Name: GOLDEN DORADO ADVENTURE SALTA, ARGENTINA
Brand: Nomada Fly Fish
SKU: 1

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

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 carne 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 fisheries into a single one-week trip!

Here’s the basic program itinerary:

Your trip begins in historic Salta, where you’ll be picked up at the airport and transported to a hotel to rest and recover from your flight before being transferred to your 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 an extremely compact space. 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 a more relaxing fishing experience, 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 bunkhouse 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!

PRICE INCLUDES:

Seven nights of all-inclusive accommodations in beautiful Salta, Argentina (Three nights at a jungle farmhouse, one night in Lajitas, and three nights in El Tunal)
Six days of fly fishing for golden dorado with local guides (Three days on a remote hike-in jungle stream and three days drift boat fishing on the Rio Juremento)
All ground transportation services from the time you arrive and depart from Martín Miguel de Güemes International Airport (SAL)
All meals, soft drinks, and limited domestic beer and wine selection
All taxes & fees included

COMPLEMENTARIES:

Bottled drinking water
Free guest WiFi is available

NOT INCLUDED:

Roundtrip international air transportation to Martín Miguel de Güemes International Airport (SAL)
Hotel stay in Salta on arrival and departure days (Nomada will help coordinate reservations)
Fly fishing equipment–rods, flies, and terminal tackle
Standard gratuity for guides and staff

WHAT TO BRING:

7 to 9-weight fly rods (8-weight is ideal in most situations)
Tropical jungle taper fly lines with short, aggressive heads for quick shots
Intermediate sink fly lines with short, aggressive heads (optional)
20, 30, 40, and 50-pound straight fluorocarbon for building leaders
30-50-pound micro swivels (optional)
30-40-pound bite leaders
Golden dorado fly selection
Waterproof backpack
Polarized sunglasses
Hat
Packable rain jacket
Fighting gloves
Camera or phone
Electrolyte powder
Sunscreen
Bug spray

FLY FISHING:

Off-the-grid fly fishing adventure of a lifetime in Argentina’s historic Salta region for trophy golden dorado
Three days on a remote, hike-in jungle stream—words can’t describe the thrill of battling aggressive dorado in these intimate quarters
Three days drift boat fishing on the Rio Jurement—on the surface, this is a more casual experience; however, this river has the potential to produce some of the largest dorado in the area
Being a tailwater, the Rio Juremento is an excellent “trip saver” in the event the conditions are less than ideal on the jungle stream

LODGING:

Jungle Farmhouse Lodge:
Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the jungle canopy from the massive front porch. Our group will have exclusive access to the property, which features three semi-private rooms with two beds each, a spacious living area, and a large bathroom with a hot shower and flush toilet. Starlink provides reliable internet access to stay connected and share your adventure.

Lajitas Motel:
Located midway between our two fisheries, you’ll arrive late after dinner to spend your fourth night in Lajitas. The rooms are basic but adequate for a good night’s rest before continuing to El Tunal. The rooms feature two single beds and a bathroom.

El Tunal Bunkhouse:
You’ll conclude your trip in the bunkhouse located above our Rio Juremento outfitter’s boatyard garage. This apartment-style dwelling includes a kitchen, full bathroom, and two bedrooms with multiple beds. There is a second half bath located below.

MEALS:

Argentina is known for its carne asada or roasted meats. You’ll enjoy the region’s top beef, pork, and chicken selections at every stop along your journey. Cooked to tender perfection in traditional Argentinian outdoor coal ovens or over an open fire pit, they will ignite your taste buds. And not just at breakfast and dinner time, as the shore lunches are shown to have the same dedication. We confidently say that the food will highlight your time in Salta, especially when served alongside the region’s award-winning wine and beer selections.

PREPARING FOR THE JUNGLE:

As you might expect, the jungle is hot and humid and full of bugs of all shapes and sizes, so dressing appropriately is essential. We recommend pre-treating your outerwear with permethrin to provide a constant layer of protection throughout your trip. We suggest wearing tights and compression shirts designed for heat, like those manufactured by Under Armor, as many insects cannot penetrate this skintight baselayer. As for outerwear, we prefer quick-dry tech clothing for pants, shorts, or shirts. Neck gaiters, like Buffs, and fishing gloves not only protect from the sun, but they also help protect your head, neck, and hands from insects. Thin merino wool socks and wading boots/shoes make good footwear choices. Be sure to bring plenty of heavy-duty insect repellent. We like products like Jungle Juice 100% deet for maximum protection. Be advised that deet can harm your equipment, especially fly lines, so use caution when applying.

Regulating your body temperature is important to avoid heat-related illness. So stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and consider adding an electrolyte drink mix.

At the time of publication, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website states, “There are no notices currently in effect for Argentina.” However, you must consult with your health provider(s) to determine your health risks and check for future notices from the CDC at: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/argentina.

WHO IS THE IDEAL CANDIDATE FOR THIS TRIP:

This trip is for the adventurous angler who’s dreamed of battling golden dorado and appreciates the incredible value Nomada is offering. They’ve researched and know dorado is not a high-numbers game—regardless of the location. It’s all about the pursuit and making the most of your opportunities. That’s just the nature of this species anywhere they’re found. And while you can expect to find trophy-size specimens, the giant ones have a reputation for breaking hearts in every way imaginable. However, once you’ve encountered them, it will only fuel your obsession to catch a trophy dorado even more!