THE "DORADO"

This fish lives in tropical and subtropical rivers of South America. Golden-yellow in color, it has a long, strong body, with a medium size head, small eyes, and a big mouth with powerful jaws and two rows of small conic and sharp teeth. Its fins are rather small with red ends and the caudal fin has a central black band, being the rest of it of an orange-red color. The Dorado is a hunting fish and looks for its prey in shallow as well as in deep waters. It is the biggest predator of the area and it is well known as the “River Tiger”, because of the furious fight that he developed after being caught by the fisherman. Average weight varies from 4 to 8 kg (9 to 18 lb.), but it is possible to find preys that reach over 20 kg. (45 lb.).

Since decades ago, fishing this wonderful creature in the Paraná River has became famous using a trolling technique, and was not until recent years that fly fishing techniques were used to catch this creature in Argentina.

If an angler feels that “her or his dream comes true” when she or he hooks a big salmon, imagine when she or he catches a Dorado. This fighting fish, with its violent attacks, its jumps and its strength, test even the most experienced angler.

Jorge Miller

Fly Fishing Argentina Tour Promoter.  Contact:  jomiller@cema.edu.ar