Golden Dorado Learning center

Golden Dorado

salminus brasiliensis

Golden Dorado as a specie is new to most of the anglers outside southamerica. And even those who may have tried it once, its important to understand the WHYs, WHEREs, and HOWs to make a correct approach to it.

Here we intend to share our knowledge the best we can.

Golden dorado live in many different areas in South America, they strike flies aggressively, they jump, they make long runs, they have razor sharp teeth, and they have beautiful coloration. Landing a trophy golden dorado is an angling experience you will never forget. They are considered one of the hardest fighting and most aggressive freshwater species on the planet. But they are also unpredictable and wary, making it difficult to predict results during the season. These feeding windows typically coincide with changes in weather and conditions, such as when the sky becomes cloudy or windy before a storm. Normally, rainy conditions also present really good fishing opportunities. Fortunately, dorado fishing takes place in a subtropical region, so the weather is subject to change all the time.

different environments for different experiences

Golden dorado are endemic to the parana river basin but also inhabitates different rivers of south america.

This is sub-tropical weather, which will also determine the kind of gear you will use.

You can find golden dorados on the parana river basin (Brasil, Paraguay, Argentina), but also in the Amazon river (Bolivia and Brasil).

Due to the amount of rivers that form these basins, you can target dorado in really big water (the Parana River is comparable to the Missisipi), or small water, marsh environment like you would with Redfish on the South East USA.

(click to read)

timming

Like any other fishing trip, there are many factors to take into account at the moment of looking for dates.
Timming is important, not only because a possible restrictive season, but also because of weather.
January and February are peak of the summer in southern hemisphere and being subtropical regions day temperatures can be over 96ºF.

On the other hand, the shoulder moments of the season (October, November, early December, and then Ends of February, March and April) present temperatures raging the 86ºF during the day, which in comparison is much more berable experience.

Also, the upper Parana river is famous for being home of the largest golden dorado in southamerica. During the months of September and October, with the sabalos spawning season, followed by the Golden Dorado reproduction, these monsters come alive. All this food moving around, and most likely the hormons generate a momentum of singular agressiveness with the arrival of spring and the first warm weather.

These monsters start eating and behaving like crazy, attacking sabalos, or other smaller dorados that dear to grab our fly.

Getting the chance to see these millons of Sábalos laying eggs in the midle of the river, and the agressiveness of golden dorado feeding is a very special moment in the season.

Golden Dorado eat Sabalos as their main course.
Trying to make a 12 pound fish eat a fly is specially difficult.

golden dorado
an apex predator

In order to properly target a golden dorado is important to understand what we are dealing with. They are at the top of the food chain on the river. Their main food is Sabados, which can weight between 4 to 6 pounds. No baitfish.

They have a very sensitive lateral line which they use to hunt on fast water, but also, thats why they can detect human presence very easily.

In order to eat a Sabado, Golden dorado are equiped with three lines of razor sharp teeth, that help to cut their prey in half on a single strike.

Because of the speed and the agressive strike, you have to be focussed and prepare when that happen.

feeding behavior

As a big cat would, dorados ambush their prey hidding behind structures such as sunken trees, or rocks, or below the banks waiting for the right time to strike.

This is why you wouldn’t cast to a sight fish. If you can spot it, its not on hunting mode.

This is also the reason why we advice for 8 weights. Casting a #9 or a #10 throughout the entire day would worn you out pretty fast.

(click to read)

A 25 pound golden dorado can easily be 12 or 13 years old and, as a human being, the older they get, the smarter they become.

As a Sabalo (Dorado main course) are not bait, making a Golden Dorado eat a fly is a difficult task.

We use deceiver patterns, similar to the ones you would use for tarpon. These have to be light enough, but big to make the fish move out of their den. Materials are varied, sythetic or natural.

Mice and big attractors are also a good resource in the right circunstance. Noise and movement are key.

flies, its not only about streamers

Surface patterns
the most exciting fraction of a second you will ever experience as a fly angler.

