Dorado Fishing in Argentina

The best freshwater Dorado fishing in the world is available on Estancia grounds within walking distance of the lodge. The Golden Dorado is a highly prized game fish that hits like a Wahoo and is prone to acrobatic leaps and runs. You may use spinning rods but many guests enjoy the challenge of a fly rod for these “golden tigers.” The golden dorado is highly sought-after by anglers, both for its appreciated meat and its fighting ability. The aggressive nature of the dorado, its high jumps, fighting strength and stamina have created a competitive market among anglers from all corners of the world, traversing South American waters in hopes of hooking a dorado. At Estancia Cortaderas we fish out of the Parana River system which is the largest waterway in Argentina. Our lodge is built on a cliff 150 feet over the river allowing guests accessibility to the riverbank in just a few minutes. While both fly cast and spinning are effective, most guests enjoy the former. The Parana proper is an enormous waterway home to a variety of large vessels navigating into the interior of the country but its reach goes far beyond what one sees bank to bank. It is in the vast system of streams and lagoons whose expanse may take one far from the visible river that Estancia Cortaderas offers what we consider the finest Dorado fishing in Argentina. The diversity of the complex system on the fringe of the river is what makes our fishing program unique in offering an angler any number of fishing scenarios. It is possible to cast from the boat or a bank or wade a small stream any given day. Anything between an 8 and 11 wt. saltwater rod can be used although we typically recommend using a 9 wt. with floating, intermediate and sink tip fly lines. Several experts recommend using the Versi-Tip line from Rio which has choices for the head from floating to sinking. The seasons in Argentina are opposite of those in the U.S. meaning that October through March are warm weather months when the fishing is best. Weather in Entre Rios where Estancia Cortaderas is located is very comfortable in warmer months, making for enjoyable days spent on the water. To hook a Dorado is an experience in and of itself which can hardly be adequately described by words. Acrobatic leaps accompany finger burning runs as the Dorado tries to escape its fate. The ritual provides a real challenge and quite a workout for the angler as these “Tigers of the river” demonstrate their strength and fierce temper.