Epic Fishing – The Pursuit of Golden Dorado

The common theme of conversation among guides and fishing friends, often while sitting around a campfire or gathered at a winter Asado, is always about fishing. And when the subject turns to Golden Dorado, the recurring question posed to the group is:

If you could only fish one river for the rest of your life, which would it be?

My personal response, and that of many others, is usually the same – the Upper Parana River.

It’s a large, challenging river that will test the mental and physical limits of every angler. Not all fishermen are well-suited to take on the Upper Parana regardless of skill sets, as attitude and desire outweigh most other factors in finding success. You have to be determined to seek the impossible, and know that the largest Golden Dorado in the world are swimming beneath and all around you at any given moment.

There’s a strange, addictive sense of anticipation with every cast, hoping your line will draw tight, and wondering how big the next fish may be. To the old adage “the tug is the drug”, I would add for this river the roll, the burning fingers, and fish launching into the air!

This is a place where a world record can happen at any time, but these fish don’t give many second chances. Persistence and determination are key.

Over the last 10 years of operating a fishing lodge in this area, we have averaged about a dozen fish over forty pounds successfully landed every season. That number is growing because we are constantly refining fishing techniques and tackle to raise the landing ratio over hookups on these massive fish.

The Upper Parana is a powerful river, and its combination of size and strong flow along the banks and heavy structure produces some very attractive spots that could result in the fish of a lifetime. Streamer fishermen, even novices, find so much potential success in this section of water that they push themselves harder than ever. But even though I consider this the ultimate destination for Golden Dorado, I often recommend that first time Dorado anglers begin their journey in another fishery with a high number of strikes per day, so they can adjust to the techniques of strip-setting and properly hooking these marvelous fish.

Even though our Itati Lodge, resting on the shores of the Upper Parana River, is the place that causes me many restless nights, I usually recommend our Dorado Experience, which blends three different unique environments and fishing challenges. We now operate 3 world class Golden Dorado fly fishing destinations (beside Itati Lodge, La Alondra and Jetuu Cabaña de Esteros) to complete the best Golden Dorado fishing experience imaginable. Unique from each other, these last two reside within nature reserves with pristine environments, exotic wildlife, and an abundance of hungry Dorado to sharpen your skills. Then find yourself at Itati Lodge on the Upper Parana, where the real monsters await.

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If you could only fish one river for the rest of your life, which would it be?

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