Guests at the Lodge fish a variety of waters in the local area, as well as having access to more remote locations.  Most fishing takes place within a 20 minute drive of the lodge, eliminating the need for long transit times.  There are five lakes and five beats of the Manso River that we regularly fish. Each beat or lake is usually a full day or more of fishing.  In addition, we also have access to other lakes and rivers within an hour or two of the lodge.

Guests arrive and depart from San Carlos de Bariloche airport.  Bariloche airport is served by 10-15 flights daily from Buenos Aires and Santiago, Chile by Aerolineas Argentinas, LAN and TAM.  All guests are transferred to and from the airport from the lodge at no extra charge.

Our lodge was rebuilt and opened in 2004 with 9 guest rooms.  Each of our rooms is comfortably appointed with either King Size or two Full Size beds and private bath. Some are equipped with a Jacuzzi as well.  The lodge features a full wader room for tackle and waders, a fly tying area, a small, but well-equipped bar, and a spacious sitting area in front of our river stone fireplace.   We normally serve cocktails and hors d’oeuvres there each evening.  The lodge has a sauna available, and can arrange massages as well.  There is a small gift shop at the lodge featuring some beautiful Argentine crafts as well as fishing items and Fly Fishing lodge logo shirts and hats.

Meals are served in the main dining room and are the fitting conclusion to a day on the water or exploring the wonders of Patagonia. Our professionally trained chef will concoct delightful cuisine that reflects an international flavor made with the freshest of ingredients.

Gone are the days when traveling to Argentina meant eating meat at every meal.  Guests are as likely to have pasta, fish or chicken as beef at our table.  We serve a wide variety of dishes that reflect both the cultural diversity of the area and the worldly influence of today’s culinary landscape.  All our meals are served with complimentary Argentine wines.  We can accommodate any special dietary needs.

One of the highlights of the week, the traditional Argentine asado or grill features such items as beef, lamb and pork. An Argentine asado typically has a sequence of meats presented by the asador (the cook). First are the chorizos (sausages), morcillas (black pudding) chinchulines (chitterlings), mollejas (sweetbread) and other organs, often accompanied by provoleta, a grilled cheese dish. Then costillas or asado de tira (ribs) are served. Next comes vacío or matambre (flank steak), and possibly chicken and chivito (baby goat). An asado also includes bread, a simple mixed salad of, for instance, lettuce, tomato and onions, or it could be accompanied with verdurajo (grilled vegetables), a mixture made of potatoes, corn, onion and eggplant cooked on the parrilla and seasoned with olive oil and salt. 

Fly Fishing at this lodge is a mix of dry, nymph and streamer fishing depending upon the time of year.  We fish from rafts and boats on the river and lakes, with some wading if conditions permit and the clients are interested. Early in the year, sinking lines with streamers predominate.  As the waters warm and insects begin to hatch, we fish more floating lines and dry flies. Because we have access to the rich channels of Lago Hess, we can offer evening dry fly fishing nearly every day of the season.

Because we fish a large number of lakes, we have some of the best dragonfly dry fly fishing in Patagonia.  Once this hatch begins in December, it is possible for guests to catch up to 90% of their fish on large dry flies.

If you’ve fished with a guide, outfitter or lodge in North America, our daily schedule will feel quite familiar. Unlike most lodges, however, we are usually out on the water for 9 -10 hours.  If you really like to fish, you’ll love the length of our fishing day.  For those who consider fishing just one part of a great Patagonia experience, we’re happy to bring you in whenever you’re ready.

While there is no such thing as an ordinary day at the Lodge, we do have sort of a routine that begins most days with breakfast at 8 or 8:30am.  After hot coffee, eggs, cereal, fresh fruit or whatever else you need to get going, you’ll meet your guide in the wader room around 9am.  With the exception of a trip to the Pichi Leufu, or a horse ride into Lago Los Cesares for big brookies and bigger browns, none of our waters are more than 20-25 minutes from the lodge which allows you to spend more time fishing and less time riding around.  When departing for the Pichi, or Cesares, you will have breakfast at 7:30am.

We fish until mid day, then stop for a streamside lunch which can be either hot or cold, and might include such items as steaks, quiches, sandwiches, salads, cheese, and fresh bread.  Some of our guests like to take a siesta after lunch, but we’re not surprised if you want to get right back on the water!

After fishing through the afternoon, you would normally get off the water by 7-8 pm or so, and return to the lodge to clean up, take a sauna, or perhaps get a massage.  We serve drinks and hors d’oeuvres before dinner in front of the fireplace. Dinner is usually served between 9 and 10 o’clock, although we’ve been known to eat much later if the fish are rising and you just can’t tear yourself away.

We are very flexible when it comes to arranging your day.  If you have a special request, just let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you and give you the best experience possible.

