Heart Pounding Gold - Where To Toss The Bags |
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Where To Toss The BagsSeveral U.S. airlines offer direct flights to Buenos Aires International Airport in Argentina. Most international flights are overnight from Miami, and anglers are usually transferred the morning of arrival to the national airport for a commercial flight to Goya or other small city north of the capital. Most of the lodges that cater to golden dorado enthusiasts are a few hours van ride from the smaller airport. Most standard itineraries include two overnight international flights, one night at a first class hotel in Buenos Aires, and four or five days of fishing. I’ve visited the region a few times and the comfortable accommodations near the action are fairly similar. The typical lodge or "Estancia" offers full electricity, hot and cold water, and is on a working cattle ranch surrounded by beautiful pastures. In-town accommodations are usually in quaint villas with flowering gardens and massive landscaped lawns. Guides, who are often conversant in English, are typically excellent, as are most lodges’ boats, motors and equipment. The first-class food, wine and service at most facilities can only be described as "Old-world hospitality." Several U.S. international fishing tour companies/booking agents offer packaged golden dorado fishing adventures to Northern Argentina. They include FishQuest! (www.fishquest.com), Rod & Gun Resources (www.rodgunresources.com), The Detail Company (www.detailcompany.com) and Acute Angling (www.acuteangling.com).Bring Your Camera
Iguazu Falls and Iguazu National Park are "must sees" on the northern border of Argentina, if you have a day or two to spare. The green foliage of the Misiones Rainforest surround the immense waterfalls. The park is home to more than 2,000 species of plants, such as leafy ferns, bromeliads, orchids, palms and gigantic trees that support a great variety of climbing plants. They provide the fruits needed by monkeys, coatis and deer. There are also some 450 species of birds, including toucans, jays, parrots and swifts, and over 80 species of mammals that run through the shadows of the rainforest. Black caimans are seemingly everywhere in Northern Argentina’s huge system of rivers, streams, channels and ponds. We saw a dozen each day just sitting on the banks as we drift-fished and trolled the main river that twisted through the marshes. A large capybara ran along the riverbank ahead of us on one bend before jumping into the river. A tremendous variety of birds including, herons, egrets, hawks, ducks and others endemic to South America added to the interesting scenery along the rivers. We even saw a couple of rheas, the South American version of the ostrich, socializing with herds of cattle at pasture. In the tropical marshes, plains and flooded grasslands along the river, you may spot wild boar, coatis, hairy armadillos, river otter and/or marsh deer. Howler monkeys populate the forests and the plains. They are a few wolves, fox, cats, and goats living in the estuaries and even jaguar, however, they roam mostly at night and are rarely seen. While the lands around the marshes are normally very flat, just a few miles west lay the backcountry of the Andes Mountains. There, evidence of the peoples’ ancient culture sets the stage for impressive landscapes and breathtaking contrasts. Forested valleys with crystal clear water streams lie adjacent to deserts and multicolored mountains. You should also get to know the cosmopolitan Buenos Aires on one of your international transfers. The beautiful city, often called the Paris of South America, is certainly worthy of setting aside a day to explore. Stroll by the widest boulevard on earth, 9 de Julio Avenue or visit the Obelisk monument that commemorates 400 years of Argentine history. Other Notes of InterestAbout ArgentinaFor additional facts, visit the U.S. State Department’s website on Argentina www.state.gov/p/wha/ci/ar/
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The Northern Argentina countryside offers a myriad of interesting sights including ranch lands, gauchos on horseback and many small villages. There are plenty of alternate tours before or after your fishing expedition to experience the area. Horseback riding, rodeo adventures, trekking though valleys and visiting adobes, waterfalls or nearby mountains are all options. 
