C H I L E 2 0 0 6
NOTE: "HOME" takes you to our
initial home page; "UP" will return you
to the CHILE 2006 site
for more exploring.
FJORDS FISHING
Our second week of fishing was spent aboard the M/V Azul, a 54’ Hatteras. We boarded the vessel at Puerto Chacobuco and spent 6 days/5 nights motoring in the fjords in the south of Chile. We disembarked each morning and afternoon via a Zodiac craft. We then fished fresh water streams that ultimately emptied into the fjords. Not only did we enjoy the fishing, but we once again saw incredible scenery and enjoyed the solitude of fishing very isolated waters. Our fishing partners, Joy and her son, Byron, were great boat companions, as was the crew – Guide (& Co-Owner) Cristian, Guide Andres, Guide Francisco, Captain Freddy & Chef Gonzolo
DAY 1 (Sunday, February 26): We enjoyed catching up with Cristian, Andres and Captain Freddy since we knew them each from the previous year’s fishing. We also met both Francisco and Gonzolo. Lindy got to practice a bit of her Spanish, especially with the Captain and Gonzolo. Then, we got to know Joy and Bryce as well all enjoyed the incredible scenery. We did some late afternoon fishing with Francisco. Ed landed one brown trout and one rolliso. Lindy was able to land three rolliso and one ravalo. We were rewarded with a different rainbow – a beautiful one dominating the horizon after some afternoon rain showers. We returned to the M/V Azul and enjoyed great wines, excellent companionship and a delicious dinner.
Click on the image to display a larger photo. Once
displayed,
click on the BACK button (first button on the left of your browser)
to return to this page.
 |
A different rainbow - "Arco" |
 |
Joy (our shipmate) with Guide Cristian and a gorgeous rainbow landed by Joy |
DAY 2 (Monday, February 27: We fished today in an incredible setting with Guide Cristian. The morning was tough and with no fish landed (although Lindy did have a few strikes). In the afternoon, however, Ed was able to catch and release a beautiful rainbow as well as five nice browns so we evened the score a bit.
Click on the image to display a larger photo. Once
displayed,
click on the BACK button (first button on the left of your browser)
to return to this page.
 |
Cristian and
Ed with |
DAY 3 (Tuesday, February 28): In addition to fishing, we got some great exercise as we did some “bushwhacking” with Francisco to reach the upper area of a large stream. There Lindy hooked (but unfortunately lost) a very large rainbow. To salvage the moment, Ed did land a nice brown from the same pool. Then, we did some wading and fishing in some fast, moving water. We asked Francisco to try a few casts and he landed his biggest rainbow to date, a 25” beauty. Good going!! In the afternoon, we fished a flats type area and had good luck catching browns.
Click on the image to display a larger photo. Once
displayed,
click on the BACK button (first button on the left of your browser)
to return to this page.
 |
Guide
Francisco with his |
 |
Lindy and Guide
Francisco with one of her browns |
 |
The setting with Guide Francisco and Ed in the stream |
 |
Just one more cast |
DAY 4 (Wednesday, March 1): Today the weather got more intense and we had rain most of the day. We fished for the first time with Guide Andres (in prior years there was no guide rotation; you had the same guide everyday). We had good fishing with each of us landing browns and Ed also had a rainbow. We also got some great shots of ourselves thanks to Andres’ incredible photography skills!
Click on the image to display a larger photo. Once
displayed,
click on the BACK button (first button on the left of your browser)
to return to this page.
 |
Getting ready to head out in the zodiacs for fishing |
 |
Both of us working the water |
 |
The anglers at sunset |
DAY 5 (Thursday, March 2): We once again got some exercise as we went “reed walking” with Guide Cristian. You had to walk through and push between reeds that were taller than we were. The only saving grace is that when you fall, you just kind of bounce against them and keep working your way forward. Anyway, the walk was worth it as we both caught and landed brown trout (and a few ravalo). Ed had three browns landed near a vertical wall. However, he was alone so we have no photographs to share.
DAY 6 (Friday, March 3): To everyone’s surprise and dismay, the weather continued to decline so we were able to fish only in the morning. Ed landed his first silver from the fjords so that was the highlight of the day. After lunch, Captain Freddy moved us to calmer waters for our last evening on the M/V Azul. We had a great farewell dinner and had lots of fun exchanging stories about the week (as well as other fun-times fishing). Here’s some non-fishing photographs that attest to the fun and camaraderie.
Click on the image to display a larger photo. Once
displayed,
click on the BACK button (first button on the left of your browser)
to return to this page.
 |
Captain
Freddy at the |
 |
A non-rainy moment in a calm bay - a beautiful photograph of the MV Azul with Captain Freddy on the rear deck |
 |
Chef Gonzolo in his tiny kitchen |
 |
Francisco gives Captain Freddy a break at the helm |
 |
A little computing on board |
 |
Enjoying the end of a delicious dinner |
 |
A beautiful dessert crafted by Chef Gonzolo |
 |
Cinco Maestros! |
* * * * * * * * * *
We had a great time on the M/V Azul (or as we lovingly call her, “the limousine”)! Everyone in the crew makes you feel like you’re part of one big family. Chef Gonzolo served excellent meals and our hosts made sure our wine glasses were always full. Captain Freddy is an excellent commander and takes wonderful care of his vessel as well as his guests and crew. We’ll be looking forward to future adventures on board the M/V Azul.