Destination : Dorado Lodge – Argentina

Andes Outfitters Dorado Fishing is located in the transition zone between the high altitude Andes rand and the Amazon watershed.  This area offers what may be the best and most reliable Golden Dorado fishing in all of Argentina. This small operation has exclusive access on a 20,000-acre private ranch, to the best, twelve-mile section of the Rio Tucanes, which stretches 12 miles long and averages only 30’ to 60’ wide.  Dorados average 8-10 pounds here.  From base camp, they also have access to the most productive, 50-mile section of the Juramento River, a larger tail water where most of the fishing is done from rafts and fish over 20 pounds are caught on a regular basis.  The Dorado River is for the intrepid hikers who are willing to take the 3-hour journey.

Rio Juramento Lodge
You will stay at in Hosteria Ayres de Campo, which is located in the small town of J.V. Gonzalez, from there you will have very easy access to the best stretches of water on the famous Juramento River. There are 5 double rooms available, each with a private bath.

They offer VIP camping options on both rivers, for quicker access to the Dorado and Tucanes Rivers.  Camping equipment includes 6’3″ Gore-Tex tents, cots, mats, pillows, porta-potty (portable loo), satellite phone and portable generator.

Argentine wines. There is a different menu offered each day featuring Argentine specialties including Argentine wines, beer and non-alcoholic beverages

Please inform us of any dietary restrictions in advance, before departure, so we can notify the lodge.

Rio Juramento

The Juramento River is a tail water born below El Tunal Dam in NW Argentina and has proved to be the best and most reliable dorado river in the world.  They have a ten-year permit to float the river from just below the dam to some 50 miles downstream, giving guests the opportunity to flyfish the most productive water of this river.  It is located on the transition zone between the high altitude Andes range (16.000 ft) and the rain forest.  It usually flows at a stable 90 m2/s, except during the rainy season (January and February) when it reaches almost 170 m2/s.  The water is tea colored but varies from crystal clear (upper reaches) to milky brown on the lower reaches.  It also varies depending on the rain.

The weather conditions during prime time are mostly sunny and warm to hot depending on how close to summer we are.

The Juramento is a small river (50′ to 100′ wide) compared to most Dorado Rivers in Argentina.  Since guests float most of the time, no long casts are required (15′ to 30′ casts are normal).  Water is clear to tea colored depending on the season.

A typical day will produce some 20 strikes with half of these actually hooked and some landed.  Fish over 15 pounds will push you and your tackle to the limits, depending on the anglers fighting skills.

As the only certified Outfitters by the Province of Salta, they float several different reaches depending on several factors that may include water color, spawning season, etc.

A typical day involves leaving the Lodge at 8 a.m. and float until 6 or 7 p.m.

Fishing is done from inflatable rafts with two anglers and one guide on each.  Floats average 15 miles per day as there are not many access points to the river.  Guests typically float until lunchtime where they’ll rest for an hour and then continue floating until take out.

It is recommended to use 9’ 8 to 10 wt due to the size and weight of Golden Dorado and the flies.

Flies are streamers tied on 2/0 to 4/0 hooks from 4” to 8” long.  We cast to the banks and obstructions on the river in search of our dream fish.

Dorado on the Juramento average 9 lbs. but every day they have hookups of fish up to 40 lbs.  Bringing them to shore is another story.

Dorado are very voracious and usually they’ll take the fly the moment it lands in the water.  It is a sight to be seen when a truly large Dorado rolls over your fly and eats.

This is the moment of truth, the moment that will either put you into the fish of a lifetime or a frustrated attempt.

Dorado have very, very hard mouths, much like Tarpon.  You must strip strike VERY HARD to penetrate this iron like mouth.  Once hooked, hang on.  They will typically display their aerial acrobatics and run for cover, and are very strong and powerful fish.  The will do everything to brake you off.  You must always keep tension on the line, except of course, while they jump.  Once the fish is clear from obstructions in the river, you must fight it as you would a very large trout without breaking your tippet.

