Malleo River

The Malleo, a freestone river, internationally recognized for its dry fly fishing. The river drains from Tromen Lake near the base of the Lanin Volcano. After flowing approximately 30 miles it reaches the junction with the Alumine River. Over the entire flow the river crosses meadows, canyons and great willow tree galleries and presents great hatches throughout the season. This is a wade fishing only river. To properly describe this river we have divided it into three unique sections: upper, middle and lower. Upper Malleo is the section from the inlet at Tromen Lake until the junction with Huaca-Mamuil Creek. This section could be described as a mountain creek with a large variety of pocket water. You can target brook, rainbow and brown trout on 3 and 4 weight rods. The majority of the fish are in the 12 to 15 inch range but many of the pools hold fish over 20 inches. Middle Malleo, is the section from Huaca-Mamuil Creek until the Mapuche Reservation. This section continues to offer fast flows with large boulders but eventually gives way to willow lined banks. These willow trees provide great trout habitat. The trout here are in the 15 to 19 inch range but you can find fish over 20 inches. Lower Malleo is the section from the Mapuche Reservation until the junction with the Alumine River. The water flow slows and the willow trees are not as dense as those on the middle section. The environment is more desert like with a unique canyon and rock formations. Wade fishing here is easier than on the two other sections. The rainbows and browns range from 15 to 20 inches. As in the upper and middle section you can find fish over 20 inches.