Rio Mate Lodge
Travel & Tackle Guide

Welcome to your Fly Water Travel trip guide. We’re excited to help you prepare for your upcoming adventure! Inside, you’ll find everything you need: your to-do list, travel logistics, destination notes, and a curated tackle guide tailored to your trip.

Getting Ready

We’ve created a quick checklist of essential tasks to make sure you’re fully prepared for the journey ahead. If questions come up or you need anything at all, just give us a call, we’re here to help every step of the way.

To-Do List:

✓ Arrange flights to/from Buenos Aires, Argentina, or Montevideo, Uruguay

✓ Arrange hotel in Buenos Aires or Montevideo, as needed

✓ Complete your personal online guest registration form

✓ Purchase medical insurance

✓ Get travel cash

Rio Mate Lodge
Travel Guide

From how to get there and what documents you’ll need to tipping guidelines and destination details, this section covers the practical information to ensure smooth travels.

Getting to the Lodge:
To reach Rio Mate Lodge, guests will need to arrange travel to and from either Montevideo, Uruguay (MVD) or Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE/AEP). The lodge can arrange transfers from either gateway. Guests traveling through Buenos Aires should allow additional time for airport transfers and border crossings if their itinerary requires travel between Argentina and Uruguay.

Arrival Day:
Upon arrival at your chosen airport of entry, you will be met by a representative of Rio Mate Lodge and transferred to the lodge.
Alternatively, if you choose to overnight before the start of your trip, you will be met at your hotel and transferred to the lodge the following day.

Departure Day:
Please book return flights departing after 3:00 PM to allow sufficient time for the transfer from the lodge to either Montevideo or Buenos Aires. The drive to the airport is approximately 4.5 hours, depending on your chosen routing and road conditions.

Documentation Requirements:
Uruguay

  • Passport: U.S. citizens should travel with a valid passport. Check current entry requirements before departure, as requirements can change.
  • Travel Insurance: Comprehensive travel medical and emergency evacuation coverage is strongly recommended given the lodge's rural location.

Argentina

  • If traveling through Buenos Aires, guests must also meet Argentina's current entry requirements. A valid passport is required.

Recommended Travel Agent:
Alicia Regueiro, Holdy Tours
800-446-1111 or 925-927-6617
alicia@holdytours.com

Argentina and Buenos Aires Travel Note:
If you choose to route through Buenos Aires, international flights generally arrive at Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), while domestic flights may operate through either EZE or Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP). Allow ample time between flights when transferring between airports, particularly after an international arrival.

  • All domestic flights within Argentina prohibit carry-on baggage of fishing equipment (rods, reels, lines, flies, etc.) and must be checked.

Buenos Aires Transfers:
After arriving at the international airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires, clearing customs and immigrations (45 min – 1 ½ hour process), in most cases guests will need to transfer to the domestic airport (AEP), to make the connecting flights within Argentina. The transfer between airports or to downtown hotels takes approximately 45 minutes, depending on traffic, however we recommend allowing four hours between flights. The following are transfer options

  • Tienda Leon – Located just outside of customs through sliding glass doors. Transfers can be pre-arranged online or arranged after arrival for approximately USD $40-$60 per person.
  • Private Transfer – A private driver and/or driver and guide can be arranged through our recommended travel agent.

Currency:
The official currency of Uruguay is the Uruguayan peso (UYU). U.S. dollars are also commonly accepted in tourist areas, although availability and exchange rates vary. We recommend carrying a small amount of local currency for incidental expenses, taxis, and other purchases away from the lodge. Credit cards are widely accepted in larger towns and cities, but guests should not rely exclusively on cards in rural areas.

Exchange Options:
We recommend the following for exchanges.

  • Airport Convenience Stores – Purchase something small using a $100 (USD) bill and change will be provided in pesos, which should be enough pesos during your travels.
  • Hotels
  • ATMs

Electrical Requirements:
Uruguay uses 230V / 50Hz electricity and several plug types, including Types C, F, I, and L. A universal travel adapter is recommended. Most modern phone, camera, and computer chargers are compatible with 100–240V, but check the input specifications on your individual devices before departure.

