Freshwater Dorado, pound for pound, are some of the meanest, hardest-hitting fish, on the planet. They range in size in the marshlands from 3 to 45 pounds, and it isn't uncommon to land a large fish and find half of its tail already eaten by the cannibalistic Dorado it was swimming with. These fish will forever change your view of what a truly bad-boy fish is all about. The best time to chase Dorado in the Marsh and nearby Rio Corrientes is from January through April, though the lodge and season are open year round. Bigger fish are generally more common late in the season, but it isn't unusual to hook up with a trophy Dorado during any month of the year.

Pira guests pursue these mean-tempered creatures with state-of-the-art Hell's Bay flats skiffs that are ideal for skimming through the shallow basins and navigating the twisting, winding creeks of the marsh before it eventually flows into the Corrientes River. The guides at Pira speak fluent English and are expert at their job. Every one of them is a dedicated fly fisherman, expert angler, and completely tuned into the complex fishery and rat maze waterway. Guests return to wonderful accommodations and fine meals late in the evening of every fishing day. And the fire-orange sunsets so common in that part of the world often highlight the daily migration of tens of thousands of shore birds and waterfowl.

If you love exotic fish that deliver violent strikes and athletic jumping displays, you need to venture south to the lovely 3000-acre estancia at Pira and try your skills on Dorado. You will enjoy lovely accommodations and fine dining, all with a backdrop of one of the worlds most beautiful and unique landscapes. Give us a call if you're interested!

After the guides quickly stow your gear, you're off. You may go left downstream to the Corrientes River or motor off to the right into the labyrinth that is the marsh proper. Whichever direction you choose, the views are stunning. Birds, startled by the boat, spring up like popcorn from the water's edge, while capybara and caiman sneak back into the water ending, at least temporarily, their morning bask. These capybara (the world's largest rodent and perhaps also the cutest) and caiman (a crocodilian growing up to 10 feet) are just 2 of the 85 mammals and 70 reptiles (including anaconda, otters and howler monkeys) that inhabit the marsh.

Ibera means shining or sparking water in the local Guarani Indian dialect and these waters do glow as they snake through fields of papyrus and rafts of purple-flowered hyacinth. The Ibera marshland is a vast wetland system of crystal-clear creeks, natural canals and shallow lakes. The Ibera covers some 5,000 square miles and is considered the largest body of pristine, totally uncontaminated water in all of the Americas. As such, the Ibera is more than twice the size of Everglades National Park.

If luck shines upon you this morning, you will catch a dorado, certainly one of the world's great game fish. Savage takes and relentless runs followed by a series of explosive jumps put this fish among the world's elite piscatorial performers. The beautiful, black-flecked, iridescent gold body of the dorado encases a fish that is a cross between a dyspeptic rottweiller and a tarpon (with a bit of a big brown trout thrown in). This radiant characin is known locally as the "tiger of the river". With a mouth like a vice jam-packed with a ripsaw's teeth, this exceptional sport fish averages around 4lbs and can get up to 20lbs in the Ibera. A 10lb dorado is a true trophy and is considered one of South America's greatest freshwater challenges.

At around 12:30, you decide to motor back to the lodge just as the heat of the day has begun to settle in on you. Fresh lemonade and a few preliminary treats on the shaded verandah quickly take any wilt out of your attitude. "Lunch" follows, but seems too plebeian a term for these truly 5-star mid-day repasts. Expertly prepared soups, salads, meats and pastas followed by sumptuous homemade desserts could accurately be described as gourmet. All is accompanied by excellent Argentinean wines. Sated by perhaps the finest "lunch" you've ever had while fishing, you retire for a siesta during this, the hottest part of the day.

At around 3:00 (give or take depending on your wishes), you head out for the afternoon "session" (as the guides call it). You will not return until the sun has set. Fishing in the marshland while watching your shadow stretch into dusk is a magical experience. To hook a dorado at dusk is a sight you will not soon forget. Their frenzied jumps splash molten gold light into the dark evening waters.

You then head home buzzing back through the Ibera's pools, channels and secret passages. Hot showers, cold libations and fresh hors d'oeuvres await your return. Refreshed, maybe you tie a fly or two for tomorrow in the bar before strolling to the dining room for a late Argentinean-style dinner, usually served at 9 - 9:30 P.M. The evening meal is as incredible as lunch and no one walks away from the massive wood table without commenting on the wonderful meal they have just experienced. Sated, you walk to your room to the sound of crickets and bell frogs as the Milky Way shines brilliantly over the marsh. The best part is that tomorrow you get to do it again!

Pira is truly one of the greatest experiences in the angling world. A week at Pira has been described as more of a "sensory experience" than a pure fishing trip. Indeed, when you combine the wildlife and the awesome natural beauty with the sumptuous meals (and throw in the antics of "El Tigre" just so you'll remember you're here to fish), your senses will, at a minimum, have received a good "spring cleaning".

