TROUT FISHING: Argentina - Bariloche

The Bariloche fishing waters are many and diverse.  Our Patagonia fishing guides have been fishing these rivers, creeks and lake for years, and will maximize your Argentina trout fishing experience.

Limay River
The Limay is one of the largest rivers in Patagonia and drains the Nahuel Huapi Lake in Bariloche. It flows northeast toward the city of Neuquén and creates a natural border between the provinces of Rio Negro and Neuquén.

With it’s crystal clear waters, picturesque views and large quantity of huge fish, the Limay is one of the most renowned rivers in Patagonia. The ratio of rainbows to browns is about 3:1 and multiple trophy fish are released every year. Throughout November the river is high with run off, yet still clear and filled with voracious rainbows averaging 20 inches.  December brings fast dry fly action with mostly caddis flies and some days you just can’t keep them off the hook. January through March offers more technical fishing with dries, nymphs and streamers.

In the fall months of April and May, angler’s focus on size instead of numbers. Five to 15 pound browns enter the river from the lake around late March and can provide anglers with the same size of fish as the Sea Run Browns found in Tierra del Fuego. During this time the fishing is very much like steelheading. We use all types of fishing techniques to catch these fish, however, sinking tips and shooting head lines tend to produce the best results. Spey or double handed rods are useful tools on the Limay and we are happy to introduce you to the technique. It should be noted that trophy fish in the 10-15 pound range can be caught during any time of the season.

Pichi Leufu River -See our note on the Pichi Leufu on page 124 of  Fly Fishing the Best Rivers of Patagonia, Argentina. Photography by Francisco Bedeschi. South End Publishing, 2005.

Located about an hour east of Bariloche, the “Pichi” offers some of the best and most consistent dry fly action in the area. Anglers can enjoy nonstop action for both rainbow and browns on 3-5 weight rods. Along its journey north to the Limay River, this small desert stream runs through the rocky Patagonia steppe offering riffles, deep pools, and slow, grassy banks. The remote location has helped preserve the river and its riparian environment. The only human activity along this river may be gauchos passing through with cattle or sheep.

Manso River -See our note on the Manso on page 128 of  Fly Fishing the Best Rivers of Patagonia, Argentina Photoagraphy by Francisco Bedeschi. South End Publishing, 2005

The Manso River is located 45 minutes south of Bariloche within the Nahuel Huapi National Park.  It’s crystal clear, emerald waters that run through lush forests and around roughed mountains make it one of the most picturesque rivers in all of Patagonia. We float and wade different sections of the river using 5-6 weight rods with both wet and dry flies.  The average size rainbow and brown trout in the Manso River is 17-18 inches with most anglers landing 15-20 fish per day.  These trout are remarkably strong and brilliantly colored. However, catching these beauties can be a challenge in such clear water conditions; fine tippets and well presented flies are the key.

The Manso River is not only one of the most beautiful rivers in Patagonia but it is also one of the most unique. From the Tronador Mountain, the Manso River starts by cascading off the Alerces Glacier to eventually connect 5 lakes, creating several different segments of the Manso before it takes a U-turn and flows to the Pacific Ocean.  Between the lakes, the river runs quite calmly (Manso meaning tranquil), however, several inaccessible sections that run west toward Chile are not so “tranquilo”, and have steep canyons and multiple impassable waterfalls.  Volcanic activity is apparent in the canyon walls and also while floating above the riverbed where large cylindrical holes suddenly appear, some resemble a Jacuzzis while others are huge and quickly drop into a black abyss.  We can only imagine what lies within these craters of the Manso River.

Fonck Lake
The Fonck is one of the lakes that the Manso River connects.  It is located within the Nahuel Huapi National Park only a few miles from the Chilean border. This is one of our favorite lake because of the beauty of the area and incredible brook trout fishing.  These brook trout average 16 inches but are frequently caught in the 18-19 inch range. Since these are cold water loving creatures, nymphs and streamers account for most of the brookie catch. Sight fishing with dry flies is popular for cruising rainbows and browns that average 18 inches. Brown trout are not as common and are usually coerced from the depths via the ugliest streamer in the fly box. For some, the price of a 28 inch brown is well worth the efforts of fishing deep streamers in a lake.

Hess Lake
The Hess is another lake within the Nahuel Huapi National Park that is connected by the Manso River. It lies 45 minutes south from Bariloche,  just in front of the Rio Manso Lodge  This lake has excellent fishing for brown and brook trout; however, strong rainbows provide most of the action. Fishing large terrestrial patterns up against the reeds usually induce explosive strikes.  The Hess is best know for it’s coastal channels with flowing water. We fish these channels almost every evening for the prolific hatches of caddis, mayflies, stoneflies and other aquatic insects. For less than an hour, these channels come alive and only skilled anglers will be able to land these highly selective fish in these challenging but oh-so memorable conditions.