Communications:
We recommend using WhatsApp while traveling in Uruguay, as this is commonly used by lodges, outfitters, drivers, and hotels for guest communication. Cellular service can be limited in rural areas, so download important travel information and maps before leaving Montevideo or Buenos Aires.

Travel Cash:
Anglers should travel with at least USD $1000-$1500 in cash and at least $50 peso for small purchases.

Credit Cards:
Not accepted at the lodge

Gratuities:
$100 USD per day per angler

Fishing Licenses:
Included

Cell Coverage and Wi-Fi:
• Cell Coverage: Available, check with your carrier
• Wi-fi: Available

Power:
24-hour electricity at the lodge

Laundry:
Not included

Water:
Bottled water is provided and considered the only safe drinking water.

Beverages/Alcohol:
• Beer and Wine: Included
• Alcohol: Included

Emergency Medical Assistance:
For Rio Mate Lodge, access to medical care is more limited due to its rural location in Uruguay. Basic medical services are available in the surrounding region, while more comprehensive medical facilities are located farther away in larger population centers. Given the lodge’s remote setting, we recommend that all guests carry comprehensive travel medical insurance, including emergency medical evacuation coverage.

Recommended Medical Evacuation Carrier and Insurance Provider:
Global Rescue - https://partner.globalrescue.com/fwtravel/index.html

Rio Mate Lodge
Tackle Guide

Here you’ll find everything you need to be ready on the water and the field. You’ll find our preferred setups, favorite flies, recommended packing list, and notes on tackle available at the lodge.

Rio Mate Lodge Tackle Overview

For Rio Mate Lodge, we recommend bringing two rod setups to cover the range of fishing conditions encountered on the Rio Negro and numerous tributaries. A 9-foot, 8-weight rod will handle the majority of situations and should be paired with an intermediate sink line for fishing subsurface flies effectively. A 9-foot, 7-weight rod serves as a complementary setup and is best matched with a warm-water weight-forward floating line, ideal for surface presentations and lighter applications.

Reels should be high-quality with a smooth, reliable drag system and capacity for a full fly line plus approximately 200 yards of 30 lb backing.

Note: Warm-weather or tropical fly lines are essential for this fishery to ensure proper performance in the region’s higher temperatures.

Rio Mate Lodge Provided Equipment: 

  • Rods/Reels/Lines: Included
  • Flies: Included

Note: If you plan to use the outfitters equipment, please let us know so we can inform the outfitter.  

Rio Mate Lodge Primary Setup

An 8-weight rod is the ideal all-around tool for chasing dorado. It has the backbone needed to cast large, wind-resistant flies and deliver them accurately, while still loading quickly for fast, opportunistic shots at moving fish. Once hooked, dorado are powerful and unpredictable, and an 8-weight provides the leverage and control required to turn and land these notoriously hard-fighting fish efficiently and respectfully.

Recommend Tackle Overview:
• Rod: Fast action 9-foot 8-weight fly rod
• Reel: Reliable reel, we prefer saltwater for its smooth action and backing capacity
• Line: Warm water weight forward Floating line or intermediate sinking line
• Leader: 30 pound mono filament with 6-10 inches of bite wire

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Rio Mate Lodge Secondary Setup

A 7-weight rod is an excellent choice for anglers who prefer a lighter, more responsive setup while still retaining enough power for dorado in the Delta. It’s easier to cast over long days on the water, reducing fatigue and making it a pleasure to fish from start to finish. For travelers pairing this trip with time in Patagonia, a 7-weight also doubles perfectly as a dedicated streamer rod for trout. Experienced anglers will appreciate the added feel and finesse it offers, providing more touch and control without sacrificing capability when it’s time to deliver a big fly to aggressive fish.

