Comments by Cathy Mainardi

“My week at La Paloma River Lodge was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. The memories of this trip have become my quiet refuge. When I want to retreat from the everyday hustle and bustle of life around me I close my eyes and remember the PEOPLE, my wonderful new friends, the delectable food, the beautiful mountains, the incredible river and the many fish it yielded to us for a moment of time and then returned to give others the pleasure of catching. This truly is a little piece of heaven on earth. The country is breathtaking; the people are friendly and can not do enough to make your stay comfortable and pleasurable.

The lodge is plain, simple and clean. And did I mention the FOOD. It was every bit as good as some of the expensive restaurants I've eaten at in Philadelphia. And the desserts were absolutely mouth watering and exquisitely presented. And all this in an area that is so remote that I only saw one other group of fisherman on the river during the week I was there. The hospitality of Alfredo (the local gaucho who took us on horseback up into the mountains to fish for a day) and his wife who, together with her husband, hosted an incredible lamb dinner for us was truly astounding.

The peace, quiet, solitude and simplicity of life in this place were priceless. One of the best things for me was no phones (especially those dreaded cell phones from which there seems to be no escape these days)and no TV - only very cool music. It was also a learning experience. As a relatively new fly fisherman who has mostly fished saltwater and only once or twice in fresh water for trout, the patience of the guides and Marla and their willingness to spend the time to explain and show us how to cast better, what flies to use and where the fish could be found was amazing and much appreciated. I would look at the river and see a fast moving body of water - they (especially Felipe, guide and part owner of the lodge) would see places where the trout would be sitting waiting for food. Their knowledge and ability to share it with us was incredible. I caught beautiful brown and rainbow trout everyday and had several chances to catch even more and bigger fish had I been a little more experienced (in other words - I lost almost as many as I caught). And did I mention our rugged, handsome guide, Holden, who hails from Montana. His patience with my tangled fly line was remarkable. I am already dreaming of going back!!!!

Thanks Marla (our cheerleader), Felipe (our exceptional guide and host), Alfredo and Patricia (our very, special gaucho and his wife), Holden (our "Marlboro Man"), Johanna (Felipe's lovely wife) and Yvonne (our Five-Star chef).”

Marla,

I had a great time fishing with you in Patagonia. The accommodations were excellent, as was the weather.
I'll have to return for the 24 incher that came off .

Thanks

Lee Maxwell , Hatfield, MA
ellfishwell@yahoo.com

Dear Marla,

Josh and I are sold on your small group format. We both found this fly fishing trip to Chile incredible. Everywhere we go now we tell our friends about our experience. We enjoyed the warm welcome by your staff and most important that we regretted having to leave. The fishing was outstanding. It was a trip that keeps giving back every day in our minds. Thanks for a great time.

Cal and Josh Sunshine, Phoenix, Arizona

Jo@freedomdelivers.com

# of People in Your Party ____1_ Date of your Destination Trip: ___Nov 9, 2008___________

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE Rating = A 8, Guides & Staff super, Destination super, Patagonian weather in early November was a problem

How helpful was your Guide/Instructor Service with travel arrangements, Meeting place, lodging, if needed etc.? Rate and comments please; Marla did a nice & thorough job of providing info. & help for the trip

How well did the Guide/Instructor Service provide you with important details that better prepared you for your fishing trip (clothing, equipment, information on the fish and the water, list of "take along", etc.? Rate and comments please; Marla was right on

How would you rate the equipment/supplies provided during your trip?
(Waders, boots, rods /reels, glasses, flies, leader, etc.? Provided own equipment, guides were quick with tippets or flies if situation required, rafts & transportation were excellent

How would you rate your sleeping accommodations at Lodge, if any? Accommodations were excellent given remote location, spotty hot water for showers but managed to keep clean

How would you rate the meals ? (Guide Service or Destination Lodge only) Terrific

How would you rate your Guide's/ Lodge employee(s) attitude, politeness, and disposition?
Rate and comments please; Everybody at the Paloma River Lodge was excellent in every respect, a 10 for all

How would you rate your Guide's/Lodge Guide’s knowledge of the area? A 10, the guides knew their stuff

How would you rate your Guide/Lodge Guide’s knowledge of the fish (feeding cycle, habits, type of flies to be used, etc.)? A 10, see above

How would you rate the teaching skills of your Instructor/Guide/Lodge Guide? A 10

How would you rate the flexibility of your Guide/Lodge Guide to meet your goals? A 10

How would you rate the overall quality of your outdoor fishing experience? Rate and comments please;

A 10, severe windy weather made the fishing difficult, but made it an adventure as well.

Did this Guide/Instructor/ Destination Service accurately represent the overall quality of your experience (quality of waters, fish, lodge accommodations, etc.)? If "No" please explain why; Marla was accurate

Would you go back to same location? If "No" please explain why; When I can afford it, yes

Would you use this Guide/Instructor/Destination Service again? If "No" please explain why; Yes

Would you recommend this Guide/Instructor/Destination Service to others? If "No" please explain why; Yes

How can this service be improved? Comments, if any: (Your input is very important to me so please speak freely) The Paloma River trip was a nice offering, spelled out clearly, it would be hard to offer a better, more reasonably priced trip to a remote and excellent location.

Thank you for taking the time to fill this out. It means a lot to me and helps me to keep my clients happy with the best possible customer service available.