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"Que
Magnifico!!!!!!!!!! What better way to describe a week at The Dragonfly
Lodge. A 36 inch salmon, 70 -80 fish days, and 25 inch buster browns
on a bass popper--all in a days work for Adam Henderson and his
guests. He and The Gorrono family have put together an extrodinary
fishing experience in the wilds of Patagonia. Adam knows these waters
and is tireless in maximizing the hunt. A memorable fishing adventure!"
Whit
Morris
Churchville Virginia
"As
a trout fly fishing guide, Adam is the real deal, a bonafide artist
at work!
My week at The Dragonfly Lodge has provided moments and memories
that will never end; catching my firt salmon within the first two
hours of fishing with Adam, the joy and fear of a 24 inch brown
tearing down river with line pealing off the reel! Thanks mucho
Adam for enriching my fishing life!"
Donie
Moses
Staunton VA.
"I
was one of the lucky few people who fished the new Dragonfly Lodge
in Chile. The lodge is an amazing structure, being built by Chilean
wood workers who used only chain saws to cut the native timber.
All the pieces fit together perfectly! All of the windows, furniture,
concrete, etc., were hauled in by rafts, the same way we came in.
You have to see it to believe it. The food and wines were excellent.
The fish ranged in size from 16-26, with many 22-24
fish. I would estimate the average fish to be 22 in this lower
part of the river and lake. One day was spent exploring the lagunas
which yielded several 24 browns and one very fat 26
brown. All of the fish were very healthy, heavy, and fought very
well. Of all the trips Ive been on, it has to rank as one
of the best. Ive already reserved my week next year."
Gary
Gradke
Arizona
"It's been several weeks since we were with you and Skip at
Lago Copa, and we are still telling every fisherman whom we meet,
about the great experience, which we enjoyed in the Chilean Andes.
We were blessed with the best of everything, the guides, the fishing,
the cuisine, and your new lodge overlooking a panorama of unmatched
beauty. One must come to Dragonfly Lodge to appreciate scope of
all that is offered to its clientele. It is nice to know, that as
a guest, you will be sharing all of this, and not be disturbed by
anyone else except your fellow sportsmen who are the lodge at that
time.
As
Skip said to Fred and Me when we were at Lago Roosevelt, "how
does it feel to be the fourth and fifth people to fish here, excluding
the guides and family?" That's impressive! A fishing trip such
as this is more than just catching these big fish. It's the unspoiled
beauty of the lakes and rivers that are located at the base of these
majestic snow capped mountains, that sets ones mind totally at ease.
To call the world of El Dragonfly "beautiful", does not
come close to describing the scenery, all while enjoying the fishing,
the streamside grilled lunches and the comfort of the most modern
equipment. The creation of this lodge in a remote place with no
roads or trails accessing it, is a monument to Jose and Erica, and
the entire staff working with You and Skip. I have shown the CD
that I made to several fishing clubs and have had people call asking
if they might come to our home to see the CD again, and get answers
to their questions. I am enjoying this trip long after departing
El Dragonfly and our entire group wishes to return next year, so
will be contacting you about our return to enjoy the fishing, food
and congeniality which is offered"
My
best,
Fred
Cummings
"This
has been paradise in the wilds of the Chilean temperate jungle.
Hospitality unbeatable with the finest of Parisian cuisine. Fishing
beyond imagination in untouched waters. Adam and Skip are superlative
guides, can not think of anyone I would rather be on the water with.
Accommodations still under construction but will have the makings
of a five star plus lodge and now as is I would consider it of the
finest quality. I can not imagine how much nicer it could be made.
This
has been an unforgettable experience that I will always treasure.
My thanks to Jose , Erica, and their wonderful children- Nat, Pia,
Lucas, and last but not least Soli. You are all great staff. Muchas
Gracias"
Dave
Avila
Windham
NH
"You
have certainly created a wonderful adventure in a very remote place
in the world. I believe the fishing is second to none. The staff
and guides have been outstanding. It is like one big family including
Jose and Erica. Everyone makes you feel welcome. The food has been
outstanding, the best I have ever experienced at such a remote area.
