Argentina Golden Dorado

Don Jaoquin River Lodge
New

This is one of the ultimate bucket list fishing trips for adventure-seeking anglers. Don Joaquín River Lodge is located in Esquina, Corrientes and is situated on the banks of the Corrientes River. Here it meets the Paraná River with which a healthy and food rich delta is formed. The scenery that evolves from this, with its vast amount of native flora and fauna, attracts many tourists throughout the year. Its rivers, delta and vegetation make this on of the most perfect destinations tofly or spin fishing for golden dorado in the world.

The “River Tiger,” (Salminus maxillosus) as the Golden Dorado is also often referred to, is one of the most prized fresh water sport fish in the world. This aggressive and powerful migratory gamefish is constantly on the lookout for schools of baitfish to attack and this makes them susceptible to both spin and fly fishermen. The aggressive nature of this elusive fish, its spectacular jumping skills, fantastic strength and stamina makes it the ultimate freshwater gamefish. When lure or fly fishing, once hooked, they will strip your line off the reel like an express train, and therefore good quality tackle is needed.

This river system is extremely rich and varied in fishing areas, with deep channels, gullies, sandbars, lagoons, stone points and dozens of streams and river overflows, making this area a real fishing paradise. The Corriente and Parana rivers offer pristine environments for fishing. There is few boat traffic and the rivers are quiet and clean. They are thriving ecosystems with a rich variety of flora and fauna. The Parana river is the second longest river in South America and famous for its dorado fishing. The Corriente river begins in the Ibera Wetlands, the second largest wetlands on the planet and the largest source of fresh groundwater. The lodge is located in a very special and unique part of the world and the fishing here reflects that.

Your hosts and fishing guides are Ramon and Diego and they are a team of two brothers. They are passionate about fishing and offer expert guiding services. They grew up in this area and have a profound knowledge about the region and respect for the environment and sustainable fishing. They are bilingual and whether you are a beginner or an experienced angler, they are eager to share their best techniques with you that have been successful throughout their many years of fishing on the Corriente and Parana river.

The fully equipped boats are designed for both fly and spin fishing and there are also many opportunities for wading enthusiasts to target strong, hard-fighting Golden Dorados in the 5-30 pound range.

Anglers can drift fish from the boat or cast from the bank, between wood structure and rocks, and from different islands. You can catch Dorados to over 30lb but also Surubi Cats to over 60lb and Pacu to over 25lb.

Fishing for Pacu is a pure adrenaline rush. There are many methods to use for Pacu, with small streamers, flies that imitate insects falling from the trees, and imitation fruits.
Big Surubi can also be caught on flies and deeper lures and will fight like nothing you have experienced before. Be prepared at any minute for a fish to strike and charge away like a rocket.

Next to these there are also other species to be caught like Manguruyú, Piranha, Chafalote (Dogfish), Armado, Raya, Palometa, Pira Pita (River Salmon), Dientudo, Boga, Tararias and 2 species of Surubi catfish called pintado and surubi.