The most fun I have had
with a fly rod in my hands
by Mat Wagner
I’m a ruined fly angler. I have been lucky enough to chase all kinds of different species of fish on the fly, and I didn’t think I could become even more addicted. That is, until I started fishing for Golden Dorado. After experiencing Dorado with SET Fly Fishing, they have become my obsession, and trips to the Upper Parana and Ibera Marsh have become the highlights of my year. Now, whenever I think of fishing my mind automatically turns to Dorado. I feel it has become my mission to share this fishing experience with every angler on the planet!
I’ve caught plenty of fish in my fly fishing life, both fresh and saltwater and while I enjoy them all, Dorado are the most fun I have had with a fly rod in my hands! If you mix every species of fish you can think of; take a bit of the fight of a smallmouth bass, the toothy mystery of muskellunge, the explosive power of tarpon, and the ferocious manners of barracuda, mix them all together with you favorite fish, then an extra bit of crazy, you get Dorado.
When a Dorado eats, it is an explosion of water. There are no gentle takes, sips, or short strikes. They crush the fly aggressively. It feels like the fish is going to yank the fly rod out of your hands! You measure a fight by how many times the fish jumps, not just IF it will jump. When you finally get the fish landed and are ready to say goodbye, you then notice that this fierce predator is also absolutely beautiful! Glittering golden colors with cheeks that look like the sun’s rays, and a tooth filled face that you will remember for a long time.
Where I come from, when you chase predatory fish you are using heavy rods with heavy lines and casting wind resistant flies that are the size of chickens. None of that is necessary when chasing Dorado. You will be casting and stripping a lot, but you are not fishing gigantic flies or heavy sink tips all day long. Casting surface flies or very lightly weighted flies on a comfortable 8wt with floating line is all you need. In other words, while you will be tired at the end of the day, it will not feel like your arm is going to fall off.
Not only that, but when you are done with your day, you get to come back to some of the most comfortable and friendly lodges anywhere! Excellent food, incredible wines, and a group of people that treat you like family.
So we combine the most perfect fish on the planet, locations that are unique and beautiful full of birds and wildlife (see if you can beat our record of spotting 85 caiman on the marsh in one day), friendly and knowledgeable professional guides and a refreshing and relaxing experience off the water, you have a trip that should be on every angler’s bucket list! Don’t believe me? Get in touch with the folks at SET Fly Fishing, book a trip, and experience the best fish in the world for yourself!
About the author:
Currently a guide and shop owner, Mat has been involved in the fly fishing world since his first job doing inventory at his local fly shop in exchange for gear when he was 13. Ever since then he has never looked back. Spending time chasing all kinds of different species in the Midwestern United States as well as Canada and Northern New Mexico, he thought he had seen it all. Once he took his first trip with SET fly fishing, Argentina instantly became his dream fishing destination. Mat is always happy to share his experience with you to make sure your trip runs as smoothly and as simply as possible.