Rio Manso lodge

Fly fishing in the heart of Patagonia is a unique experience. Imagine casting to big, healthy trout in crystal clear water without seeing another person all day. There are miles of still and moving waters throughout Nahuel Huapi National Park with very little fishing pressure. Our waters offer a complete variety of different types of fishing, from big dry flies and weighted streamers to tiny emergers, nymphs and spinners.

RIO MANSO

Unlike most rivers in the region, the Rio Manso flows west of the continental divide, draining into the Pacific Ocean. This rare geography creates a distinct ecosystem and geology, offering anglers an entirely different experience. With a network of lakes feeding the river—and the Manso weaving through several of them—the water varies from calm, deep stretches to fast, tumbling whitewater.

the lakes

The Rio Manso watershed is a blend of naturally interconnected river and half a dozen lakes. For most anglers, our lake fishing experience is something entirely new and unexpected. Glacial runoff makes its way from the glaciers of Mount Tronador through a series of lakes and into the Manso River. This filtration creates crystal clear water with visibility of as much as 40 feet at certain times. Heavily forested shorelines guarantee ideal structure which in turn makes for exciting sight casting when fishing with dry flies. With our Carolina skiffs providing easy and comfortable access, a day on any of our lakes can produce a once in a lifetime catch for a persistent angler.

Our Fly Fishing Season

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. Rio Manso Lodge is open for the entire season. Here’s an idea of what to expect:

Early Season: November

High water levels have made conditions ideal for fishing with weighted streamers on sinking lines. Dragon nymph patterns are also producing great results. The trout are very aggressive right now, likely due to the super low water temperatures. We’re also starting to see some mayfly and caddis hatches coming off.

Peak Season: December – Mid January

Late Season: Early February – Early March

Great time for both anglers and non-anglers. Perfect to pair with our Rio Manso Camps on the Collón Curá River and El Atravesado Lodge in Chubut. At the lodge, nearby channels see strong mayfly and caddis hatches, especially early and late in the day. As February warms up, midday fishing slows, and terrestrials become key in the trout’s diet.

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.

Why choose Rio Manso?

Secret spots

We fish many other waters in our area that we prefer not to talk about too
much; secret streams, hidden lakes, hard to find honey holes. These are
singular experiences that we’ll share only with our guests. Come and visit
and we’ll happily take you to some very special parts of Patagonia – our
Patagonia – places that most people never ever get to see.

Meals by the water

Midday on the river isn’t just a break—it’s an experience. Our guides prepare delicious, freshly cooked meals right by the water’s edge, often over an open fire. Picture yourself savoring grilled meats, crisp salads, and homemade desserts, all paired with a glass of Argentine wine.

The Lodge

Tucked into the heart of Patagonia, Rio Manso Lodge offers comfort, style, and stunning views to match world-class fishing. Our guest rooms feature either a King bed or two Full beds, all with private bathrooms—some even include a Jacuzzi for the perfect post-fishing unwind.

Lodge Amenities:

High-speed WiFi access
Full wader room for gear and tackle
Cozy, well-stocked bar
Spacious lounge with a river stone fireplace
Sauna & massage room to relax and soothe tired muscles
Fly shop

THE RIO MANSO DAY

Whether you’re here to fish from sunrise to sunset or simply soak in the Patagonia experience, our daily schedule is designed with flexibility and comfort in mind.

Your day begins with a hearty breakfast at 8am (7:30am for longer adventures), followed by a quick meet-up with your guide. Most of our waters are just 20–25 minutes from the lodge, giving you more time to fish and less time on the road.

You’ll enjoy 9–10 hours on the water, including a scenic streamside lunch—anything from grilled steaks to fresh salads and homemade bread. After a restful siesta or a quick cast, the fishing continues into the evening. After fishing through the afternoon, you would normally get off the water by 6 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 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm, although we’ve been known to eat much later if the fish are rising and you just can’t tear yourself away.

Back at the lodge, unwind with a sauna or massage before gathering by the fire for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Dinner is served between 8 and 9pm, unless the evening rise keeps you out a bit longer.

