For many years one of Latin America’s most exciting game fish was kept a secret in its heartland. For over a decade now, the Golden Dorado or ‘River Tiger’ as it is affectionately known, has been discovered and has quickly become a one-of-a-kind fly-fishing experience.
Pira Lodge is located in Northern Argentina’s Iberá Marshlands and is protected by a natural preserve more than twice the size of the Florida Everglades. Fishing for Golden Dorado, one of the most voracious and beautiful species to swim the planet, takes place aboard a fleet of 16-foot Hell’s Bay flats skiffs. You’ll dodge caymans and catch freshwater Dorado in the 5-to 20- pound class on everything from dry flies to stripped streamers. When your fishing day’s done, decompress and take in a traditional asado at one of the finest lodges fishing has to offer. However, it is the electric take and dazzling fight of the Dorado that bring fishermen back year after year!
WHY CHOOSE PIRÁ LODGE?
- The first and most detail oriented fishing lodge specifically built for one of the most exciting gamefish in the world: the freshwater dorado.
- Uniquely positioned and supremely comfortable lodge with direct access to the Iberá Marshlands – nearly three million acres of largely unexplored marshland, including creeks, rivers, lagoons and freshwater flats, all teeming with fish
- Crystal clear water throughout the entire fishery throughout the season, which leads to great opportunities for sight fishing
- Friendly, bilingual guides with knowledge about the Dorado and his habits, and years of experience boating in this vast natural reservoir
- The only featured freshwater Dorado destination in South America with state of the art Hell’s Bay flats skiffs, to deliver anglers quickly and safely in the most remote areas of the fishery
- A spectacular abundance of flora and fauna make for a naturalist and fisherman’s dream destination – over 350 bird species are seen regularly
- Unique non angling activities in a tropical paradise include horseback riding, a sparkling swimming pool and bird watching, which combine to make a vacation within a vacation
- Several transportation options exist for Pira Lodge. Arrive commercially or via a private charter directly to our private landing strip at the lodge
Location
Coordinates: 28°44’01.8″S 58°03’38.1″W
The lodge is located in the Corrientes Province, Northeast Argentina, in the middle of the Ibera Marshlands, within 1,300,000 hectares of Natural Reserve. This area is twice the size of the Florida Everglades. The lodge sits right on the edge of a channel providing direct access to the marsh system and to the Corrientes River, located 15 min south of the lodge.
The Ibera Marshland is a vast system of non-polluted crystal-clear creeks, flowing rivers, shallows and lakes. The Province of Corrientes borders Uruguay, and enjoys one of Argentina’s subtropical climate patterns, with temperatures in the mid-80s early and late in the season. The Ibera Marshland is almost completely unexplored and uninhabited. It is home to more than 350 species of birds (e.g parrots, southern screamers, kingfishers, ibis, herons), 85 mammals and almost 70 reptiles, apart from an incredible abundance of flora. During your stay you will have a chance to see species such as capybara, river otters, Yacare (cayman), howler monkeys and marsh deer. If you are interested in spending extra time spotting the wildlife or the unique birdlife of the Ibera, please let the head guide know on arrival
Getting There
Guests fly into Buenos Aires and typically overnight there having spent a day touring this wonderful city. The lodge can be accessed from Buenos Aires by: – An overnight 1st class sleeper bus from Buenos Aires to Mercedes, arriving at 7am.
Once at Mercedes, a lodge representative will meet you and drive you 1.15 hrs to the lodge in a four-wheel drive. This is a comfortable option that also makes the best use of you time. Day rooms in a hotel, an evening meal and transport to the terminal can all be arranged on request. – Charter plane from Buenos Aires to Mercedes airport or to the lodge’s landing strip (weather permitting). The drive from Mercedes to the lodge takes 1 hour and 15 min by four-wheel drive.