Dorado - The Tiger of the Rivers

The dorado (salminus maxillosus) is a fish native from Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay.The dorado is the most beautiful fish that dwells in the waters of the Paraná River and some other rivers of the north side of Argentina such as the Juramento River and the Dulce River.Baptized as the "tiger of the rivers", its mood and hunting voracity at the time of getting food are the perfect base for its well-deserved nickname. There is not a more fighting species in sport fishing. Owner of impressive teeth, once hooked, the dorado starts to make big acrobatic jumps that increase the level of excitement in this kind of fishing. The fight against this large fish usually lasts long minutes of tension and adrenaline. The fishing of the dorado is considered as one of the best worldwide.Dorado are exceptionally strong swimmers. They typically range in size from 5 to 10 pounds. In some fisheries, twenty pounders are common. Although the current IGFA all-tackle record is 51 pounds, giants of up to 70 pounds have been recorded. Their intense, almost radiant, golden color is marked with holographic black horizontal stripes. Conventional gear for big dorado is virtually the same as that used for trophy peacock bass (although a wire leader is essential).Fly fishermen are best equipped with an 8-9-weight fly rod and either a 200 to 300 grain, 24-foot sink tip line or a full floating line depending upon water conditions. A heavy steel leader is a must, as these fish will chew through any kind of monofilament as though it were sewing thread! Dorado take a variety of streamers, sliders and even Atlantic salmon-style Bombers during ideal conditions (tied on 3/0 to 6/0, heavy, long shank hooks).

ARGENTINA

GETTING TO ARGENTINA All airlines flying to Argentina arrive mainly at Ezeiza (“Ministro Pistarini”) International Airport, which is 37 Km away from the City of Buenos Aires. You can reach the city by Teniente General Ricchieri freeway (Information: Tel. 5480-6111). Please note that when leaving the country, a US$ 18 tax must be paid. Company Manuel Tienda León (Av. Madero and San Martín, Tel. 4315-5115) offers a bus service from 5.00 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. This service costs between $ 25 and $ 27 (Argentine pesos), and the trip takes approximately 40 minutes. There are also taxis and chauffeur-driven rented cars (from $ 53 to $ 72). WHEN TO TRAVEL Remember that in the southern hemisphere seasons are the opposite to those in the northern hemisphere. In general, the summer is the best time to visit Patagonia and the Southern Andes because of the mild temperatures and long days. Wintertime is recommended for travelling to the North and Northwest as rains are less frequent and tropical temperatures drop a few degrees. Autumn and spring are marvelous in Buenos Aires, Cuyo and the pre-mountain range areas of La Rioja and Catamarca.

The fishing season in Patagonia goes from November to May. GETTING AROUND By PlaneDue to the country’s large size, planes are best to travel long distances, and you can then take overland transportation to get to your final destination. Buying Airpass Visit Argentina in your own country, you’ll obtain more economical prices for flights within Argentina. Aerolíneas Argentinas / Austral, LADE and LAN Argentina operate domestic flights. Domestic flights and flights to Uruguay depart from Jorge Newbery Airport, located to the north of the city beside the Río de la Plata. Airport taxes range from $ 7.05 to U$S 8.

PATAGONIA

The Andes mountain range shows its beauty in the Patagonian provinces. Millennial silent forests with native vegetable species are extended along the shores of glistening waters. On top of the mountains, nature overflows with granite peaks and ice fields spreading their glacier tongues into lakes of unsurpassable beauty. Imposing mammals and sea birds, half-way between real life and fantasy, spend certain seasons on the rough coasts of Patagonia where they complete part of their life cycle. Seals colonies play on the islets and sandbanks. The world’s most important southern elephant seal continental colony is located in Peninsula Valdés. Every year, southern right whales come to Nuevo and San José gulfs to breed. Patagonian hares, “ñandúes” (South American ostrich) and “guanacos” run about the steppes, and the largest colony of Magellanic penguins in the world is located in Punta Tombo. This life cycle repeated since time immemorial, unfolds itself in front of the astonished visitors’ eyes. In the south, Tierra del Fuego and the World’s southernmost city, Ushuaia, are the gateway towards the vast and mysterious Antarctica.

Malleo River - Junin de los Andes - Patagonia Argentina

It was the first week of November of some years ago, it was going to be my first fly fishing trip to Patagonia Argentina with all the feelings that represents: nerves, last moments runs t buy the things I needed. I spent the whole winter tying my first flies and analyzing all the possible places of fishing. After many advices from other fly fishermen I decided the best place to go was Junin de los Andes in the Neuquen province. Junin the los Andes is for a fisherman what Mendoza represents for the Malbecs Lovers. Near this small city we can find the most famous rivers of Northern Patagonia such as the Malleo, the Chimehuin (and its world famous “Boca”), the Collon Cura and the Alumine among others. Lakes such as the Huechulaufquen, Tromen and Curruhue gives us the opportunity to fish in quite waters and enjoy the beuty of the environment. In this opportunity I had arranged with a local guide to do my first cast in the Malleo. The Malleo river is born in the Tromen lake and after crossing 60 km it finishes in the Alumine River. It is an middle size river and has like great advantage the great amount of public accesses what allows to fish almost all the river in an easy, comfortable and safe way. The landscape that welcomes me that cold mourning I have it between my best memories. A cleared day, the celestial sky without even a cloud, and the Lanin covered of snow in all its splendor contrasting with the green grass and great willows that finished in a river of crystalline waters. From that day the Malleo became not only a stop in my fly fishing trips, but a constant part of my pleasing memories and my life itself. Talking about fishing, The Malleo River surprise us every year with the quality of fishes Catching some fishes that surprises us with their sizes and with the techniques we use. Don´t you expect trouts bigger than 4 kg but I can assure you that a brown trout of 3 kg Attacking a grass hopper tied to a 5X tippet in 50 cm of water depth is something difficult to forget. This river is recommended to all levels of fly fishers, to the ones they had never cast and to the ones with 30 years of experience who loves subtle fishing. About the tecniques we can concluded that you can fish this river all season with #2 to #5 rods, floating lines or sometimes a sinking leader to get to a deeper place. This river is special to use dry flies (adams, caddis, stimulator, royal Wulf, among others) and ninphs such us prince BH, Pheasant Tail, Hear´s Ears.