With the second largest surface area in South America, and above all its length of over 3,700 km, Argentina is one of those dream destinations. I was lucky enough to fish and guide in the three world-renowned regions of this magnificent country, and to bend carbon with the three emblematic species of this part of the world. Let's take a trip from north to south...
Golden Dorado hunt in Corrientes Province
In the north of the country lies one of South America's largest wetlands: the Estero del Ibera, world-renowned for its wealth of flora and fauna.
This marsh, created by an immensity of small and large channels and lagoons, forms the source of the Rio Corientes, which in turn flows into Argentina's largest river, the Rio Parana.
The climate here is sub-tropical, with temperatures and humidity similar to Brazil. These warm waters are home to an acrobatic and hard-fighting sport fish: the dorado. Still little known, especially among French anglers who seem to have little interest in fishing it, unlike the Americans who love it, this is a fascinating fish.
Aggressive like a peacock, a jumper and acrobat like a tarpon, and a rare beauty with its golden colors punctuated by blood red, the dorado has everything to seduce.
Many fishing lodges offer all-inclusive packages, particularly on the Rio Parana, such as Suinda lodge or Parana River Outfitter. For fishing in the Ibera swamp, the Pira lodge is an excellent address.
Dorado can also be found in the Salta region, on the Rio Juramento and Rio Dorado.
Trout fishing in Patagonia
Along with New Zealand and the American West (Montana, Wyoming and Idaho), Patagonia is certainly one of the most popular destinations for fly-catching wild brown and rainbow trout. Introduced in the 1940s, they have colonized all the cool, clear rivers and numerous lakes in this fabulous region. You can fish dry, nymph or streamer. The fish often reach beautiful sizes in breathtaking settings.
Famous rivers such as the Rio Malleo, Collon Cura, Alluminé, Chimehuin and Rio Traful are mostly located between Saint Martin de Los Andes and Bariloche. But it's a vast region with outstanding fishing potential!
To find out more, visit the Nothern Patagonia lodge website.
Searching for the world's largest sea trout in Tierra del Fuego
Often confused with Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego is an archipelago shared between Argentina (less than 2 hours from Ushuaia) and Chile, where a UNIQUE river flows: the Rio Grande.
In 1935, John Goodall, manager of the largest estancia in the area, decided to plant fario trout from England in the tributaries of the Rio Grande to fish in his spare time. 40 years later, these trout have colonized the entire watershed and migrated to the Atlantic Ocean to become sea trout.
Today, the Rio Grande is recognized as the best river in the world for giant sea trout fishing. 5 world records have been set at the Kau Tapen lodge, including the current record caught in 1998 by Mark Gates with a 36.5 lb specimen.
Since 1983, anglers from all over the world have been coming to test themselves against the harsh weather conditions (winds of between 60 and 120 km/h every day) and these trophy sea trout.
Nervous Waters offers lodge stays at Villa Maria lodge on the lower part of the river and at Kau Tapen lodge on the middle and upper parts.
