit right on the doorstep of some of the finest big trout water in the country.  The Lodge’s ideal and central location puts you anywhere from five minutes to an hour’s drive to the huge variety of outstanding fishing locations in this region. 

Isla Monita provides the greatest diversity of fishing to be found anywhere in this area.  Fishing by driftboat and jet boat on the Futaleufu, Palena, Rosselot, and Yelcho Rivers, lake fishing on Lago Yelcho, and exclusive access to four private lagunas await you in this unique destination.  This variety ensures that you always have options in your pursuit for trophy trout no matter what the weather.  Streamer fishing for large rainbows and browns, sight-casting to cruising fish, and dry fly fishing to quality trout are the standard methods practiced at this catch-and-release flyfishing Lodge. 

The majestic Andean scenery surrounding the island is truly unrivalled, the fishing spectacular, and the staff gracious and experienced.

THE FISHING:
Guests can chose whether they prefer river, or lake, fishing; to fish from a boat or from a float tube; or whether they prefer to wade or to fish from the bank.  The extensive fishing consists of the following.

• Drift boating down several major rivers with magnificent scenery and a huge variety of fishing, including deep pools, eddies, swift runs and many other fish habitats

• Jet boating to stretches of river, inaccessible by other means, to fish virgin waters

• Float tubing or pontooning in lagunas where the only sound is the splashing of large fish jumping for flies

• Wading for big fighting fish in large rivers, with overhangs and natural obstacles

• Wading in smaller streams of great beauty and crystal waters, teasing out elusive fish with the dry fly

• Row-boating in deep silent lagunas beneath hanging glaciers and snow-capped peaks

• Fishing for powerful and hungry trout in the main lake reed beds and the mouths of rivers feeding the lake.

Almost all our fishing is with flies, using single hooks.  We encourage, but do not insist upon, the use of barbless hooks, and follow a policy of catch and release for conservation purposes.

FISHING LOCATIONS:
Available to guests fishing at Isla Monita are all of the following locations:
• River Futaleufu and its tributaries:  drift boat fishing, jet boat assisted, wading and fishing from the bank

• River Yelcho:  drift boat fishing, jet boat assisted, wading and fishing from the bank.  Excellent eddies and and spectacular river fishing

• Rivers Palena and Rosselot:  a little further afield – drift boats, jet boats to otherwise inaccessible and unfished waters, wading and fishing from the bank

• The mighty Lake Yelcho:  lots of reed beds, and rivers entering the lake

• A number of secret and exclusive lagunas only available to Isla Monita guests.  These are protected and extraordinarily beautiful, apart from the excellent fishing that they afford.

	Day 1:			On Saturday, guests will be met at Chaiten airport off the midday flight from Puerto Montt, and driven the 90 minute ride to Lake Yelcho.  On arrival at the lakeside a boat will transfer you to the nearby island of Isla Monita and its Lodge.  Lunch will be served, and an afternoon’s fishing follows
	Days 2 to 7:			6 full days’ guided fishing at any one (or more) of the locations available
	Day 8:			A few hours morning fishing if schedules permit, and then transfer back to Chaiten airport for end of the programme

RATES – 2006/07 SEASON:
The overall rate per week for the all-inclusive fishing programme at Isla Monita is £2,285 per person (US$3,995 per person.  This rate includes transfers between the Lodge and Chaiten airport, 61⁄2 days guiding and boating services, 7 nights lodging, shared occupancy, all meals, cocktails and an open bar with free access to our ample choice of first class Chilean wines and international spirits.

CONDITIONS:
A 50% trip deposit is required to hold your reservation. Full payment is due 60 days prior to travel.

HOW TO GET THERE:
Daily flights are available from the USA and Europe to Santiago.  Some will require overnight accommodation in this fascinating city.  A Saturday

THE LODGE:
The Lodge complex, the only group of buildings on the island, is timber and stone built, in a small hollow above an orchard overlooking the south-east corner of Lake Yelcho.  The western horizon is crowded by jagged peaks towering up to 7,000 feet, amid forests, snow fields and glaciers above Lake Yelcho.  The island’s only access is by 10 minute boat ride from the lakeside – thus complete privacy is ensured.

The Lodge is comfortably furnished and welcoming.  The ground floor has two bedrooms and three bathrooms, while upstairs there are another five bedrooms and five bathrooms, 3 en suite.  It comfortably accommodates 8-10 anglers, has hot showers, baths, hot tub, powered via generator (with backups).  A large sitting room, with adjoining bar and dining area, overlooks the lake, orchards and mountains and is warmed by a splendid open fireplace.  Upstairs there is a further sitting area, as well as exercise bikes for those wanting to keep fit.

The Lodge has a well-stocked cellar specialising in the finest Chilean wines, as well as beers, spirits and soft drinks.  Also, it is equipped with satellite phone, with internet and email connections.

The lodge has been featured many times over the years in international publications and is both well-established (over 20 years of business) and well-staffed.

SEASONS:
Fishing starts in early November, with daytime temperatures in the 60’s and nights in the 50s.  The dragonflies start to appear.  December is warmer, in the 70s, with more insect life and occasional sunshine.  January and February are the peak summer months, with still more insect life, and fantastic evening rises.  March brings more variable weather, and as autumn approaches the fish feed voraciously.  In April the trout are still plentiful as the big fish go upstream to spawn.

