Mid-Week Trip Report: "Golden" Dorado - Uruguay River

[Keith Kaneko]

Just checking in from Salto Uruguay where a small group of us are fishing for Dorado below Salto Grande Dam. This amazing fishery is home to some of the world's largest freshwater Dorado. I am so impressed with the sheer power, tenacity, and stamina of these awesome gamefish.

The fish have been averaging 8 - 12 pounds in the exclusive zone below Salto Grande. Everyone has landed fish in the teens. I have been fortunate to land a few fish between 22 and 30 pounds. The top flies this week are Thalken's Cruisers, Puglisi streamers, and a few homemade creations. The common thread amongst the "hot" flies has been red and black... this has been the most productive color combo thus far.

We have 4 more sessions of fishing on our trip. I will post a full report on my blog upon the completion of the trip. I am so excited about this new destination for River Plate Outfitters... I have already scheduled a couple of weeks for December this year and March of 2012.

Here are a few photos from our trip... Fish On!

[jbird]

From what I understand, these are THE most incredible freshwater gamefish. You are very lucky to get to chase those amazing fish!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

These are one of the most exotic fish that you can catch on a fly rod.

About 45 years ago I saw a 16 mm movie shot down in south America by the Shakespeare company on catching these great jumping fresh water Golden Dorado.

I guess along with big Sea Run Browns in Argentina, this is still on my "bucket list".

[Luckee]

Looks like terrific fun!

Keith, you mentioned an 'exclusive zone' -- do you think there is any real opportunity for a DIY guy with a kayak and fluent Spanish?

I'm not necessarily talking about easy opportunities either. My sea yak has gone down from Lake Nicaragua to the Caribbean, and my blowup boat has been through some rather hostile stretches of sea trout rivers in Argentina (guides yelled at me, but fortunately no shooting )

[Keith Kaneko]

Luckee,

The zone is strictly controlled and monitored by officers of the dam (patrol boat) and the police that control the boundary. This 1000 meter zone is protected 24/7 and the only boats allowed are two from La Zona (Argentine side) and two from River Plate (Uruguay side). Other than these outfitters, nobody is allowed in the zone - on the water or on the bank. I am quite sure that a hefty fine and possible incarceration (or deportation) may be in order if you chanced this.

I have never seen protected water so closely monitored. Each time we launched the boat, the captains would have to call on the radio to the watch tower and notify them of their presence in the zone. And then, at the end of the day each boat would have to pull up bankside to the control boundary for a boat inspection, checking live-wells for no fish in possession.

Again, this entire zone is closely watched and controlled. It was nice to see how serious and committed they are to protecting this zone. Some countries have "laws" to protect fisheries, only to have every law broken because there is no enforcement.

In final... sorry for the long winded answer, but I thought you should know that this exclusive zone is truly exclusive to these outfitters only.

Safe travels to you and good fishing...

Regards,
Keith