Los Gauchos Outfittters
Dorado Fishing - Uruguay's best kept secret
A fresh water fishing experience that will be exciting and bring out the fly-fishing or best angling abilities out for any skill level angler. Dorado fishing in Uruguay is some of the best. This freshwater fish is a fighter and so you do not just wait for it to take the lure but you prepare and get your fishing adreline going - Uruguay dorado fishing with some of the best guides and professionals in all of South America are here in Salto, Uruguay and Los Gauchos is proud to provide the Uruguay dorado fishing trip for all anglers.
Strength, proven durability, unmatched results - me or the Dorados..."
-Los Gauchos Outfitters King Dorado Fishing Master.
Fishing in Uruguay
Dorado Fishing
What is a dorado? Specifically a freshwater dorado like you will come in contact with during your Uruguay dorado fishing trip.
Golden Dorado Fish in Uruguay
The scientific name is Salminus maxillosus,or freshwater dorado, is native to the rivers of northern Argentina, southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and southern Bolivia.
The dorado in Uruguay has gained the nickname “Tiger of the rivers“. This descriptor speaks clearly of the main virtues of the dorado: its fighting spirit and its ability to obtain food. Though the dorados have always been a part of the freshwater sources in Uruguay, only recently have foreign anglers discovered the dorado and fun of fishing for them. This gamefish, the Golden Dorado, is perfectly suited for the fly rod.
The dorado is among the most beautiful fish for its golden, red, and black coloring. Its torpedo body and laterally compressed shape, together with its mouth with a strong jaw and teeth, give it away as a great hunter.The dorado is a formidable predator and great gamefish. The people of Uruguay have a special but absolutely divine way of preparing dorado for the dinnertable and this should not be missed during your Uruguay dorado fishing trip.
Dorado are excellent to eat - Grilled Dorado - nothing like it
The dorado is the top predator in it’s ecosystem, and preys on all types of bait fish, mainly mojarra and sabalo. Sometimes a lonely hunter, but usually a schooling fish, the dorado stalk the large schools of bait fish all day long. When the right conditions are present they enter a feeding frenzy that sends the frantic school of bait fish springing from the freshwaters creating a huge commotion. Dorado alarms and angling excitement for the Uruguay dorado fishing trip.
"It is not how many you keep that matters, rather it is how many you catch."
-Author, Jim Slinsky
Tips for Uruguay Dorado Fishing Trips
Over the past 8 years, the owner(s) and staff have fished all over Argentina and Uruguay with some weekend trout fishing and excellent fishing in south Florida. But some cool and necessary tips have been acquired for those looking at taking a Dorado Fishing trip to Uruguay.
- ENJOY! This seems like the most obvious but must be repeated. Enjoy your time in the wonderful country of Uruguay and enjoy the Dorado fishing trip - good or bad. Los Gauchos goal is to make everyone the record breaking angler with the largest dorado ever caught or rods that can't keep up with the number of dorados attacking the lures. However, there are bad fishing days. Go with an open mind and enjoy the people, the surroundings, the food, the wines, the culture and the fishing experience.
- Listen to the Guides Again, most of the guides have been fishing dorado in the Uruguay waters since before they could speak. In fact you will see Uruugayans from 2 ft in diapers to grown men with all kinds of lines, rods, and fishing techniques. The guides are well versed in the sport of freshwater fishing and especially the behaviors of the Dorados. Remember, you may be the top fishing expert, but the local knowledge and Uruguay fishing technique may make the top story on Fox News or the Outdoor Channel.
- Flexible Gear and Techniques Anglers have success with soft plastics--bouncing them toward the bottom of the rivers. The standard noisy presentations work but not as well in low water level enviornments. Again see above and use the guide's advice.
Uruguay Fishing Trip - Uruguay Dove Hunting
Los Gauchos offers Uruguay dorado fishing as a stand alone fishing trip OR in combination with Uruguay dove hunting. The dove hunting - dorado fishing or as Los Gauchos has defined the term - THE Cast and Blast Trip, takes place in Salto for the fishing portion and Mercedes, Uruguay for the dove hunting portion. Contact Los Gauchos toady to find out more about the Cast and Blast or to just take in a day or 2 of golden dorado fishing in Salto.
Check Out the Dorado Fishing - Good Times on a Uruguay Hunting Trip!
So make it count! Visit Los Gauchos Outfitters YouTube Channel and see more Uruguay Dorado Fishing in action with Los Gauchos videos.
Uruguay Dorado Fishing Trips - Los Gauchos Outfitters
The dorado fishing trip summarized with the questions we get asked the most. Please contact us though with other questions OR if you are ready to plan your fishing trip to Uruguay. Remember, the dorado fishing can be combined with just about any Uruguay bird hunting trip. Doves are the most popular since the dove hunting season is year round.
- DORADO FISHING SEASON - there is no "season" but the golden dorado fish do enjoy the warm water temperatures. The seasons - temperatures are opposite of those in North America. January to March will be warm in Uruguay and the water is just right for those fighting fish to come to the surface ready to be caught!
- What is the La Zona Area and WHEN can la Zona be accessed for Dorado Fishing ? - La Zona is authorized ony with special permits and the Los Gauchos professional fishing teams have that access to this trophy sized filled area of the Uruguay River. La Zona is located near the dam of the Uruguay River and since special boats and those with reservations and permits are the only ones allowed to fish in La Zona - this is a great area to catch the big one.
La Zona is only available to fish FRIDAY - SATURDAY - SUNDAY - MONDAY. Guests can fish for 3.5 hours within the La Zona area and the rest of the day is spent catching the golden dorado outside La Zona. - How many Anglers make up a Fishing Group for Uruguay? The ideal group is 4 anglers. Two per boat with 2 guides on board. If you are a single angler - we certainly welcome you and will take you fishing. However, remember the rates are based on a group of 4, so additional fees may apply to smaller fishing groups.
- Where do you stay while Fishing in Uruguay ? The accommodations for the Uruguay Dorado Fishing Trips are 2 resorts located in Salto, Uruguay. Both "hotels" are about 15 minutes from the river and dock where the boat is launched. The resorts are fully equipped with bathrooms, thermal springs, restaurant, bar and more. Single occupancy is always an option - there is an additional fee to secure the single room.
The daily rate includes the lodging and the meals at the resort hotels. Beverages with your meals are also included. For those that want to enjoy a glass of wine or snack after the day of fishing on the Uruguay River, you can. Most of the resorts accept all credit cards and of course cash. - How do you get to Salto for the Uruguay Dorado Fishing Trip? - Salto can be reached by plane from Montevideo on the new flights provided by Buquebus Airlines. Other ways to access Salto is by the hydrofoil boat from Buenos Aires to Colonia and then a ground transfer from Colonia to Salto (about 2.5 hours). New flights are being added all the time from Buenos Aires to Salto and from Montevideo to Salto with the new service provided by BQB airlines.
