RIO MANSO LODGE
The Orvis endorsed Rio Manso Lodge, is perhaps one of the best kept secrets in premier trout fishing lodges in the flyfishing mecca that is northern Patagonia. Offering from small streams and large rivers to intimate spring creeks and productive lakes where monster browns, hefty rainbows and beautifully marked brook trout swim. Rio Manso lodge has it all on its doorstep.
Location
Rio Negro, Argentina
Fish
Rainbow trout, Brown trout
Season
November to April
Information
Nestled within the Nahuel Huapi National Park, close to the Chilean border lies Rio Manso lodge. The lodge offers a multitude of experiences centred around the fly fisherman and complemented for the non-angling companion along with stylish accommodations and fantastic cuisine, all with breathtaking views of Mount Tronador.
The park itself, nearly 2 million acre reserve, is the oldest national park in Argentina. It is a haven for fishing, birding, rafting, hiking and horseback riding. The surrounding old growth forests contain Patagonia cedar trees, which are among the oldest trees in the world; some of which are up to 3,000 years old. Walking through the woods you might see a variety of wildlife inhabitants, including fox, deer, wild boar and on rare occasions, the elusive cougar.
With a variety of fishing such as fishing the large Rio Manso from a drift boat, wading off the beaten track, small creeks, to fishing from skiffs in the lakes and the newly included option of a float trip on the Collon Cura there is enough fly fishing for even the most avid angler!
ACCOMODATION
Proudly sitting in Nahuel Huapi National Park and rebuilt in 2004; Rio Manso lodge can host 10 rods and 6 non-anglers in 9 guest rooms, all of which comfortable and well appointed double bedrooms. Each room with either King Size or two Full Size beds. All rooms feature private en suite baths, some with jacuzzies, with all rooms facing Hess Lake and overlooking the spectacular Tronador mountain. Maid and laundry services are all part of the services.
The lodge includes a wader room where you can store your tackle and waders after a day’s fishing. Beside the wader room, there is also a tackle store stocked with essentials and a fly-tying area. Take a drink and sit at the cosy, and well equipped bar. Or take a seat at the spacious sitting area in front of the river stone fireplace and enjoy the views. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres there each evening. The lodge also has a sauna available to drive out the chill and loosen those stiff casting muscles. Massages are also possible.
Breakfast and dinner are served in the main dining room and are the fitting start and conclusion to a day on the water or exploring the area. Rio Manso lodge embraces both the traditional and new cuisine that is raging through the metropolitan cities of Argentina. Gone are the days when traveling to Argentina meant eating meat at every meal. You’re just as likely to have light, fresh meals consisting of pasta, fish or chicken reflecting the cultural diversity that there is. Vegetarian meals are available for our guests. All meals are served with complimentary fine Argentine wines. Should you have any special dietary needs, the lodge is more than happy to develop a special menu for you.
The traditional cuisine is not forgotten and the local custom of the Argentine asado is one of the highlights of the week, featuring items such as beef, lamb and pork and started off by the Asador with items such as chorizos, morcillas and sweetbread, often accompanied by provoleta and salads or roasted vegetables.
The professional chef prepares meals on par with those served in Argentina’s most acclaimed restaurants and their dedicated pastry and desert chef will tickle your tastebuds with fine pastries and dessert. Please do not say no to the the finest Tres Leches Cake you will ever try.
Non-Angling Activities and Options
Rio Manso Lodge also stands apart with how well it caters to non-anglers or even anglers who wish to take a day off. Nonanglers can take short or long hikes in the forests or to the tops of the surrounding peaks. Ambitious hikers can visit Mont Tronador to explore the famous Black Glacier and the Devil’s Throat Waterfall where the Manso River is born. Horseback riding, kayaking, birding, golf, fly fishing lessons or even shopping in Bariloche, it’s all waiting for you and your family at Rio Manso Lodge.
Internet / Communications
The lodge has Wi-Fi available for guests.
