While golden dorado fishing in Argentina has a rich angling history, until recently it was almost completely unknown to the outside world. A unique species that defies categorization, the dorado is rather like a supernatural hybrid between a turbo-charged bass and a trout on steroids, with powerful jaws and rows of razor-sharp teeth to feed its voracious appetite. Combine these characteristics with its propensity for acrobatic leaps, savage takes, and brilliant gold-plated scales, and it’s easy to see why Larry Dahlberg dubbed the dorado, “the world’s toughest game fish.”
With the increased interest in dorado fishing in recent years, a number of new destinations have cropped up in Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil. The newest to hit the dorado scene is Itati Lodge on the upper Parana river in northern Argentina. The upper Parana river is a long time favorite of the Faraway Fly Fishing staff and is the most consistently rewarding dorado destination in Argentina. Period.
Itati Lodge is the brainchild of our favorite dorado guide Peto Dalle Nogare, who has over 20 years experience as a golden dorado fishing guide in Argentina. At only $500 USD / day for an all inclusive package including guiding, food, beverage, and accommodations, it’s also the best fishing bargain south the Equator. If you’re already thinking about a trip to Patagonia and want to tack on a few days to experience this unique fishery without blowing out your budget, the upper Parana river is a perfect combination.
Read on below for a full description of what the Itati experience has to offer:
The Location
The Paraná River (Spanish: Río Paraná) is a river in south Central South America, running through Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina for some 4,880 kilometres (3,030 mi). It is second in length only to the Amazon River among South American rivers. It joins the Uruguay River to form the extensive Río de la Plata estuary of the Atlantic Ocean.
The Paraná River’s drainage basin, with an area of about 1,081,000 square miles (2,800,000 square km), includes the greater part of southeastern Brazil, Paraguay, southeastern Bolivia, and northern Argentina. From its origin at the confluence of the Grande and Paranaíba rivers to its junction with the Paraguay River, the river is known as the Alto (Upper) Paraná.
Guests typically fly directly from Buenos Aires to Corrientes Capital or its sister city, Resistencia. It is a 1 hour commercial flight operated by Aerolineas Argentinas. From the airport, it is approximately a 1.5 hr drive to the lodge.
Alternatively, overnight luxury buses leave on a regular basis from Buenos Aires to Corrientes, which is roughly a 12 hour ride.
The Fishing
Your main quarry on the Rio Parana will be explosive Dorado up to about 25 pounds, but most will be 6 to 12 pounds. This is one of the best destinations for Dorado anywhere on earth, but don’t let that distract you from the other exotic species available to fly fishermen. The powerful Pacu and aerobatic Pira Pita (see below) are formidable gamefish in their own right, and adds diversity to the daily catch.
Most of the fishing is done from boats, though when the dam releases a lot of water, it is often possible to wade the small side channels, much like you would a trout stream. Because it is a tailwater, it usually maintains very stable water conditions. The Parana is a huge river, several miles wide in some places, and you will mostly be fishing side channels that are 50 to 150 yards wide. The boats are designed so two fishermen can be casting at the same time. Your guide will keep you in position with an electric trolling motor while you drift downstream parallel to the bank, trying to hit the most productive looking lies along the way. You will be at the same time taking in the verdant ecosystem of the Parana, which is a jungle environment. There are monkeys in the trees, toucans, caiman and an array of unique birds and animals.
Fishing Techniques
Basically there are three situations where you can find Dorados on the upper Parana: Close to the banks near semi-submerged logs or rocks, in the middle of the river swimming close to underwater rocks or hunting and patrolling in the flats.
Close to the banks:
The majority of the fishing is from the boat trying to hit specific targets near logs, behind rocks, under overhangs and along cut banks. Accurate casts are paramount to success. Generally use floating lines for this kind of fishing but also is possible to use sinking tip lines. Also it’s possible to use streamers and big dry flies (Rats and Titanics).
Underwater Rocks:
Another approach is to anchor in a strategic position in the river where you can cast from the boat to an underwater rock structure. Is necessary use sinking lines and is a good option use a double hand rod too. When others techniques are not working properly this kind of fishing always offers a chance to catch a Monster Dorado. Peto is the only guide who uses this method in Upper Parana.
Flats
It’s the newest technique (within last five years) and for sure it’s the most electrifying fishing you can do. 100 % sight fishing, you will cast to a single or a small school of Dorados from the boat (Caribbean style) or wading in the middle of flat (30 to 50 cm). If you are lucky and you are in front of a big Dorado hunting and you can put your fly in the middle for sure you will see backing. Floating lines are necessary.
Pacu
Pacu is considered the permit of Argentina, and is a cult attraction among experienced anglers because of its size, power, and challenge. Pacu in the 14 to 25 pound range are caught, but most will be 8 to 12 pounds. Just like their saltwater cousins, pacu demand accurate casts and precise presentations to overcome their keen eyesight and excellent hearing.
Pirá Pitá:
The Pirá Pitá is a smaller fish up to about 10 pound, and acts basically like a trout. It is called the Parana Salmon because of its red meat, though It looks nothing like a trout or salmon. It is a hard, acrobatic fighter which can be skittish and sometimes hard to hook. Many fisherman go to the Parana just to fish for Pirá Pitá, as it is unique to this area. Pound / Pound Maybe the strongest freshwater fish on the earth. Is very nice to fishing using light rods (#4 to #6), habitually take dry flies.
