Rio Manso Lodge

Fishing

Rio Manso Fly Fishing

Fly fishing in 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 the 2 million-acre 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. We fish both floating and sinking lines, dry and wet flies at different times of the season and throughout the day. Often, when fishing the Manso River, much of your fishing will be with streamers and sinking lines, a very effective way to draw out the largest fish. Dries work well at certain times, proven by the lodge record 12-pound brown caught by a lucky January angler a couple of years ago. There are several sections where nymphs are especially effective, and a tiny spring creek where sight casting to cruising fish can be a delightful change of pace.

The Channels of the river emptying Lago Hess are justly famous for their unique blend of big fish and technical fishing. The Channels’ smooth currents provide a great dry fly challenge for any angler. Similar in nature to a big spring creek, large fish often cruise this area or set up along the banks, making this a required stop for any Rio Manso angler. Even though the fish can be selective, for many guests, this is their favorite section. For good reason: some of the largest fish in the watershed live in this area.

One of the jewels at Rio Manso Lodge is Lago Fonck. This four-mile-long lake offers big rainbows, browns, and brook trout. Depending on the time of year, we fish streamers and dry flies on the lake, often both during a typical day. Dragonflies, damsels, and caddisflies all hatch on the lake, and the trout cruise the lakeshore weed beds in search of a meal. We fish the edges from one of our Carolina skiffs, working the structure where rainbow and brook trout lie, with the occasional brown as well. With the added bonus of spotting an Andean Condor circling overhead, and beautiful Mount Tronador in the distance, a day on Fonck is always special.

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 to mid-January

These months are often marked by high water levels, which gradually recede 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 good dry fly fishing. Early to mid-December will see dragonflies hatching on lakes and rivers, bringing up the biggest fish and providing exciting dry-fly action. Dragonfly nymphs and woolly buggers are very effective at this time.

Summer Season: Late January to 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, 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.

Fall Season: Late March through the 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 the spawning season.

Non-Fishing Guests

Choose from a range of pleasurable activities: hiking, birding, golf, white water rafting, float trips, shopping, and sightseeing.