PRE TRIP INFORMATION
Welcome to Argentina!
Congratulations, you are about to embark on the trip of a lifetime to wonderful Argentina, so please, take your time to read some facts about it.
Argentina is located in the Southern part of South America and its’ frontier with Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia & Chile. It has a perimeter of 29,038 Km. The coast, on the Atlantic Ocean, is 5,117 Km long. Its size is 3.7 million km2 and it is 3.820 km long.
It has a population of almost 36 million most with almost half living in Buenos Aires.
Almost 90 % of the Argentines are Caucasian, descendants from Italian, Spanish, and other European nationalities. The original Indian population is less than 10 % (Mapuche, Araucanos, Tobas and Matacos tribes)
Argentine’s official religion is Catholic but there is a huge Jewish population as well as others.
Argentina’s government is democratic and our President is Mrs. Cristina Kirschner. The official Language is Spanish with a very distinctive accent compared to other Latin American countries.
Flying to Argentina
Flying to Argentina from the United States is quite easy and one of the reasons it is such a great fly fishing destination during Northern Hemisphere cold winters.
Most major airlines fly to Buenos Aires (American Airlines, Delta, United, Continental, LAN, Aerolineas Argentinas)
Typically you will depart on a Friday evening and return on a Sunday morning. This gives you 6 full days to ply the waters of Argentina with your fly. When departing from the US there will most likely be a layover in Miami, Los Angeles or Dallas for about an hour. From Miami, Dallas or Los Angeles you will go on a direct flight to Buenos Aires (about 9 hrs. from Miami or 11 hrs. from Dallas), arriving early the following morning. After clearing customs you may want to spend the night in BA which is a fabulous metropolitan city to relax, site see and enjoy one of its fabulous restaurants. If you do want to spend a day, you will need to fly a day earlier.
Once in BA you will have to transfer from the international airport (Ezeiza Airport or EZE) to the domestic airport (J.Newbury Domestic or AEP) which is about 45 min away from the international airport. You will then take a flight to Salta.
The guides from Andes Outfitters will meet you upon arrival and transfer you to the lodge. In the unlikely event that you are to lose your passport, it is recommended that you make a copy and put it in a safe place.
At the end of the fishing week, you will be arriving back in the states on Sunday morning, with enough time to rest and get ready for you routine here back at home.
Arrival in Buenos Aires from the United States
Your international flight typically will arrive in Buenos Aires between 6 and 10 am. All international flights arrive in Buenos Aires at Ezeiza International Airport (the airport's official name is "Ministro Pistarini", code EZE), which is about 40 minutes driving time from downtown. (Note that there is another airport in Buenos Aires for domestic travel: Aeroparque Airport (code: AEP). Flights to Patagonia and back to Buenos Aires orginate at Aeroparque as described further below.)
Upon landing at Ezeiza on your initial arrival into Argentina you will go through immigration. The process is easy - just have your passport and immigration document (which you will fill out on the airplane before you land) ready for the official as you approach the counter. Because several flights from the United States can arrive at the same time, there may be some delay going through immigration.
The next step is to retrieve your luggage from the carousels. There will be rental carts nearby and the machines accept dollar bills and credit cards. Once you have your bags you will go through customs. We've never been stopped or had our bags searched but it's possible that this could happen to you. Chances are that they will just wave you through. Just outside customs you will enter a small area where you can make arrangements for transportation to the downtown and hotels if you have not done so already. To ease your transfers, we suggest making a reservation in advance through:
Manuel Tienda Leon www.tiendaleon.com.ar)
Prana Turismo (www.pranaturismo.com)
Manuel Tienda Leon has an office on the left side, just outside customs. You can’t miss it. Your English-speaking transfer guide from one of these local travel agencies should be waiting for you and assist your transfer to your hotel in Buenos Aires or directly to Aeroparque Airport.
Most of our guests spend their first afternoon and evening getting to know Buenos Aires, and then fly to Patagonia the following day, departing from Aeroparque Airport. Your hotel can arrange taxi service and estimate how much time to allow for this transfer. Buenos Aires is a beautiful, European-style city, with wonderful attractions. It is famous for Tango dancing and an exciting nightlife. Attractions include the Recoleta Cemetary and the Florida Street pedestrian walkway and shopping area.
