Fly Reels:
Good quality, lightweight fly reels, with simple disk drags or pawl drags, are the best choice. Reels should be filled with fresh 20 pound backing.

Reel models to consider might include: The Ross Evolution or Rhythm; Galvan Torque and/or Rush, or Nautilus Featherweight Plus series of reels. Extra spools are a definite advantage. 75 - 125 yards of backing is more than adequate.

Fly Lines:
Most experienced El Saltamontes anglers feel the only line necessary is a floating line for all the river situations, although a sinking tip line may be useful when throwing streamers.

Color of the line doesn't seem to be important. However, a weight-forward configuration will help transfer the power necessary to turn over bushy grasshoppers and other surface creatures we use. A (10 -24' depending on line size) sink tip fly line - Type IV - VI (150 – 200 grain) sink rate can come in handy when fishing streamers.

Leaders & Tippet:
For a week's fishing, you will need no less than three tapered leaders - 9 ft. (3X) & three tapered leaders - 9 ft. (2X) for your floating line. For tippet, bring fresh spools of (4X), (3X) and (2X).

Fluorocarbon is great tippet and leader material and we highly recommend it. To keep the fluorocarbon from sinking, rub a little floatant on it. Umpqua, Rio, Seaguar and Frog Hair make some of the best tippet and leader material available.

Flies:
Remember, the name of this lodge is El Saltamontes (The Grasshopper). When you walk the banks and meadows near the Ñirehuao, you'll often raise a literal cloud of hoppers. The fish are keyed to the hoppers or anything that floats and looks buggy.

They are like a magnet, keeping the many resident fish there and attracting more and more fish from the lower river habitat as the season progresses. Each angler should have between 1 and 2 dozen terrestrial patterns, 1 dozen assorted wooly buggers, 1 dozen assorted dry flies, 3 dragonfly patterns and 2 mouse patterns. 48 flies should be just about right for the week.