Patagonia Packing List and Other Considerations.

Trip Insurance: We strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance in the event of an unforeseen tragedy. Rio Manso Lodge has a “no refund policy” once deposits and final payments are collected. Protect yourself by getting trip insurance. Rio Manso Lodge recommends using Global Rescue. Their website is www.globalrescue.com for more information.

Make Sure Your Passport is up to date: You’ll need a current passport to pass border control and customs. You do not need spare pages in your passport like you do when entering Brazil. No Visa is required…

Don’t drink the water in Buenos Aires or at the Lodge: It is important that you drink bottled water while you are in Argentina. That includes brushing your teeth. Wet and rinse your tooth brush with bottled water.

Fly Rods: A 9 foot, 6 weight is the preferred rod in Patagonia. I recommend having two rods in the event you break one. In a perfect world, I suggest setting up one rod with a sink tip line and one rod with a floating line. If you are traveling to Patagonia during the fall (April excursion) it never hurts to bring a 7 or 8 weight to target some of the bigger fish on large streams. If weather permits, a trip to the Limay River is a distinct possibility to search for a trophy brown trout.

Fly Lines: I would have both floating and sinking lines. I am a huge fan of Scientific Anglers fly lines. I like the Amplitude Infinity Smooth for floating lines and the Cold Sonar 200 or 250 grain for a sinking line. A good sinking line(25-foot sink tip) is critical for success, especially on the stillwaters. A shooting head is a good option too. Some of the guides favor shooting heads over sink tip lines. They sink quicker…

Terminal Tackle: I would bring 2X-5X tippet. I like fluorocarbon for nymphing and streamers, and nylon for dry flies. I would bring 9-foot 2X-4X tapered nylon leaders. You can add tippet to lengthen your leaders. I would have dry shake, paste floatant, split shot, strike indicators, line cleaner, and so on, so that you are prepared for a variety of fishing conditions.

Nets: They are optional, but I generally bring a small Fishpond net with me.

Apparel: I would prepare for the worst and hope for the best. It’s Patagonia! Make sure you bring plenty of layers, stocking cap, rain jacket, down coat, sweater, fleece vest, gloves, and a buff. Dress in layers, you can always take clothing off if needed and put it into your dry bag.

Medical/Pharmacy: I would bring some Tylenol/advil, Mucinex, a Z pack, cough drops, allergy medicine, small basic first aid kit, pro-biotic, Imodium, chapstick, bug spray, and sunscreen.

Miscellaneous Items: Bring a spare fly line, extra spools of tippet, and a tube of Aqua Seal. I bring spare waders and a couple extra rods in the event of breakage. The Sun is No Joke: Bring 50 SPF or higher sunscreen as there is no ozone layer in Argentina. You will burn fast…so come prepared with sun gloves, buffs, a wide brim hat, collared/long sleeve shirts, etc.

Travel Bags and Luggage: I typically take two roller duffels with all my gear. Most airlines allow up to 50 pounds (some up to 70 pounds depending on your status) for international flights. The challenge is the domestic flights in Argentina. The airlines (Aerolineas Argentineas) only allow 33 pounds per bag, so plan accordingly. If you are overweight, they will charge you additional baggage fees. Personally, I just bite the bullet, and pay the additional bag fees. I want to have everything I need for an enjoyable vacation.

Dry Bag: I would bring a dry bag to put all your fly fishing stuff in. This is ideal to store your camera, fly boxes, extra clothes, terminal tackle, water bottle, etc.

Power Adapter/converter: Make sure you bring a power converter to use while you are in Argentina. You will not be able to plug in your cell phone, camera, laptop computer, ect. without one!

No Studs in your Wading Shoes!  You’ll be fishing out of Carolina Skiffs and rafts most of the time, so make sure you DO NOT have studs in your wading shoes!

Bag-Check all Rods, Reels, fly lines, and flies: This is extremely important!! You CANNOT carry on rods and reels in Argentina. That includes the flight back home from Buenos Aires. Trust me…you will be denied at security and will have to go back to the “check in” counter…wait in line…and risk missing your flight.

Pack your rods, reels, and all your fishing gear in your main luggage. TSA locks are recommended.

Gratuity for the Guides and Other Staff: Tips should be paid in US dollars. Recommended gratuities are as follows…$50-$75.00 per angler, per guide, each day. That equates to $100.00-$150.00 per guide each day. You can certainly tip more if you opt to. You should tip your guides daily, as it is entirely possible to have several different guides throughout the week. If you fish a few hours on the day of arrival, please tip your guide proportionally to the time spent on the water. Housekeeping, the lodge manager, chef, pastry chef, bar tender, waiter, shuttle drivers, etc. tipping guidelines are as follows: $50-70.00 per angler (guest), per day. This is a grouped gratuity that is split up equally among the staff (8 individuals). The gratuities should be placed into an envelope (provided by Rio Manso Lodge) and given to the manager (Pia) at the end of the week. Also, please tip the bus driver a few bucks when you arrive to the lodge.

Concierge in Buenos Aires: Alex and Letica are a critical part in a smooth transition into Buenos Aires and the interior. They will book our hotel rooms, provide transfers to and from the hotel, assist in a final transfer from the domestic airport (AEP) to the international airport (EZE), and guide you through the entire process. They will give you an invoice for their services and you can pay them with US dollars in the hotel lobby. As far as the hotel is concerned, they will invoice each customer separately and you can square up with them. I have used them for nearly a decade, their services are priceless. Please give them a gratuity for their exceptional service.

Group Dinner in Buenos Aires: Those that are interested can join the group for a dinner at a local steakhouse in Buenos Aires. This is optional and there is no pressure to join the festivities. If you plan to join the group; I would budget $70-80.00 per person for a nice dinner, wine, and gratuity. The steakhouse does not do separate checks, so plan accordingly.

Bare Bones Fly Selection: The flies listed below are must-haves… Olive Woolly Buggers #8-10 Olive Barr’s Slump Busters #6-8 Olive and Black Fortune Cookies (one size only) Olive and black Lunch Money (#2 and #6) Rubin Martin Sculpin #8-10 Parachute Adams #14 and 16 AK’s Red Quill #16 Elk Hair Caddis #10-14 Black, rust, and brown Leeches #10-12 Pat’s Rubber Legs #8-10 Black Balance Leech BH Mini Woolly Bugger (Purple body with black and white hackle) Minnow imititions I would highly recommend bringing your fly boxes that you use on a routine basis. An assortment of standard nymphs, streamers, bead heads, dry flies, and tailwater patterns work well in the Channels of Lago Hess. It’s like a spring creek and requires small fly tactics and techniques. There is a small assortment of flies at the lodge, but it is minimal, so please bring what you have…it’s better to have more than you need…than run short…