FISHING
The fishing schedule, of approximately 9-10 hours; is split in to two sessions – a morning session and an evening session. The morning session typically starts just after breakfast when the guide will be ready for you in the wader room at approximately 09.00 and take the short drive of no more than 25 minutes – many places no more than 15 minutes – to where you will fish until around 13.00 where lunch is served waterside. After lunch, consisting of a salad, cheeses and hams, typically a hot meal and finished off with a dessert and snacks; you can continue to fish until the early evening then drive back to the lodge in preparation for the evening 3 course meal. If there is a hatch on in the evening it is also possible for the guide to take you dry fly fishing in Hess lake right in front of the lodge. Something we can highly recommend!
The lodge fishes from rafts and boats and it is recommended to have two rods with you – 5-7wt for streamer fishing and windier conditions and 4-5wt for evening dry fly fishing. On two of the lakes you will fish from Carolina skiffs with outboard engines. These are great fishing platforms with wide stable foredecks for standing and casting. Once in position, the guides will row you along the shoreline and you’ll fish the old-growth forest structure, quite often sight casting to fish. On the Rio Manso and Hess lake, the lodge uses NRS self-bailing rafts which have plenty of room for two anglers.
Even with up to 10 anglers at the lodge, you will spend plenty of time to enjoy a variety of gin clear trout waters surrounding Rio Manso Lodge. These include four sections of the Manso River and Hess, Fonck, Moscas, Roca and Mascardi Lakes.
The guides are all experienced and are dedicated and passionate to their job and angling. This results in increasing your opportunities and placing you in the perfect spot. Although fishing from the boat is the most productive; should you prefer to wade instead of fish from a boat; this can easily be arranged – based on the time of year and water conditions. The guides and lodge staff certainly put the angler first and are always considerate of your wishes and your abilities.
Flyfishing in Argentina, and particularly Patagonia, is a truly unique experience. From caddis and dragonfly hatches to streamer fishing for brown trout, sight fishing for rainbow trout, to delicate spring creek fishing all without seeing a single other person all day and very little pressure on the fish; Rio Manso Lodge has it all.
With so much water to describe, such as the Rio Manso, Lago Hess, Lago Fonck we recommend contacting us for
further details!
TRAVEL
Guests fly into Buenos Aires International Airport and we highly recommend at least one overnight stay in the city, giving yourself time to relax after a long flight and acclimatise to the fabulous country. Commercial airlines typically fly out from the domestic airport in Buenos Aires to the airport of San Carlos Bariloche in the Rio Negro Province, in about 3 hours. From there, the lodge will collect you and transfer you to the lodge. It is a one hour. Transfers to/from Bariloche airport are included for in the standard rates.
When is the best time to visit?
The fishing season runs from the beginning of November until the end of April and allows for a multitude of different styles
of fishing.
Here’s an idea of what to expect:
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 temperatures warm in February, daytime 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.
Autumn Season: Late March – End of April
As autumn approaches, water temperatures begin to cool and the fish become more active. Evening fishing is characterised 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.
Typical Length of Stay
The typical length of stay at Rio Manso Lodge is seven (7) nights with six (6) days of fishing but shorter stays are also welcomed. Rio Manso Lodge can also be the perfect accompaniment of a 5 day trip when fishing a week further south, such as in Tierra del Fuego or Santa Cruz.
Typical Itinerary
Wednesday: Depart home
Thursday: Arrive Buenos Aires and overnight
Friday: Fly from Buenos Aires to Bariloche and transfer to the lodge
Saturday – Thursday: Six full days of guided fishing on the Bariloche
Friday: Depart the lodge. Fly from Bariloche to Buenos Aires and overnight stay.
Saturday: Depart for home
Documents Required
Valid passport. Citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, and other Western European nations do not need a visa for tourist trips of up to ninety days.
Travel Insurance
Prior to booking, please ensure that your travel insurance covers for travelling to remote areas and for the type of activities you are planning. We highly recommend also considering a Global Rescue Membership
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
We have worked hard to be able to provide you with the best prices possible. If you are quoted a lower price we will endeavour to beat it.