For South American adventurers, the freshwater dorado is the marquee player, but there are a few things you should know before you venture south. With an extremely strong jaw lined with sharp teeth, wire leaders and care when removing hooks is absolutely essential. Dorado like big flies (4-5" is best on usually 3/0 hooks), fast retrieves and an aggressive "grit your teeth" attitude. Your attitude must match theirs. If you hope to latch on to this bony-mouthed predator, you must cast well; retrieve fast and strip-strike with power. Use a delicate trout hook-set and the brute will jump once and be gone, leaving you with but a brief flash of gold (and an open mouth).

The best months for dorado at Pira are December through April. By the time fall arrives in May, the water is too cool and the fish are less active. You can still catch a few fish in May, but as April stretches into May, the more common top water action of the peak season (January through March) gives way to sink tip lines and less active fish. In the Argentina fall, you can expect much less than the usual 10-20 strikes per day (with 5-15 fish boated depending on skill level) of the peak season. During the peak season, it is often possible to sight fish for dorado (with floating lines and top-water flies) either by following wakes, spotting laid-up fish or seeing fish that are moving on lighter bottoms.

Dark purple or black streamers 2/0 to 4/0 seem to work best. Dorado want a big meal and we caught many fish on 5/0 flies tied with marabou, bunny and water pushing, spun deer hair heads. Think saltwater streamers and you've got the idea. Our average fish was 4-5lbs. A 6lb dorado is twice as strong as a 4lb fish and a 10lb "El Tigre" is twice as strong as one that goes 7lbs. Every inch, every added pound, registers as a major seismic advance.

Anglers should bring 7 to 9 wt 9' rods with floating, sink tip (or shooting head) lines (T200 - T300). Reels should be of the saltwater high performance type with strong drag systems and at least 150 yards of 20lb backing. Leaders should be 3-9' with strong butts to turn over big flies. Leaders should terminate in 12-18" of 20lb steel wire like Boa or Tygear. Flies should be 2/0 - 4/0 deceiver types, spun deer hair heads, poppers and divers are all frequently used. Black, purple, red and black and black and chartreuse all work.

Species of Fish:  Golden Dorado.

Lodging:  The lodge consists of five large rooms, each with private bath, two double-sized beds, air conditioning, and a gallery with a marsh-front view. A separate building, attached by covered galleries, accommodates the spacious living room, bar and dining room, each with tall doors which open up to the wide veranda. The lodge was designed to respect the traditional, local architecture while offering all the comforts of a contemporary hotel.

Travel Arrangements:  Located nearly 400 miles north of Buenos Aires, the trip to Pira is often the only uncomfortable part of the visit. However the fantastic fishing and wonderful outdoor experience is worth the trouble. There are regularly scheduled, two-hour commercial flights from Jorgen Newberry airport to Paso de los Libres (Corrientes) where guests are met by a lodge representative and driven across the fascinating Corrientes savannah for 3 hours to the lodge. Cost of the round trip flight and transfer is approximately $500 per person, and the total time of the transfers is approximately 5 hours.

Also, there is an option for a private charter (that goes from Aeroparque in Buenos Aires to Mercedes - a little town, where there is a one hour transfer, free of charge, from the Mercedes airport to Pira) on a Fairchild Metro, which will carry 8 passengers. Flight time of this charter is one and a half hours, with a cost of $4,420.00. It is certainly more expensive (the price is the same, regardless of how many passengers there are), but does cut out a couple of the driving hours. All charter arrangements are handled by the lodge as a service.

Length of Stay:  Four Night packages and up.

Season:  The lodge is open year-round but the prime season is January-April.

Other Activities:  Unlike many remote fishing lodges, Pira offers much for the non angler, including hours of horseback riding along the edge of the marsh, where they will see an endless variety of birds and wildlife in unspoiled habitat. The marsh can be explored by canoe or sea-kayak and sunbathing and relaxing by the inviting pool is also a perfect way to unwind and enjoy the reliable, sunny weather.

Occupancy:  The lodge accommodates a maximum of 10 guests.

Rates:  The 2006 rate for the full, 7-night/6-day fishing package is $3,500 for each angler, based on double occupancy. Packages for as few as four days can be arranged. The Non-Fishing, 7-night/6-day rate of $1,750 is also based on double occupancy.

Single Occupancy:  Limited capacity, however single rooms will be provided free of charge if available. For requested single use of boat and guide a 50% surcharge of the land package rate will apply.

All bookings between JAN 15 - MAR 15 that are less than a week in duration, will be subject to a surcharge of $100 per person per night

Deposit:  A 50 percent deposit is due to secure a reservation.