Hooked on Gold: Dustin Carlson’s Golden Dorado Journey in Argentina

Dustin Carlson isn’t just a passionate fly angler—he’s someone who’s built a life around chasing fish in wild places. Raised on trout streams in the Rockies and obsessed with streamer eats, his journey has taken him from muskies and carp in the U.S. to saltwater species abroad. In November 2023, he joined a group trip organized by Driftless Angler and Set Fly Fishing to northern Argentina in search of Golden Dorado—a journey that would leave a lasting impression. We caught up with Dustin to hear what made this experience so memorable—and why he’s already planning a return.

Before this trip with Set, had you heard much about Golden Dorado? What kind of expectations did you have going into the trip—if any?

Golden Dorado had always been a species that intrigued me. As a fan of throwing streamers for brown trout and chasing muskies with huge flies, Dorado were a natural progression or next step. My first experience was a trip to Bolivia (and my first time in South America). After my first encounter, I’m not sure who got hooked—me or the Dorado! The biggest takeaways from that trip were that Golden Dorado are now my favorite fish in the world, and there’s an entire continent worth of fishing to keep exploring.

What was the first lodge you visited? How would you describe the atmosphere and a typical day there?

We started at Jetu’u, right on the banks of the Ysoro marsh, greeted by a welcoming staff. A beautiful lodge, great food, and Dorado chasing bait right off the dock! The atmosphere was relaxed, and there were numerous bird species to observe. A typical day on the water started with a hearty breakfast and a morning departure. The marsh is expansive, with so much area to fish. I was just glad the guides knew where they were (and how to get back). There were plenty of small to medium-sized fish to keep you busy all day. The highlight for me was how willing they were to eat topwater flies, such as crease flies, frogs, and poppers.

Do any particular memories from that part of the trip stick with you?

One experience I will never forget happened one morning when the light was perfectly diffused by some light cloud cover. We were fishing in a pocket full of flowering trees, lily pads, and lush vegetation. I mentioned to my boatmates that it felt like a manicured Japanese garden. Absolutely beautiful. Then, a group of Dorado started busting bait under one of the trees. I thought, “This is my vision of heaven.”

What about the second lodge—how would you describe the setting and your overall impression?

We then visited Itatí Lodge, right on the banks of the Upper Parana River. The vibe was laid-back and authentic. A beautiful estancia—comfortable, but entirely focused on the water. Mornings started early with strong coffee, breakfast, and strategy talk with the guides. The low-light bite windows are very real here. We’d fish split days to ensure we had flies in the water during the peak times. To be clear, fish can be caught at any time, but why not take advantage of those windows?

And what was the fishing like on the Upper Paraná?

We fished hard, covering structure and casting big streamers to ambush points. The Parana is a huge river—I can’t overstate that. We had high water when I was there (which didn’t affect the fishing), and the river was flowing at 1.5 million cubic feet per second. Mind-blowing. This is definitely big fish hunting. Not numbers—trophies.

On my last evening session, our guide Marcelo spotted a fish that rolled mid-river in the pillow of a submerged, house-sized rock. This was around 6 p.m. He made a mental note and said we would come back for that fish right at last light. That’s real discipline—most would immediately start casting. So, we came back at dusk. Marcelo positioned the boat and told me to make a long cast in a specific direction (way upstream of the pillow), then coached me through mending the line as it swung toward the target zone. After all the setup, the fly drifted perfectly. One strip—then all hell broke loose. We were tied to a monster.

Marcelo was dancing and singing “Yellow Submarine.” I was focused and a little stressed, not wanting to mess up the fight. Ultimately, the massive fish was in the net, and there were high fives all around. I can still see that moment clearly. A memory I will never forget.

How would you describe Golden Dorado to someone who’s never fished for them?

Imagine if a smallmouth and a musky had a very angry, very athletic cousin. That’s a Golden Dorado. They’re strong, acrobatic, and hit like a freight train. You get visual eats, screaming runs, and aerial chaos. It’s one of the most addictive fish I’ve ever targeted. Once you land them, take a moment to admire the details, especially those metallic gold gill plates. Stunning.

Can you tell us more about the waters and environments you fished at each lodge?

Definitely. At Itatí, the Upper Parana is off-color with lots of submerged wood and visible seams. The technique was to put your fly as close to the structure as possible, every time. At Jetu’u, the water was more varied—you had everything from moving channels to quiet lagoons. It felt wild and unpredictable. Both environments were beautiful and fishy in their own way, and each pushed different skills. That contrast made the whole trip richer.

Can you walk us through the travel experience—from leaving the U.S. to arriving at the lodges?

Getting there was way easier than I expected. Overnight flights from most U.S. hubs land you in Buenos Aires early in the morning. I enjoyed staying a night in the city, not just because it breaks up the travel, but because it adds so much to the trip. What an amazing and beautiful city… you can enjoy incredible food and get a feel for Argentina before flying to the lodge the next morning. Set Fly Fishing is so helpful with the logistics. Once you’re in BA, it all just flows.

How did the transition between the two lodges go? What did that part of the trip feel like?

The transition between lodges was super smooth. We had planned to fly between the lodges on a small plane, but the weather didn’t allow it, so we jumped into trucks for the drive. It was a great opportunity to get to know the guides and guests better and to see more of the countryside. I never felt like we lost meaningful fishing time. If anything, the shift felt like an extension of the trip. It added variety and gave us a second wind. Not once did I feel like I was being shortchanged on fishing!

Looking back, how would you sum up the overall experience?

The overall experience was unforgettable. It wasn’t just about the fish—it was the people, the places, the culture, and the adrenaline-filled moments. I would 100% do this trip again, and I’d recommend it to any angler looking for an adventure. It’s ideal for people who want to fish hard, embrace new environments, and come home with more than just photos. It’s for anglers who want a story to tell. I started planning my next trip before I ever got back to the United States.The guides were absolutely top-notch. Beyond their skill, they were just great humans to spend time with. They cared about helping you succeed, but also wanted to ensure you enjoyed every moment. Each guide had a unique personality. One of them and I spent most of the day talking about bird hunting and bird dogs. All the guides spoke English, but I also appreciated the opportunity to practice my (subpar) Spanish.Every single member of both lodges’ staff was so nice, attentive, and great to get to know. I assure you that you will not go hungry. Also, for the record, my favorite dessert was the Malbec-Poached Pears.