La Alondra'i

La Alondra’i is a unique multi-faceted Argentine dorado fishing program based out of the understated yet elegant La Alondra’i Lodge. This is one of the most unique, authentic, and appealing lodges imaginable and always receives rave reviews. The program focuses on top-water fishing for dorado in the 5-to 20-pound class in the lodge’s exclusive-use waters within the famous Iberá Wetlands.  In addition to multiple nights at the main lodge, guests will also experience two rustic camping style overnights at two pre-set camps deep within the most remote reaches of the marsh. When it come culture, wilderness, wildlife, great guides, and high catch rates, this is trip has it all.

All fishing is done from skiffs where your English speaking guide will utilize both a push pole and an electric motor to position the boat. Anglers cast towards structure, underwater rocks, logs, side channels, pools, and inlets targeting likely holding water where dorado ambush their prey.

In the wetlands, most fishing is done with a weight forward floating tropical line, and 85% of the time anglers fish surface patterns. Typically, one angler fishes from the bow of the boat with anglers rotating turns on the casting deck at each location.

La Alondra’i is located in a small, rural, culturally rich, agrarian town where the sight of locals riding horseback along the sand streets is common.  The outside of the lodge is non-descript, but upon entering you find an attractive, comfortable and utterly authentic lodge with a great sense of place and a welcoming staff. There are four double occupancy rooms with air conditioning and ensuite bathrooms and they take up to eight anglers per week. Guests stay at this lodge all the nights of their stay with the exception of the two overnights at the marsh out-camps.  

The two satellite camps in the marsh each take up to four anglers and provide a special opportunity to immerse yourself in the marsh’s unique ecosystem.  Groups of four stay one night at each camp and rotate on nights two and three.

The Iberá Ruguá camp is a small, rustic, comfortable cabin that has electric power and hot water for showers. Yaguarté Abá is a basic nylon tented camp on a wooden platform and has electric power and hot water showers.

Day 1: Charter flight from Buenos Aires directly to La Alondra’i. Overnight at La Alondra’i.

Days 2 - 7: Full days fishing in the Iberá Wetlands, with two overnights at satellite camps in the Iberá Wetlands.

Day 8: Charter flight from La Alondra’i directly to Buenos Aires.

2024/25 Rate: Per person based on double occupancy

7 night/6 day package: $8,350

Included: Charter flights between lodges and Buenos Aires, guided fishing, accommodations, all meals and beverages, including beer, wine and alcohol, ground transfers to charter flight airports, fishing license, flies, and equipment

Not Included: International flights, laundry, staff and guide gratuities

Species: Freshwater dorado, pacu, pira pita

Capacity: 8 anglers

What are the top reasons to go?

• Fish exclusive national park waters in the Iberá Wetlands from two rustic and remote out-camps.
• Stay in a boutique lodge in a small village and multiple camps inside the park
• Enjoy exceptional meals and warm-hearted profession service
• Target dorado in the 5-to 20-pound range often using topwater flies.

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.

Where is the lodge? This program combines a lodge near the Iberá Wetlands with three remote satellite camps deep in the wetlands.

How do I get there? Depending on the program chosen guests will fly to Corrientes or Resistencia and then drive approx. three hours to the lodge. Charter flights directly to the lodge from Buenos Aries will be available for some trips that combine multiple lodges.

When should I go? The season runs from September through May. Our favorite times for this destination are Mid September – Mid December and March and April. 

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.

Most fishing is done with a weight forward floating tropical line, and 85% of the time anglers fish surface patterns. Typically, one angler fishes from the bow of the boat and anglers rotate at each location.

Is there wade fishing? No this is a boat based fishery.

Where will I fish? You fish in the Iberá Wetlands, one of the world’s largest freshwater marshlands. Guests overnight at two remote camps enabling them to get into the most remote reaches of the wetlands. 

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? A unique feature of the marshland program is the ability to stay at remote camps that enable anglers to stay on the water longer and fish the best times of day including mornings and sunsets. For this portion of the trip guests will be fishing as they travel into the wetlands, meaning there won’t be many long runs without fishing.

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 wary and illusive, 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.

Anglers can expect to have 10 – 15 opportunities per day in the wetlands of fish in the 5-to 20-pound class and hope to land about a third of them.

Will I see other anglers? No, you will only see the other guests from the lodge. 

What are the guides like? The guides all speak English and are hardworking, professional, and experienced.

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 accurate casts 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.

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 wetlands are rain-fed and typically have fishable conditions, but drought conditions may limit accessibility to the wetlands and the outfitters have the unique opportunity to move guests between three distinct dorado venues if you are unable to fish in Ibera.

What is a typical day like? In the marsh you typically depart for fishing at around 8:00AM and spend the whole day (including lunch) on the water.

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 sundowners 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 at the lodge and all camps have a chef. 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? La Alondra’i is located in a culturally rich town with people going to work on horseback along sand streets. The outside of the lodge is non-descript, but upon entering you find a well-appointed interior with a great sense of place and a welcoming staff. There are four double occupancy rooms with air conditioning and ensuite bathrooms and they take up to eight anglers per week.

There are also two remote satellite camps in the marsh that each take up to four anglers and provide a special opportunity to immerse yourself in the marsh’s unique ecosystem. Groups of four stay one night at each camp and rotate on nights two and three.

The Iberá Ruguá camp is a small and rustic, yet comfortable cabin that has electric power and hot water for showers.

Yaguarté Abá is a tented camp on a wooden platform and has electric power and hot water showers.

Is there internet and/or cell service? La Alondra’i and Itati Lodge both have cell coverage and wireless internet, and the remote marsh camps only have limited cell coverage.

Are there other activities? Horses are a way of life in this part of Argentina and the region’s gauchos are some of the most famous in the world. Guests that do not fish can go horseback riding and swimming with horses in the marsh.

Birdwatching and wildlife viewing are also available. There are many endemic animals to the marshland such as ant eaters, long neck foxes, and the elusive jaguar.

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.