The Iberá marshlands ("Iberá" means Brilliant Waters) are the habitat of the most amazing wildlife in Argentina, formed by a vast extension of wetlands, lagoons and lesser pools, located in the Corrientes Province in the Mesopotamia region of north-east Argentina.
An infinite variety of trees, aquatic vegetation as the beautiful "irupé" flower, endangered species as the marsh deer, capybaras (carpinchos), bountiful fish and amazing birds, storks, duck, herons, sea-gulls, flamingos inhabit this magical scenery. It is a subtropical paradise and one of the most spectacular ecosystems in the continent. Watching the colorful 'gauchos", the land of the "chamamé", rhythm derived from the polka played by the Guaraní Indians first on their flutes and later on with accordions after the arrival of the Europeans and savoring the "mate" in its country of origin, the typical infusion sipped from a gourd with a silver straw called "bombilla", are all part of an exciting

sojourn in this intriguing setting. An infinite variety of trees, aquatic vegetation as the beautiful "irupé" flower, endangered species as the marsh deer, capybaras (carpinchos), bountiful fish and amazing birds, storks, duck, herons, sea-gulls, flamingos inhabit this magical scenery. It is a subtropical paradise and one of the most spectacular ecosystems in the continent. Watching the colorful 'gauchos", the land of the "chamamé", rhythm derived from the polka played by the Guaraní Indians first on their flutes and later on with accordions after the arrival of

the Europeans and savoring the "mate" in its country of origin, the typical infusion sipped from a gourd with a silver straw called "bombilla", are all part of an exciting sojourn in this intriguing setting. This area is home to the exotic dorado, the most precious of the warm freshwater fish and, at difference of many other places where dorados can be find, the clarity of the water make this a fly-fishing area . The fierce dorado has teeth like a chainsaw and the savageness of a tarpon, it is the greatest freshwater fighter on earth. It eats piranhas. Although the average size is around 4 pounds, it reaches up to 20 pounds and can put up a good struggle as it leaps out of the water, making its capture a real challenge. We fish small clear trout steam-like waters. Other species make an exciting mixed-bag: shad, tararira, boga, surubí and piranhas. The Corrientes river runs clear and are full of fish in the spring and fall months. The best time to go fishing for dorado is October and November till mid-December and from mid-March to mid-May.
Accommodations are at a typical estancia, a working ranch which offers wonderful opportunities for the non-fishing as incredible bird-watching and wildlife viewing, horseback-riding in the beautiful lowlands, the land of the gauchos, even polo practice with trained horses and delicious barbecues. This destination is ideal to combine with a short side-trip to the wondrous Iguazú Falls, the untamed rain forests of the Iguazú National Park, the fantastic San Ignacio Jesuit ruins and precious stone mines that lie at close distance.

A new frontier for fly-fishing big dorados ( 10 to 40 pounds) is the magnificent Bermejo River that comes down the Andes mountains along the border of Argentina and Bolivia. Beautiful runs and pools with huge rocks surrounded by moody forests inhabited by hundreds of different varieties of birds, ideal for keen bird-watchers. The tropical climate, the profusion of bugs and the problem that the rain causes in the water clarity, make this program only for the more adventurer anglers, seeking to land an impressive dorado, taking the challenge

of nature, and living a different experience in their fly-fishing life. The best time to go fishing to this area is from August till December. Note that dorado's season is different that trout season.

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