La zona argentina

‘ GOING FOR GOLD’ - LA ZONA, ARGENTINA

NOWHERE IN THE WORLD CAN GOLDEN DORADOS BE FOUND WITH SUCH CALIBRE, STRENGTH AND SIZE AS LA ZONA” ..................

Amazon-Angler.com is proud to promote the incredibly productive Dorado fishing in La Zona, Concordia, Argentina.

This exclusive fishing treasure, gleaming in gold, awaits you at the Argentine-Uruguayan border. The freshwater Dorado is causing “gold fever” for the anglers who have had the fortunate opportunity to fish for them and have others clamouring to prospect for them under the Salto Grande dam.

From its inception, the fantastic sport fish destination referred to as La Zona or ‘The Zone’ has earned the deserved reputation of being home to the largest freshwater golden dorado found anywhere in the world. This statement has been widely endorsed by hundreds of anglers from throughout the globe who have experienced this splendid tailrace fishery.

La Zona is an almost mystical, legendary fishery in a protected and exclusive area on the Uruguay River, in the tailrace immediately downstream from the Salto Grande dam project. Only four boats are ever permitted to fish there at any time. Two boats each from both Argentina and Uruguay share the honours at any given time.

GIANT GOLDEN DORADO TRIP - LA ZONA THE FISHING Golden Dorado will readily attack an assortment of lures and flies that resemble large, fleeing forage species. The aggressive nature of the Dorado, its spectacular leaping ability, fantastic strength and stamina has created the ultimate freshwater game fish.

Although the Dorado is not actually a member of the trout family, it behaves similar to the trout in that it lurks behind boulders, rock piles and other underwater obstructions ready to pounce on other, unsuspecting, smaller fish species in the river. There is almost always something happening on the surface, if not with large fish, then with school after school of smaller fish that slam baitfish on the surface near the dam wall.

The feeding frenzy is reminiscent of that displayed by Tuna and bluefish in the open Atlantic.�

Not only do Dorado possess vicious sets of gnashers sharp enough to puncture through any hard plastic lures, strike a lure or fly with a ferocity of some of their much larger saltwater gamefish cousins, but they also performs aerial gyrations that are more reminiscent of many acrobatic saltwater species. Interspersed between these high-flying leaps are long, drag-screeching runs.

Currently, more than 10 fly fishing world records have been broken in these waters and an estimated 1,000+ fish over 40lbs and many over 50lbs have been landed in the last five seasons on fly and artificial lure. Many of our clients can vouch for this amazing fishery. They have caught some gigantic Golden Dorados into the 30s, 40s and 50lbs mark.

Our clients come from all over the world, USA, Venezuela, Brazil, UK, Portugal, Spain, France, Australia, Singapore, Latvia, Belarus and Lithuania!

A La Zona fish caught by Darden Daniel weighed a mind-boggling 61.67 pounds. BUT, the biggest, baddest Dorado ever landed on rod and line was caught by amazon-angler com’s angler Andrei Bylchynski in December 2013 which bottomed-out the 60lbs boga grip. This giant fish was estimated by three La Zona guides at between 63-65lbs!!

THE BOATS AND GUIDES The boats at La Zona are 21-foot center console, stable crafts with 60-HP outboards and 15-HP kicker motors. These boats can handle the smooth waters when the turbines are closed or the hardest of whitewater when the they are opened!

Each boat has a front deck for 1-2 anglers fishing easily side by side and a rear deck for one angler. There is ample storage for rods and gear and we suggest only two rods per angler to keep things easy and uncluttered in the boat.

The guides are some of the finest in South America and know how to handle these boats and also these giant fish. These guys just want their clients to catch fish. We have all made some great friends with them over the years here. The Argentines are very friendly and polite and want to help in any way they can.

THE LODGE The lodge is situated close to the river itself and set in landscaped gardens with a swimming pool. There are four rooms with A/C and private bathrooms which can be for 4 or 6 anglers for the duration of their stay.

There is free WiFi and the lodge has a fixed telephone in case of emergencies. Mobile phone coverage is good here also.

Laundry and maid service are done daily. The meals are nothing but the best! Breakfast consists of coffee, tea, fruit juice, cereals, toast, eggs, bacon, everything for a hearty meal in preparation of a hard day’s fishing.

Gourmet meals are made for lunchtime and for dinner and served with fine wines. All meals, alcohol and soft drinks are included 24/7. This is a topclass, efficiently-run lodge!

TACKLE TALK We suggest the following gear for our La Zona trips:

RODS AND REELS

2 x Heavy 6’6”-7’6” bait casting or spinning rods with bait casting or spinning reels with capacity of min. 150-200m of 65-80lb braid. These outfits will handle casting larger lures and the largest Dorados.

