Best Of Patagonia Combination Trip: Argentina

Orvis Adventures has taken two of the best Patagonian destination lodges and combined them into one unforgettable group fly fishing trip in Argentine Patagonia during prime fishing season! While there, you’ll target rainbow, brown, and brook trout in some of the most spectacular landscapes. At Carrileufu, you will fish the world-famous Rio Rivadavia, Carrileufu, and other secret lakes and spring creeks. Most of the fishing is by boat, but there are opportunities to wade fish as well. At Rio Manso, you will concentrate on dry-fly fishing in the lakes and fish different beats on the Rio Manso by boat. Generally, at this time of year, the fish are looking up for dragonflies, mayflies, and caddis providing great dry fly opportunities. This is the perfect trip for anglers looking to get a full sampling of fishing in Patagonia in just one week.

Carrileufu River Lodge is situated in the middle of a complex network of lakes and rivers located between the snowcapped Andes and the arid steppes of Chubut Province. The area provides anglers with ideal access to some of the best fly fishing in Patagonia. Located on the border of Los Alerces National Park, near the town of Cholila, there is access to both the Carrileufu and Rivadavia Rivers. Los Alerces, founded in 1937, was one of the first national parks in South America and boasts numerous mountain lakes and rivers with wild trout. You will float and wade in gin-clear waters with strong trout populations. Situated in central Patagonia, about 45 degrees South, this area is known for its beauty and extremely successful trout introduction.

From the lodge, you and expert guides will explore the region, stalk large brown trout on crystal-clear spring creeks, float the world-famous Rio Rivadavia, and fish the nearby Carrileufu. Trout were introduced to this region at the turn of the 20th Century and have bred in the wild without further intervention. The primary species sought by anglers are rainbow trout, brown trout, and landlocked Atlantic salmon. Trout in these waters are plentiful and can be larger on average than in most US Western destinations. The main watershed fished by Carrileufu River Lodge begins in the Tres Picos Mountains, where snowmelt feeds the Lago Cholila and ends at the Rio Grande. The clarity of the rivers allows anglers to enjoy sight-fishing as well as prospecting from a raft with large attractor flies. The waters predominantly fished by the lodge guides are the Rio Rivadavia, Rio Carrileufu, Rio Chubut, Lago Menendez, and several small tributaries that can hold surprisingly large fish.

Deep into the wild beauty of Argentine Patagonia, nestled right into the Andes, Rio Manso Lodge is located on the bank of Lago Hess and the Manso River in the Nahuel Huapi National Park. Unlike most other Argentinean fishing lodges, which are located on vast Estancias surrounded by pampas, Rio Manso Lodge is surrounded by high mountains and forested national park land. Weather diversity and the scarcity of angling pressure have produced excellent fishing at this sought-after Patagonia fly fishing destination. The lodge itself is very comfortable with outstanding views from each room. Enjoy international style meals livened with local dishes and superb Argentina wines. Relax around the massive stone fireplace after a full day’s fishing or tie up some special patterns at their fly-tying desk. Non-anglers have a wide variety of activities to choose from, and families are always welcome. Read our Patagonia fly fishing lodge reviews to learn more about the Rio Manso Lodge.

Rio Manso Lodge is the only operation located within Nahuel Huapi National Park. The remote location assures you’ll have a quality wilderness fishing adventure with all of the comforts of a well-appointed lodge. Imagine casting to big, healthy trout in crystal clear water without seeing another angler all day. These waters offer a variety of fishing, from big dry flies and weighted streamers to tiny emergers, nymphs, and spinners. Since there is little pressure on the resident wild browns and rainbows, both novice and seasoned anglers will have a fly-fishing experience of a lifetime.