In short: The app compares each river's flow with four bands: low and clear, ideal, high and blown out. The current thresholds are starting estimates, not yet validated by guides. With high or blown-out water the app switches to subsurface flies and the lakes become more attractive.
Guide updated October 27, 2026 · live data Oct 27, 2026, 1:59 PM (Chile)
Bands by river
Alto Futaleufú: ideal 180–330 m³/s, high up to 480 m³/s. Now: 269 m³/s (9,500 cfs); the river is in its ideal range on the app's scale
Futaleufú Medio: ideal 210–390 m³/s, high up to 560 m³/s. Now: 330 m³/s (11,654 cfs); the river is in its ideal range on the app's scale
Bajo Futaleufú: ideal 250–520 m³/s, high up to 800 m³/s. Now: 332 m³/s (11,724 cfs); the river is in its ideal range on the app's scale
Río Azul: ideal 12–35 m³/s, high up to 65 m³/s. Now: 1.3 m³/s (46 cfs); the river is low and clear on the app's scale
Río Espolón: ideal 25–60 m³/s, high up to 100 m³/s. Now: 61.3 m³/s (2,165 cfs); the river is high on the app's scale
Río Palena: ideal 35–90 m³/s, high up to 150 m³/s. Now: 110 m³/s (3,885 cfs); the river is high on the app's scale
Río Yelcho: ideal 250–520 m³/s, high up to 800 m³/s. Now: 332 m³/s (inflow proxy: Futaleufú above the Malito, no gauge of its own); the river is in its ideal range on the app's scale
Where each reading comes from
River flows come from the Chile Water Levels gauges (Hidroeléctrica Futaleufú dam page and DGA Chile provisional real-time stations). Lake levels come from the DGA public real-time map. Weather is from Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0). All readings are provisional and can be missing or late.
Alto Futaleufú: measured dam release. Futaleufú Medio: dam plus Río Espolón. Bajo Futaleufú: the DGA gauge above the Malito.
Río Yelcho: no gauge of its own; its main inflow (Futaleufú above the Malito) is used.
Lago Yelcho and Lago Espolón: level (m) from the DGA public map.
Río Chico and the small lakes: no gauge; rated from weather only.
What changes with flow
The Alto Futaleufú is lake-fed and stays clear when other rivers blow out; the small, ungauged Río Chico colours quickly after heavy rain (per the app's water descriptions).
Frequently asked questions
What flow is ideal for fishing the Futaleufú?
The app's starting estimate: Alto 180–330 m³/s, Medio 210–390 m³/s and Bajo 250–520 m³/s. They are not yet validated by guides.
What flow is ideal for the Río Palena?
The app uses 35–90 m³/s as the ideal range (starting estimate); above 150 m³/s it counts as blown out.
What should I do if the river is high?
Fish subsurface with nymphs and streamers, or try a lake: Lago Espolón is an option when the rivers run high.
How often is the data updated?
Flows update roughly hourly and are provisional; they can be missing or late.