From The Fly Shop:
It’s with great excitement and anticipation that we announce big changes at El Saltamontes Lodge, starting with the 2025 season. After 34 years of operating one of the all-time classic fly fishing lodges in Chile, Patagonian Jose Gorroño and family are turning over the reins to Dane and Chiara Emerson, owners of Espiritu Santo Bay (ESB) Lodge. ESB is the single most sought after flats fishing lodge in the world. The connection between the two families started in 2019 when Dane and Chiara hosted a week at El Saltamontes with friends, and has now blossomed into a partnership.
“Ever since I was a kid growing up in Michigan, devouring everything I could on fly fishing (including my annual catalog from The Fly Shop®), I’ve dreamed of fishing the storied waters of El Saltamontes. When the opportunity arose to host a week, Chiara and I jumped on it and we fell in love with the Gorroño family, their property, and the Nireguao Valley. Since then, we have been working with Jose and his family to set a foundation of excellence that will bring their legacy to a new level, and we couldn’t be more thrilled and honored to now take the reins – a dream come true for a trout fanatic like me. We will incorporate many ingredients from our ESB “recipe”, blending them into the new El Saltamontes program while at the same time honoring the heritage and traditions the Gorrono family have built over the last 30-plus years. With the Gorroño family’s blessing and full support, we will redefine Patagonia fly fishing and usher in a new era worthy of past and future accolades.” – Dane Emerson
“After 34 years of hosting fly fishers from around the world, new winds are blowing across El Saltamontes. With Dane and Chiara at the helm, a recharged dose of enthusiasm will be pumped into the fishing program – and the hospitality presentation – by two of the most qualified and professional hosts I have ever met. I am profoundly grateful for their dedicated spirit to bring El Saltamontes to the forefront of Patagonia trout fishing. Muchos Saludos”. – Jose Gorroño” – Owner, Emeritus, El Saltamontes
The New El Saltamontes – 2025
As an avid trout fisherman (and after several trips down to El Saltamontes in recent years), former Colorado outfitter, Dane Emerson, is reinvigorating and expanding the fishing program to take full advantage of the private water beats on the ranch, as well as a vast number of regional fisheries within close proximity of the lodge. One of the truly exciting aspects of this transition is Dane’s commitment to explore and integrate new water into the El Saltamontes fishing program. In addition to the above, Dane and his guide staff will constantly be on the move, scouting out the many possible rivers, spring creeks and lagunas that permeate the region, and adding new waters as they prove productive. The lodge has 5 guides and Dane himself will be guiding, rotating through guests during the week. The lodge is in a very unique locale, a long way from any significant population center, and surrounded by remote countryside that is lightly-explored. The possibilities are endless for private lease and public water alike! The fishing program is designed to have guests enjoy 2 days on the lodge’s property, 2 days of off-property wading, and 2 days floating on the Mañihuales (or Rio Norte and the larger lakes if the fishing is productive). Dane and his guides will strive for diversity, while understanding that weather and water levels will always be the determining factors of their daily fishing program.
Dane and Chiara have also upgraded the infrastructure of the fishing program, having already brought on multiple Toyota Hilux 4X4 trucks, several new state-of-the-art NRS rafts, and most importantly a world-class guide team collected largely from some of the best talent in South America. As any experienced traveling angler understands, the quality of a lodge’s guide team will make or break the operation, and the guides at El Saltamontes will be among the most experienced fly fishing professionals in the industry. They will cater to each individual’s physical ability as well as their fishing experience. At week’s end every fisherman should have had a wonderful fishing experience, and leave a better, more seasoned angler.
Not to be overlooked will be the meals at the lodge, prepared and presented by a new and classically-trained chef, with a menu focused on amazing regional Chilean dishes including fresh seafood and organic beef and lamb. As well, they will continue Jose’s famous weekly asado, the famous barbeque extravaganza, complete with live music performed by local gauchos.
The accommodations will remain largely the same as before – albeit with some normal upgrades – with beautiful duplex cabins constructed from local lumber, and river rock from Rio Ñireguao.
Reservations for the 2025 Season are now being accepted through The Fly Shop® and our professional angling agent network. A commission of 15% of the trip cost will be paid to agents.
For more information, please contact: travel@theflyshop.com | 800.669.3474 | 530.222.3555