Recommended Tackle Overview:

• Rod: Fast action 9-foot 7-weight fly rod
• Reel: Reliable reel, we prefer saltwater for its smooth action and backing capacity
• Line: Warm water weight forward Floating line
• Leader: 30 pound mono filament with 6-10 inches of bite wire

1 5

Optional Dove Hunting

Rio Mate Lodge offers a unique combination of excellent golden dorado fishing and exceptional dove hunting in rural Uruguay. Dove hunting is not included in the standard fishing package, but makes an excellent optional activity during the midday siesta, when dorado fishing typically slows. Guests interested in adding a day or additional shooting sessions can arrange dove hunting directly with the lodge manager while on-site. Please contact Fly Water Travel for current rates and additional details.

Guests participating in dove hunting should come prepared with long pants, closed-toe shoes, and appropriate eye protection. Shotguns, ammunition, bird boys, and hunting licenses are not included in the fishing package and are available at an additional cost.

Support Your Local Fly Shop

If you need assistance with assembling your gear for your upcoming travels, we encourage you to support your local fly shop. This curated list of tackle is handpicked for your destination by our experts and can serve as your shopping list to get your ready for your next adventure. Find your local Far Bank dealer.

Top 5 Golden Dorado Flies

Golden dorado feed heavily on baitfish throughout the rivers, backchannels, and flooded structure of northern Argentina and Uruguay. While large streamers and darker baitfish patterns are the standard approach in the region’s often stained water, dorado are highly opportunistic feeders and will readily attack poppers and other surface flies, producing some of the most violent visual eats in fly fishing.

Top 5 Flies for Golden Dorado:

  • Andino Deceiver - Black/Red, Black/Purple, White/Olive (Size 2/0-4/0)
  • Morrish's Jungle Love - Black/Red, Red/Purple (Size 2/0)
  • EP's GT Baitfish - Bleeding Back, Black/Purple, Sardina (Size 5/0)
  • EP's Dorado Baitfish - Sabalo, Purple/Black (Size 4/0)
  • Morrish's Skate Rat - Natural (Size 4/0)

Suggested Packing List

We understand packing for an adventure is not easy. On a trip like this it is very important to have everything you need and nothing you do not. As the climate is extremely changeable and a wide range of temperatures and conditions can be expected, we recommend layering clothes. Anglers should be prepared with thermal underwear, fleece/soft shell jacket, and a rain jacket. Synthetic fabrics are preferred to cotton. Dress at the lodges/camps is neat but casual.

Documents:
Passport, plane tickets, itinerary, credit card, cash, business cards

Shoes:
Tennis shoes, flip-flops, or deck-shoes

Wet Wading:
Water shoes or wading boots with neoprene socks and quick-dry pants

Shirts:
Two long sleeve fishing shirts with sun hoods. One lodge shirt.

Warm Layers:
One insulating layer. Down, synthetic or fleece mid layers are good options. Avoid cotton.

Rain Jacket:
One high quality rain jacket

Hats:
Two fishing/baseball hats.

Sunglasses:
One pair of polarized sunglasses. It is great to have a lens cleaner and a soft cleaning cloth as well.

Forceps:
We like the Dr. Slick scissor pliers for crimping barbs, releasing fish and trimming flies

Line Nippers:
One line nipper

Neck Gaiter:
One facial sun protector (good for bugs too).

Sunscreen:
One bottle SPF 30+

Lip Balm:
One tube of SPF 30+ lip balm

Backpack:
One waterproof backpack or boat bag for day gear

Headlamp:
One small LED headlamp with batteries

Toiletries Kit:
Toothpaste and toothbrush, deodorant, razor, lotion, mini shampoo bottle, Advil, ear plugs, band aids, anti-bacterial ointment, Benadryl, Gold Bond powder.

Contact Liam Donohoe

Liam was born and raised on the trout rivers of Idaho, where a lifelong passion for the outdoors eventually led him into the world of professional guiding. Over the past decade, he has built a career guiding and managing lodges across some of the world’s most celebrated fisheries, from Alaska’s Bristol Bay to Chilean Patagonia and the Rocky Mountains in Idaho.

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