GoldenDorado Fishing Report ~ Uruguay River, South America

Recent GoldenDorado fishing report for the area know as "LaZona" filed by 

adventure angler Scott Krug.

Location: Exclusive Tail Waters of Salto Grande, Uruguay River, South America

Dates: Fishing November 1 - 4, 2013 

Adventure angler Scott Krug recently returned from South America and his first encounter with Salminus brasiliensis, the famed GoldenDorado. Or, as the locals prefer,  the "River Tiger." 

"I have been fortunate to fish all over North and South America and never have I dealt with a freshwater fish so strong and difficult to land."

"After hearing and reading so much the last five years about the fabulous fishing for GoldenDorado at a place known as La Zona on the Uruguay River, I finally got my chance to fish there earlier this month. I joined a great group of guys from Great Britain and we arrived in camp late on October 31st only to learn the water was quite high and very discolored. As a result, the fishing was tougher than usual but there were still some nice fish being caught.

We pushed off the next morning and headed up to the dam where the fishing is quite regulated. The hydroelectric dam is a joint venture between Argentina and Uruguay and only two boats from each country are permitted to fish immediately below the dam. In addition, fishing in the restricted area is allowed only for four days in a given week. 

The fishing conditions at the dam are like nothing I have ever encountered. The turbulence and current from the turbine discharges is tremendous and the crazy part of it is that this is where the fish are. Never would I have imagined that one could successfully fish in those conditions but we did.

Because of the high water, deeper diving lures like the CD 18 Rapala worked best which was somewhat disappointing because I was hoping to catch some fish on surface lures. Some in our group also tried fly fishing which proved to be mostly ineffective because of the high water.  Thus, we pounded the current and turbulence areas with deeper running plugs and spinnerbaits and managed to catch some fish. 

My muskie baitcasting tackle proved to be perfect for these conditions. I brought seven foot heavy duty graphite rods, quality reels such as the Calcutta 300TE loaded with 80 lb. Spectron line, and 90 lb. Sevenstrand leaders with Stringease Stay-Lok snaps. All lures were upgraded with stronger split rings and hooks and I was glad I did. These fish will really test/wreck your equipment as others in the group found out.

One fellow in our group did very well on big fish landing two 46 lb. fish, a 50 lber., and another well over 50 pounds! I went down with the hope of catching one 40 lbs. or better and ended up with a 40 lber., 42 lber., and a 44 lber. We caught a lot of fish over 20 lbs. and lost many more. 

Everyone was quite impressed with the strength and power of these fish.  I have been fortunate to fish all over North and South America and never have I dealt with a freshwater fish so strong and difficult to land. The only fish I can compare them too is the Tarpon I have caught on the Rio Colorado River in Costa Rica which is saying a lot!

I fully intend to get back to La Zona and would like to do so under lower water conditions. Everything I had read about the fighting ability and toughness of this fish proved to be true. GoldenDorado are a great challenge, a lot of fun, and anyone who enjoys fishing should consider this fishery." __Scott Krug

I've written before about the brute strength of the GoldenDorado and the degree of difficulty from "hookup to landing cradle". The strong, bone hard jaws with double rows of teeth, sometimes referred to as the "steel trap" make the "River Tiger" one of the toughest freshwater game fish on the planet today. 

. . . whenever you are ready to plan that GoldenDorado adventure of a lifetime.

David Fields

Founder / Principal at Fishing the Americas Media

40 year international angling veteran. 10 years hosting fishing fin'atics to exotic angling destinations located throughout the Americas. Blogger, freelance writer and media specialist.

  “Fishing the Americas most exotic and exciting sport fishing adventure destinations.”

Golden Dorado of Salto Grande, Uruguay River

In Search of Gold... the Golden Dorado of the Uruguay River Exclusive Tail Waters In October 2011 I finally had the fortunate opportunity to fish the Uruguay River Exclusive Tail Waters beneath the dam of Salto Grande reservoir located at the Argentina-Uruguay border. Over the last few years I had heard some pretty incredible stories about this destination and the fresh water dynamo - the Golden Dorado – that reside in this river. After having been there and immersed in the challenge, I can verify that these astonishing accounts about the monster Dorados of Salto Grande were not simply “fish stories” but were absolutely genuine. I use the word dynamo here because it has in its meaning…hard-working and tirelessly energetic. That describes what the locals call “The River Tiger” quite well…with razor sharp teeth and bone hard jaws, this golden torpedo often engages in leaping aerial displays 4-7 times, or more, per hook up. No other destination in the world offers such Giants of the Golden Dorado like this Exclusive Tail Waters below the Salto Grande Dam. The fishery is rigorously restricted, controlled, managed and maintained. Government concessions are contracted to one outfitter on the Argentina side of the River and one outfitter on the Uruguay side. Remember, these Salminus brasiliensis live in fast and highly turbulent waters. They are 10x strong because of it and they never let up after hook up. If you can manage to keep them “hooked up,” you’re in for a exhaustive tango with one of the hardest working and most tirelessly energetic freshwater game fish on the planet today! They will wear you out and take even the most “veteran” angler to the mat on more than several occasions. Until you become familiar with The River Tiger’s “game” you will find success rare in bringing the Golden Dynamo to the landing cradle. Looking for the fishing adventure of a lifetime? This one sits right at the top. Think of it this way. In approximately one square mile over 20 world records of various classes have been taken for this species. It is estimated that in the last three seasons over 500 Dorado have been successfully landed over 40#. We are pleased to be aligned with Luis Browns’ River Plate Dorado’s, outfitters for the Uruguay side. I can assure you that River Plate Dorado’s fits the bill in keeping with our motto…“sport fishing outfitters with a passion for excellence.” Patrick Brown, the operations manager and host for River Plate Dorado’s, as well as the entire staff and support crew share this same passion for “exceeding the expected.” Your accommodations, fine dining and amenities at the Hotel Horacio Quiroga Thermal Spa and Resort take this destination to the top of our list of exotic sport fishing destinations! Plan a fishin’ expedition someday soon in search of the “River Tiger” or the Golden Dorado of the Uruguay River. Your fishing adventure of a lifetime is just a phone call away…call anytime! Tighter lines are in order, David Fields International Angler/Outfitter  www.fishingtheAmericas.com Fishing the Americas most exciting and exotic sport fishing adventure destinations