Gonzalo founded the Chucao fishing lodge in 2005. Gonzalo has fished all over Patagonia and based on his experience he carefully and specifically chose his lodge locations at lake Yelcho and Rosselot. Having taken many fly fishers to the area, he decided that in order for his clients to enjoy the greatest comfort and hospitality he would have to develop and build his own lodges.
Professionally trained in Chile, the United States and Germany as an optician, Gonzalo still owns and operates one of the best known optical businesses in Chile. In the mid 70’s during his teen years, after having fished many other styles, Gonzalo cast his first fly and was immediately hooked to the sport: from that time on he has exclusively fished with flies. As an experienced caster and fly fisher, he understands (and shares) the passion that brings his guests all the way to Patagonia. He is the type of fly fisherman who will start early and not stop until it is dark…
Following his hobby, in 1986 Gonzalo began importing and selling fly tying materials and quickly opened his other business, the Fly Shop, one of the most complete and successful fly shop in South America. The Fly Shop is the exclusive distributor for Sage Fly Rods and Simms Products for all of Chile and Argentina. Always planning his next fishing trip, so far, he has fly fished for more than thirty different species in 27 different countries from Tierra del Fuego to Russia. Gonzalo is also the author of the book Fly Fishing in Chilean Patagonia, an excellent book written on the subject, filled with exquisite photographs and descriptions of the fly fishing in Patagonia. He has appeared in several television programs and fly fishing videos. He has extensive experience in having been an advisor and partner to some of the other quality fly fishing operations in Chile. Gonzalo Cortes is the one of the well known and respected fly fishing professional in Chile, and is committed to the preservation and improvement of the sport of fishing in his country.
When setting out to build the lodge of his dreams, Gonzalo Cortes built Chucao Lodge. From start to finish this location delivers a remarkable and authentic Chilean experience complete with rustic local architecture, savvy Chilean guides, spectacular mountain views and arguably Chile's largest wild trout.
CHUCAO FISHING LODGES | YELCHO | PATAGONIA | CHILE