Karandá Lodge

This section of the Paraná River is a land of plenty when it comes to varied fish-holding structures. From downed logs and steep cut-banks to sandbars and deep edges, it has it all.

When targeting Dorado in woody structures, we typically use full-floating or intermediate-sinking lines to swing flies in and around the obstructions. Although mends are sometimes needed to alter the speed or depth of the swing, the trick is to always maintain control of the line, keeping in constant, direct contact with your fly. Another effective tactic is to slap the fly close to the structure. The “noise” or “commotion” on the water’s surface is often enough to wake up a dormant Dorado and prompt it to aggressively move for the fly.

In the lagoons, bays, and smaller black-water (tannin-colored) side channels the fish can be warrier and when that’s the case, it’s best to present the fly gently. If there are baitfish around, on the other hand, it’s more about stripping and ripping the fly in order to provoke a strike.

The final key to the puzzle of the middle Paraná is its abundant sandbars, where we find some of the river’s best sight-fishing. These zones can be explored on foot or by boat, depending on where the Dorado are patrolling. To avoid spooking fish in skinnier water, floating lines and long leaders are the norms here. Depending on the situation, these cruising Dorado can be spooky, or they can shed all inhibitions and get crazy during a feeding frenzy. Fish can be found in singles, pairs, and schools, and where the water clarity is good you’ll see them. In deeper water scenarios, the game changes, and reading the water and covering it thoroughly become essential to success.

The sandbar edges can be fished with floating or sinking lines. Large Dorado are often found either prowling these areas or lying in wait in the shadows, ready to ambush incoming baitfish. Dorado are one of the most exciting species anglers can catch on a fly, and this is the best section of the Paraná to land a monster during our spring season. You’ll also find good sight-fishing opportunities when our Dorado are located on the river’s banks, where they ambush cruising sábalo. Guests will be fishing mostly from our new fleet of 21-foot Skiffs. The custom designs have two decks (one on the front, another one on the back), so both anglers can fish simultaneously.

The Paraná is a structure-rich river system. Most of the time we “drift” the boats with trolling motors in order to cover as much water as possible—from sunken logs and boulder gardens to small bays and side channels. Other times, the fish are concentrated on sandbanks, where they corral baitfish. If this is the case, we’ll often drift-fish the sand zones or wade in search of action on foot. Your Karandá Lodge guides are trained, professional, shallow-water specialists. All will be able to offer tips on how to best fish each area, as well as which fly and presentation should work best depending on the conditions. Do follow their advice; they are a first-class team with an impressive knowledge of Dorado fishing. They are there to make your fishing more productive and enjoyable.

Our fishing schedule stays consistent throughout our season featuring two fishing sessions per day, one in the morning and the other following lunch and a siesta at the lodge dependent on the weather and other seasonal factors.

Every morning at Karandá Lodge starts with a hot, fresh breakfast in our private dining room. Then, around 8:30 AM, we take a short 2-minute walk down to the dock, where our custom skiffs are waiting to embark for the day’s fishing action. We will fish all morning, and then have a hot lunch on the shores of the Paraná, prepared by your guides, and, of course, paired with Argentine wines and local beer. After lunch, we’ll head back out, fishing until sunset when we return to the lodge for aperitifs, followed by dinner and drinks.

The freshwater Golden Dorado (Salminus brasiliensis), totally unrelated to the saltwater Dorado (also known as Mahi-mahi or Dolphin), represents the apex of the Charasin family of fish in terms of sport fishing opportunities. Aggressive eaters and active jumpers, these fish are an angler’s delight.

Our guides have been exploring the area and Dorado fishing itself for more years than most. Do follow their advice, it will maximize your enjoyment of this incredible fighting fish. Although the Golden Dorado is one of the most exciting game-fish to catch, there is very little written about fly fishing for dorado. Its complex feeding regime and migratory nature ensure a challenging and rewarding fishing opportunity for both expert and entry-level anglers.Golden Dorado are strong and acrobatic, and their pursuit is often more about quality experiences than a numbers game.