Rio Manso Lodge

Lodging Details

Uniquely designed, every room at Rio Manso Lodge faces beautiful Lago Hess, the surrounding mountains, and breathtaking Mount Tronador. Just 15 miles away from the Lodge, this massive glacier-topped mountain marks the border with neighboring Chile. Each of the nine rooms is comfortably appointed with either a large king bed or two full beds. Every room has its own private en suite bath, and several of the rooms are equipped with a Jacuzzi as well. As far as the amenities and overall accommodations go, Rio Manso is one of the nicest, most complete lodges in all of Patagonia. It is also our favorite operation in Patagonia for couples, non-anglers, and families. The Lodge features a dry sauna and massages can be arranged upon request. The Main Lodge features a full wader and drying room for tackle and waders, a fly-tying area, a small bar, and a spacious sitting area in front of a huge river stone fireplace. Many nights it’s cool enough to enjoy the warmth and comfort of a roaring fire. This is where the Lodge will normally serve cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres each evening.

Food and Beverages

Rio Manso’s professionally trained chef has created a menu that reflects a worldly influence, with each dish featuring only the freshest of ingredients. Breakfast is cooked-to-order each morning, and dinners are served in the main dining room – a fitting, gourmet conclusion to a day on the water or a day spent exploring the wonders of Patagonia. One of the highlights at the lodge is the weekly asado, the traditional Argentine grilled BBQ that features such items as beef, lamb, and pork. Rio Manso caters to guests with special dietary requirements and restrictions as well.

Typical Length of Stay

Most trips to Rio Manso Lodge are seven (7) nights / six (6) days long (typically a Sunday to Sunday). Because Bariloche is so easy to access, however, and because there are so many flights in and out of Bariloche on a regular basis, trips of any length can be arranged. Shorter trips can easily be accommodated, and many of our clients will add a short stay at Rio Manso Lodge on to another Patagonian adventure or a business trip.

Non-Angling Activities and Options

Visitors to Rio Manso lodge are surrounded by the natural beauty of Nahuel Huapi National Park. Established in 1934, it is not only the oldest national park in Argentina but the largest of the parks in this region with an area of nearly 2 million acres. From the lodge, guests can view the snow-covered peaks of the Andes, highlighted by the impressive Mount Tronador, and the lush forest surrounding the lodge. This area is home to many rare plant and animal species. Hiking, birding, horseback riding, and rafting are some of the available non-angling activities available.

Internet / Communications

Wi-Fi is available free of charge for Lodge guests. Please bring your own laptop or PDA to access the internet. While cell service is not generally available in the area, those guests with Wi-Fi calling on their phones can make calls.

How To Get There
The Lodge is near the city of San Carlos de Bariloche, which makes access extremely easy. There are several flights a day connecting this city with Buenos Aires’ Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP). Upon arrival at the Bariloche Airport (BRC), a Lodge staff member will be waiting to take you to Rio Manso (a drive of approximately 90 minutes).

Arrival and Departure Details / Times
You can arrive and depart Bariloche (BRC) for your Lodge package on any day of the week, at any time.

Documents Required
Citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and other Western European nations do not need a visa for tourist trips of up to ninety days. You will need a valid passport and will have to fill in a landing card on arrival and you will be given a stamp for stays of thirty, sixty, or ninety days. Staple your duplicate of the landing card into your passport, next to your entrance stamp, as you’ll need it to leave the country. If you do lose it, it’s rarely a serious problem, but you’ll have to fill in a new form at the border control. On entering the country, you will also be given a customs declaration form. Duty is not charged on used personal effects, books, and other articles for non-commercial purposes, up to the value of $300. Make sure you declare any valuable electronic items such as laptop computers, as customs officers can be suspicious that you may be bringing them into the country to sell.

Travel Arrangements
Yellow Dog provides airline reservations ad ticketing assistance through etcTravel Group, and a full-service airline logistics agent that can help book airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and more. You can click here to request a quote or contact Yellow Dog for more information at 406-585-8667. etcTravel Group offers dedicated support services for all Yellow Dog clients. Service fees may apply when booking or researching tickets, and etcTravel will discuss this with you before sending quotes. 

Travel Tools
– Airline Ticketing
– Moon Phases
– Rent This Rod
– Trip Insurance and Emergency Evacuation
– Global Rescue Membership

General Information
Fishing in the heart of Patagonia is a unique experience. Imagine casting to big, healthy rainbow, brown, and brook trout in crystal-clear water without seeing another person all day. 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 the longest day of the year falling on December 21. Rio Manso Lodge is open for the entire season and here is an idea of what to expect when fishing the region:

Early Season (November – December)

These months are often marked by high water, which gradually recedes in December. You will typically start the season fishing lots of weighted streamers on sinking lines. Sporadic mayfly and caddis hatches in November will intensify in December, providing increasingly better dry fly fishing. Early to mid-December marks Patagonia’s epic dragonfly hatch on the lakes and rivers, bringing up the largest fish and providing exciting surface action for the dry fly aficionado.

