Pirá

Pirá Lodge is the world’s first deluxe lodge to target the freshwater dorado.

The lodge is located in the Corrientes Province, Northeast Argentina, in the middle of the Ibera Marshlands, within1,300,000 hectares of Natural Reserve. This area is twice the size of the Florida Everglades. The lodge sits right on the edge of a channel providing direct access to the marsh system and to the Corrientes River, located 15 min south of the lodge.

The Ibera Marshland is a vast system of non-polluted crystal-clear creeks, flowing rivers, shallows and lakes. The Province of Corrientes borders Uruguay, and enjoys one of Argentina’s subtropical climate patterns, with temperatures in the mid-80s early and late in the season. The Ibera Marshland is almost completely unexplored and uninhabited. It is home to more than 350 species of birds (parrots, southern screamers, kingfishers, ibis, heron, 85 mammals and almost 70 reptiles, and an incredible abundance of flora.

The Fishing:

The Dorado is an aggressive fish, and once hooked makes impressive and acrobatic multiple jumps. This complex fish can be found near confluences, on edges of eddies, riffles, sharp bends in the current, and close to overhanging carpets of water hyacinth. It can be fished in narrow runs, on skinny water, large fish have been hooked in the deep runs.

In most areas, the dorado is caught in coloured or murky waters and generally with heavy spinning tackle. However, at the Ibera marshland around Pira Lodge, clear water fishing on light spinning tackle and on fly rods has become one of the world’s most sought after angling adventures.

Opened in March 2000, the lodge is located in the Ibera marshland, one of the most unique and fascinating wetlands in the world. The incomparable variety of wildlife found in the 3.000.000 acre marshland allows anglers to combine fishing with a number of other activities.

Programme:

Guests can spend the number of days fishing at Pirá that they chose. There is no fixed minimum stay.

The lodge can be accessed by commercial airline from Buenos Aires to Corrientes or Resistencia (2 hour flight). The transfer from the airport to the lodge by four wheel drive takes 4 hours max. A 2 hours private charter flight is available from Buenos Aires to the lodge’s landing strip when operational, or to the Mercedes airport; then a 1h 30min drive to the lodge.

To avoid the midday heat, anglers generally leave the lodge early in the morning around 8 am or earlier. Guests return to the lodge for a swim, lunch and drinks at around 12.30 pm. After Lunch and a siesta boats will typically leave the dock around four o’clock, returning around dark. Fishing hours will change slightly depending on the time of year. Demanding fishermen can fish through the day and can arrange this with the head guide.

Accommodation:

Opened in March 2000, Pirá Lodge is the world’s first deluxe lodge to target the freshwater dorado. The lodge is located in the Ibera marshland, one of the most unique and fascinating wetlands in the world. The incomparable variety of wildlife found in the 3.000.000 acre marshland allows anglers to combine fishing with a number of other activities.

The Lodge has capacity for 10 rods. It has 5 en suite bedrooms, fully air-conditioned with 2 double beds and French windows opening out to the shaded veranda with hammocks, a dining room, spacious sitting room, bar, fly-tying table and a 20 meter pool. Telephone and Internet service is available. Gourmet dining with Argentina’s famed beef and fine wines, traditional Asados (BBQs) and delicious desserts is a speciality. Maid and laundry service is provided. The Lodge also has a fly shop, fully equipped with flies, rods, reels, lines and clothing, and offers a loaner rod service.

Seasons:

High Season: January to April. Low Season: May to December.

Rates – 2018:

Rates are US$6,300/person/week

Bookings can be made for shorter periods.

Included: Lodging, Meals, all wines, beer, and local spirits at the Lodge, Professional guide services & loaner fishing equipment (Rods, reels & Lines)

Not Included: International and domestic flights; Accommodation, transfers and meals in Buenos Aires; Telephone and fax service; Laundry service; Gratuities