Brown and rainbow trout up to 10 pounds
Brook trout up to 5 pounds

The fishing season in Argentina runs from the beginning of November until the end of April. It is the exact opposite of the North American season, with our longest day of the year falling on December 21. The Lodge is open for the entire season.

Early Season:  Early November – Mid January
These months are often marked by high water, which gradually recedes in December. We’ll start the season fishing lots of weighted streamers on sinking lines. Mayfly and caddis hatches beginning in November will intensify in December providing increasingly better dry fly fishing. Early to middle December will see dragonflies hatching on the lakes and rivers bringing up the biggest fish and providing exciting dry fly action. Dragon fly nymphs and wooly buggers are very effective at this time.

Summer Season:  Late January - Mid March
Excellent evening dry fly action continues into January. The river channels near the lodge feature multiple mayfly and caddis hatches that bring the fish up, especially early and late in the day. As temps warm in February, day time fishing can slow down on both the river and in the lakes. Terrestrials play an increasingly important role in the daily diet as summer progresses.
Fall Season: Late March - End of April

As Fall approaches, water temperatures begin to cool and the fish become more active. Evening fishing is characterized by a brief flurry of activity right before dark while most daytime fishing is with streamers or large attractor dry flies. Big rubber legged dries work well in the lakes. April is when the big browns become aggressive prior to spawning season.

Fly rods: You should bring at least two fly rods: 5-7 wts for streamer fishing and windier conditions, and a 4-5 wt for evening dry fly fishing. We strongly recommend bringing a third 5 wt as a backup. There are a limited number of rods at the lodge in the event you break one.

Fly reels: Reels should be high quality, preferably disc-drag models loaded with a minimum of 80 / 100 yards of backing. The occasional 8-10 lb fish will test your gear to the limit! You may want a backup reel or extra spools for your reel. Having two rods rigged, one with floating line and one with sinking line will maximize your fishing time.

Lines: Floating and sinking lines cover the fishing at Rio Manso Lodge. Weight forward or double taper floating lines are fine for dry fly and small streamer fishing. We recommend that you bring a 30 ft 150-250 gram fast sink line for your reel. The fast sinking lines are especially effective in the lakes and the faster, deeper stretches of the river. Most of our lakes have abrupt drop offs along the edges and the sinking lines get the fly down to where the fish are. If you have not cast a fast sinking line before, we recommend you get a little practice in before you come. It’s not difficult to learn, but it will increase your fishing success and pleasure if you already have this technique down.

Leaders: 7 ½ to 9 foot 2x-5x leaders will suffice for most fishing. We like to use fluorocarbon for tippets for its added abrasion resistance and low light reflectivity. Bring some extra spools of tippet in the 2x – 6x range. Evening fishing in the channels near the lodge can become very technical at times.

Flies: Much of our fishing during the day is with streamers or large attractor pattern dry flies.  We do carry a full assortment of productive patterns at the lodge.

Waders: Breathable waders are the best way to maximize your fishing experience. You can layer poly-pro or fleece underneath in cold conditions and turn them down during hot weather.

Wading shoes: Sturdy shoes with good felt or rubber soles. While the footing is good, the Manso has many stretches of fast water with strong currents.  Please be sure your waders and wading shoes are clean and dry before visiting to prevent the spread of invasive species like whirling disease, zebra mussels or didymo. We recommend the new rubber soled wading shoes and waders.

Clothing and Gear
The climate in our part of Patagonia is very similar to the northern United States. You can expect temperatures to range from the mid 40’s early in the season, to the 80’s during the summer months of January through March.

Clothing: Layering is the mantra when fishing. Light cotton sweaters, short and long sleeve shirts and trousers, long underwear, heavy wool sweater, windbreaker, wool socks, swim suit, gloves and heavy wool sweater (for November and April only) We recommend neutral colors. Big temperature changes can occur in a matter of hours in the mountains, so make sure you are prepared.

Rain Jacket: Gore Tex or similar. 100% Rain proof, seam sealed and breathable, with hood.

Other Items:

• Small day pack or tackle bag
• Fishing Hat
• Polarized Sunglasses
• Digital Camera
• Sun screen and chapstick
• Insect repellent - Buzz Off clothing is very effective

Climate the area is comparable to the American West. Daytime temperatures can range from 45 degrees in November to 85 in February.  Although we are located in the mountains, we are only 2,000 feet above sea level, so altitude is not a problem for guests. 

Since most of our fishing is within 20 minutes of the lodge, transportation is short and easy.  While on the water, we fish from rafts or Carolina skiffs on the lakes.  We customize each day according to the client’s needs and if necessary, physical limitations.

The nature of much of our fishing lends itself well to beginners or inexperienced anglers.  Our lakes are usually free of much of the wind that can harass anglers elsewhere.  Fishing with experienced guides, making short casts, and not having to deal with current practically guarantees that even new anglers will catch fish.