Summer Season (January – February)

Falling water levels coupled with solid hatches provide excellent evening dry fly action in January, especially in the channels near the lodge. Both mayfly and caddis hatches bring the fish up early and late in the day. As temperatures warm in February, the mid-day fishing can slow down on both the river and in the lakes. Terrestrials play an increasingly important role in the daily diet of resident trout. The heart of summer is an excellent time to pursue other activities in the surrounding mountains.

Fall Season (March – 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. As April unfolds, big browns and brook trout become aggressive prior to spawning season.



Boats and Equipment

In the rivers, the Lodge utilizes comfortable NRS rafts outfitted with fishing and rowing frames. On the lakes, the Lodge uses motorized Carolina Skiffs which are very stable fishing platforms. The lodge has full rental equipment available including waders. However, most anglers bring their own gear, including rods, reels, waders, boots, flies, and terminal tackle. There is a modest fly shop at the lodge with an assortment of flies and terminal tackle.

Package Rates
Remember that Yellow Dog’s services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge or outfitter. All prices listed below are per person, based on double occupancy, and quoted in US dollars. Trips of any length can be arranged, so please call Yellow Dog for details and custom package pricing.

2024 / 2025 Rates

• Fishing: $1,050 per night / $7,000 per week
• Non-Fishing: $800 per night / $5,400 per week
• Fishing Gear Rental: $50 per day
• Single Guide Supplement: $400 per day

What’s Included:

• Transfers between the Bariloche airport and the Lodge (90-minute drive)
• Lodging in a double room; single room based on availability
• All meals and snacks while at the lodge
• The best Argentine wines and beers, soft drinks, and all alcoholic beverages
• All guided fishing (two anglers per boat)
• Argentine fishing license
• Laundry
• Wi-Fi Access

What’s Not Included:

• International airfare to Buenos Aires (EZE)
• Domestic airfare from Buenos Aires (AEP) to Bariloche (BRC)
• All personal gear such as waders or rods (available for rent at the lodge)
• All personal tackle (available for purchase at the lodge)
• Gratuities for guides and lodge staff
• Phone calls and other items of a personal nature

Rio Manso Lodge (Bariloche, Argentina)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS – CANCELLATIONS
A non-refundable deposit of 50% per person is due at the time of booking for all lodging and fishing packages, and final payment if due 90 days prior to arrival. For cancellations, all deposits and payments are non-refundable. In no event will the lodge or Yellow Dog be responsible for any cancellation of services or operations due to inclement weather, any event of force majeure, airline delays, flight cancellations, or any other reason beyond the control of the lodge. The lodge will not refund payments in the event of poor weather, or if arrival flights are cancelled or airline connections are missed. Additionally, the lodge and Yellow Dog are not responsible for covering costs associated with alternative travel arrangements including flights, hotels, meals or any other expenses incurred. For all of these reasons, and because of the no refund and no credit policy, Yellow Dog strongly recommends that anglers and guests purchase travel insurance and full coverage for your trip. If a cancelled package is resold by either the lodge or by Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, then a full refund will be issued minus a $100.00 per person fee charged by Yellow Dog. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the deposit, cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses for these packages. Once again, Yellow Dog strongly recommends that anglers and guests purchase travel insurance all Argentina packages.

Payment Terms for All Yellow Dog Trip Bookings  
Unless otherwise noted on your invoice, for all trips less than 90 days out, full payment is required after receipt of the confirmation email to secure guides and reservations. For trips outside of 90 days, a 50% deposit is required upon receipt of confirmation email to confirm your reservations.   

Yellow Dog accepts on-line payments via a secure payment portal – a quick and easy way to complete your trip reservation. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com to gain access. 

Yellow Dog Flyfishing Standard Forms of Payment 

• Debit card (fee-free) and credit card (3% convenience fee) - to pay via card please utilize the customer payment portal. If you need assistance, reach out to 406-585-8667 ext. #3 
• Wires - please include name and/or invoice number for reference on your wire. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com for wiring instructions. (client is responsible for wiring fees) 
• Physical check - please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to 213 S. Willson Ave. Bozeman, MT, 59715

If you have any questions about alternate payment methods, please contact Yellow Dog at (406) 585-8667 ext. #3. We are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM MT.