We’re happy to tailor each day to your preferences—just let us know what kind of adventure you’re looking for.

FLY FISHING information

Watercraft: our NRS self-bailing rafts are comfortably appointed with frames and seats, and plenty of room for two anglers. On two of the lakes, we keep Carolina skiffs which are great fishing platforms with wide stable foredecks for standing and casting. They are equipped with Honda outboards so we can quickly access the remotest parts of the lakes. Once in position, the guides will row you along the shoreline and you’ll fish the old-growth forest structure, often sight casting to fish. The lodge fishes from rafts and boats, and uses both to get to wading locations. Almost all fishing locations are a 5 to 20 drive from the lodge. We will fish a mix of drifting and wading, but early in the year (November and December) the water levels usually prevent much wading, so plan on spending most of your time fishing from a raft or boat. Although we have found fishing from the rafts and boats to be by far the most productive, we are considerate of our guest’s wishes. If you have a preference, please make it clear to us and your guide in the morning and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Tackle – Rods and Reels: We recommend 5 to 7 weights as your best all-round choices. The river is largein places, and you may be throwing heavy streamers and a few nymphs. On the lakes, we often throw large dry flies which are best handled with 6 wts and specialized floating lines like the Orvis Hydros Bank Shot, Rio Outbound Short or Elite Predator. We’ve seen enough fish lost over the years to the weeds to realize that the heavier 6 wt will help you land more fish. A 4 wt is perfect for exploring some of the smaller waters we can walk into fish, and the fish rarely exceed 20 inches. Bring both the floating and a 24-30-foot sink tip line in the 250-grain class, or a full sink lake line. An Orvis Depth Charge 250, Rio Intouch 24 ft Sink 250 or Cortland 555 Quick Descent 250 line will address most needs. Full sinking lines are also effective (Rio Premier Fathom series) in the lakes. These will help you fish both the faster deep runs in the river and the drop offs in the lakes. If you have never used these sinking lines, go outside and practice casting. They are handled quite differently from a floating line. Orvis’s new BankShot floating lines are outstanding for casting large dries, and we strongly recommend them. Your reels should have good, smooth drags and adequate backing.

Flies: Early in the year (December through January), if Mother Nature cooperates, you’ll spend most of your time fishing big dry flies on heavy 2-3x leaders. If spring is late, and/or cold or the fishing gods are busy elsewhere, most of your fishing will take place with streamers. We fish medium-sized (Size 4-10) heavy, ugly stuff like conehead and beadhead wooly buggers or similar streamer flies. Olive and black are great colors followed by brown, yellow and purple. In Lago Fonck and some other lakes, white can work well because of a small baitfish (puyen) the trout love. However, bring your streamer and nymph boxes and any favorite patterns you have. If cold, wet weather is the case, your dry fly fishing will be mostly limited to evenings near the lodge, but there can be some caddis and nymphing on the river. Large attractor patterns will also work in the river. Throw in a box of assorted dries as well that can cover various situations. Don’t forget your emergers and cripples.Like fish everywhere, these fish will key into a particular stage of a hatch and ignore everything else. A thorough list of some recommended patterns is attached at the end.
Leaders and Tippet: Dry fly leaders should be 7 1/2 to 9 feet, in 2x to 4x, with 2x-3x the most common. Bring tippet from 0x to 5x and you’ll be prepared for nearly all fishing situations. Many anglers prefer to use fluorocarbon for the tippet in these situations. For streamers and nymphs, we recommend fluorocarbon leaders for their abrasion resistance and low underwater visibility. Be especially careful with knots and inspect your tackle after each fish. Better yet, have the guide examine and retie your fly if necessary. There are very large trout swimming in these waters, and you do not want to lose the fish of a lifetime to a bad knot or a nick in your leader. If you have any doubts, have the guide tie on your flies or add tippet to your leader.

combine our three signature programs

In all of our operations you will be provided with the exceptional Rio Manso service. Our commitment to human values and the high-quality experience you are accustomed to at our main lodge ensures that every visit is memorable and fulfilling.