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and catch that fish next time it comes home.

On a like note, I'll shall tell you a true fishing story. My first venture of fly fishing on the Rio Coihaique, which you can do by simply walking out of town and start fishing (a little further south from Chiloe). At a memorable spot, a secret place, near a large rock and overhanging tree, I cast out and hooked into a brave trout of appreciable size. A battle pursued. The trucha won and I lost. Good on you, I thought. But I shall be back to have another go at you.

The following year in Chile I happened to be traveling with my companera and we ventured along the Rio Coihaique one fine afternoon. I pointed out to her this rock in mid stream.

"That's where I lost a fine trout last year. Let's see if it's still there!"

Yep.. I got him on a wobbler by spin fishing, a two pounder. Later that evening we hot smoked our catch of trout, which we enjoyed with a liberal supply of Chilean vino tinto.

At the southern end of the island is the quaint fishing village of Quellon. Its jetties are crowded with boats unloading clams and various types of seaweed. A freighter was loaded with sacks of fish pellets destined for the salmon farms. Away on the mainland skyline sparkle snowy Andean peaks and the steep volcanic cones of Corcovado and Nevado. In May 2008 you would have seen a huge ash column of erupting Volcan Chaiten.

A huge ferry confidently arrived and dropped its stern door onto the sloping concrete ramp. Cars and trucks drove off to be replaced by the waiting vehicles. A hundred passengers filed on board with a dozen foreign tourists being conspicuous amongst the short, black-haired Chileans.

Overnight ferries run from Quellon to Chaiten and Puerto Chacabuco on the Chilean mainland which is the gateway to the wonderful fiordland part of Chile.

I have fond memories of the Island of Chiloe. I shall return to browse the craft markets and fraternize with the Chiloens. Always I travel with a fishing rod and I look forward to having more fishing adventures in Chiloe.

Learn more about this author, Allan Taylor.
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