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A new and unique experience in fly-fishing – the finest luxury accommodation and facilities, combined with a variety of uncharted waters to be explored.

‘Nomads of the Sea’ is a unique operation created with one goal in mind – to offer an extremely high level of personalised and professional service through its Extreme Flyfishing adventures, and EcoTourism expeditions.  The live-aboard, 150ft. mothership, ‘Atmosphere’, has been completely custom-designed as an aquatic flyfishing ‘lodge’.  Furthermore, it is equipped with an onboard helicopter, 6 Jetboats and 4 Zodiac dinghies in order to provide an unprecedented capability for reaching the remote – even virgin – territories to be fished.  The operation was launched in November 2006. 

Weekly sailings south from Puerto Montt, along Chile’s Patagonian coast, take anglers to the most magnificent fjords, rivers and lakes of the southern hemisphere, some of which may never have been fished before.  The programme of travelling at night allows a full day’s fishing the following day in any combination of the abundant lakes, lagoons and rivers.


THE FISHING:
Large brown trout, rainbows and brook trout abound in these waters, and in sizes that are unmatched in the northern hemisphere.  Steelheads, King and Chinook salmon (up to 20lbs) are also a feature of these waters.  The variety of fly-fishing is such that all techniques may be used – dry flies, nymphs, streamers – according to location being fished and the conditions of the moment.

All of the fishing practiced is either in river mouths, estuaries and inter-tidal sections of the rivers, or the mid and upper river sections, lakes, lagoons and a few spring creeks.  Some of the lower river sections face strong tides (up to 20 feet), thus the rainbows, browns and silver salmon found here tend to move with the tides, following the food chain provided by one of the most fertile oceans on earth.

For fly fishing the Patagonia fjords, the rivers and the inland lakes and lagoons, anglers will be able to apply the whole range of fishing methods – streamers of varying sizes and weights, dry-fly attractors and nymphs, technical dries, dragonfly nymphs, mayflies, as well as interesting Ephemeroptera swimmers, and Trichoptera larva (pupae and adults) and, according to season, the typical aquatic entomology found in technical spring creek waters.

ACCOMMODATION:
All facilities, including the cabins, are state-of-the-art, and no attention to detail has been spared in order to ensure absolute luxury on board.  The upper deck provides 4 Jacuzzis and a sauna, and a massage service is permanently available below.  Fine gourmet dining, the finest Chilean wines and an open bar service lend an agreeable tone to the evenings’ relaxation, during which a slide show is given of the day’s activities with photos taken by the guides and guests.

Housing on board a crew of 32, including guides, ‘Atmosphere’ can cater for up to 28 passengers and provides facilities for up to 18 anglers.


THE PROGRAMME:
Departures from the coastal city of Puerto Montt are every Saturday during the season.  Guests will be met at Santiago international airport and transferred to their domestic connection to Puerto Montt.  There you will be met and transferred to the Nomads land base for refreshments and an induction presentation to the week’s activities, before boarding ‘Atmosphere’ later on in the afternoon.

Nomads’ operational distance covers some 450 miles, from Puerto Montt south along the Patagonian coast to the Taitao peninsula (Lat. 41 to 46 degrees South), and back again.  The whole of this coast is one of incomparable natural and unspoilt beauty.  According to season, it is also alive with sea species such as whales, sea lions and penguins. 

‘Atmosphere’ usually travels at night in order to provide for a full day’s fishing at each destination.  Following a sumptuous breakfast, each day will commence between 9 and 9.30am in order to schedule various departures.  At each successive destination the helicopter and jet boats will provide access to new, and more exciting, fishing adventures.

At the end of the week, and after a Saturday morning return docking at Puerto Montt, you will be transferred to Puerto Montt airport at a time to suit your domestic connecting flight home (or for any optional additional programme).


OTHER ACTIVITIES:
Of particular interest to non-fishing partners are the Eco-Tourism programmes. ‘Nomads of the Seas’ undertakes scientific exploration of fauna, flora and marine biology.  Qualified scientists and instructors host daily programmes of Eco-tourism, and these include whale watching, as well as tracking sea lions, dolphins, penguins and a plethora of bird species.  In addition, there are expeditions to glaciers, hot springs, and just trekking the magical scenery.  Another state-of-the-art facility is available for these sea-based activities – a Zodiac Hurricane 900 RIB craft, which caters for18 passengers, and which boasts specially sprung seats designed to absorb the impact of any rough seas.

SEASONS:
Nomads’ season runs from the beginning of November to the end of April each year.

RATES:
All-inclusive rates for the week vary according to type of cabin (Deluxe or Premium), and occupancy (single or double), and start at £8,500/person (US$14,875), including 19% Chilean tax.  Non-angler rates start at £5,780/person (US$10,115) ), including 19% Chilean tax.

Rates include:  All meals and refreshments;  Open bar;  All activities on board (Sauna, Thalasotherapy, Lectures, Wine tasting);  Cabin accommodation as  requested;  Daily flyfishing excursions as schedules;  Daily whale watching and ecotourism excursions as scheduled;  Transfers between Puerto Montt airport and ‘Atmosphere’.

Not included:  Air flight tickets;  Massages;  Laundry;  Satellite phone;  Fishing tackle and equipment;  Extra helicopter/jet boat hours;  Special liquors;  Gift shop goods;  Gratuities


CONDITIONS:
A 30% deposit is required to hold your reservation.  The balance is due no later than 90 days prior to departure date.


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