Dorado Fishing Argentina

Dorado fishing in Argentina is the most exhilarating freshwater fishing you will ever do- and the best Dorado waters are in Esquina, Corrientes.

If hunters are inclined we encourage them to supplement their mixed bag wingshooting Argentina experience with a day of fishing for the most ferocious freshwater fish in America. Their sharp teeth and explosive leaps make them the strongest, meanest and most aggressive Salmonid out there. This fish hits like a tuna and jumps like a tarpon! Argentina Dorado fishing is like saltwater fishing but in fresh water. Don’t come this far without trying it for at least a half day. 

We use only the finest native guides, comfortable flats-style fishing boats, and offer fast access to the diverse and Dorado filled waters of Corriente and Parana Rivers. Both waters have significant current creating eddies, runs, fast channels and drop offs. These characteristics increase fishing dynamics and make it easier and more exciting than fishing for Dorado in slow or still water.

The Argentina Dorado eats mostly other fish including piranha but will eat (or at least try to kill) almost any well presented 3-12 inch fly or crank bait.

In addition to the freshwater Golden Dorado, these rivers are also home to large surubi catfish, tararira, palometa, piranha, sabalo, boga, pacu, chafalote and pira pita. The Golden Dorado, piranha and palometa are the most common species caught in the Esquina, Corrientes area.  The sub tropical climate of northern Argentina is teeming with exotic wildlife such as water buffalos, hundreds of birds and butterflies, the capivara and giant aloe vera plants.

We fish the Corriente and Parana rivers as well as the Parana River Delta which are a labyrinth of water and vegetation channels created by the convergence of the two rivers. The Corriente starts 350 kilometers up river from Esquina where it is formed by waters draining the Esteros de Ibera (Ibera Marshlands). Although the still waters of the Ibera Marshland hold Dorado, success depends on precise and delicate casts. The moving waters of the Corriente River and Parana River Delta are less technical and give anglers better chances to catch fish.

You will be wading and casting from a comfortable and spacious motorized boat similar to a Carolina Skiff. Hot spots are narrow shallow channels, mouths of channels and drop offs. Dorado and other species are easily caught on a fly rod, however, spinning gear is also available.

Despite the hostile demeanor of this predator, it is actually quite sensitive. When a Dorado is exhausted it will asphyxiate faster than even it's cousin the trout so special care is take while fighting and releasing the fish. If Dorado are not revived completely before they are released they will likely fall prey to piranha. Taking the hook out and taking pictures should happen within seconds.

Please note that a good day of Argentina Dorado fishing depends more on the conditions of rivers and weather and less upon the particular time of year.

Many of our guests wish to combine Golden Dorado fishing with Northern Patagonia or Central Patagonia for a complete Argentine fishing adventure. We can put you in touch with various guests who have done this program. Please contact us right away for availability.

Argentina Dorado Fishing Guides

Rubin Casares

Local head guide, Ruben Casares, has years of experience fishing northern Argentine waters and has been featured on covers of popular fishing magazines. Ruben is also the frequent winner of well known and very competitive fishing competitions in this area. You can see him accepting yet another trophy at the Fiesta de Pacu in 2005 at www.e-portalsur.com.ar/fiestanacionalpacu/.
When he first came to Esquina from Buenos Aires to guide, he had little more than a fishing pole. Today, he owns 5 boats all equipped with 80-90 horsepower outboard motors. He is well known in the area and in Buenos Aires and even Brazil.

Ulysses

Ulysses grew up hunting and fishing the Esquina area and in his later teens started working as a guide. The self taught fly angler has an amazing sense of awareness which makes him an excellent fly fishing guide for Dorado and ducks. Don’t be fooled by his quiet serious face as Ulysses has a great sense of humor.

Marcelo Gianecchini

Marcelo Gianecchini is a bilingual native guide who's talents stretch farther then his several years fishing and guiding for Dorado on the local waters. On dry land, Marcelo is a wildlife oil painter and sells his art work locally, in Buenos Aires and in Patagonia. Most of his paintings are on pieces of clothing such as T-shirts, fishing vest or aprons. His favorite animal to paint is the Dorado although he paints almost all the animals in the area as well as some animals from Patagonia. He is the illustrator for the book "Patagonia and Antarctica Field Guide" by Marcelo Beccaceci.

Oscar Dono

Oscar’s organizational skills and level of professionalism assure our international guests they have made the right choice. He is a cofounder and chief guide for Wing Shooting Argentina and Fly Fishing Patagonia.

Oscar grew up in Buenos Aires were he spent the weekends with his father fishing for Golden Dorado on the Corriente River. As a teenager, he traveled several times to fish in Patagonia. In the early 90’s he had a fishing shop in Buenos Aires but gave it up in 1993 to be a guide and live in Patagonia.
Oscar has worked in Italy, Mexico, and British Columbia and fished from Venezuela to Colorado to New York to the Florida Keys. His ability to catch fish is uncanny and his guiding skills are simply unbeatable. His lightheartedness can make brighten the gloomiest fishing day with a laid back smile and a “No problem” attitude.

Fishing Gear

Fly Fishing Gear

If you are comfortable with heavier lines, 200-350 grain lines made by Teeny or Scientific Anglers are also effective, however you should be able to present both the line and fly well. You should test and practice with your equipment before coming to Argentina so that you are comfortable and confident with your line and rod.