Thanks for allowing us the opportunity to share this experience"
Fred
Jackson
Burlington
USA
"Adam,
Your
trip is a true adventure. The fishing was fantastic!! The lodge
Setting is so picturesque!! I have never seen a river with so much
trout habitat, and watching the trout!! hunt the dragon!! was unforgettable.
In my opinion this is as good as fly fishing trips get. We will
definitely be back for another great adventure."
Steve
Bowers
Indiana
"Skip
and Adam
Sorry
for the delay in getting back to you--it's been a buzzsaw here since
I returned from your glorious Patagonia.
We
had a fantastic time. I don't think we knew exactly what to expect
from this trip, but it certainly surpassed anything we could have
imagined. It was truly an "adventure fishing trip" to
an area of gorgeous isolation and beauty, but we were never uncomfortable,
underfed, or lacking for anything. Indeed, the food, prepared over
a wood stove twenty miles from the nearest road, was particularly
amazing. The fishing was great--a great variety of water and consistently
big fish. You should be very proud of the enterprise you have worked
so hard to create.
John"
"Adam,
Skip, and all
----
Back in Cincinnati and readjusting to the real world (cold and snowy),
catching up on things. Just wanted to thank all of you for a terrific
Chilean fishing experience. Have made several wonderful trips to
the area, but this was GREAT!
Definitely
will have to come back soon. Get my pictures back tomorrow and will
relieve the experience again. Will be in touch later -- just wanted
to let you know how much we enjoyed the lodge, new friends, and
the fishing!! You guys certainly have done an outstanding job with
the place - look forward to seeing it in its final state (I like
it as it is).
Again,
thanks for all everybody did to make for such an enjoyable experience
(great job on the weather too)"
Jim & Plaid Bear
"Adam,
I
just wanted you to know that our trip to the DF was the trip of
a lifetime. Catching 6 browns (ranging from 20 -24 ") on a
dry fly all within 45-55 minutes was unbelievable!" I never
would have believed that you could catch a 27.5 inch brown trout
until I saw Jack catch one with my very own eyes. What a spectacular
fish... and what about the 30" brown we saw chasing the 20
inch brown through the falls at the lower lake!
Overall
the accommodations (the Gorrono family's hospitality was great as
usual), the spectacular scenery, the variety of fishing opportunities
from the Copa to the Pichabo and its variety of habitat, to the
lagunas (unbelievable when it comes off) is probably unique in this
world."
Robert
Anderson
Reno
Nevada
"Adam,
I
had a great adventure. Thank you for such a great time. If I were
to share some of the memories that stand out, I would have to share
the following;
The
beauty of the landscape is breathtaking in the morning when the
sun is up in the east and layers of clouds are moving in from the
west. The feeling I got when rowing up stream toward the laguna
was like a snippet out of the movie African Queen with Bogart and
Hepburn. The fishing was sporting, as we worked hard and were rewarded
with large, aggressive fish that required a short break after we
finally landed the beast. The food was absolutely top shelf, as
I gained 5 pounds with no regrets.
Chilean
wine and Pisco Sours were a welcome sight after a long day out on
the water. One very special memory I believe worth sharing is when
a 20" Brown leaped at least a foot out of the water, with absolute
precision and aggression took my fly and me for a fifteen minute
thrill ride. Last but not least, the Dragonfly Lodge staff always
had a smile, and an open ear to hear about our adventure that day.
.
Recommendations
- Fly Lan Chile, better service, better food, and more smiles. Bring
an open mind for adventure and you will have the time of your life.
Use Concha Travel in Santiago, best travel guide, worth every dollar
spent.
Adam,
we'll keep in touch as I'm hopeful we will hook up for another adventure
in the near future.
Take
Care
Rick"
"Adam,
Incredible
fishing in virgin waters [MANY 21-26"---4-6 PD GERMAN BROWNS
AND RAINBOWS], indescribable surrounding beauty, great food, fine
wine and the best guides are what you can expect at the Dragonfly
Lodge. I have fished many Chilean waters and nothing compares to
the Dragonfly. This is an adventure that all fly fisherman should
experience."
JACK
SCHOLZ
Wausau Wisconsin Feb. 2004
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