Golden Dorado in Argentina 2026: Six spots left

Pirá Lodge & Suindá Lodge Combination Golden Dorado Trip- Argentina: November 11th- 18th: Price & Terms Email John if you'd like information on this trip or how to book.

Nervous Waters offers four great golden dorado fishing opportunities from three great Argentinian lodges in Corrientes Province. They even offer a way to sample two of them in one week. The first week of November 2025 I went on the Pirá Lodge & Suindá Lodge Combination. I first sampled Pirá Lodge located on the Iberá Provincial Reserve. Iberá means "bright water". This marsh is the second largest in the world and supports hundreds of species of animals and plants. There are approximately 350 species of birds, marsh deer, capybaras, dozens of reptiles including anacondas and caiman, and the reintroduced jaguar. This lodge can accommodate up to 14 guests (10 anglers) in luxurious rooms with air-conditioning, private entrances, and private baths. The boats are 17' Hell's Bay flats skiffs with poling platforms. Poling the channels and flats of the marsh is an ideal way to sneak up on the fish. The whole marsh has current in it which makes it a combination of casting and swinging flies to structure and fish-holding spots. The most popular and productive fly is the Andino Deceiver which has weighted dumbbell eyes to get it down to where the fish can see it and a deer hair head to push water which a fish's lateral line can locate. Most of the flies are tied in dark colors to silhouette well in the slightly tannic water. These fish will also take poppers and mouse patterns. We probably had four feet of visibility. I recommend bringing two eight-weight outfits, one with a floater and another with a type 7 sink head. Also, I recommend bringing another reel or spool with an intermdiate line, just in case. I found that for the size of the average dorado in the marsh you can use 40lb test leader and 40lb knottable wire bite tippet.

The water level in the marsh was near record high and rising due to rain, which made it more difficult for the guides to find the fish. We fished with the guide manager José Caparrós and a second-year guide there named Chase Reynal. My fishing partner on this trip, Ron Halick of NJ and I averaged about 10 dorado a day each taking turns on the bow platorm after each fish. Two anglers who arrived a couple days ahead of us had two days when they caught 18 and 19 fish, then had difficulty like us. The last day while one of the anglers was distracted and not even stripping his line, he hooked an 18 pounder and subsequently landed it.

Nervous Waters lodge staff have everything ready at the right time and a luxurious style of providing hospitality for the guests. Maria Torres Espinoza, the lodge manager was very sophisticated and ready to help us enjoy our stay. When you return from fishing, staff is ready to present you with a hot towel and a cold drink for refreshing yourself before you get inside the lodge. There is a saltwater pool and masseuse on call. Capybara and marsh deer stroll past the pool and there are always tropical birds flying and strutting around making a cacophony of whistling and hornlike calls. The owners who designed these lodges showcase tropical construction and wildness contrasted with luxurious fixtures and furniture. The varied cuisine is prepared by a chef and the presentation is appetizing. We had poultry, fish, lamb, pork, and pasta with wonderful sauces, served with delicious vegetables. I enjoyed everything I was served. Appetizers are served in the bar area at lunch and at cocktail hour. My favorite entree at Pira was pacu a la plancha smoked on palm husks next to a wood fire. I'm looking forward to my 2026 return hoping the water level isn't as high.

Suindá Lodge was the second lodge I visited on my November 2025 golden dorado "Combo" trip. It's located near the town of Itatí on the Upper Paranã River which is the border between Argentina and Paraguay. The Paranã is one of three tributaries of the Río de la Plata, which flows into the Atlantic. The materials used to make Suinda were brought over across the river by a custom-made barge. The floors and walls are highly contrasting wood that looks like tigerwood. The massive bed frames and legs of the lounge tables are made from solid 10" timbers. Emelia the manager here and I hit it off because of our similar taste in music. Her staff was also very fine tuned to our needs and in keeping perfect order. Instead of the sitting at the bar for our appetizers and cocktails, she had them served on the beautiful table in the lounge area with soft uphulstered chairs. My favorite entree at Suinda was a fish unknown to me placed on a layer of pureed garlic sauce and another of hummus sauce. I usually don't mix adult beverages but I enjoyed experiencing the wines the chef recommended for every meal. She also spoiled us with rich desserts.

The upper Paranã River is usually clear, which enables some sight fishing but unfortunately the river rose 6ft the day before we arrived and turned brown, covering deep holding fish even deeper. We fished with the well-known guide and guide manager, Pablo Caló in a 22' center console with a bow-mounted electric motor with remote control. That's Pablo below holding a big dorado he caught on another trip. He would stem the wind and current with the bow upstream and slip into position for us the cast. This boat has a front and back casting deck, so Ron and I both fished all day. The angler in the stern cast first water.

When we arrived at Suindá, the wind was blowing briskly downstream, making the surface calm. Under calm conditions, you have no limitations on where you can go. Under these conditions the first afternoon, we headed upstream with the wind in our face headed to a good afternoon spot. I knew that if the wind changed direction 180 degrees that the river would stand up, make navigating and fishing very difficult. We had the calm for two days, but our morning fishing was in the other direction, downstream toward Itatí. On the third day the wind turned all the way around and we got to see the river's angry side. Our guide Pablo had limited spots and routes to get there safely and if possible, dry. I thought he did a great job that day despite high wind and torrential rain. We even caught dorado. That experience and decision making is what sets a novice guide apart from a good one.

The main landmark on the river is the Basílica Nuestra Senora De Itatí. It stands 289 ft. and is lit at night, making it visible for miles. The main holding spots on the river are shoreline wood, overhanging brush and rocks, deep holes near upwellings, and rocky points that deflect current. The main fly that works here is the Andino Deceiver but I was suprised Pablo also had some in his box that had more natural colors instead of black and red, etc. I caught a few dorado on experimental foam mouse flies with strong saltwater hooks. They held-up pretty well and I can't wait to fish them on the river again when more big fish are available. To match the bigger fly size, fight of these dorado, and river characteristics, I recommend bringing two 10wt outfits, one with a floater and another with a type 7 sink head. Also bring an intermediate for special situations. For the probability of larger dorado in this river, our guide recommended using 60lb test leader and 60lb test knottable wire bite tippet. The main thing is to do what the guides tell you like keep your rod tip low and follow the fly with it. When you feel a fish, hand set hard and don't bow to the fish when it jumps like when fighting tarpon on a class leader. The slack can make the hook fall out. I asked the guides a lot of questions about flies and presentation and I'll tie flies that are the right size, weight and colors for next year's trip. If this Combo trip interests you, please reach out to me for more information.