One of Patagonia's greatest fly fishing adventures
April 15th by Chad Shmukler
THE RIVER OF DREAMS BASECAMP
The middle section of Chile’s Rio Blanco is some of the most untouched water in all of Patagonia. Waterfalls, class V rapids, and impassable canyon water prevent up or downriver access, leaving the roughly 30-mile middle reaches of the river as the sole domain of the River of Dreams Basecamp.
For only a few months a year, that enormous stretch of emerald blue-green river is fished by no more than six anglers per week, who chase oversized brown and rainbow trout in the Blanco’s wild waters.
For streamer fishing junkies, anglers who like rising trophy trout on terrestrials and attractor dry flies, and big fish chasers, basecamp might just be heaven on earth.
Wading a side channel of the Rio Blanco (photo: Matt Harris).
A fine Rio Blanco brown trout.
Big fish, big smiles.
GETTING TO CAMP
Such remote, exclusive water requires a bit of effort — and adventure — to reach. Anglers headed to the River of Dreams Basecamp complete the journey into camp either by 1) a combination horseback and upriver jet boat trip or 2) by helicopter.
Whichever route you choose, you’ll be treated to views of the Andes, clad by Chile’s Valdivian rainforest, that few others ever see. And for anglers that make the journey, the reward is one found few places on the planet—30 miles of pristine, unmolested, trophy trout water.
An early view of the Blanco during the horseback ride into camp.
A Robinson helicopter dropping anglers at basecamp.
NOT JUST THE BLANCO
Though Rio Blanco is the main attraction at camp, it’s not the only show. The affectionately named Paradise Spring Creek — which offers electric fishing for richly-colored, orange-hued brown trout that voraciously swipe at mouse patterns and dry flies — flows directly behind camp, mere footfalls from where you’ll lay your head each night.
Anglers fishing Paradise Spring Creek.
A mouse-eating creek fish.
LIFE AT CAMP
Despite basecamp’s remote location, a stay on the River of Dreams is far from roughing it. Small buildings and wood-framed tents comprise camp, where anglers will find creature comforts like sleeping quarters with wood floors, plush cots, furniture for clothes storage and front porches for admiring the river; a main dining hall with seating for 12, a small 4-seat bar, and a piping hot wood stove; a proper shower driven by an on-demand water heater; flush toilets; Wi-Fi internet access, and more.
The dining area and bar at basecamp.
One of three riverfront guest cabins at camp.
Because the River of Dreams Basecamp caters to only six anglers per week, availability is limited. If you want to experience one of Patagonia’s greatest fly fishing adventures, the time to book for next year is now.
To learn more about the River of Dreams Basecamp or book your 2024-25 trip, head here, email us, or call us at +1 (253)-780-1530.
Head to basecamp
Patagonia
The River of Dreams Basecamp
The middle section of Rio Blanco is some of the most untouched water in all of Patagonia. The lower reaches of the Blanco, near its confluence with Rio Aysén and mere miles from where the river dumps into the Pacific Ocean, can be reached via both an unimproved dirt road and by upstream jetboat—until powerful waterfalls and class IV rapids block your way. And, the first few miles downstream of the river's origin can be accessed by portaging across a massive lake and hiking downriver before an impassible canyon halts your progress.
