El Saltamontes has always been recognized for the exceptional quality of its guide service. Over the years, the angling program has been developed and manned by a succession of professionals from Canada, the US and home grown Chileans.

In the early years, when fly-fishing was new to the region, North American guides were sought. Experienced veterans like Canada’s Gordon Kennedy helped create the fishing program. Innovative explores like Adam Henderson evolved, polished and diversified the angling to improved heights.

Today, our talented Chilean and Argentine guides, unite this foreign expertise with their intimate knowledge of the water and local conditions. They add their own brand of inexhaustible enthusiasm for fly-fishing and love of their country, to their commitment to make the most of every moment, under all conditions.

Ofcourse, guide staff is dynamic but El Saltamontes has an unusual element of continuity and old faces and friends are always there to greet guests.

SENIOR GUIDE
Since 1997, Chilean born ALEJANDRO TREPIANA has been part of the El Saltamontes guide team.
Alex is unique, an absolute genius in two areas of expertise, fishing and music. Through his passion and genuine enthusiasm for the sport of angling, Alex has become the “Soul” of the fishing program and the rock on which the guide team is built.
His team mates describe him as a “fish magnet”. His talent for understanding fish is a rare gift. Over ten years, Alex has accumulated more experience than any other guide in the area. He knows the fish and he understands the conditions and the interaction of the two, better than any man. His English is perfect.

Every morning, Alex consults with his team and brings to the table his wealth of local knowledge. An optimal fishing plan is devised, depending on the capacity and preferences of each angler and the environmental conditions of the day.
The only problem the Lodge has with Alejandro, is getting him to come in at the end of every day. If it were up to him, he would fish on through dinner and be casting mouse patterns into moonlight lagoons, well into the night.
When he does finally drag himself off the river and come back to the lodge, guests are in for another treat. When Alex

picks up his guitar, he is transformed from an earnest, humble fishing enthusiast, into a full throated, entertainer. His endless repertoire from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s has guests, singing and rocking-on, despite their river-weary bones.
His concerts by the fire, with candles glowing warmly on antique furniture, are a treat for all.
When everyone finally stumbles off to bed, Alex whips up another couple of “killer” flies for his guest to use the following day.
It is a privilege to fish with Alejandro.


LEANDRO TRONCOSO
Leo is from the Argentine side of the Patagonia and is the epitome of Latin Charm. His skills, on both rivers and lakes, match his fine looks. Leandro is a well educated, intelligent young man, who brings with him a rich cultural background and understanding.
He is a consummate professional and is a fishing guide because that is what he wants to be. Leandro is articulate and gregarious. He is a patient and very effective teacher. He has a great sense of humor. More importantly, he is a master of selection and of putting his client in the right position at the right time and the results are extraordinary.


MATIAS HEINSEN
Born in Santiago, Matias is a young man of relatively few words. A quiet achiever, he is a disciplined young man with an intense passion for his country and angling. A university graduate of Geography, Matias is a wealth of information and has in depth knowledge of the regional environment.
He knows the area and the people intimately. He is a skilled oarsman on white-water and lakes and a very capable outdoorsman. If you were to be lost in the wilderness in a survival situation, Matias is the companion you would choose. He is authentic with his love of the Patagonia and fiercely determined when it comes to finding and catching fish.
Once in a while Matias can be persuaded to take up his flute, pipes and harmonica. The stone –walled lodge is filled with the haunting tones of native Andean folk music…or a jam session with the guitar will follow into the wee hours.

BRANDON SHARP
Don’t let Brandon’s happy-go-lucky attitude fool you…he is serious about fishing and a seasoned professional. U.S. born Brandon, learned from masters and generously shares his skills and knowledge with his Chilean team mates and his clients. He is a great teacher. There are many “fair-weather guides” but Brandon is a champ when the going gets tough. Gale force winds and sleet just kick him into gear. He’ll keep you laughing and keep you catching fish when other guides would have retired with their tails between their legs.

It is El Saltamontes policy to rotate guides among the guests during the course of the week. In this way, anglers have the opportunity to enjoy the company and sample the style of each of these very talented and diverse guides. You will enjoy their energy and enthusiasm as well as their varying approaches to angling and life. The one thing they have in common is their dedication to providing quality service and to make the most of every situation. The respect and friendship they have for each other flows over in every aspect of lodge life and is the glue that bonds the El Saltamontes team.