Argentina - Patagonia

Dorado Lodge

Fly Fishing Trip or Lodge Details:

Salta Province in NW Argentina is the only place on earth where you can consistently catch large freshwater dorado (Salminus maxilosus) on small, clear streams.

Parque Nacional del Rey in Salta is located in the transition zone between the high altitude Andes range and the Yunga, an extension of the Amazon watershed.

The home waters, the Rio Tucanes, is a tributary of a tributary of the Parana River basin.

The new Dorado Lodge is located on a 20,000 acre private ranch with exclusive access to the best section of Rio Tucanes, adjacent to the border of a National Park, and is a great sanctuary for wildlife, including the fabled Golden Dorado.

The private stretch of river is 19 km long and only 30’ to 60’ wide. It is protected within a jungle (yunga) canyon and there is little or no wind, making it very easy to fly fish.

From the Lodge you also have access to the Juramento River. This fantastic river was tamed after the building of a hydroelectric dam in 1973. Dorado migrated from the Parana River basin and created what is the only clear tailwater river with “L” size Dorado (up to 40 lbs). The Juramento averages 100 feet wide but you rarely cast longer than 50 feet.

The average Dorado is 8 to 10 pounds and during your stay you may hook fish well over 20 pounds. The lodge record Dorado to the boat on a fly is 37 pounds.

THE FISHING: The fabled Rio Tucanes is born in Parque Nacional el Rey. It is a true spring creek since it’s born from cold and warm water springs in the Sierra Cresta del Gallo and Sierra del Piquete. When you arrive to Rio Tucanes you'll be amazed at its beauty. Your first impression is that this is the perfect trout stream, but it actually holds Dorado up to 20 pounds. The Juramento River, a tailwater born below El Tunal Dam in NW Argentina and has proved to be the best and most reliable Dorado river in the world.

Dorado Lodge has a 10 year permit to float the river from just below the dam to some 50 miles downstream, giving the opportunity to fly fish the most productive water of this river.

The Juramento is a small river (50' to 100' wide) compared to most Dorado rivers in Argentina. Since you float most of the time, no long cast are required (15' to 30' are the norm). Water is clear to tea colored depending on the season.

A typical day will produce some 20 strikes with half of these actually hooked and some landed. Fish over 15 pounds will push you and your tackle to the limits and depending on the anglers fighting skills, it can be a fish caught or a fish lost. The Rio Dorado is the twin brother of the Rio Tucanes and is also an absolute joy to fish. Only accessible by intrepid anglers willing to hike for 3 hours in extreme heat, it is one of the jewels of the area.

Season Information

April through November

Rate Information

7 nights and 6 ½ days fishing, US$3,950
3 nights and 2 ½ days fishing, US$1,800
Guide service only, Juramento River, US$550 per day
Heli Fishing Week, May only. 7 nights, 6 days fishing, US$5,950
Single occupancy supplement, US$250 per day
(For the 2011-2012 season)

ACCOMMODATIONS AND CAPACITY: The Lodge is located on a private cattle ranch and has belonged to a local family since the late 1900’s. It was formerly a logging ranch until the owners decided to follow the same rules as the National Park and preserve it as such. There are ancient trees with extremely hard and precious wood and in its most remote parts, there are incredible wild animals like Puma, Tapir, Yaguarete (South American Jaguar), Monkeys, Toucans, several species of Parrots and the tasty but protected Pava del Monte or wild South American turkey.

The main building (Ranch House) has a large living room with an open kitchen and bar and the second floor has enough place to hold up to 8 anglers, all comfortable while lounging. There are also 4 guest rooms with private bath within walking distance to the main building. All rooms overlook the valley below and have a nice porch where you can chill out while enjoying a cold Quilmes, our local cerveza.

Even though Dorado Lodge is hardcore fishing oriented, they have other semi-civilized activities like horseback riding, bird watching, and hiking. Be aware though that this place is wild.

The local chef will treat you with excellent homemade meals and will serve you great local Malbec that is second to none.

The lodge does not have electricity and depends on a generator and solar panels, but you will have enough power to charge your batteries, check the internet and make phone calls either from the sat unit or, strangely enough, walk up the hill 100 yards and use your cell phone!

INCLUSIONS: Lodging in double room with private bath, all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) including Argentine wines, beer and non alcoholic beverages, one professional guide per two anglers or one guide for four non anglers, all transfers from and to airports and fishing locations.

EXCLUSIONS: Airfare, transfers in Buenos Aires, fishing license, personal expenses such as international telephone calls, laundry, flies, additional alcoholic beverages, gratuities, etc..

General Information

HOW TO GET THERE: Flights to Buenos Aires (EZE) and then transfer to Aeroparq (AEP) for onward flight to Salta.