Fly Fishing for Dorado at Pira Lodge

Pira Lodge is the ultimate destination for to enjoy fly fishing for dorado. As the oldest and most experienced lodge it is unequalled in quality and location. Dorado are hunted from Hells Bay flats boats that negotiate the creeks lagoons and rivers found in our area. Most of the waterin this area is quite clear which is not the case with other Dorado destinations. You can see the dorado as it slashes your fly. The dorado is oddly part of the salmon family (salminus maxillosus). It is one of the best if not the best fighting warm water species I have seen. They all jump and fight longer and harder than another famous species the peacock bass.

Pira was built as a fly fishing lodge from the ground up to take advantage of this marshlands of the area. The lodge has 5 rooms and can accommodate up to 10 guests. The culture is more friendly than you can imagine. The food is typical Argentine fare with the best meats in the world with local produce that is fresh each day. The Iberá Marshland home to more than to hundreds of species of birds, mammals and reptiles, not to mention the incredible plant life through the marsh. Your guide can make sure you see all the wildlife in the area anytime you want a break from fishing.

The Lodging at Pira

Pirá is designed to provide its guests not only with a remarkable fly fishing experience, but also with maximum comfort. The lodge has only five bedrooms, each one of them fully air-conditioned, with two double beds and large bathrooms with double windows, which provide a peaceful space to unwind in a warm bath.

The rooms: French windows open out to the shaded veranda with easy access to our 20-meter pool and a beautiful view of the surrounding wilderness. In addition to the comfort of a spacious sitting room, with unique furniture crafted by local artisans, anglers will appreciate the convenience of a fly-tying table, and an on-site fly shop, fully equipped with flies, rods, reels and clothing.

The living and dining section of the lodge is a separate building connected to the rooms by covered walkway. Like teh bedrooms, the windows are usually open to views of the river and marsh. Gourmet dining with Argentina´s famed beef and fine wines, traditional “asados” (BBQ´s),f=local farm fresh produce and delicious regional and international cuisine desserts are a treat. Even though you are not coming for the food, it is equal in quality to the fishing. the bar, fully stocked with local spirits, contribute to create the setting for perfect moments at the end of a perfect day.

Food and Drink at Pira Lodge

Pira offers wonderful cuisine based on local meats, fresh vegetable and delicious
deserts. A traditional Asado (BBQ) will be held once during your stay, and you can sample different cuts of meat and wonderful salads. A full cooked breakfast is available, together with fresh fruit, yogurts, home baked breads and jams and a selection of cereals.

No trip to Argentina would be complete without tasting some of the fine wines produced here. Pira’s cellars feature a wonderful selection of fine wines from the Luigi Bosca Bodega, which will be served during lunch and dinner. If you are going to go fly fishing for dorado in the middle of nowhere, why not do it in style?

Electric Current
* 220 volts, 50 cycles, generator powered.
* a standard converter and European adapter for two pronged plug should work fine
throughout Argentina.
* The lodge has reliable electric power and back-up battery lighting.

Lodge Photos

Fly Fishing for Dorado at Pira Lodge

The fishing here at Pira Lodge is done on the Iberá Marshlands, one of the most fascinating wetlands in the world. 3,500,000 (that´s three million five hundred thousand) acres of unexplored and uninhabited marshland in the northeastern corner of Argentina will be the setting for some of the most exciting fishing you will ever do. The marsh is a vast system of non-polluted crystal-clear creeks, rivers, shallows, and lakes roughly 2.5 times bigger than the Florida Everglades and you will spend your days here in state-of-the-art Hell´s Bay flats skiffs exploring this enormous expanse.

The swamps are the home to more than 350 species of birds, 85 mammals and almost 70 reptiles, including major populations of Marsh Deer and South American Cayman.

For many years , one of Latin America´s most exciting game fish was kept a secret in its heartland. In the last few years, the golden DORADO, or “river tiger” as it is affectionately called in Argentina due to its impressive fighting spirit and jumping characteristics, has rocketed to the top of the hot fish list.

Read More About the Fishing

The freshwater Dorado belongs to the Salmon family. It is a hard fighting and acrobatic fish, well known for strong runs and relentless jumps. Throughout much of its range , the Dorado is caught in colored or murky waters and generally with heavy spinning tackle.

The establishment of Pirá lodge in the Iberá marshland has generated a new alternative, allowing for clear water fishing on light spinning tackle and on fly rods, with plenty of opportunity for sight casting. 7and 8 wt 9 foot rods are recommended, as well as floating and sinking heads. Traditional saltwater streamers and deceivers in black, purple chartreuse and white complete the required gear.

Fishing schedule: Fishing times vary depending on month and weather. A typical spring fishing day will start in the morning from 8:00 to 12:30, lunch at the lodge, and then afternoon fishing from 3:30 to 7:30.

