ARGENTINA GOLD RUSH
One of the world’s most aggressive freshwater river monsters, the golden dorado is pound-for-pound, one of the strongest fish you’ll encounter anywhere on the planet. Found only in central and east-central South America, these golden goliaths are renowned for their powerful headshakes, blistering runs, and spectacular aerial acrobatics, landing them at the top of many fly anglers’ trophy species lists.
With this in mind, Nomada Fly Fish set out to create the ultimate golden dorado experience. The concept was simple: create a unique and unforgettable freshwater dorado fly fishing program that wouldn’t break the bank.
The quest to achieve our lofty goal led us to Salta, the capital city of Salta Provincia (province) in northwestern Argentina. Lying in the Andes Mountains valley of Lerma, the ancestral home of the Incas, we discovered the region’s dorado-rich headwaters of the mighty Rio Salado. Hiking the remote jungle rivers of the Yungas Forest on foot and floating the more easily accessible Rio Juramento by drift boat, we unearthed our elusive quarry, some exceeding twenty pounds, and the adventure of a lifetime.
While our mission’s primary objective was trophy fishing, we immersed ourselves in a wealth of culture and history and fell in love with the people and local cuisine. Our Argentinian friends treated us to their famous asada and the best empanadas we’d ever eaten. Although the accommodations were rustic, the hospitality extended to us by the staff was world-class. Needless to say, we can’t wait to go back.
Want to join us?
We have all-inclusive hosted trips in the works for September and October 2025. The best part is we’ve managed to squeeze two distinctively different experiences with two equally iconic destinations into a single one-week trip!
While we’re still finalizing the details, here’s the tentative program itinerary:
Your trip begins in historic Salta, where you’ll be picked up and transported to your first stop at our quaint farmhouse lodge, nestled in the lush jungle, approximately two hours away. Upon arrival, you’ll be amazed at the breathtaking views from the spacious front porch overlooking the vegetative canopy and distant mountaintops. The accommodations are basic but adequate for its remote off-the-grid location: a generator provides electricity, partitioned beds sectioned in pairs provide limited privacy, StarLink provides reliable internet, and a large bathroom with a modern toilet and hot shower round out the creature comforts.
On the first leg of your trip, you’ll enjoy three days of guided hike-in fishing on a small stream with a local guide in a tropical jungle setting. Don’t be deceived by this compact stretch of water because every pool has the potential to harbor a tackle-busting dorado. For many anglers, the opportunity to go “mano a mano” with these beastly fish in tight quarters is the epitome of freshwater fishing! But it’s all about shots, as they say. Hooking up is only part of the challenge of landing an apex predator on an 8-weight in extremely tight quarters. Depending on your fitness and ambition level, you have several miles of river to explore, so come prepared.
Midtrip, you’ll be transported to a small village for a different fishing adventure: three days of guided fishing from modern drift boats or rafts on the Rio Juramento. In addition to more relaxing fishing, this renowned river provides habitat to some of the largest dorados in the area, but it doesn’t surrender them easily. While fishing in the Juramento, you’ll stay in the outfitter’s apartment, which has amenities similar to those in the previous location.
Every day begins with coffee and a hot breakfast before heading to the fishing grounds. You’ll enjoy a “not-your-average” shore lunch on the water. Evenings start with appetizers before enjoying a traditional Argentinian-style feast courtesy of our skilled cooks. Meals showcase the region’s top beef, pork, and chicken selections. Each dinner ends with a tasty dessert. A limited domestic alcohol selection is included in the package.
Ready to check the golden dorado off your fly fishing bucket list? Contact Nomada today. Space is extremely limited, so call today!
MORE INFORMATION TO COME ON THIS NEW DESTINATION, ONLY FROM NOMADA
ARGENTINA GOLDEN DORADO GALLERY:
