Just as things were getting uncomfortably cold around here in January, we embarked on a hosted trip and an adventure to the other side of the planet. Argentina, where our January is their July, is one of my favorite fly fishing destinations. Better known as a trout fisher's paradise, I planned a return trip to chase the region's Golden Dorado; a migratory apex predator that eats giant streamers and spends a fair amount of time airborne when hooked. Lots of fun on a fly rod for sure!
With a group of long time friends and clients, we decided to explore a small piece the 3 million acre Provincial Park known as the
Ibera Marsh and it's adjoining
Corrientes River in far northeast corner of this massive country. Referred to as the Everglades of Argentina (only much much bigger) the Esteros del Ibera wetlands are mostly unexplored and wild. Home to unimaginable varieties of birds, flowering pants, technicolor dragonflies, to over 140 species of fish and to more reptiles and Capybara that one can count. The setting was worth the long trip by itself and made a spectacular background to the weeks fishing. (FYI if you are a birder - put this on your list)
The
Pira Lodge, where we stayed, is an absolutely wonderful upscale fly fishing lodge owned and operated by the Nervous Waters Group out of Argentina. They have created a spectacularly comfortable home base in truly wild and remote part of the world.
The accommodations were comfortable and spacious. The rooms all had
comfortable double beds, a/c, spacious bathrooms and everything one
needs to relax. The bar, great room and dining facilities were
rustically elegant and made it easy for the group to spend quality time
together, yet offered plenty of space to spread out and find solitude if
desired.
The food was spectacular and obviously is a focal point of all
Nervous Waters operations. Do not plan on losing any weight down
here! Wonderful appetizers before lunch and dinner, paired wines and
deserts to order. They have wonderful chefs - not camp cooks..... I guess
if you are a vegetarian, you might struggle with the food a bit,
but from my perspective, meat and lots side dishes is good living.
The guides are professionals with a knowledge and genuine understanding
of the area and of the species found here. Top notch, really
friendly and interesting people as well! The entire staff are first
rate and really strive to provide their guests "A higher form of
fishing". This is the 3rd Nervous Waters Property which we will now
act as booking agent for and a destination you should put on your bucket
list.
(Stephan Dombaj© FFNMEDIA photos)
It was easy to forget how remote of a location this place is when all of the comforts of home and then some were at your disposal. A mere 150 yards out the back door of our rooms was the dock that housed 5 perfect flats skiffs equipped with 40 HP outboards. Normally associated with "flats fishing" the skiffs were a fantastic bonus here at Pira - and provided access to and comfortable fishing conditions at each day's fishing destination!
(Stephan Dombaj© FFNMEDIA photos)
About the Fishing:
This area is not know for monster dorado. If you are looking for the giant 20-40 lb and much larger fish, the Parana River, or Bolivian watersheds are a better bet. This place is know for "smaller" quarry, if you consider 5-10 lb "small". We experience dorados from the 2- 15 pound range, and can promise you that a 7-10 lb fish on a 6 or 7 wt is one that you will not forget any time soon.
For me, the appeal of fishing here is that you have access to 2 very distinct fisheries (marsh or open river), can use lighter tackle (6-8 wts), see a decent variety of species of fish, and generally encounter larger numbers of dorado. I almost hesitate to talk about numbers of fish as the dorado are a migratory species, and a moody one at that, but the numbers tend to be higher here than other Dorado fisheries. I have fished other ares/rivers where 1 to 4 fish a day is considered a great day. Our experience here was unusually good and much more productive than I had experienced before (lucky timing).
Fishing consists of two very different options on a daily basis: Look for "bigger" fish in the Corrientes River or fish the maze of marshes for more visual and targeted structure fishery. A right turn from the dock put you on the way to the maze of channels and ponds that comprise the "marsh". A left turn got you started towards the open Corrientes River.
The Corrientes River:
The fishing technique in the open 50-100" wide river was very similar to swinging for steelhead. You basically cast 275-300 grain sinking lines with a 7 or 8 wt rod towards the opposite bank, and swung 5-7" streamers. The guides "polled" their flats skiffs up and down deep banks and helped us cover water wher we often found groups of active fish. Once located, we all became instantly addicted to "the tug" or less than subtle "strike". The average fish jumped soon and often, and the teeth on these fish did grievous harm to flies and wire leaders!
(bigger water sometimes meant bigger fish. Mike, Andy and Jimmy Prybylo)
Ibera Marsh Fishing:
The marsh fishing usually consisted of throwing 6 and 7 wts with floating lines and slightly smaller streamers to structure and places that looked "fishy". I can't tell you which I preferred as both were awesome!
Strip sets were essential to hook the toothy fish, and 30-40 lb mono tipped with 30 to 40 wire did the trick.
(Mike Froy and Andy with some nice swamp donks!)
Getting around in the marsh was half of the fun! None of us could understand how the guides didn't get lost in the hundreds of very similar cuts, channels and narrow passages. You really appreciate the navigation skills of the guides when zipping around here
In addition to dorado, the group caught at least 7 or 8 other species of fish. Unfortunately, the piranha (yes - the other really toothy fish) is also a migratory species and they were around in droves this particular week! It was a task some days to keep them away from your flies - and we all went through hundreds of flies . Our group caught Surubi Catfish, two types of Pira Pita, multiple species of the dreaded piranha.....
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| Dennis with large Surbi Catfish |
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| Pira Pita |
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| One of the hundreds of piranhas |
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| Golden Pira Pita |
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| Fly destroying teeth |
Sometimes, the stars and planets align perfectly and plans just work out better than expected. This trip was one of those times! Thanks to the staff , the chefs and guides (Jose, Fabian, Jose the younger and Francois ) of Pira Lodge for a wonderful week!
I'm finishing with a few random shots from our stay - enjoy! If you have any interest is joining us next year or want to plan a trip on your own or with some friends, call me and I would be happy to assist!
Thanks
Andy Kurkulis
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| Spectacular sunsets every evening |
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| Fishing in a flower garden |
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| Air time! Francois Botha photo from day 2 |
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| Always cocktail hour |
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| Snacks before lunch |
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| Before and after shot - short life expectancy for flies down here..... |
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| Chip getting it done in the rain |
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| On of the hundreds of blooms seen everywhere one looked |
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| The evening bite |
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| Capybara (Stephan Dombaj© FFNMEDIA photos) |
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| Caymen (Stephan Dombaj© FFNMEDIA photos) |
All photos taken the week of Jan 14, 2018 by Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters or as credited
