About the Lodge
Fly Fishing Dorado
The beautiful estancia of Pirá Lodge, located in heart Northern Argentina’s Ibera Marshland, gives anglers front-door access to one of the most pristine ecological preserves in the world. This river and marsh system is more than twice the size of Florida’s Everglades National Park and it is every bit as wild.
The marsh teems not only with incredible migratory birds, caiman, capybara and marsh deer, but is Argentina’s gold standard for its Dorado fishery. You would be hard pressed to find a more breathtaking place to stand on the bow of a flats skiff, casting streamers, mice and poppers for fish such as these.
These golden predators are acrobatic and eat a fly like they are out to kill. From sight-fishing the labyrinth of the marsh’s headwaters to exploring the lower reaches of the Corrientes River, every day is a new adventure.
Off the water, Pirá Lodge is equally impressive and inspiring. This architectural treasure has long been a haven for those in search of comfort, fine dining and authentic Argentine hospitality. A country riverside experience with a wonderful touch of elegance.
The Fishing
Dorado fishing at Pirá takes place in one of the planet’s largest ecological preserve. It’s lush and wild. The marsh “floating grass” islands are always shifting and moving, making the marsh truly alive and dynamic.
The fishery can be divided into two hemispheres: the Marsh as the headwaters, and the Corrientes River located downstream of the Lodge. You’ll be provided the opportunity to explore both of these these two distinctly different environments and learn the various waters for chasing dorado.
The intricate Marsh is comprised of streams, lagoons, and side-channels. Big Dorado annually push into this skinny-water utopia. Here, we typically fish from the bow of our Hell’s Bay skiffs, one angler at a time. When water conditions are low, there can be great wade-fishing opportunities.
The stunning Corriente River is the perfect set up swinging and stripping streamers from the banks of the river. In the deeper pools, sinking lines are used, but intermediate and floating lines can work as well. The average fish ranges from 4 to 8lbs, but many are caught over 10 lbs. all the way to 20+ lbs. Last season ́s biggest dorado weighed in at 27.5 lbs. on the scales.
We fish a variety of flies from mouse patterns to streamers. This spectacular ecosystem is brimming with wildlife and is one of the most productive environments for Dorado in all of Argentina.
Facilities & Services
- Capacity: 10 rods, 13 guests
- Rooms: 5 in-suite bedrooms fully air-conditioned and a cottage with 2 rooms and a shared bathroom.
- The Main House boasts a large dining room, spacious sitting room, full bar, fly-tying table, and a long shaded verandah with hammocks.
- Large beautiful salt water pool for cooling off on those hot days.
- Wifi and Telephone Available
- Gourmet Dining with Argentina’s famed beef and fine wines, traditional Asados (BBQs), and delicious desserts served with a myriad of various delicious local wines.
- Maid and Laundry Service
- Fly Shop fully equipped with flies, rods, reels, lines, and apparel.
- Free Loaner Fly Fish Equipment
Location
Pirá Lodge is strategically located within the 3.2 million acre Iberá Wetlands found in the Corrientes Province. The Iberá Marsh is a vast system of crystal-clear creeks, flowing rivers, sandy shallows, vegetated lined channels and structure filled lagoons. The deluxe purposed-built Lodge is centrally located in beautiful virgin wilderness to target the freshwater Golden Dorado.
Getting There
Guests flying into Buenos Aires can access Pirá by commercial flights or private charters.
Commercial flights to Corrientes (CNQ) or Resistencia (RES)—these neighboring airports both offer 1-hour daily flights to and from Buenos Aires. Upon landing at CNQ or RES, you’ll be met by a local representative, who will shuttle you to the lodge. Drive time from CNQ to Pirá is 3.5 hours. Drive time from RES to Pirá is 4.5 hours.
Private Charters—Pirá Lodge has a 5,000-foot grass landing strip, making airflight chartering into the lodge ideal.
