Trip Summary

Trip Introduction

GOLD awaits adventurous anglers at the Argentine-Uruguayan border. We reckon its the the best Golden Dorado fishing on the planet!

Strike Gold: Unleash Your Inner Dorado Pro on the Uruguay River!

Calling all adventurous anglers! Are you ready to experience the ultimate Dorado fishery? Look no further than the legendary waters of "La Zona" (The Zone), nestled on the Argentine-Uruguayan border. Here, where the mighty Uruguay River roars downstream from the Salto Grande Dam, lies a hidden gem – arguably the best Golden Dorado fishing on the planet!

Dorado Fever: The Golden Dorado, a freshwater powerhouse, has ignited a global "gold fever" amongst anglers. Those fortunate enough to have battled these magnificent fish return with tales of epic battles, leaving countless others yearning for their chance to "prospect" for Dorado under the shadow of the Salto Grande dam.

A Well-Deserved Reputation:

Since its discovery, La Zona has earned a legendary reputation as the undisputed champion of trophy Dorado fishing woith fish to over 65lbs! Hundreds of anglers from across the globe have flocked to experience this extraordinary tailrace fishery, and all sing its praises. Here, dreams of battling the largest freshwater Dorado in the whole of South America become reality.

A Mystical Adventure: La Zona is more than just a fishing destination; it's an almost mystical experience. This protected and exclusive area on the Uruguay River offers a chance to connect with nature's power and witness the Dorado's legendary fighting spirit.

Are you ready to strike gold? Book your Dorado fishing adventure in La Zona today and experience the thrill of a lifetime!

The Fishing

Unleash the Dorado Fury: Where Giants Roam the River

La Zona – A Restricted Paradise:

The heart of the Dorado action lies within a tightly controlled half-mile stretch of the Uruguay River, just downstream from the Salto Grande Dam. This exclusive zone, extending from the Argentine to the Uruguayan banks, is where Dorado legends are born.

A Feast for Giants: The mighty dam acts as a magnet for these magnificent fish. Dorados congregate in these waters, drawn by the abundance of baitfish, especially Sabalo, washed down from the spillway. However, this paradise comes with a twist.

Turbulent Tides: The currents near the dam can be intense, turning the river into a raging torrent when the turbines are operational. During these periods, the churning water creates a dynamic and challenging fishing environment.

Prime Time for Dorado: The fastest currents, produced when the turbines are open, often coincide with the most productive fishing. Get ready for a six-hour adrenaline rush as you battle these ferocious fish that can reach over 65lbs!

Where Legends Are Made: Many anglers from all over the world have experienced the awe-inspiring size of the Dorado found in La Zona. Here, 20-pound fish are considered average, and many anglers have the privilege of battling Dorado exceeding a staggering 50 pounds.

This is your chance to join the privileged few. Book your Dorado fishing adventure in La Zona today and experience the fight of a lifetime!

Depending on the depth of the water and current flow, the ferocious dorado can be taken on surface lures, ranging from poppers to propeller baits; to subsurface jerkbaits, spoons and jigs and will also aggressively take flies.

The Golden Dorado, often called the ‘River Tiger’, (Salminus maxillosus) is rapidly becoming one of the most prized fresh water sport fish species in the world.

This aggressive and powerful migratory gamefish is constantly on the prowl for schools of baitfish to ravage and this makes them susceptible to both lure and fly angler alike. Its scientific name is broken down as follows: Salminus refers to trout-like and brasiliensis makes reference to the country where the first scientist found and described this species, on the Parana River basin.

The Dorado is primarily a piscavore, meaning that its primary diet is other fish. One of the Dorado’s favorite prey species is the Sabalo, a schooling fish weighing two to six pounds. It is also cannibalistic and will attack smaller Dorados as well. The Dorado, therefore, will readily attack an assortment of lures and flies that resemble large, fleeing forage species.

The aggressive nature of the Dorado, its spectacular leaping ability, fantastic strength and stamina has created the ultimate freshwater gamefish.

Since this area became available to anglers, literally scores of fish exceeding the largest caught IGFA record have been caught. One particular fish caught by Angling Report subscriber Darden Daniel weighed a mind-boggling 61.6lb. However, Amazon-Angler.com’s own client Andrei Bylchynski caught a fish back in December 2013 estimated by three separate La Zona guides as exceeding this and weighing between 63-65lbs. The gigantic fish bottomed out the 60lb boga grip, but was released at the boat immediately.

What keeps things exciting is the surface behaviour of the Dorado. There is almost always something happening on the surface, if not on the part of large fish, then on the part of school after school of smaller fish that slam into baitfish near the dam. The feeding frenzy is reminiscent of that displayed by Tuna in the open ocean.

Not only does the Dorado possess teeth sharp enough to puncture through plastic lures, and strike a lure or fly with a ferocity of a much larger saltwater gamefish, but it also performs aerial gyrations that are more reminiscent of acrobatic saltwater species. Interspersed between these high flying leaps are long, drag-screeching runs.

The Accommodation

Travel Plan