Recommended Hotels in Buenos Aires
Claridge Hotel: PH. 011-54-11-4314-7700 or 2020 • FAX: 011-54-11-4314-8022 • E-MAIL: reservations@claridge-hotel.com
Alvear Palace Hotel: PH. 011-54-11-4808-2100 • FAX: 011-54-11-4804-9246 • E-MAIL: info@alvearpalace.com
Elevage Hotel: PH. 011-54-11-4891-8000• FAX: 011-54-11-4891-8017 • E-MAIL: hotel@elevage.com.ar
Four Seasons/Park Hyatt: PH: 011-54-11-4321-1200 • FAX: 011-54-11-4321-1201
Murano Hotel: PH/FAX: 011-54-11-5239-1000/1100 • E-MAIL: info@muranohotel.com
Feirs Park Hotel: PH: 011-54-11-4131-1999 • FAX: 011-54-11-4131-1950 • WEBSITE: www.feirspark.com.ar
A budget conscious alternative is Callao Concord Apart hotel from Vista South America Travel.
PH: 305-266-3029 * E-MAIL: Barbara@vistasouth.com
Documents
Argentina requires a valid passport with at least 3 months expiration date. US citizens do not need a Visa to enter Argentina. There is a $ 100 entry fee to all US citizens as entry fee.
Baggage
Bring one large duffle (no more than 50 pounds) and a carry on. I find a good, medium to small backpack very handy, not only on the plane but for fishing as well. The roller style duffle bags made specifically for fly fishing such as the Simms, Fishpond or Orvis are fantastic. I like to put my rods, reels and flies in my carry on because I can loose my clothes but not my tackle. If you have 2 piece rods you can check them with your oversized duffle but keep in mind if you try to check two bags plus your two piece rods you will be charged for checking 3 bags. Just make sure that they are in protective cases and the reels are separated and in your duffle. Make sure your luggage is labeled properly and that you pack only what you need. You will need to pick up your luggage when you arrive in BA and bring it to the domestic airport.
Currency
The official currency is the Argentine Peso. Exchange rate is 1 dollar = 3.8 peso
It is not recommended to bring Traveler checks as these are only accepted in Buenos Aires. You can exchange money at most banks in Argentina and most shops will take US dollars or Euros.
Electricity
220 volts/ 50 hz
The plugs used in Argentina have two rounded prongs. Bring a converter if you bring any electric devise such as laptop, shaving machine, I pod, etc.
Telephone service
Public telephones work with cards, which are tokens purchased in kiosks and the offices of the telephone companies, or with legal tender coins. There are call boxes where you can pay in cash (open 24 hrs a day). Calling from these Call boxes is very inexpensive.
You can also make calls from the Hotels or Lodges, but these calls are more expensive.
Most Hotels also have internet connection, either wi fi or via cable.
Calling to Argentina from the abroad you must dial:
011– 54 – (area code)
To call the US from Argentina you must dial 001 – area code – phone number
Health Care
Hospitals in Argentina are very good and you should not expect to wait an eternity on ER in case of an accident. Although not up to the US standards, you should expect to have a very good treatment.
You should expect to pay cash at the Hospital, but health care service is inexpensive in Argentina as it is subsidized by the state in the public hospitals.
Trip Insurance
Trip insurance is highly recommended and simple to obtain.
Water, drinks and food
Water is potable in Argentina but you should drink from bottled water, just in case.
Food in Argentina is excellent at most restaurants. Although Argentina is recognized as a Meat eating country, there is also excellent seafood. Contrary to public belief, Argentina food is not spicy.
Wine in Argentina is world class and top ranked. We are world famous for Malbec and Merlot wines.
Taxes
There is 21 % VAT (value added tax). There are some shops in Argentina that have tax free service for international customers. You can get claim a refund of 21 % at the airport on your way back.
Laundry
We offer laundry services at an additional cost. Do not over pack.
