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

Mike Leech Reports "Great Trip" on the Amazon Santana

Click here for the Amazon Santana Information

PEACOCKS FROM THE AMAZON SANTANA

Any true angler that has never fished for “Giant Peacock Bass” in the Amazon must absolutely put it on their bucket list! Those that have had the experience are, no doubt, looking forward to their next opportunity to return. My trip on the Amazon Santana was not my first time fishing in the Amazon, and I was pleasantly surprised at the comfortable accommodations on the yacht. It “far” exceeded my expectations and was considerably better than previous houseboats from which I had fished on the Rio Negro.

Our group met the Amazon Santana at Barcelos on the Rio Negro, and the crew handled our luggage and rod cases from the time we got off the plane until it was delivered to our cabins. Those that chose not to bring their own rods and reels were provided with good tackle, unlike some of the other trips I had been on. After a hot buffet lunch, pairs of anglers joined their guides and were able to get in several hours of fishing on arrival day.

The experienced guides, most of whom spoke English, constantly amazed me. Although the Amazon Santana moved each day in order to fish new water,they seemed to know each area like the back of their hands. With no charts, no GPS and no channel markers on the river they navigated the thousands of islands, rivers, lagoons, creeks and hidden lakes in order to seek out the best hot spots. In addition to catching Speckled, Orinoco and Butterfly Peacocks, we caught numerous other species unique to the Amazon basin which was always fun. Our guide led us to several big Peacocks including a 23, 21, 20 and 19 lb bass. The 20 lb Peacock was caught on fly tackle.

Our week long experience included, on different days, a shore lunch, barbecue dinner on a sand bar, dining under the stars on the top deck, and even an optional visit to a local native village. Except for an occasional fly, mosquitoes and other pesky critters were almost non existent. Returning to the yacht each day after 10 or 11 hours of fishing, we were met with a cold drink and a welcome cold damp towel. The food was plentiful and the bar was open all week.

All in all, it was a great experience which I am looking forward to experiencing again some day.

Mike Leech, Former president of IGFA

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

FISHING REPORT

Location: Rio Negro/Amazon River/Manaus Brazil

Trip Date: December 10 - December 18, 2010

Group Size: 17 Anglers

# of Days: 6 – (4 late-arrival anglers fished 5 days only)

Numbers: 779

Size: 10 lb.’ers – 6, 11 lb.’ers – 1, 12 lb.’ers – 2, 13 lb.’ers – 2,

14 lb.’ers – 1, 15 lb.’ers – 4, 16 lb.’ers – 2, 17 lb.’ers – 1,

18 lb.’ers – 2, 19 lb.’ers – 2, 20 lb.’ers – 1, 21 lb.’ers – 2,

22 lb.’ers – 2, 23 lb.’ers – 1, and 24 lb.’ers – 1

(non-published were under 10#)

Water Level: Although the water levels were by no means “too” high, the jungle was unusually quiet during our trip. This might have been one of the reasons that the fishing was a bit slow for this week.

Baits Used: Lures of choice for this trip were Jumping Minnows, Zara Spooks, and Jigs.

Notes: All in all, everyone had a good trip and appreciated the efforts of the Guides and Staff. There were quite a few compliments on the accomodations being great as well as the food, and service, being exceptional.

News Release...Press Release...El Grande Lures!

El Grande Lures’ Triple-Laminate Hatch-Match Sticks

Revolutionize Soft-Bait Manufacturing...

Bout time Jay! I've kept this under wraps about as long as I could stand it. In this case, Press Release really translates to "We Have Ignition Houston (fin'atics)". Jay Schurtz has just upending the world of "Plastics" as we have known it since Nick Cream poured his first "rubber worm". Introducing today the Tri Lam! Whew...I've had a few to play with this fall and they are sweeeeeet so says the finned friends out back in my private playground!

The perfect lure just got an upgrade!

Forage fish eaten by black bass have three primary colors, a fact reflected in the lifelike patterns of today’s crankbaits, jigs, spinnerbaits and swimbaits. Until recently, however, soft-plastic lures such as stickbaits and jerkbaits could not be mass-produced to duplicate these three-color patterns. That’s all changed with a revolutionary triple-lamination process developed by El Grande Lures of Linton, Indiana that’s now used in manufacturing the company’s 5-1/4-inch, soft-plastic Hatch-Match Sticks.

“The triple-laminate colors produced by El Grande Lures in their Hatch-Match Sticks are unparalleled in the injected-plastic market,” says Texas bass pro Kurt Dove. “As a professional angler/guide at Lake Amistad, I’m always looking for an edge on my competition or a way to help my clients catch lots of fish. The triple-laminate colors of the Hatch-Match Stick have made a huge difference in my catch rates. The fish have just not seen colors in plastic baits this realistic and they can’t resist them! El Grande’s triple-laminate colors are the most lifelike match to baitfish ever produced in soft-plastic baits.”

EL Grande Lures, owned by Jay D. Schurtz, started as a handpour company creating plastics for giant bass in Mexico and southern U.S. states. Early on, Jay began perfecting a triple-lamination process in soft plastics to more closely match common bass forage such as tilapia, bluegills and langostinos. Demand for these triple laminates far outpaced the available time to create them, so El Grande expanded into the injected-plastics market and brought triple lamination of full round baits into the current marketplace.

“For the angler looking for the competitive edge, this is it,” says FLW Tour Pro Angler Chad Morgenthaler. ”No more settling for common or bland color schemes that leave anglers wondering, ‘What does this imitate?’ and ‘Why would a fish bite it?’ With its new triple-laminate color schemes, El Grande Lures has taken good baits and made them exceptional. They’ve changed forever the way anglers will view and use soft plastics.”

“El Grande already created the ultimate soft stickbait with the Hatch-Match Stick,” says Elite Pro Angler Fred Roumbanis. ”Now they’re the first to add real life appeal with three shades that match actual prey, as well as the true action of an injured baitfish.”

El Grande’s 5-1/4-inch Hatch-Match Sticks are available in seven triple-laminate colors: Bluegill, Baby Bass, Bonita Shad, Catalpa, Tilapia, Perch, Threadfin. The triple-laminate process will be used to produce additional lures in 2011. For more info, visit the brand new ElGrande Lures website www.elgrandelures.com.