TROUT FISHING: Argentina - Bariloche

Rio Manso Lodge, located in the heart of the Andes Mountains and the Nahuel Huapi National Park,may be the most picturesque Patagonia fishing lodge in Argentina.  Surrounding the Rio Manso Lodge are snow capped mountains, dense green forests, lakes and rivers.  Only an hour south of Bariloche, Rio Manso sits on a hill overlooking Hess Lake.

Rio Manso Lodge can hold 16 guests in 8 rooms but has a rod limit of only 8.  Four of the main rooms have king size beds and Jacuzzis.  Two rooms have one full size bed each and the last 2 have two twin beds each.  All rooms are nicely furnished, have private bathrooms and look out at the Hess Lake and the impressive Tronador Mountain.  The Rio Manso Lodge lobby is comprised of a large living room, stone fireplace, a full bar and a fly tying bench.  Off from the main entrance there is a separate room to remove and hang wet waders plus a small fly shop stocked with any item you may have forgotten.  The meals are prepared by a professionally trained chef and are as fine as those served in Argentina’s best restaurants. Internet, laundry and phone services are also available at Rio Manso Lodge.

Fishing at Rio Manso Lodge
The Manso River is the most visually stunning river in the Nahuel Huapi National Park.  It starts from the Alerces Glacier on Mt. Tronador and cuts through dense forests and ancient lava flows.  The emerald water is incredibly clear providing a challenging angling experience. Rainbows and browns from 16 inches to 5 pounds are caught on all 5 sections of the Manso River.

The Hess, Fonck, Moscas and Mascardi Lakes are all connected by the Manso River and are located only minutes from the lodge.  The Hess Lake is known for its 20-25 inch rainbows and browns and for the insect hatch which occurs every evening, providing intense match the hatch dry fly fishing right in front of the lodge.  Fonck Lake is known for its large and numerous brook trout and sight fishing for rainbows with small dries.  In December, dry fly fishing can be red hot on all these lakes because of the abundant dragon fly hatches which the fish key in on.