Fishing Gear
Rods:
A # 8 – 9 ft length is the most polyvalent rod for Dorado, besides you can use # 7 or #9 if you feel more comfortable.
Avoid rods longer than 9 ft, as shorter rods tend to be more accurate and better for leveraging large fish out of structure, also help you to cast a big fly a fast action rod.
The double handed rod (#8 or #9) take some advantage over the single rod when you are fishing anchored in the middle of the river and you want to cast long distances and have a better line control.
For Pacú the same rod as for Dorado.
A # 4 to # 6 for Pirá Pitá.
Lines:
To fish in the semi-submerged logs or rocks the most traditional line is floating line, WF lines with an aggressive front taper to help turn over large flies, examples: SA Grand Slam Floating (one number above the number of the rod) , Rio Mainstream (one number above the number of the rod), Rio Outbond F short SW(the same number of the rod), Rio Dorado F (the same number of the rod), Airflo Dorado Special (only available in 8/9 wt). Other anglers, used to use a sinking tip lines to fish the semi-submerged logs, Examples: Rio Outbond F/I and Rio Dorado F/I (the same number of the rod).
To fish the underwater rocks, you need a sinking line, Examples: SA streamer express (fast VI, integral). Other anglers feel familiar using shootings.
To fish Pirá Pitá and Pacú use floating lines.
Leader:
We recommend to use one piece of nylon (0.7 mm or more) / fluorocarbon (0.70 mm, 55 60 lbs) 6 ft long.
In case you get stuck your fly in a tree or rock we will go to the place where the fly is and will unhook the fly, so this technique allows you to use a big diameter nylon/fluorocarbon without compromise the line. Otherwise if we don´t go to unhook the fly you can damage your line.
Is fully necessary use this diameter because many times when the Dorado eats the fly the fish go to the trees and get stuck, so using big diameter is possible to force the fish a bit more to finally land on the boat.
Wire Tippets:
Always wire, between 40 and 50 lbs. We prefer 7×1 than 7 x 7, brown color is better.
For Pirá Pitá Rio 7×7 20/30 lbs is good enough. Your guide will have this available as well, but it’s nice to bring your own if you decide to rig up without him.
Flies:
For Dorado:
90 % of the time you will use streamers to catch Dorado. The rest you will use dry flies like a big Chernobyls (Rats or Titanics).
The streamers could be tied using natural or artificial materials, doesn’t matter about that, the point is the hook. The hook has to be a good quality one, Examples: Sasame Kamikaze (7/0 or 6/0), Tiemco 600 SP (4/0 or 5/0), Gamakatsu (SL12S), Owner (Aki).
Then the flies could be with heavy lead eyes, others can be medium weight flies (with bead chain eyes). Some of the best patterns are streamers tied with muddler head. Most flies should be darker patterns in combination with red or yellow.
For Pacú:
We use a small ball (Plock Martin) which emulates a fruit. No problem about this, we have a lot.
For Pirá Pitá:
Pira Pita will readily take smaller streamers, but the more exciting way to fish for them is with dry flies like this:
Clothing:
Summer in northern Argentina can be very hot, so prepare for the climate like you would any tropical destination. Lightweight clothing with ample sun protection is a must. Bring a wide-brimmed hat, quality polarized sunglasses and sunscreen. A light rain jacket is also recommended. Bugs are typically not a nuisance during most of the day, though mosquitoes can become thick at dusk. Bring bug repellent to apply before you get off the boat at the end of your evening sessions.
The Lodge
The fishing day is split into a morning and evening session. Lunch is held at the lodge with time for a siesta. Breakfast is served at about 6:30 AM, which allows you to be on the river at first light, you will be fishing the banks and islands of Itatí and Rzepecki areas, locations famous for their concentration of fish. Around noon you will break for lunch and a siesta, and then return to the river at roughly 4:30 PM for fishing until dark.
The Lodge is located on the river side just a few minutes from Itatí town. We have 3 bungalows, each one have a dining room, private bathroom, 2 or 3 bedrooms with a beautiful view of the river through the window, air conditioner and WIFI. Also the complex has a big dining room with a full glass wall excellent to see river while the anglers are taking the breakfast or having lunch.The bungalows and the dining room are framed within a greenish garden, beautiful to walk and breathe the pure air of the Parana River.
We operate in the area known as Upper Paraná in a large tailwater below the Yaciretá Dam. Thanks to classic features of a dam fed tail water river, the Parana is consistently producing fish 11 months out of the year (except November).
Along with an arsenal of boats, you will be staying in well appointed facilities, with a main building for sharing stories and libations along with cozy 4-person cabins along the river. Each cabin comes with a full kitchen, dining room, full bathroom, one queen bed, two singles and a second floor balcony overlooking the river. If you feel like whipping up some of your own fresh fish, there is a BBQ pit outside for the DIY guys. Oh, and there’s covered parking as well. See availability.
Price:
500 USD per person per day.
Included: Meals and accommodation at the lodge, transportation to and from Corrientes, fishing licenses.
Not included: International and domestic airfare, transfers/food/hotels in Buenos Aires, alcohol, gratuities, fishing equipment.
Contact:
Do you have more questions about this destination and want to learn more? Would you like to combine Itati with another destination? Busy schedule and unsure of how to fit in a trip? Drop Us a Line and we’ll be happy to get you squared away!
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