Transport is provided from the lodge´s private dock to the fisheries in Hells Bay flat skiffs, fitted with VHF radios. Other activities available are bird watching, horseback riding and snorkeling. Pirá is a strictly CATCH AND RELEASE fishery.

Fishing Photo Gallery

Tackle & Gear

Here is a list of the basics you will need for your trip. Many of our destinations are pretty remote with no chance to buy things on site.

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Fly List

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Packing List

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Pira is in the very northeast corner of Argentina. You will need to fly to Buenos Aires and then you have 3 choices: (1)Take commercial flights to Corriente or Resistencia via domestic airlines out of Buenos Aires. The lodge will meet you at the airport for the 3.5 hour drive to the lodge (the price for ground transport is not included see below*). (2) Charter a flight from Buenos Aires to Pira’s airstrip. (3)Another comfortable alternative is the overnight sleeper bus out of Buenos Aires to Mercedes. This is about 1 hour from the lodge, (ground transportation in this case is included). Many people overnight in Buenos Aires the night before the trip start.

*Round Trip Ground transfers between Resistencia and Pira

1-3 people – $ 450 total
4-6 people – $ 900 total
7 or more – $1000 total

Fly Fishing for Dorado – The Seasons

Although fly fishing for dorado is possible year round, the fishing varies throughout the year. Pira operates in the prime season only from November to May. The Ibera area is subtropical, similar to northern Florida in the U.S.

The water levels start to drop by early fall, until the year lowest usually in August and September.

The first spring rains in late September or early October bring many small creeks back to life and most baitfish species start moving up into the tributaries to spawn, followed by the schools of Dorados.

In summer, December through February we find Dorados all over the area, in any type of faster water where they can ambush their prey.

In fall, March through May, the baitfish that spent the summer in swamped areas are forced into the rivers as waters recede, and Dorados are waiting for them in the places where this waters are poured back into the rivers. In winter and early spring, when the waters are the lowest and clearest, Dorados tend to concentrate in the rivers where they find the largest source of baitfish. It’s also the time when Dorados start to follow the large schools of mojarras to the upper rivers, where they spawn in late spring and summer.

Pira Lodge Photo Gallery

Please take a look at the  photo and video galleries related to fly fishing for dorado at Pira Lodge.

Fishing Photo Gallery

Lodge Photo Gallery

Scenic Photo Gallery

Video Gallery

Non-Fishing Activities at Pira Lodge

Pira Lodge is a beautiful facility with unmatched service, food and staffing. However, there are very little non fishing adventures here. So if your non fishing member of your group would enjoy the marsch, the bird and wildlife found while e out on the boat they will have an awesome time out with you on the water. Otherwise please beware that there may be more appealing places for your non fishing friends and family.

Travel Hints for Pira Lodge

Air:
You will need to fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE) then take ground transportation – or charter air transportation to Pira.

Flights and Timing:
Most flights to Argentina are overnight flights arriving early in the AM the following day. From BA you have three choices: (1)Take commercial flights to Corriente via domestic airlines out of Buenos Aires. The lodge will meet you at the airport for the 3.5 hour drive to the lodge. (2) Charter a flight from Buenos Aires to Pira’s airstrip. (3) Another comfortable alternative is the overnight first class sleeper bus out of Buenos Aires to Mercedes. This is about 90 minutes from the lodge. I recommend the overnight first class bus.

Passports and Visas
A visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days. Traveler must be in possession of a passport valid for 6 months beyond stay and a round-trip airline ticket. A visa may be required if trip purpose is other than basic business meetings.

Passport Requirements:
Original, signed passport valid for 6 months beyond stay, and with at least one blank visa page available for visa stamp(s).
2Proof Of Departure:
Confirmed round-trip or onward airline ticket.

Special Instructions:
US citizens must pay a “reciprocity fee” to enter Argentina. This is not a visa, since a visa is not required for US business and tourist visitors. It is a fee based upon the fees that Argentinian citizens pay for a visa to the United States. The fee amount will be subject to change.

The National Immigration Agency (Direccion Nacional de Migraciones) has added a new online form of payment of this reciprocity fee (visitor visa- rate for Americans of USD $160), through the Provincia Payment System. Online payment may now be made in advance for arrival at all airports.

How to pay the reciprocity fee on-line:
Enter the web site https://virtual.provinciapagos.com.ar/ArgentineTaxes/ and register to start the process.
Complete the form with the corresponding personal and credit card information.
Print the payment receipt.
On arrival in Argentina, this printed receipt must be presented at Immigration Control. The receipt will be scanned by the Immigration officials, the information will be checked, and the traveler’s entry to the country registered.

Effective October 31, 2012 for arrivals to Aeroparque and effective December 28, 2012 for arrivals to Ezeiza International airport, all U.S. tourist or business visitors must pay the reciprocity rates (USD $160 for Americans) with their credit card through the on-line system. After these dates, cash payments will NOT be accepted at the airports.