We've hosted many golden dorado fishing trips aboard the Golden Dorado River Cruiser. The Parana River system is the second-largest in South America, after the Amazon, and spans over 1,500 miles. It has hundreds of tributaries, deltas, marshlands, lagoons, and side channels, teeming with fantastic flora and fauna, and the aggressive golden dorado. Cast-and-Blast options, too.
Quick Facts for the GD River Cruiser
2026 Rates: $5,400 for 7 nights / 6 days
Location: Paraná River system—Argentina’s vast network of tributaries, deltas, creeks, and marshlands.
Species: Golden dorado, pacu, pira pita, wolffish, vampire fish (payara), catfish, and more.
Season: Peak dorado fishing: October through January.
Cast-and-Blast: Dorado and duck hunting mid-May to mid August.
Boats: 17.5-ft. North Carolina Skiffs • 90-HP Yamaha motors • Electric trolling motors • Two casting platforms • Two anglers per boat + guide.
Guides: Local bilingual guides raised on the river. Rotate daily.
Liveaboard: Air-conditioned cabins • Open bar • Starlink Wi-Fi.
2027 Hosted Weeks
Brad Staples has hosted trips on the River Cruiser since 2018.
The Golden Dorado River Cruiser provides access to some of the best dorado fishing available in the Paraná River system. Each day, you'll have the opportunity to fish in new waters, with anglers often not encountering another boat throughout the day. This unique river cruiser offers the flexibility to move with the fish, adapting to seasonal changes, weather conditions, and baitfish abundance. However, the Cruiser may remain stationary during your trip, depending on water levels and fishing conditions. The team will ensure you spend minimal time traveling in boats to reach the best fishing spots. This liveaboard dorado fishing program is the only one of its kind in Argentina.
The Fishing Program:
Season: runs from October through January. January is a summer month here and tends to be hot yet still suitable for fishing. Boats: Four 17.5-ft. North Carolina Skiffs with 90-HP Yamaha four-stroke engines. The boats are designed for fly fishing and feature remote-controlled electric trolling motors and two casting platforms, allowing both anglers to to cast at the same time comfortably. (Two anglers per boat and guide.) All guides have radios on their boats for communication with the Liveaboard and other guides. Guides: Local bilingual guides were born and raised on these waters. You'll fish with a new guide each day. Fishing Equipment The use of fly and spin outfits and lines are included, with a $100 loss or breakage fee. Echo, TFO, and Okuma rods, Echo and Redington reels, all with Rio or Scientific Angler lines. Flies are for sale on the Cruiser for $100 per dozen. Our confirmation packet includes a detailed list of what to bring. A Fishing License is not included and runs about $60 USD per person per week.
A Typical Fishing Day
7:30 to 8:00 a.m. - Breakfast is served. 8:30 a.m. - You’ll meet your guide and depart for fishing. Noon to 1:00 p.m. - You can have lunch on the boat or head back to the Cruiser; you get to choose. After lunch, you can enjoy a siesta. 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. - You’ll return to fishing and fish until just before dark - 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Enjoy appetizers and cocktails on the upper deck. 9:00 p.m. - Dinner is served.
Carl Quartermus with a Hosted Week Trophy
Golden Dorado are extraordinary hunters and are regarded as one of the best-fighting freshwater fish on the planet. They’re aggressive with a ferocious strike, long, hard runs, high jumps, and fighting stamina. The locals call them River Tigers. Dorado like moving water and most often stalk close to river structure. Be prepared for them to viciously strip set your hook, pulling hard on your line, or you’ll end up with nothing. Catches range from 2 to 15 pounds, with a chance at larger fish on every trip. Parana River Species: Golden dorado, pacu, pira pita, wolffish, vampire fish (payara), pira pita, catfish, and other freshwater species.
Brad and Charlie Swett with Golden Dorado
The Parana Gypsy Liveaboard
The fishing, great meals, and exceptional birding make this a great trip for couples.
Cast-and-Blast YouTube Video
Cast-and-Blast
Season: The Cast-and-Blast season runs from mid-May to mid-August. Guided hunting and fishing.
There is a daily limit of 25 ducks. You’ll duck hunt early in the morning, then return to the Cruiser for lunch and a siesta. You’ll fish for golden dorado in the afternoon after the water warms up. Double occupancy and shared blinds. Rates valid through April 27, 2027:
7 nights / 6 days $6,965 per person
6 nights / 5 days $5,970 per person
5 nights / 4 days $4,975 per person
4 nights / 3 days $3,980 per person
3 nights / 2 days $2,985 per person
Packages do not include a gun rental ($100), shells ($24 per box), or a hunting license ($150). The rates are subject to change.
Rates Valid through April 27, 2027
Two anglers per room and boat: Fishing Season: October through January.
7 nights / 6.5 days guided fishing $5,400 per person
6 nights / 5.5 days guided fishing $4,800 per person
5 nights / 4.5 days guided fishing $4,200 per person
4 nights / 3.5 days guided fishing $3,500 per person
3 nights / 2.5 days guided fishing $2,800 per person One angler per room and two per boat:
7 nights / 6.5 days guided fishing $8,100 per person
6 nights / 5.5 days guided fishing $7,200 per person
5 nights / 4.5 days guided fishing $6,300 per person
4 nights / 3.5 days guided fishing $5,250 per person
3 nights / 2.5 days guided fishing $4,200 per person One angler per room and boat:
7 nights / 6.5 days guided fishing $9,720 per person
6 nights / 5.5 days guided fishing $8,640 per person
5 nights / 4.5 days guided fishing $7,560 per person
4 nights / 3.5 days guided fishing $6,300 per person
3 nights / 2.5 days guided fishing $5,040 per person Non-Angler Companion, sharing a room: Guided bird watching and wildlife viewing tours are available for an added fee.
