Golden Dorado Fly Fishing - Argentina

The Ibera Marsh Wetlands

The Ibera Marsh Wetlands (Spanish for bright water), in the north-central Corrientes Province of Argentina, is one of the most important and largest freshwater wetlands in South America. Estimated to be 5,800 – 7,700 square miles, and it is second in size only to the Pantanal in Brazil. In 2017, Set Fly Fishing was granted exclusive fishing access to this area. This license provides access to the wetland's endless miles of bogs, gin-clear creeks, swamps, lagoons, and lakes–prime golden dorado habitats.
The Iberá Wetlands is one of South America's premier golden dorado fisheries and truly an experience not to be missed. The Ibera Wetlands provide daily opportunities to catch multiple golden dorado, typically ranging from 7 to 13 pounds on surface flies, poppers, and mouse patterns.

The Fishing Program

Season:  Mid-February to April and October to December. Spring (September to November) aligns with the sábalo (baitfish) spawn and dorado reproduction—often triggering the season’s most aggressive feeding behavior.
Boats:  Itati Lodge uses North Carolina skiffs with 90 HP motors. These boats allow two anglers to fish simultaneously from the bow and stern. Jetu’u Lodge uses 16 ft. North Carolina skiffs with 40 HP motors. Both anglers can fish at the same time. La Alondra´i Lodge uses flats-style boats equipped with 40 HP motors and poling platforms. These boats are designed for one angler at a time, rotating every 30 minutes or as you and your partner decide.
Guides:  Knowledgeable, passionate, English-speaking golden dorado experts. Several of their guides have left the professional corporate world to pursue their passions. Two anglers per guide and boat.
Equipment:  Quality gear is provided if needed, including brand-new Helios, Sage R8, Scientific Anglers lines, etc. For golden dorado, bring an 8-weight, 9-ft, four-piece, fast-action rod with a good fighting butt. This weight allows you to cast heavy flies and lessen arm fatigue. For pacu and pira pita, a stiff 6-weight, 9 ft, a four-piece with a good fighting butt is sufficient. Our confirmation packet included a detailed list of what to bring.
Flies:  All necessary flies are included and provided by your guide.
A Fishing License is included in the package.

The Upper Parana River

The Parana River is over 3,000 miles long, traveling through Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. You'll fish the Upper Parana River, the tailwaters of the Yacyreta Hydroelectric Dam, located approximately 80 miles upstream from Itati Lodge. The resulting clear, stable water conditions create an ideal fly-fishing environment.

The River of Gold YouTube

The Upper Parana River offers you the chance to catch a trophy, a truly once-in-a-lifetime golden dorado. You'll target golden dorado between 4 and 30 pounds; each season, a handful of fish above 40 pounds are landed! You'll cast surface and sub-surface flies around structures such as logs, rocks, and fallen trees in search of a huge wild beast. Target pacu and pira pita with dry flies for a Parana River Grand Slam.

Upper Parana River Golden Dorado

"Here, we call golden dorado, "Your Majesty."

The Hard-Fighting Pira Pita

The hard-fighting pira pita are known locally as the salmon of the river. They range from 2 to 12 pounds, jump multiple times, and put on a show. Large attractor flies that imitate insects, fruit, mice, and even flowers attract these omnivores. If conditions are right, fishing for pira pita provides a nice midday break from casting large flies to golden dorado.

Itati Lodge - Upper Parana River

For this fly-fishing adventure, you'll stay five nights at two very nice lodges and two nights at camp. You'll take a 30-minute charter flight between Lodges and get in three full days of guided fly fishing at each location.
Itati Lodge is a traditional “estancia” on the banks of the Parana River. The air-conditioned lodge accommodates up to ten anglers in five well-appointed bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. Their professional chef, Orlando, serves a blend of local flavors and international cuisine. The package also includes beer and wine. The boats are docked a few meters from the rooms, with a short ride to the fishing action. In between fishing sessions, you'll return to the Lodge for lunch. Free Wi-Fi access is available.

Itati Lodge Bedroom

Itati Lodge Dining

La Alondrai Lodge and Camps

First and last nights at La Alondra’i Lodge in Concepción, and the second and third nights deep in the Ibera Marsh — always accompanied by your guide and supported by our dedicated camp staff. At La Alondra’i, anglers take turn fishing from the skiff, with 30-minute intervals.
La Alondra´i Lodge, a reconditioned historic home in a peaceful setting, and the camps within the Ibera Marsh. Four spacious air-conditioned bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. The adjoining gallery and patio are ideal gathering spaces. Excellent cuisine, plus beer and wine. The Lodge also has a new outdoor swimming pool. Free Wi-Fi access is available.

La Alondra´i Bedroom

Fly Fishing for Gold

Ibera Marsh - Three Camps

No long returns to the lodge means more hours on the water.
Ibera Rugua hosts 8 anglers in two air-conditioned cabins with bathrooms and hot showers. You will be well cared for by Omar, your host.

Isoro Marsh

Isoro Marsh is a vast, natural wildlife sanctuary and a golden dorado fishing paradise. Isoro Marsh is a great location for surface patterns, depending on conditions. Since the Isoro Marsh draws its water from the middle section of the Parana River, water levels remain consistent throughout the season. An incredible clear water fishery with golden dorado, dogfish, and giant piranha is only a short boat ride from the Lodge.

Jetu'u Lodge - Ysoro Marsh and Middle Parana River

Jetu'u Lodge Consistent action across the Ysoro Marsh and Middle Paraná River. At Jetu'u Lodge, you'll fish smaller, protected marsh water for aggressive mid-sized fish and open stretches of the Parana River for larger dorado along the riverbanks. It’s a great option for anglers looking to gain dorado confidence. Cast to structures in lagoons and chanels inside the marsh, and the main river. Species: Golden dorado, pacu, pira pita, catfish, vampirefish, and wolfish.

A Sample 7-Day Itinerary:

Friday:  Arrive in Buenos Aires and overnight at hotel (not included).
Saturday:  Fly (90 minutes commercial or charter) to Corrientes or Resistencia; transfer to your first lodge.
Sunday–Tuesday:  Three full days of guided fishing.
Wednesday:  Lodge-to-lodge air transfer, maximizing fishing time. The Cessna 206 Air transfer between lodges is not included $750 per person.
Wednesday–Friday:  Three days of golden dorado fishing.
Saturday:  Return to Buenos Aires.
Departure Day:  Departure timing varies by lodge. Itatí Lodge is about 30 minutes from the airport, while Jetu'u Lodge is approximately a 3-hour drive.
There are typically two daily flights from Corrientes to Buenos Aires—an early morning departure (around 8:00 AM) and a midday option. The midday flight is usually best for connecting with international departures that evening.
We recommend allowing at least 5 hours between your domestic arrival and international departure to allow time for baggage claim, airport transfer, and check-in.

Read Brad's 2024 Trip Report

"My hosted trip with SET was very enjoyable. We fished at two lodges in completely different locations during the week. The guides, lodge staff, and food are some of the best in the business. And, of course, I love fishing for Dorado; they are one of my favorite freshwater species." Read more...