Argentina , Golden Dorado

Don Jaoquin River Lodge

Argentina , Golden Dorado

Don Jaoquin River Lodge
 
Unique opportunity to join our pilot trip!
 
We will fly to Buenos Aires on October 1, 2024 and take the night bus to Esquina where we will arrive in the morning on 2 October. Then we will fish from 2 tm 6 October and take the bus back to Buenos Aires in the evening. There we will arrive in the morning of 7 October and fly home. There are only 2 places available and October is one of the best months for this destination. Send us an E-mail for a free quotation for this unique opportunity to travel and fish with the team from Worldsbestfishingtrips.
 
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.
 
The Don Joaquin River Lodge is the perfect combination of luxurious comfort and a relaxed atmosphere.  The central hub of the lodge is the outdoor veranda and a large elegantly decorated dining and living room with leather sofas, antique and reclaimed furniture and chandeliers.  With it’s panoramic views of the beautiful Corriente river and large open spaces it is a venue that will bring lifelong memories. 
 
The lodge features 13 suites, 2 living rooms, 3 dining rooms, BBQ terrace with wood oven and a 14m2 swimming pool. Every suite has a private bathroom, air conditioning and daily service. And off course there is free wi-fi in order to share your best pictures of nice catches with your fishing buddies.
With regard to rooms you can choose from standard room with 2 queen beds and are perfect to share, triple room with 3 queen beds and the master room which is the biggest and offers a king size bed. Alle rooms have panoramic views of the Corriente river and delta.
 
Lying on the banks of the Corrientes River this luxury lodge has the capacity for entertain 16 guests in eight en-suite, fully air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms. There are spacious dining and living room areas with a big veranda giving a majestic view of the river. There is an open bar 24hrs and we have telephone and internet access.
 
Next to the stunning accommodation and view they serve top-quality, traditional Argentinian meals including the local asados (BBQs), great wines and delicious gourmet desserts. Also a fly shop is locally available which is fully equipped with flies, rods, reels, lines and apparel. And if guests require, there is a loaner rod service.
 
At the lodge there are 7 fully equipped boats available. They have 115 to 200 HP engines mounted which easily navigate the local rivers. Additionally they have an electric front troller / engine to keep the boat at one single spot secured and to be able to fish out specific areas more accurately. A guide is always included and you fish with two fishermen max per boat. Both in front and in the back there is space for each guests to easily cast the fly or lure. 
 
The boats are between 5 and 6 metres in length. Depending on where you are fishing you will either have a shore based lunch or drive back to the lodge. 
 
With regard to material you are looking for strong baitcasting rods and reels. The distances you have to cast are not very far so a 2 to 2,3 metres (6.2 to 7 feet) in length is sufficient but they require a casting weight of around 30 to 80 grams (1 to 3 oz) in order to be able to handle big golden dorados. You best fish with a braided line of around 40 lbs and a fluoro carbon leader of 50 lbs. For the fly fishermen and – women we advise a single handed 8 rod, floating line and 50 lbs fluoro carbon leader.

A full and more detailed list off required material will be available after booking off course.

 

 
We can off course arrange your flight to Buenos Aires and from there we arrange the express luxury bus that leaves at 20.30 hours. The luxury buss has reclining chairs which are very comfortable and make it possible to sleep on the bus. It arrives at 04.00 hours at the town of Esquina. Here you will be picked up and brought to the lodge which is only a few minutes from town. After breakfast you will start fishing right away on your first day.
 
The program includes accommodation in one of our luxury suites, all meals, pre-dinner drinks and appetizers, Malbec wine, beer, Wi-Fi, guiding with one of the professional (fly) fishing guides, fishing equipment and license.
 
Excluded are the transfers to the lodge, gratuities for guides and house staff, airfare and private charters. The overnight de luxe airconditioned bus with comfortable, full reclining chairs we can arrange for € 170,- return from Buenos Aires.
 
Non-fishing company cost € 200,- per night and is subject to availability. Optional Programs for the family with additional cost are: horseback riding, safari by 4 x4, motorboat trips, gaucho culture experiences, birdwatching and massages.
 
In order to secure your spot a 50% deposit is required. The remaining payment is due 90 days before actual trip starts. We advise our guests to arrange their own travel insurance. For tips we suggest $ 25,- pppd for the guide and $ 25,- pppd for the lodge’s staff.
 
The cost for this trip are: 6 Nights / 5 Day Fishing single occupancy: € 4170,- and double occupancy € 3544,- per person.
 
We can arrange for more and less days of accommodation and fishing off course. Just send us an e-mail with the number od days of accommodation, fishing and people to request your tailor made fishing trip. The best season to target these fish is from August to May due to seasonal water levels in the local rivers.

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