We have discovered that surface patterns can consistently tempt monster golden dorado to strike. This has led us to develop new fly patterns and very effective techniques for fishing them. As a result, our entire team of guides in the Ibera Wetlands is targeting dorados almost exclusively on the surface.

Casting bulky profile flies all day long made our lives miserable. We have since adapted some saltwater patterns to our needs. They still have a large profile, but are not as bulky and so are much easier to cast over and over. T-walks and Crease flies have proven to be most effective and have become our flies of choice. They are durable and anglers have no problem casting them all day.

We often experience visual takes where we see dorados leave their shelter 20 to 30 feet away, creating a wave on the surface before exploding on our flies and jumping up to three feet with our flies in their mouths. More than ever, you will need to stay on your game to be able to keep your grip on the line and set the hook properly.

Big Streamers

We also use are a variety of large deceivers made with feather tails and craft fur heads around small metallic eyes. We tie them in a variety of color combinations on 3/0, 4/0 and 6/0 hooks for 5 to 6 inches long. The guides will provide all the needed flies for the trip.

casting hability

As stated before, they can detect human presence easily. On top of that, a 25 pound golden dorado can be between 12/13 years old, and as most living beings, the older they get, the smarter they are. In that regard, the longer you can cast, the better the chances of a trophy. Never the less, most of the strikes occur within 40 feet of the boat.

Our Golden Dorado Combo offers quests the unique opportunity to fish two completely different destinations in just one week. With three lodges in distinctively varied locations, we have the flexibility to run a highly successful combination program.

The Itati Lodge

Upper Parana River

The Upper Parana River offers you the chance to catch a trophy, a truly once-in-a-lifetime golden dorado, in the most stable water conditions. Every season, we land a handful of fish above 40 pounds! Here you will cast flies around structure, such as logs, rocks and sandbars, in search of a huge wild beast. While you’re staying at Itati Lodge, you can also fish for the omnivorous species, pacu and pira pita.

La Alondra’i

Ibera Wetlands

You will fish the “gin clear” waters of endless creeks, channels and lagoons in a unique and untouched natural environment. You will have the fish to yourself, since SET Fly Fishing is the only outfitter permitted to fish the west boundary of the Ibera Wetlands. The fishery offers dorado ranging in size from 4 to 12 pounds, mainly caught on surface flies. It is an incredible angling experience to fish in such a pristine paradise.

jetu'u

Ysoro Wetlands

Jetu´u, cabaña de esteros, is our news lodge, located on the banks of the ysoro wetlands. This lodge offers the opportunity to fish a marsh environment, which is a product of the overflow of the mid section of the parana river, and not from rain, as the Ibera wetlands. Having access to the parana river, also allows us to fish the river, and numerous other species such as Pacu and Pira-pita, if the time of the season is right.

Our Combo Program

For those who don’t yet know, we have 3 different golden dorado lodges, and we offer anglers the unique opportunity to divide their trip between 2 destinations, giving them the most complete dorado experience possible.

With our unique Golden Dorado Program, you will get to experience the best of both worlds and fish 2 entirely different destinations during just 1 week. But what really sets our Golden Dorado Experience apart is that we connect lodges with charter flights, which allow our guests to spend a much time in the water as possible, without loosing time on the road.

Rates

Check our rates sheet for our Golden Dorado destinations at the link below

Have questions about our fly fishing programs or need more information? We’re here to help!

Hooked on Knowledge:

Our Article Collection

2024-2025 Trout Season in Northern Patagonia

Rakin Lodge – A New Frontier for Trout Fishing

Corrientes Province the epicenter of Golden Dorado in Argentina

Set Fly Fishing

We embody our passion as anglers, infusing every journey with our energy. Our goal is simple – to create extraordinary experiences through our unique lodges, our dedicated team, and our commitment to nature conservation.

It’s all about the people

We believe that our greatest asset is the people we serve and collaborate with. Our motto, “It’s all about the people,” embodies our commitment to building meaningful relationships with our clients, partners, and communities.

Set Cares

Our mission goes beyond fishing—it’s about fostering sustainable practices and making a lasting impact on the environments and people we love. Join us as we create meaningful change through innovative conservation projects and community partnerships.