 Rio Tucanes

The fabled Rio Tucanes is in Parque Nacional el Rey.  It is a true spring creek since it is born from cold and warm water springs in the Sierra Cresta del Gallo and Sierra del Piquete.  You’ll be amazed at the beauty of the Rio Tucanes and your first impression is that this is the perfect trout stream, where the water is crystal clear and holds Dorado that average 6 lbs. but there are fish up to 20 lbs. in many pools and there are huge schools of sabalos (Dorado favorite food) all over the place, and although vegetarian by nature, these fish sometimes take flies and put on a very steady fight.

Since Rio Tucanes is a small stream, it is wading only They take up to 6 anglers per week that will share their private 10 miles of water which is divided in 7 beats, so each client will fish all beats during their stay.  You’ll fish two anglers per guide. Your guide will carry your food, first aid kit, flies and spare rods, but you’ll have to carry your own drinks, spare rod, and accessories.

Access to Rio Tucanes is very easy from the new Dorado Lodge, beats 1 to 3 are accessed by car directly to the river banks, beats 4 and 5 require a 25 minute walk from where they park their car and beats 6 and 7 require a 30 minute horseback ride or a 45 minute walk.

For Rio Tucanes it is recommended to use 9’ # 6 or 7 weight rods and a tropical floating line.  You need a good pair of wading/hiking, preferably high over the ankle to prevent injuries while wading over rocks.

Flies are typical baitfish imitations like Clousers, Half and Half, Deceivers, Gurglers, etc.

Rio Dorado

The Rio Dorado is the twin brother of Rio Tucanes and is also an absolute joy to fish.  Only accessible by intrepid anglers willing to hike for 3 hours in extreme heat, and is one of the jewels of the area.

Fishing License:

Following your arrival at Chime Lodge we will assist you in obtaining a local fishing license, which costs $ 80 per week or $ 100 per season. Make sure you have your driver’s license or passport ready (mandatory) to purchase the license.

You’ll receive the “FISHING GEAR PACKING LIST” when you book your trip through Fishermen’s Spot.

7 nights and 6 days fishing                                                          $3,950
3 nights and 2 1/2 days fishing                                                   $1,800
Guide service only (Juramento River) per day                             $550
Heli-Fishing Week (May only 7 nights 6 days fishing)                $5,950
Single occupancy supplement per day                                       $250

Double Occupancy
Two anglers per guide

Remember Fishermen’s Spot Travel services are always FREE to you!  You never pay more than what you would pay if you booked directly with the lodge.

What’s Included:

• All Meals
• Beverages (including Argentine Wines)
• Guides (one per two anglers)
• Ground transportation to and from the Salta airport and the fishing areas

 What’s Not Included:

• Airfare to and from Buenos Aires
• Domestic Air transfer between Buenos Aires and Salta Airport
• Fishing Licenses
• Personal expenses like international telephone calls, laundry, flies and rental equipment
• Gratuities for guides and staff

Gratuities:
It is recommended that you consider leaving a single tip at the end of your stay. The amount of any tip is for you to decide, of course, in your sole discretion. As a guideline, we suggest that you consider a gratuity of approximately 10% of the contract price for your trip. You are welcome to reward extraordinary service with a higher tip.

Dorado Lodge is conveniently located the transition zone between the high altitude Andes rand and the Amazon watershed within easy access to the best stretches of water on the famous Juramento River

To get there you must fly to Buenos Aires (EZE) and then take a domestic flight to Salta Airport.  The guides from Andes Outfitters will meet you upon arrival in Salta and transfer you to the lodge

Even though Dorado Lodge is a fishing-focused operation, there are a number of other activities in the area for non-anglers to enjoy, including horseback riding, bird watching (there are countless bird species in the area!), and hiking. The city of Salta is a great city to explore, walk, and shop.

• Train of the Clouds
• Wine tours
• San Antonio de los Cobres
• Valles Calchaquies