Last year, the Flylords team headed to Argentina in search of golden dorado. To target these fish, there is no better place than the Paraná River. It is the second-longest river in South America, flowing over 3,000 miles through jungles, marshes, and deserts. Along the banks of the river, SET Fly Fishing has carefully curated three unique programs to fly fish for golden dorado.
While we wanted to lay our hands on a dorado, the thought of a 30-pound fish leaping through the air was sitting in the back of our minds. For these trophy-caliber fish, there is no better place to target them than the Upper Paraná River. Here, SET Fly Fishing positioned the Itatí Lodge, giving anglers the chance to fish for giants while enjoying a world-class stay.
The Fishing
The Upper Paraná is a stretch of big water, and with that comes big fish. This is due to the combination of large resident fish and migratory dorado congregating in one place. With a variety of structures and fairly good water clarity, anglers can expect shots at multiple fish over 10 pounds, with some tipping the scales at 30 pounds.
Just because these trophy-caliber fish are around doesn’t mean you’ll catch them. At Itatí, you are very much hunting for the one. The best times to target these fish, like many predatory fish, are first light and last light. During these precious hours of fishing, make every cast count. The key places to target are rock piles, undercut banks, points, and submerged sand bars. These places serve as ambush points, allowing dorado to pounce on unsuspecting bait, like sábolo.
When a dorado takes your fly, keep the rod tip down, strip set, and drive the hook home. Even big dorado can be surprisingly acrobatic, so a good hook set is crucial to keeping the fish hooked throughout the fight. These big dorado are powerful fish, so be prepared for the ensuing battle ahead.
Gear
When packing for a trip to the Upper Paraná, it’s crucial to pack appropriately. In terms of terminal tackle, you’ll want at least an 8-wt rod, but for giants, a 9-wt is preferred. Pair it with a large arbor fly reel with a crisp and smooth drag. While you don’t have to break the bank on setup, definitely don’t skimp here. After all, you may only get one shot at a trophy dorado, and you don’t want your gear to be the reason you lose it.
For fly lines, pack a mix of floating and sink tip lines. You are fishing in South America, so make sure they are tropical lines. Your cold water lines won’t hold up to the blistering heat of the Paraná. It’s also important to buy streamer-focused lines; these typically have heavy shooting heads that help roll over big flies. Lastly, for flies, you’ll want large streamers like decievers that imitate bait, such as sábalo, which dorado key in on.
The Lodge
Itatí Lodge is positioned on the banks of the Upper Paraná River, just 40 minutes from the Corrientes airport. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by a team of guides and staff ready to make your stay world-class. The lodge itself sits above the river, where guests can enjoy a cocktail, reflect on the day of fishing, and take in the waterside views. It’s also complete with a grand dining room, cozy rooms, and even a pool.
A typical day fishing at Itatí consists of getting up before light to catch the morning bite. You’ll walk the mere 50 yards from the lodge to the dock, hop aboard a skiff, and then you’re off fishing. After the morning bite slows, you’ll return to the lodge, enjoy lunch and a siesta, before returning to the water for the evening bite. If you ask us, this is as good as a fishing program gets.
Why Itatí?
SET Fly Fishing’s Itatí Lodge gives anglers a 5-star experience and the chance to target trophy dorado. While other areas in Argentina have dorado, for those anglers specifically targeting fish nearing the 30-pound mark, this is the place to be. The combination of stellar accommodations, epic scenery, and giant fish solidifies Itatí as a destination worth visiting for anglers chasing dorado.