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Río Espolón Fishing Guide: Species, Months, Flows and Flies

In short: Río Espolón is a wading river in the Futaleufú area of Palena province, Chile. Species the app lists: rainbow trout and brown trout. Months by the app's general seasonal guide: Rainbow trout: November to May (peak: December to March); Brown trout: November to May (peak: December to January and March to May). Right now: 61.3 m³/s (2,165 cfs); the river is high on the app's scale.

Guide updated October 27, 2026 · live data Oct 27, 2026, 1:59 PM (Chile)

Fish and best months

• Rainbow trout: November to May (peak: December to March). Consistent surface action in clear lake-drained water. Explosive dry fly and beetle rises along willow banks and glides.
• Brown trout: November to May (peak: December to January and March to May). Migratory browns moving between Lago Espolón and the river. Strip Woolly Buggers or dead-drift stonefly nymphs through deep holes.

Where and how to fish it

Classic medium-sized trout water draining Lago Espolón into the Futaleufú. Wade and float, with great dry-fly water when flows settle.

• Upper Espolón · Lake Outlet (Desagüe) to Bridge · Wade & float · 3 h · clear lake-filtered dry-fly runs
• Lower Espolón · Bridge to Futaleufú Confluence · Float & wade gravel bars · 2.5–3 h · hoppers & nymphs

The app's suggested gear: 5–6 wt (9 ft, WF floating line) · 9–11 ft 3X–4X leader for dry flies, dry-dropper & light nymphs.

Flow guide

The app's starting estimate (not yet validated by guides): low and clear below 25 m³/s · ideal 25–60 m³/s · high 60–100 m³/s · blown out above 100 m³/s (in cfs: 883–2,119–3,531). Right now: 61.3 m³/s (2,165 cfs); the river is high on the app's scale.

Rules in short

In Palena province (Res. Ex. 2428/2025): artificial lures with a single barbless hook only; one Atlantic, coho or Chinook salmon may be kept per angler per day and every other species must be released; no fishing from bridges or roads, and none between 22:00 and 06:00. Always confirm with Sernapesca. See season and rules.

More guides

• Alto Futaleufú
• Futaleufú Medio
• Bajo Futaleufú
• Río Azul
• Río Chico
• Lago Espolón
• Best time to fish
• Flies and hatches
• River flow and fishing

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to fish Río Espolón?

According to the app's seasonal guide: Rainbow trout: November to May (peak: December to March); Brown trout: November to May (peak: December to January and March to May). This is a general guide: the real timing changes every year with weather and flow.

Which fish are in Río Espolón, and which can I keep?

The app lists: rainbow trout and brown trout. In Palena province (Res. Ex. 2428/2025): artificial lures with a single barbless hook only; one Atlantic, coho or Chinook salmon may be kept per angler per day and every other species must be released; no fishing from bridges or roads, and none between 22:00 and 06:00. Always confirm with Sernapesca.

What flow is best for fishing Río Espolón?

The app uses a starting estimate, not yet validated by guides: low and clear below 25 m³/s, ideal from 25 to 60 m³/s (883 to 2,119 cfs), high from 60 to 100 m³/s and blown out above 100 m³/s.

What gear does the app suggest for Río Espolón?

5–6 wt (9 ft, WF floating line) · 9–11 ft 3X–4X leader for dry flies, dry-dropper & light nymphs.

Open the live app →

Provisional data and general guidance. Conditions change quickly: scout, check local rules with Sernapesca and use a local guide on big water.