GOING FOR GOLD – GOLDEN DORADO FISHING ON THE RIO CORRIENTES, RZEPECKI IN ARGENTINA Amazon-angler.com offers our anglers the opportunity to fish for magnificent Golden Dorado, big Pacu/Pirapitingi and huge Surubi Cats in the Rzepecki area in creeks, streams, lakes and delta systems. Many trophysized fish are caught here and receives very little fishing pressure. Rzepecki is located in the wildest area of the Upper Rio Parana. This river has extremely rich and varied fishing areas, with deep channels, gullies, sandbars, lagoons, rock points and dozens of streams, making this area a real fishing paradise. Anglers will drift fish from the boat or cast from the bank, between wood structure and rocks and from the many islands.
Anglers can be able to catch Dorados up over 30 lbs, along with Surubi Cats (usually on natural bait) to over 60 lbs and Pacus and Pirapatingas to over 25lbs. The best season runs from January through to end March although fish can be caught nearly all year round. The fishing here is exciting, extreme and adventurous. This is the dream trip for the anglers who wants to be away from the hustle and bustle and get down to some serious fishing. Our anglers will enjoy five full days’ guided fishing, with 6 nights all inclusive at La Regina Hotel
THE FISHING The Dorado is an extremely strong, aggressive and acrobatic predator that busts on any baitfish in its vicinity. Packs of these big bruisers can be seen chasing shoals of Sabalos and other baitfish and the attacks are nothing but explosive. Lure or fly fishing, once hooked Dorados will strip line off your reel like an express train, so good quality gear is needed. Dorados here can reach in to the 30lbs range so strong leaders and hooks are required.
Pacus and Pirapatingas inhabit parts of the river that are abundantly verdant and where their favourite trees full of fruit dropping into the water are. Sometimes when Monkeys feed here, fruits drop into the water and this can summon these big fish to eat. Fly fishing for Pacus is a pure adrenaline rush for these species. There are many methods to use for Pacus and Pirapatingas, from small streamers and flies that imitate insects falling from the trees.
Fishing is done by drift fishing and casting from the boat as well as casting from the bank and many islands.Please see Tackle Talk for more detailed information on gear and tackle. Huge Surubi Cats inhabit these waters too and anglers can take time out from casting flies and lures and chill out in the boat with a heavy Dorado outfit catfish gear. They are in the depths waiting for a chunk of fish or live bait to pass by and that’s it, hang on to your horse!
TACKLE TALK Fly Fishing Tackle/Equipment List: Rods: 2-3 x 7-10 weight rods are the norm with a 9’ 8wt. being the most practical all around rod. Reels: 2-3 x Saltwater or Freshwater reels (ex: Shimano Torsa) with strong drag and good line capacity. Line capacity of at least 150 yards of 25-30 lb line. Lines: Most fishing is done with freshwater or saltwater floating lines and lines with built in intermediate tips. Lines like the Rio Saltwater Versi-Tip or a 300 grain saltwater sinking head are handy as well and allow anglers to get down deep when needed. While not mandatory, it can be nice to have two rods rigged, one with a floater and one with a sinking tip.
Our top 3 lines: Rio Outbound Fresh, Clouser Freshwater and Wulff Ambush. Leaders/Tippet: 9 ft. leaders with 20-60 pound tippet and wire are the norm. Bring along spools of 20, 25, 30 and 40 pound mono as well as 2 spools each of 30, 40 and 60 pound coated wire tippet. With these diameters we typically fashion our own simple leaders. Titanium leaders are also a very good choice. Flies: In general, combinations of black and red, purple or orange are very effective, but all sorts of streamers, Clousers, Deceivers and many more catch their share of big fish. Imitation of fruits (figs) and nuts in green and dark patterns are sometimes irresistible to Pacu.
TACKLE TALK cont ....
Spinning and Baitcasting Tackle/Equipment list: Rods and reels: 2 x Medium-M/Heavy 6’6”-7’6” bait casting or spinning rods with bait casting or spinning reels with capacity of min. 120m of 50-60lb braid. These outfits will handle casting and using medium sized lures like minnowbaits, jerk baits and also for jigging and using spoons. 1 x Medium Heavy or Medium 6’6”-7’6” spinning rod matched spinning reel with capacity for min.120m of 20-30lb braid. This much lighter outfit will give your arms and wrists a rest and will allow you to easily use jigs and smaller minnowbaits. Lures: Spoons, spinners (big Roostertails), Rapala X Raps and Magnum minnow/jerkbaits, glidebaits and jigs are the best all rounders to catch these golden bullies. However there is nothing like catching them on the surface so always bring some small poppers, spooks and propbaits to try out. All lures should be used with steel leaders to prevent loss of lures and hooked fish. 9-12” 20-50lb leaders with clips and swivels are advised.
