Golden Dorado Fly Fishing - Argentina

The Ibera Wetlands

The Ibera Wetlands (Spanish for bright water), in the north-central Corrientes Province of Argentina, is one of the most important and largest freshwater wetlands in South America. Estimated to be 5,800 – 7,700 square miles, it is second in size only to the Pantanal in Brazil. In 2017, our operator was granted exclusive fishing access to this area. This license provides access to the wetland's endless miles of bogs, gin-clear creeks, swamps, lagoons, and lakes–prime golden dorado habitats.
The Iberá Wetlands is one of the premier golden dorado fisheries in South America and truly an experience not to be missed. The Ibera Wetlands provide daily opportunities to catch multiple golden dorado, typically ranging from 4 to 15 pounds on surface flies, poppers, and mouse patterns.

The Fishing Program

Season:  This Combo package is available year-round, with peak fishing from January through May and September to December.
Boats:  At La Alondra´i Lodge, Flats-style boats with 40 HP motors and poling platforms are used. At Itati Lodge, Carolina Skiffs with 90 HP motors are located a few steps from the lodge and close to the action.
Guides:  Knowledgeable, passionate, English-speaking golden dorado experts. Several of their guides have bailed out of the professional corporate world to pursue their passion. Two anglers per guide and boat.
Equipment:  No fishing equipment is included but can be provided if you do not have it. A detailed gear and tackle list is included in our confirmation packet. Bring an 8-weight, 9-ft, four-piece, fast-action rod with a good fighting butt for golden dorado. This weight allows you to cast heavy flies and lessen arm fatigue. For pacu and pira pita, a stiff 6-weight, 9 ft, a four-piece with a good fighting butt is sufficient.
Flies:  All necessary flies are included and provided by your guide.
Fishing License is included in the package.
Group Size:  Seven anglers plus a host.

The Upper Parana River

The Parana River is over 3,000 miles long, traveling through Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. You'll fish the Upper Parana River, the tailwaters of the Yacyreta Hydroelectric Dam, located approximately 90 miles upstream. The resulting clear and stable water conditions produce an ideal fly fishing environment.

The River of Gold YouTube

The Upper Parana River offers you the chance to catch a trophy, a truly once-in-a-lifetime golden dorado. You'll target golden dorado between 4 and 30 pounds, and each season, a handful of fish above 40 pounds are landed! You'll cast surface and sub-surface flies around structures such as logs, rocks, and fallen trees in search of a huge wild beast. For a Parana River Grand Slam, target pacu and pira pita with dry flies.

Upper Parana River Golden Dorado

"Here, we call golden dorado, "Your Majesty."

The Hard-Fighting Pira Pita

The hard-fighting pira pita are known locally as the salmon of the river. They range from 2 to 12 pounds, jump multiple times, and put on a show. Large attractor flies that imitate insects, fruit, mice, and even flowers attract these omnivores. If conditions are right, fishing for pira pita provides a nice midday break from casting large flies to golden dorado.

Itati Lodge - Upper Parana River

For this fly-fishing adventure, you'll stay five nights at two very nice lodges and two nights at camp. You'll take a 30-minute charter flight between Lodges and get in three full days of guided fly fishing at each location.
Itati Lodge is a traditional “estancia” on the banks of the Parana River. The air-conditioned lodge accommodates up to ten anglers in five well-appointed bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. Orlando, their professional chef, serves a blend of local flavors and international cuisine. The package also includes beer and wine. The boats are docked a few meters from the rooms, with a short ride to the fishing action. In between fishing sessions, you'll return to the Lodge for lunch. Free Wi-Fi access is available.

Itati Lodge Bedroom

Itati Lodge Dining

La Alondra´i Lodge

La Alondra´i Lodge, a reconditioned historic home in a peaceful setting, offers the perfect lodge experience for your visit to the marshland. Four spacious air-conditioned bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. The adjoining gallery and patio are ideal gathering spaces. Excellent cuisine, plus beer and wine. The Lodge also has a new outdoor swimming pool. Free Wi-Fi access is available.

La Alondra´i Bedroom

Fly Fishing for Gold

The Two Camps - Ibera Rugua Camp

The Ibera Rugua Camp hosts four anglers and is a two-bedroom rustic-style cabin with a separate dining area and gazebo. Each of the two bathrooms has a toilet and a hot shower. You will be well cared for by Omar, your host.

Yaguarete Ava Camp

The boat ride to the Yaguarete Ava Camp in the heart of the wetlands allows you to experience a unique perspective of this natural sanctuary. Four anglers per camp. Two comfortable tents sit on an elevated wooden platform. Each tent has a small table and two cots with a mattress and a sleeping bag. The Camp has one bathroom with a toilet and a hot shower. The dining structure is on a third platform.

Jetu'u Lodge - Isoro Marsh

Jetu'u Lodge is one of the three options. From Jetu’u Lodge, you’ll walk 200 yards to the boats. The Lodge is located mid-way from Goya to Reconquista in the Corrientes Province.

Isoro Marsh

Isoro Marsh is a vast, natural wildlife sanctuary and a golden dorado fishing paradise. Isoro Marsh is a great location for surface patterns, depending on conditions. Since the Isoro Marsh gets its water source from the middle section of the Parana River, water levels are consistent throughout the season. An incredible clear water fishery with golden dorado, dogfish, and giant piranha is only a short boat ride from the Lodge.

Three Charter Flights Included

The itinerary includes three charter flights for convenience and longer fishing days. The charter flights to the Lodges land within walking distance of both Lodges.

Cessna Aircraft

The 30-minute flight between La Alondra´i Lodge and Itati Lodge is aboard a 4-passenger Cessna 206 aircraft. Two planes are flown, so the entire group arrives at Itati Lodge at about the same time. The return flight to Buenos Aires departs from Itati Lodge. (Both Buenos Aires flights will be aboard an 8-passenger Cessna Grand Caravan EX.)

Sample Itinerary:

Day 1:  You'll fly from Buenos Aires to La Alondra´i Lodge. Chef-prepared welcome dinner. Stay at La Alondra´i Lodge.
Day 2 and 3:  After breakfast, the guides will drive you to Ibera Wetlands, a 30-45-minute drive. You'll meet the boats, head to the fishing grounds, and stay two nights at camp.
Day 4:  After a full day of guided fishing, your guide will drive the group back to La Alondra´i Lodge.
Day 5:  Early morning 30-minute flight from La Alondra´i to Itati lodge. You'll fish a full day on the Upper Parana River.
Day 6 and 7:  Two full fishing days on the Upper Parana River and lodging at Itati Lodge.
Day 8:  You'll take a return flight from Itati Lodge to Buenos Aires.
Alcohol:  At both lodges, beer, wine, tropical cocktails, whiskey, rum, and soft drinks are included in the package.

Golden Dorado Fly Fishing