Equipment

2009 Las Torres Equipment List!

Hey everyone, here is a good list to consider for coming to visit the lodge. Please feel free to interpret this list to suit your present belongings, but remember that this is a trip of a lifetime! Don't be caught short in an effort to shave off a few bucks!

General Clothing:

Other Items:

Travel toilet kit
Hand shaver (not electric)
Band Aid pack
Neosporin
Travel alarm (batteries)
Book for travel
Binoculars
Camera & Film/Memory Card
Waterproof Case for Camera/s
Mini digital video camera
Small headlamp

Fishing Clothing:

The weather in Chilean Patagonia is dynamic and constantly changing. One day it can be 80 degrees and sunny and the next day rainy, damp and in the low 40's or cooler with a stiff breeze; this can all happen in a matter of hours. As a result, clothing strategies should be based on layering systems.

In considering these systems:

Start off with a polypropylene type fabric or silk next to your skin (thermal underwear).
Your second layer could be a medium weight wool or polypropylene shirt, sweater or pullover.
Your third layer, if needed, can be a fleece or wool jacket.
Your fourth layer will be your rain jacket. High quality Goretex type products and oiled cotton jackets are fine choices.
Also good rubber coated jackets are a good bet, although are not breathable. Try to buy the best raingear you can afford, as being caught in the rain is no fun.

Waders: Chest waders are the only way to go. Good quality Gore-Tex and Neoprene waders are good options. *Also a small wader repair kit for your type of wader.

Wading Boots: Felt soled wading boots. No spikes please! (Rafts and Wood bottomed boats)

Other important items

Wool or polypropylene gloves
Lanyard
Fishing Hat
Small daypack (required)
Clippers, hemostats and pliers
Small flashlight
Polarized sunglasses
Sun protection (SPF 30)

Fly Rods

A 5 or 6 weight rod is ideal. Also in case the wind comes an 8 weight can keep you fishing right through it. If you don't have an 8 weight your guide will bring one along.

Fly Lines:

You will basically need two fly lines, a weight forward floater for dries, and a sink tip fly line (200 grain or similar) for streamers. We do the majority of our fishing with sink tip lines.

Leaders and Tippet:

For a week's fishing you will need no less than four tapered leaders 4 ea. 9 ft. 3X for your floating line, and 4 ea. 7ft. 2X leaders for your sinking fly lines. For tippet you should bring fresh spools from 4X to 0X. We prefer fluorocarbon leader and tippet for all.

Flies

Although your guides will have most of the flys you need we suggest you bring a selection of standard patterns with you.

Size #6 or #8 Black Chernobyl Ants
Size #8 Yellow and Green Bodied Hoppers
Size #6 or #8 Brown, Black, and Olive Cone or Beadhead Wooly Buggers (Buggers with Crystalflash and rubber legs are excellent)
Also a small selection of brown and tan Caddis size #14-#16 and light colored mayflys size #16- #18 are a real plus!!!

Luggage: Finally, you will want to carry your fishing gear as carry-on luggage. Plan on packing your reels, flies, leaders, and waders in carry-on, while boots and other items can go into checked luggage. If you plan on carrying rods with you, it is our experience that they should be either placed in your carry on, or zipped & locked in your checked bags. The best piece of luggage you could purchase for this trip is the 'Simms Bottomless Pit Roller Duffel'. If you want one: Google and ogle at http://www.simmsfishing.com/

We offer Chile travel clients a 15% discount on any reels, lines, rods, waders, boots, etc. through our fly shop. Call to discuss your interests: (207) 491 9898

As a final note to prepare: Our primary cook/lodge hand is an impressive Chilean woman, Sandra 37 years old. She has two very impressive young boys, 15 and 9. They are all very interesting people to meet, and anything in terms of small gift offerings are generally accepted like a brick of “GOLD!” One year, a client brought down a deflated soccer ball and a small pump; it was like the Space Shuttle had just been erected in their front yard! Feel free to take the reins here.