Gratuities
To simplify your fishing day, we recommend that you consider leaving a single tip to the Trip host or Head Guide at the end of your stay, which management will distribute among the guides and staff. The amount of any tip is for you to decide, of course, in your sole discretion. As a guideline, we suggest that you consider a gratuity of approximately 10% of the contract price for your trip. You are welcome to reward extraordinary service with a higher tip.
GOLDEN DORADO FLY FISHING in SALTA
Rio Tucanes
The fabled Rio Tucanes is born in Parque Nacional el Rey. It is a true spring creek since its born from cold and warm water springs in the Sierra Cresta del Gallo and Sierra del Piquete. When you arrive to Rio Tucanes you'll be amazed at its beauty and your first impression is that this is the perfect trout stream where the water is crystal clear and holds Dorado that average 6 lbs but there are fish up to 20 lbs in many pools and there are huge schools of Sabalos (Dorado favorite food) all over the place, and although vegetarian by nature, these fish sometimes take flies and put a very steady fight.
Since Rio Tucanes is a small stream it is wading only. We take up to 6 anglers per week that will share our private 10 miles of water which is divided in 7 beats, so each client will fish all beats during his stay. Each angler will be accompanied by another angler and one guide. Your guide will carry your food, first aid kit, flies and spare rods, but you’ll have to carry your own drinks, spare rod, and accessories.
Access to RioTucanes is very easy from the new Dorado Lodge, beats 1 to 3 are accessed by car directly to the river banks, beats 4 and 5 require a 25 minute walk from where we park our car and beats 6 and 7 require a 30 minute horseback ride or a 45 minute walk.
For Rio Tucanes we use 9’ # 6 or 7 weight rods and a tropical floating line. You need a good pair of wading/hiking, preferably high over the ankle to prevent injuries while wading over rocks.
Flies are typical baitfish imitations like Clousers, Half and Half, Deceivers, Gurglers, etc.
Rio Juramento
The Juramento River is located on Salta Province on Argentina’s Northwest and it became a world class Golden Dorado (Salminus Maxillosus) after the Cabra Corral river was installed for electricity purposes. Before this dam was constructed, the river had so many water level fluctuations that it was impossible to fish.
The Juramento is located on the transition zone between the high altitude Andes range (16.000 ft) and the rain forest. It usually flows at a stable 90 m2/s, except during the rainy season (January and February) when it reaches almost 170 m2/s.
The water is tea colored but varies from crystal clear (upper reaches) to milky brown on the lower reaches. It also varies depending on the rain.
The weather conditions during prime time are mostly sunny and warm to hot depending on how close to summer we are.
As the only certified Outfitters by the Province of Salta, we float several different reaches depending on several factors that may include water color, spawning season, etc.
A typical day involves leaving the Lodge at 8 a.m. and float until 6 or 7 p.m.
Floats average 15 miles per day as there are not many access points to the river.
We typically float until lunch time where we rest for an hour and then continue floating until take out.
Fishing is done from inflatable rafts with two anglers and one guide on each. We use 9’ 8 to 10 wt due to the size and weight of Golden Dorado and the flies.
Flies are streamers tied on 2/0 to 4/0 hooks from 4” to 8” long. We cast to the banks and obstructions on the river in search of our dream fish.
Dorado on the Juramento average 9 lbs but every day we have hookups of fish up to 40 lbs. Bringing them to shore is another story.
Dorado are very voracious and usually they’ll take the fly the moment it lands in the water. It is a sight to be seen when a truly large Dorado rolls over your fly and eats.
This is the moment of truth, the moment that will either put you into the fish of a lifetime or a frustrated attempt.
Dorado has very, very hard mouths, much like Tarpon.
You must strip strike VERY HARD to penetrate this iron like mouth. Once hooked, hang on. They will typically display their aerial acrobatics and run for cover, usually braking off. Dorado are very strong and powerful fish. The will do everything to brake you off. You must always keep tension on the line, except of course, while they jump. Once the fish is clear from obstructions in the river, you must fight it as you would a very large trout. Show them you are the boss without breaking the tippet.