CATFISH TACKLE Strong tackle must be used for big Surubi Cats. Either a Heavy Dorado outfit or Catfish gear should be used. Rods and reels: simple rigs with a heavier Dorado baitcasting set-up or a more traditional heavier Cat Fish rod and reel, matched with 65-80lb braided line, a 2-6 oz egg sinker, 1 ½ ft of stiff 80-100lbs wire leader attached to a strong swivel at one end and a 8/0 - 10/0 circle hook on the other are all that is needed. The hook is baited with either cutbait or livebait and lobbed out into a deep hole. You do not need to strike when using circle hook rigs as the Cat will hook itself when running with the bait, with a 100% hook up rate in the corner of the mouth. Just raise the rod slowly, tighten the line and not striking for a good hook set!
CLOTHING
We recommend clients follow the list of items below to keep it simple. Laundry is done daily, so only one or two changes of clothes are needed at camp. Clothes for here are shorts or long pants, a shirt and a hat in the Summer season and heavier clothes in the Winter!! One change of clothes can be used for travelling.
For travelling: 1 x pair hiking shoes, light jacket, 1 x light shirt and long cargo pants with pockets for documents, money, passport etc. This outfit can also serve as fishing clothes to save on additional weight.
For fishing: For the Summer, 1 x wide brimmed hat or fishing cap with neck cape, 2 x lightweight tropical shorts or long pants (zip-offs are a good idea and can also be used as travel pants), 2 x long or short-sleeved shirts with pockets (can also be used as travel shirt), 1 x pair of either CROCS, sandals or similar comfortable boat shoes, 1 x lightweight rain suit/jacket and 2 x pairs of polarised sunglasses (in case you lose a pair), stripping gloves for fly fishing. For the Winter months add thicker long pants, a fleece and warm, windproof jacket.
OTHER RECCOMENDED GEAR
Sunglasses: Two pairs of polarized sunglasses. It is great to have a lens cleaner and a soft cleaning cloth as well. Sun Screen: One full bottle 50SPF and lip balm two tubes of 50SPF. Repellant: One bottle of osquito repellent if needed. Camera: Don’t forget extra batteries, chargers and waterproof case/bag. Toiletries and medicines Kit: Toothpaste and toothbrush, deodorant, Advil, band aids, Bactroban (prescription anti-bacterial ointment), Benadryl, Goldbond powder, Anti-fungal ointment, Liquid band-aid: Paint on super glue for finger cuts Boga Grip. Tape Measure, notepad/pen. Book/Kindle. Any personal medications you use. Credit cards, cash for tipping and personal expenses. Tools - long nose pliers, line clipper, scissors-pliers also work well for wire, medium size knife.
TRANSFERS & SCHEDULES
Day 1: Anglers arrive at Resistencia International Airport and will transfer by A/C van to La Regina hotel (Puerto Rzepecki) usually in the evening. Dinner and fishing equipment preparation with the guides.
Day 2 - 6: Five full days of fishing with breakfast, morning fishing, lunch at hotel, afternoon fishing, evening dinner at hotel.
Day 7: morning transfer to Resistencia International Airport and onwards journey home.
COSTS
1 angler in one boat .................................. $3850 per angler 2 anglers in one boat ................................ $7000 or $3500 per angler 3 anglers in one boat ................................ $8700 or $2900 per angler 4 anglers in 2 boats ................................... $14000 or $3500 per angler - 2 boats *3 anglers in the same boat is not permitted if all anglers are fly fishermen. A 50% deposit is required to reserve places when booking. The remaining payment is due 90 days before actual trip starts.
Included: All meals and drinks while staying at the hotel and fishing, 5 days fishing with experienced guide, return transfers (Resistencia International Airport /Hotel). Not included: flights, tips, fishing equipment, visas etc.
Return flights to Argentina and onto Resistencia International Airport are not included, but we can help you arrange them.
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