Rio Manso Lodge is located on the Eastern bank of Lake Hess and the Manso River in the Nahuel Huapi National Park (the first national park in Argentina), deep in the beautiful Patagonia region of Argentina. Rio Manso is only 90-minutes South West of the city of San Carlos de Bariloche. Despite being close to Bariloche, the Manso River gets little fishing pressure due to its inaccessibility.
Rio Manso guests can expect good fishing for wild rainbow, brown and brook trout in the un-pressured and diverse water that surrounds the lodge. The remarkable quality and size of the trout is a result of the low pressure, conservation efforts, and Rio Manso Lodge’s strict catch-and-release policy. The Manso River, runs for 20 miles around the lodge from its origin at Moscos Lake (20 minutes up-river) and contains a variety of water. Rio Manso Lodge’s experienced guides all speak English. A typical week of fishing at Rio Manso includes fishing from a drift boat, wading the Manso River, floating sections of the Manso or the Quieto, and excellent sight fishing on Lago Hess, Lago Fonk and Lago Roca from the skiff or raft, casting big dries or streams to the banks, as well as a few places where anglers can get out the boat and fish from shore. This variety of water allows fly fisherman the opportunity to fish steamers, nymphs, and dries.
The fishing season in Argentina runs from early November until the end of April. November – December typically have higher water, with the dry-fly fishing increasing in productivity in December. By the middle of December, the dragonflies are hatching in the rivers and lakes and the big fish that come out to eat makes December – January an exciting time for fishing dries at Rio Manso. The summer season (January – February) sees the mayflies and caddis hatches wane, but the terrestrials (grasshoppers, ants, and inchworms) become an important staple in the trout’s diet. In March and April, the water temperatures begin to cool and the fish become more active. Most fishing is done with streamers or large attractor dry flies (big rubber legged dries work well in the lakes) with a brief flurry of dry fly activity right before dark. April is also when the big browns become aggressive, as they get ready to spawn.
Rio Manso can accommodate 8 anglers in spacious, comfortable, rooms, each with private bathroom and some rooms have Jacuzzi tubs. All the rooms at Rio Manso face northwest, overlooking the Manso River, Lake Hess, and enjoy a spectacular view of Mount Tronador on the Argentina – Chile border towering over the Andes. The rest of the lodge is comprised of a warm common area with beautiful wooden posts and beams and a river stone fireplace, where you can enjoy a welcoming fire after fishing, a fly-tying bench, wader room by the Lodge’s entrance, a bar, and a main dining area. Rio Manso also has a sauna and a massage room for guests who want to relax. Since anglers usually end their fishing day between 7:00 – 8:00 PM, hour d’oevres are served in front of the fireplace before dinner, typically between 9:00 – 10:00 PM. Rio Manso’s international menu is accented by local dishes and homemade delicacies, which are enhanced by the lodge’s own garden and excellent collection of fine Argentine wines. There is also a weekly “asado” or traditional Argentine barbeque.
Rio Manso Lodge primarily caters to fly fishers, however, there are a variety of activities for the non-angler, such as guided hiking and/or bird watching through the virgin areas surrounding the lodge, climbing to the nearby mounts, and horseback riding.
Our Services are Free!
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Rio Manso 2023 – 2024 Rates
The cost for a 7-night / 6-day fishing package is $5,950 per person based on double occupancy accommodations and two anglers per guide daily. Different length packages are available upon request.
The cost for non-fishermen is $3,850 per person for 7 nights/6 days, based on double occupancy accommodations, or $550 per person per night. Single supplement is $300 per day. Best value is a 7 night / 6 day package.
Rates include: transportation between Bariloche to Rio Manso on arrival and departure days, lodging (double bedrooms), all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, fishing guides (one guide for every two anglers), any extra activities (rafting, horseback riding, hiking), boats, belly boats, fishing permits, Internet access, laundry.
Not Included: airfare to and from Bariloche, fishing tackle, gratuities, phone calls, purchases from the fly shop.
A 50% deposit is required to secure a reservation.
Telephone and Internet are available as well. A fully equipped Fly Shop provides anything else you might need: Fly gear: nine foot single handed 3 to 6 weight rods, floating and fast sinking tip lines, 7 to 11 foot tapered leaders ranging from 2X to 6X. Flies: streamers, nymphs, dries (all available at the Lodge).
Getting There: The lodge is near the city of S. C. de Bariloche, which makes access extremely easy. There are several flights a day connecting this city with Buenos Aires or Santiago (Chile). Upon arrival at the local airport, a Rio Manso representative will be waiting for you and take you to the lodge (4WD commuting takes approximately 90 minutes).
Documents: US Citizens visiting Argentina are required to carry a passport. Please be sure your passport will be valid 6 months after your departure from Argentina. When using a passport for proof of citizenship, we recommend carrying a photocopy of your passport picture page and two spare passport photos in a separate piece of luggage. This will greatly expedite matters should you lose your passport during your travels.