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The dorado is one of the greatest fighting game fish in the entire world. This extraordinary jumper combines the swimming habits of a salmon with the ferocity and predatory instincts of a tiger shark.  It violently hammers lures and flies, then immediately explodes out of the water in a series of outrageous leaps and line stripping runs.

For many years , one of Latin Americas most exciting game fish was kept a secret in its heartland. In the last few years, the golden DORADO, or "River Tiger" as it is affectionately called in Argentina, due to its impressive fighting spirit and jumping characteristics, has rocketed to the top of the hot fish list.

The freshwater Dorado belongs to the Salmon family. It is a hard fighting and acrobatic fish, well known for strong runs and relentless jumps. Throughout much of its range , the Dorado is caught in colored or murky waters and generally with heavy spinning tackle.
The establishment of Pirá Lodge in the Iberá marshland has generated a new alternative, allowing for clear water fishing on light spinning tackle and on fly rods, with plenty of opportunity for sight casting. 7 and 8 wt 9 foot rods are recommended, as well as floating and sinking heads. Traditional saltwater streamers and deceivers in black, purple chartreuse and white complete the required gear.

Pirá Lodge is designed to provide its guests not only with a remarkable fishing experience, but also with maximum comfort. The lodge has only five bedrooms, each one of them fully air-conditioned, with two double beds and large bathrooms with double windows, which provide a peaceful space to unwind in a warm bath.  The rooms French windows open out to the shaded verandah with easy access to our 20 meter pool and a beautiful view of the surrounding wilderness. In addition to the comfort of a spacious sitting room, with unique furniture crafted by local artisans, anglers will appreciate the convenience of a fly tying table, and an on-site fly shop, fully equipped with flies, rods, reels and clothing.

Gourmet dining with Argentina's famed beef and fine wines, traditional "asados" (BBQ´s), delicious regional as well as international cuisine desserts, and the fully stocked bar contribute to create the setting for perfect moments at the end of a perfect day.

The fishing at Pira Lodge is done on the Iberá Marshlands, one of the most unique and fascinating wetlands in the world. 3,500,000 (three million five hundred thousand) acres of unexplored and uninhabited marshland in the northeastern corner of Argentina will be the setting for some of the most exciting fishing you will ever do. The marsh is a vast system of non polluted crystal-clear creeks, rivers, shallows, and lakes roughly 2.5 times bigger than the Florida Everglades and you will spend your days here in state-of-the-art Hells Bay flats skiffs exploring this enormous expanse.

The swamps are the home to more than 350 species of birds, 85 mammals and almost 70 reptiles, including mayor populations of Marsh Deer and South American Cayman.

Fishing schedule: Fishing time s vary depending on month and weather. A typical spring fishing day will start in the morning from 8:00 to 12:30, lunch at the lodge, and then afternoon fishing from 3:30 to 7:30.

Transport is provided from the lodges private dock to the fisheries in Hells Bay flat skiffs, outfitted with VHF radios. Other activities available are Kayaking, Bird watching, Horseback riding and snorkeling. Pirá is a strictly CATCH AND RELEASE fishery.

Recommended Tackle

Rods: We've tested many rods on the Iberá marshlands. A single-handed rod, we've found a 8 ½ and 9 for a No. 7, 8, or 9 weight line to be about ideal for covering the water and for optimal sport.

Reels: A quality reel is important. A strong, smooth drag is a must, as many fish will take very strong, fast runs. Reels (and spare spools) should have capacity for the fly line and 100 yards of 20 pound backing. Reels such as: Abel, Tibor, Hardy, Lamson, Scientific Anglers, and Ross have proven quite successful.

Lines: Weight Forward Floating lines for warm water. Lines such as: Scientific Anglers Ultra 3 Bonefish Taper, Tarpon Taper, Cortland Tropic Plus, or comparable warm water lines will prove invaluable. Do not bring conventional cold water floating lines, as the hot weather makes the lines "soft and gummy" and therefore very difficult to cast. Also bring a fast sinking shooting taper like Teeny's T-200 or T-300 or comparable sinking line.

Leaders: The Freshwater Dorado isn't particularly leader shy. While reasonable stealth should be exercised, the leaders should be heavy enough to turn over big wind resistant flies, so heavy strong butts are important. Spools of mono should include 40, 20, 16, 12, and 8 lbs breaking strengths, for tippets. For floating lines you should have 7 to 9 foot long tapered leaders (Knotted or Knotless, depending on your personal preference.) For sinking lines, 4 to 7 feet of 20 lb. mono with a piece of 16 lb. tippet should work well. The most important thing to consider in a Dorado leader in the shock, or bite tippet. These fish have very sharp teeth that will cut even the strongest mono. We recommend using a 15 to 30 lb. wire section at the end of your leader. American Fishing Wire and Malin BOA wire are both good selections.

Flies: The Lodge provides a wide selection of fly patterns as well as a modest supply of back-up tackle at very competitive prices. This notwithstanding, we recommend you bring a good supply of your own flies to get you through your stay. Big Saltwater Streamers are usually the norm. Big (7/10cm / 3/4 inches long) deceivers in Black/red, Black/orange, Black/yellow or all black color combinations are best (may be other colors but not with white), all with some strands of flashabou or crystal flash (colors: holographic, pearl, silver, gold, orange, chartreuse, etc) on size 2/0-3/0 hooks. 

Also the most popular pattern for Dorado in Argentina is the “Andino” which is basically a deceiver with muddler head and heavy lead eyes in the same colors as deceivers described before. The best is to bring big flies for the river and smaller ones for the marsh

Other well known patterns such as: Lefty's Half and Half, Whistlers, Cock-Roaches and Clouser Minnows are excellent choices as well. Poppers & Divers in similar color patterns have proven very effective in certain conditions. Size: from 1/0 to 4/0

Pira Lodge strongly encourages the use of barb-less hooks.
Pirá is a strictly CATCH AND RELEASE fishery.


2008- 2009 Rates, per person
(Subject to change)

May 1, 2008 - January 5, 2009

 

January 5, 2009 - May 1, 2009

Duration

Rate

 

Duration

Rate

7 Nights / 6 Days Fishing

$3,850

 

7 Nights / 6 Days Fishing

$4,550

6 Nights / 5 Days Fishing

$3,300

 

6 Nights / 5 Days Fishing

$3,900

5 Nights / 4 Days Fishing

$2,750

 

5 Nights / 4 Days Fishing

$3,250

4 Nights / 3 Days Fishing

$2,200

 

4 Nights / 3 Days Fishing

$2,600

3 Nights / 2 Days Fishing

$1,650

 

3 Nights / 2 Days Fishing

$1,950

Single occpancy 60% more and Non-fisher 40% less.

There are three options to reach Pira Lodge and a private charter is often the most efficient for groups of four or more. You may fly commercially to Corrientes or Resistencia and transfer by land or you can also reach Pira Lodge in a night bus that departs from Buenos Aires bus terminal which arrives in Mercedes at 6 AM, allowing a full day of fishing upon arrival. Transfer costs from Corrientes or Resistencia Airports to Pira are as follows: min 1 pax (max 3) = $450 total; min 4 pax (max 6) = $900 total; min 7 pax (max 10) = $1,000 total.
(Rates subject to change)

800-628-1447 - 860-434-9624
Fax 860-434-8605
E-Mail: info@angleradventures.com
PO Box 872, Old Lyme, CT 06371
web site: AnglerAdventures.com

 

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