Francisco Castaño ______________ Head Guide

He was born in Santiago of Chile on December, 24th of 1961. Since he was 6 years old began his attraction for outdoor life after a family excursion for trout fishing at near mountains to his natal city. His uncle Humberto Molleto was for these early years truly important in his motivation of this hobby, it was him who transmitted passion for the fishing in the first years, passion that was increasing year after year.

When he was 11 years old went to live for two years to Costa Rica, Central America, during this time and later when was young went to different countries of Central and South America. In his childhood most time studied in a Catholic school in Santiago of Chile. Later in the University of Diego Portales got titled of Business Manager. At the end of the 80s and beginning the 90s he began to practice fly fishing and soon after it became truly a vice. As few or none ones, he is guide who fly fished along the entire country from the central region of Chile to Cochrane in the central Chilean Patagonia. It was by those years when Francisco met Jack Schmidt, a Californian and retired professor of important Universities in his country. He was other really important person in his life as fly fisher and after keeping with him a permanent contact he experiences a growing interest in perfecting his knowledge in this art-science. Of course his great friend was fundamental in this process. He taught many secrets of his wide experience fly fishing in several countries. His friend Jack was maybe the first person who fly fished the Chilean Patagonia 30 or 35 years ago, a pioneer in this region.

It is also fair to mention others good fly fishermen and friends who helped his growth as fly fisher, Rodrigo, Juan, Fernando among others with who had an important interchange of information and knowledge, on tying flies, fly casting techniques, entomology, in the observation of habits of the trouts and their environment.

One year before the world changed of century begans a new life for Francisco, convinced and absolutely resolved he left his job in Santiago and started to work professionally in this activity. From then on and until today he insisted even more in deepening his knowledge in all the topics mentioned above. It was also by those first years as professional when he improved his skills to watch fish under the surface.

After some months dedicated full time in the fly fishing business, his interest in enviromental conservation and fresh water resources grew up considerably. It was by this way how he has participated of every event and organizations for protection of the fresh waters resources in the Lake District and Patagonia North.

Due to his inclination for the professionalism he participates in the first course to certify fly fishing guides in Chile. He is now endorsed by UGM (Gabriela Mistral University) a specialized institution in this kind of courses. This quality certification included courses of: history of the fly fishing, entomology, Chilean and Patagonian anthropology, first aid training, safety and prevention of risks, eco-systems of fresh waters , fly fishing techniques, advanced casting techniques, and much more.

Aside fly fishing Francisco loves and practice nowadays mountain bike, trekking, and photography. In the past he was a good white waters kayaker and expert skier, even participated in amateur ski racings when he was younger. Kayaking techniques were truly useful for him to read waters when rowing drift boats down river. Other topics of his interest are gastronomy, wines, flora and wildlife of Chile, culture and national and international geography. He is fanatic of his children and wife, loves to share with people and appreciates a lot sincere friendship and the loyalty. He is an active thinker sometimes loquacious, speaks native spanish and good english.