What are the top reasons to go?
- Target true trophy fish in the 20- to 40-pound class
- Enjoy exceptional meals and warm-hearted professional service
- Take advantage of provided equipment with advance notice
- Enjoy great meals and quality air conditioned accommodations, as well as a pool
- Fish with skilled English-speaking guides
Who is best suited to this destination? This trip is best suited to intermediate to advanced anglers that are not overly focused on numbers of fish landed per day. Guests should be prepared to make a lot of casts using an 8-weight rod and large flies in warm weather. Dorado will reward anglers with good casting skills, although long casts are not necessary to fish effectively. Guests should expect to have lower catch rates but the chance a true trophy.
Where is the lodge? Itati Lodge is in the upper Parana River in the Corrientes Province of northern Argentina.
How do I get there? For full week packages, the outfitters operate a private charter from Buenos Aires and land 20 minutes from the lodge. Guests can also fly into Corrientes or Resistencia and ground transfer to the lodge.
When should I go? The peak season runs from October through May. Summer (December – February) can be quite warm but also provide increased opportunities to fish for other omnivorous fish species as well, including pacu and pira pita.
How will I fish? All fishing is done from skiffs utilizing a push pole or electric motor. Anglers cast towards structure, underwater rocks, logs, side channels, pools, and inlets to find likely holding water where dorado wait to ambush their prey.
Guests will fish two at a time and cast large streamers on floating lines. Sometimes guests will fish intermediate clear tip sinking lines, especially in clear water conditions.
Is there wade fishing? No.
Where will I fish? Guests will fish the upper Parana River, a large tailwater system that drains from Brazil into Argentina and provides an opportunity for trophy dorado. This destination is also possible to combine with La Alondra’I and Jetu’u for split week dorado fishing at two different dorado venues that give more opportunities for smaller dorado.
How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? At Itati Lodge, the boats are parked right in front of the lodge, and it takes between 5 and 45-minutes to reach the fishing grounds.
What type(s) of fish will I catch? Golden dorado is the primary species, but pira pita and pacu are also available.
How many fish will I catch? Golden dorado are not a numbers fishery, and it is best to expect modest numbers of landed fish each day. Anglers should be prepared for lots of casting and be attentive and ready to capitalize on every strike with a solid hookset. Anglers with a strong saltwater strip set will be rewarded.
The upper Parana is a trophy fishery with big rewards. Having five good opportunities a day is a great day. Solidly hooking one fish per day in the upper Parana is a success, and landing one or more is an accomplishment to be proud of.
Will I see other anglers? It is likely that you will see other anglers, as the upper Parana has traffic from other anglers and recreational boats.
What are the guides like? The guides all speak English and are hardworking, professional, and experienced. They are passionate about dorado and work hard to provide guests with the best opportunities at shots on the river.
What are the physical demands? You will be casting repeatedly with a single hand 8-weight from a boat and the weather can be very warm.
Are there any special skills required? Long casts are not required, but an accurate 60-foot cast close to the structure will benefit the angler and result in more opportunities. A good saltwater-style strip-set, and good double haul are also very helpful.
Does the lodge provide equipment? Yes. All flies and terminal tackle are included, and fishing gear is available for guests if needed with advance notice.
What is your favorite setup for the trip? Any high-quality fast action 8-weight rod and a reel with a strong drag and a tropical weight forward floating line.
What are the top flies? Any fly that is big and moves water, whether subsurface or floating, will work. The top dorado wet-fly pattern is a 6-inch-long Deceiver-style fly, with a bead chain eye and a sparse bucktail collar tied on a stout, straight eye, wide-gap Big Game hook in sizes 4/0 – 6/0. The guides here prefer this fly as an unweighted pattern over the more common Andino Deceiver, which has a larger muddler head and lead eyes.
What are the options if water conditions become challenging? It is rare that water conditions will prevent anglers from fishing. The upper Parana above the confluence with the Paraguay River is a tailwater and fishable 99% of the time.
What is a typical day like? Anglers fish in two split sessions with a long mid-day break for lunch and a siesta. The fishing schedule will change throughout the season based on timing of the sunrise and sunsets, and to take advantage of the optimal temperatures to target dorado.
What is the general vibe, atmosphere and style of the lodge? The general vibe is very relaxed. You feel like you are with family that wants to make sure you are having a great time. They do a wonderful job of making sure you know that this is your vacation, and they are happy to accommodate you in any way they can. They also take every opportunity to make the trip special, doing things like lunch or dinners on the beach and bringing in local singers and dancers.
Is there an on-site owner, manager or other point-person at the lodge? Yes, there is always a point person onsite at each location.
Where do we eat, and what are the meals like? There is a chef and meals are thoughtfully prepared and feature classic Argentine cuisine.
What is the alcohol policy? Alcohol is included in the package and guests are welcome to bring their own favorite spirit if they like.
Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? Itati Lodge is a traditional estancia on the banks of the Upper Parana River. The lodge features five double occupancy rooms with air conditioning and ensuite bathrooms. They only take eight anglers per week.
Is there internet and/or cell service? Itati Lodge has cell coverage and wireless internet.
Are there other activities? This is a fishing focused destination.
Are there any other expenses? No.
Do I need a visa? No.
Are there any health concerns, dangers or annoyances? There are mosquitos during some months, but typically only for 30 minutes during the evening.
We recommend that guests always consult with the U.S. Department of State and the Center For Disease Control websites for general travel information and guidelines.
