Lago Yelcho sits back from the coast road near Chaitén, a long glacial lake pinched between forested ridgelines, and it's the reservoir behind the river's old reputation — cruising rainbows and browns that grow fat on the lake's baitfish before dropping into the outflow. Wind funnels down the valley most afternoons, so mornings and the sheltered arms fish best; a boat lets you work the inflows and drop-offs where fish stack up rather than fighting a lee shore all day. Woolly Buggers and zonkers stripped along structure are the standard approach. It's quieter than its outflow river's fame would suggest, and that's very much part of its appeal.
- Lake
- Glacial
