On our expedition to Argentina chasing golden dorado, we explored three unique fisheries. Of all the places we targeted dorado, it was hard to beat the Middle Párana River. Here, the Párana River jumps its banks, creating a sprawling wetland and countless places for dorado to hide. This area is known as Ysoro Wetlands Reserve and is the only protected stretch along the Párana River.
For anglers wanting to explore this area, SET Fly Fishing has positioned its Jetu’u Lodge, a short boat ride away. Guests have the opportunity to explore this protected wilderness, see exotic wildlife, and catch dorado all in one day.
The Fishing
The Middle Párana River and the Ysoro Wetlands are home to a plethora of golden dorado. These fish range from mid-sized in the wetlands to larger fish along the actual riverbanks. With darker water clarity, these fish also readily eat throughout the day. A typical day of fishing consists of running through the marsh and exploring different cuts and flats. Your guide will pole the boat around, positioning you for the best shots at likely holding water. There’s also no shortage of fishable water.
As you cast to areas that hold fish, be prepared—the dorado here are aggressive and plentiful. For every fish you lose, you’ll likely land two more, making it a great place to practice fishing for dorado before moving on to bigger fish. To target large dorado, you’ll want to fish along the main river channels. The cutbanks and shoals act as ambush points for the river’s top predators.
Gear
For anglers fishing Jetu’u, the gear list is slightly different from that of other spots on the river. For marsh fishing, a 6-wt is ideal. Most fish here are in the two to four-pound range, and a 6-wt is more than enough rod. With the abundance of fish around, however, you’ll want to bring a lot of flies. Common patterns include decievers and surface flies like poppers for the marsh. While you’ll be fishing with steel wire, dorado death can quickly shred a fly into an unfishable condition.
For fishing the main river, we’d recommend stepping up your rod to an 8 or 9-wt. These rods have more backbone to move larger fish and can throw the bigger flies you’ll be fishing. This section of the river is much shallower than the upper river, so tropical weight-forward lines are best. Just make sure they’re built with an aggressive shooting head to turn over large flies.
The Lodge
Jetu’u Lodge is a short walk from the dock and Middle Párana. For its guests, expect world-class accommodations, an open bar, and traditional food and regional Chamamé music. You’ll be staying at the lodge cabin, which can fit up to 8 anglers, giving the lodge a true fishing camp culture. And make sure to enjoy a few of the hand-rolled, locally-grown cigars.
Why Jetu’u?
SET Fly Fishing’s Jetu’u Lodge is the perfect place to hone your dorado fishing skills. The protected Ysoro Wetlands Reserve offers hundreds of miles of pristine habitat filled with hungry dorado. You may not catch any true giant dorado, but after each day, your arm will be sore from tangling with fish after fish.