7 nights / 6 days $2,700 per person
6 nights / 5 days $2,400 per person
5 nights / 4 days $2,100 per person
4 nights / 3 days $1,750 per person
3 nights / 2 days $1,400 per person
Rates valid September 2027 to April 28, 2028
Season: October through January. Two anglers per room and boat:
7 nights / 6.5 days guided fishing $5,950 per person
6 nights / 5.5 days guided fishing $5,280 per person
5 nights / 4.5 days guided fishing $4,620 per person
4 nights / 3.5 days guided fishing $3,850 per person
3 nights / 2.5 days guided fishing $3,080 per person
The Packages Include:
• Roundtrip ground transfers from Buenos Aires (8 hrs) or from Santa Fe/Paraná airports (3.5 hrs) • Transfer on a 26 ft. boat to the liveaboard • Liveaboard lodging • Meals on Liveaboard • Open bar with wine/beer/cocktails/soft drinks • Use of fly or spin outfits • Two free loads of laundry • Starlink Wi-Fi on the Liveaboard • Guided fishing
The Packages Do Not Include:
• International or domestic airfare • Hotels, meals, and ground transfers in Buenos Aires • Flies, $100 per dozen • Fishing license, about $60 per person • Use of satellite telephone • Gratuities for guides and staff • Bird watching/wildlife tours • Global Rescue coverage • Mandatory travel health insurance • Travel insurance • Anything not listed under inclusions.
Fishing with Larry Payment Options:
1.) Credit Card: A 2.5% convenience fee applies for all credit card transactions.
2.) Check: Please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to Fishing with Larry P.O. Box 419 Columbus, MT 59019.
3.) Wire Transfer: Send money electronically. Typical fees are approximately $15–$30 for domestic transfers and $45–$50 for international transfers. Please email Toni at toni@fishingwithlarry.com for wire instructions.
Golden Dorado River Cruiser Policies: Deposit Policy: To confirm a booking, a non-refundable deposit of 50% per person is due within 10 days. The payment of the balance of the trip is due 90 days before the beginning of the booked date.
Cancellation Policy: For cancellations, all deposits and payments are non-refundable. Because of the lodge's no-refund policy, we highly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance. If there are valid reasons why an angler is not able to make the booked dates, and at the total and exclusive discretion of the lodge, a new date could be offered according to availability. In the same way, and at the total and exclusive discretion of the lodge, if a replacement is found, the trip could be transferred to the replacement.
Travel Insurance: Fishing with Larry strongly recommends purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes trip cancellation coverage and a Global Rescue policy (medical evacuation). Visit our Travel Insurance page.
Getting to the Liveaboard:
1.) You’ll fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE) and spend the night at a hotel (not included). 2.) The next morning - options for travel to the Liveaboard:
• Complimentary ground transfer (approx. 8 hours) from Buenos Aires to the Liveaboard area/marina.
• One-hour Charter flight from Buenos Aires to Santa Fe (SFN) or Paraná (PRA) — the two airports are 30 miles (49 km) apart. (The optional charter flight route saves 3.5 hours of ground transfer.) Charter flights are not included in the package. 3.) A Lodge representative will meet arrivals at Santa Fe or Paraná for a 3.5-hour drive to the marina in San Javier. 4.) Boat Transfer to the Liveaboard From the marina, you'll take a 60 to 90-minute ride on a 26-ft shuttle boat to reach the Cruiser. The package does not include hotel nights, meals, or transfers in Buenos Aires. 5.) Boarding + Fishing
Upon arrival, enjoy a welcome reception and fishing/tackle orientation. If time allows, you may fish that afternoon. Appetizers and cocktails follow, then dinner at 9:00 p.m. Departure Day: You'll leave the liveaboard at 8 a.m. If you plan to fly out of Buenos Aires the same day, book flights after 6:00 p.m. to ensure a comfortable check-in without rushing.
About the Liveaboard
The Parana Gypsy is 66 feet long by 24 feet wide and has three levels. The two-engine Mothership provides the comfort and services of a first-class fishing lodge. The living room and dining room areas have a 42-inch LCD TV. An open bar is included in the package. The upper deck is a great place to enjoy a beverage while overlooking the view. 220-volt electricity is available 24/7.
Air-Conditioned Cabins
The air-conditioned liveaboard accommodates up to eight anglers in four cabins, two per room. The bedrooms are on the first level, and the dining area is on the second level. Each cabin has a TV, two twin beds, and a bathroom with a decent-sized shower. Communications: The Liveaboard provides complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi. Cellular phones sometimes work, depending on your provider and the boat's location.
North Carolina Boats
The Liveaboard has four 17.5-ft. North Carolina boats with 90 HP Yamaha motors. Each boat has two casting platforms, so anglers can comfortably cast at the same time. While the guides slowly back the boats downriver using electric trolling motors, you’ll have multiple shots at prime holding areas. Two anglers per boat and guide. A total fishing day is about eight hours. Programs can be customized to your preferences and arranged daily with your guide and manager.
Excellent Meals
Their dedicated chefs create excellent meals. Appetizers include specialty cheeses, cold cuts from La Pampa, including ham, dried fillet steak, bondiola, pork, deer, and wild boar chorizos secos (highly-seasoned sausages), and salami, as well as olives and pickles. Dinners include an outstanding selection of wines. The full open bar is included in the package with a nice selection of wines, beer, clear brandies, Patagonian liquors, whiskey, brandy, and cognac.
Gerald and his Son Demitri - Hosted Week
Ira Drogran (85 years young) and Host Brad Staples
