The week of the French (La semana de los Frances)

Just got back into town after a month long stint at the lodge where life settled into a balanced rhythm of work, relaxation, food, drink, conversation, and fish. So far life is good. The days on the water followed by the nights at the lodge have all been enjoyable and the clients fun and interesting.

The last seven days of fishing, however, were a true pleasure as La Posada de los farios was invaded by our french brethren. Brief worries about language barriers were put at ease upon discovering the common languages of good food, wine, and fishing. And we took the opportunity of having six fun french anglers, and one crested butte hippy, to do a little extra exploring.

We started off by doing a little canyon fishing on the Rio Cisnes.

Then we took a little road trip to the coast.

Along the only highway in southern Chile.

It was beautiful.

Complete with glaciers,

waterfalls,

temperate rainforest,

glacial blue water,
and sea run trouts.

The first couple of weeks

Over two weeks since my first and only post. I have been to the lodge and back twice now. Much has happened.

On the way to the lodge we stopped at a small farm to negotiate using her land as a possible takeout for a float. She had a small wild pig. It was cute. This picture is for Anna.

Not much further down the road, just outside the small Villa Manihaules, we saw a Rodeo.

It was already over and the cowboys, known as huasos, which are different from gauchos, were just practicing, but I learned a few things. First, that rodeo is the national sport of Chile. Second, that they don't use ropes. They just pin the calf to the walls. And instead of being timed, it is based on style points. Calf pinning, or checking, is the only event.


Finally, I also learned, that you can eat barbeque, play pool, and play foosball while you watch the rodeo. They only happen a few times a summer. I will be at the next one.


This is a picture from my first float on the Cisnes river.




It is beautiful.

Particularly in the evening.

This is a picture of Rex casting into the lake that he owns. We went camping there.

This is the cabin that is at the lake. We slept in tents.

This is Jose. He is the gaucho that watches over Rex's property and the ranch next door. He meets us with the horses that we use to get there. He likes to laugh at me. Particularly when I am speaking spanish, riding a horse, or getting lost on my way to the lake.

This is his house.

This is another picture of the Cisnes.

Sometimes we stop to take them when the trucks are overheating.

This is the hot tub at the lodge. Behind it is a mountain with a large glacier on it. Hot tubs and mountains and glaciers are a good combination.

This is where I live. It is comfortable, but I try to spend a lot of time outside. Preferably in the hot tub next to the mountain with the glacier on it.

These are condors. I enjoy them seeing them a lot. They are big. I hope to see many more.

And finally, these are brown trout. There are many here. They are aggressive and beautiful, and I like to fish for them. Or to watch other people fish for them. I don't really care.

coyhaique

It has been two full days since I arrived in Chile. A long night and day of travel to get here, but Coyhaique is beautiful and the house where I am is staying is peaceful and comfortable. Tomorrow we leave for the lodge.

Pics from the house.