1 x Medium Heavy 7’-7’6” spinning rod matched spinning reel with capacity for min. 150m of 50-65lb braid. This lighter outfit will give your arms and wrists a rest and will allow you to easily use spinnerbaits, jigs and smaller minnow baits.

For fly fishermen, 8-9 wt fly rods should be matched with good, smooth drag system reels and loaded with a tropical, fast-sinking 300-400 grain and intermediate fly lines, with at least 100m of 30lb backing. 1.5m-2m of 30-50lb straight nylon tied directly to the fly line with a short wire attached to the fly can be used for leaders. We advise a good pair of stripping gloves unless you want another lifeline burnt into your palm!! *Always bring spare line and a multi-tool.

LURES 2-3 x mixed prop baits like the 4.25”-6.25” Caribe Pavon Props and K Lures Props and 4-6” Highroller Riprollers than can be used when the dam is not generating electricity and the levels are low, exposing the rocks. They are ripped across the surface all the way back to the boat.

2-3 x saltwater Super Spooks and other small-medium cigar-shaped stick baits like Rapala X Walks are used with a walk-the-dog, side to side, swishing action that ‘sways’ the lure like a snake across the water. This is a more subtle, quieter lure that can be used when levels are low.

2-3 x medium - large K Lure Poppers can also work well and if used properly, they catch a good number of big fish. They should ‘bloob’ or ‘pop’ along the surface when levels are low and the rocks are exposed.

5-6 x Minnow and crank baits will always work well in most situations and our choices are shallow running 6” Rapala X Raps, X Rap Sub Walk, big Rattle Traps and Yozuri Tobimarus.

5-10 x large deeper diving lures like the big Shad Raps, Deep X Raps, CD 18s and 22s. Best colours are red/white, orange/gold and firetiger.

5-6 x X strong double blade Spinnerbaits in gold colour 2-3oz

FLIES Fly patterns for Dorados at La Zona are in general either tied in 4-6” longprofile streamer flies with lots of flash, with or without weighted eyes, or popper-type surface flies that provide plenty of noise and action.

Black/Red, Red//Yellow and Blue/Black are good colours.

Usually a fast strip is used on streamer flies and a series of gentle, constant ‘spits’ for surface flies

CLOTHES There is a weight limit of 23kgs per angler for charter and scheduled planes. 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 La Zona 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 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). For the Winter months add thicker long pants, a fleece and warm, windproof jacket. *We tend to choose the months of November –March for our Dorado fishing so warmer clothes are not usually needed. Also there are bigger fish to be caught during this period.

OTHER RECOMMENDED GEAR It can get hot out there in the full sun, often over 90áľ’F, so come well protected with good-quality sun-block with at least 50-75 SPF. Lip cream is essential.

There is occasionally some insect activity, so bring along an insect repellent just in case.

Bring any personal medications and allow for headaches, stomach upsets, fevers, infections, allergies etc. And also personal toiletries, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, shaving gear etc. A small amount of talcum powder is a good asset in the jungle for those hidden, sweaty areas!

Reading books/magazines/Kindle, pen and paper for notes.

Lightweight digital camera.

Multi-tool

TRANSFERS, SCHEDULES AND COSTS

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Day 1 Wednesday: Anglers generally fly directly to Argentina and overnight in a hotel in downtown Buenos Aires.

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Day 2 Thursday: Anglers meet at Jorge Newbery Airport at 1.00-2.00pm and taken by A/C van to Concordia and the lodge.

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Day 3-6 Friday - Monday: Breakfast followed by fishing until lunchtime. After a short siesta, afternoon fishing until 6.00pm

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Day 7 Tuesday: Anglers will return to Jorge Newbury and onwards journey home.

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COSTS per angler FOR SEASON 2015/2016: HIGH SEASON: January – April ............................. $6450 with 2 anglers per boat or $5350 with 3 anglers per boat MID SEASON: May, September - December ....... $4500 with 2 anglers per boat or $3675 with 3 anglers per boat LOW SEASON: June - August ............................... $2850 with 2 anglers per boat or $2500 with 3 anglers per boat

Included: Transfer from BA to the lodge by People Carrier, all meals and drinks while at the lodge and fishing, fishing licenses, 4 days guided fishing at La Zona.

Not included: Not included: International airfares, tipping, meals in BA and other than at the lodge, costs associated with medical advice and medications for your trip, visas, lures, fishing tackle etc. or anything else other than mentioned in the above package.

Terms and conditions of payments: 50% as deposit on reservation, 50% due 90 days before arrival in Argentina.

Reservations will be on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

www.Amazon-Angler.com steve@amazon-angler.com USA toll free (9am – 5pm) ET 1 866 920 2814 Europe +351 917812328