Fishing equipment
Gear and Packing List
Come prepared for the Paraná
The Paraná is a powerful, constantly changing river, and conditions can vary throughout the season. Water level, current, clarity and weather all influence how we fish.
Below is our recommended equipment for Golden Dorado and other Paraná River species. Our guides will help you adjust tackle, flies and lures according to the conditions during your stay.
Fly fishing
Rods
- 8 or 9-weight, 9-foot fly rods
- Fast or medium-fast action recommended
- A spare rod is always a good idea, if available
Reels
- High-quality large-arbor reels matched to your rod
- Strong, reliable drag system
- Minimum 100–150 yards of 20–30 lb backing
Lines
We recommend bringing:
- Weight-forward floating line
- 250–350 grain sinking or sink-tip line
- 15 ft sinking tip
Tropical or warm-water lines are recommended during warmer months, as they perform better in Paraná River conditions.
Leaders & tippet
Golden Dorado have powerful jaws and sharp teeth, so proper leader material is essential.
We recommend:
- 20–40 lb fluorocarbon or hard mono
- 30–40 lb wire bite tippet
- Leaders approximately 7–9 ft long
- Pliers or cutters suitable for wire
Flies
Productive Paraná patterns include:
- Deceivers
- Hollow Flies
- EP Baitfish
- Brush Flies
- Large synthetic streamers
- Muddler-style patterns
- Rats
- Poppers
Most streamers should be tied on strong hooks in the 1/0–4/0 range, with 2/0 and 3/0 being particularly useful.
Popular color combinations include:
- Black & purple
- Yellow & orange
- White & chartreuse
- Olive & gold
Water clarity can change quickly, so carrying both dark silhouettes and brighter patterns gives you more options.
Our guides carry a selection of proven patterns and will recommend the best flies, sizes and colors for the conditions.
Spinning & baitcasting
For anglers who prefer conventional tackle, spinning and baitcasting are both highly effective ways to fish the Paraná.
Rods
- Medium to medium-heavy action
- Approximately 6–7 ft
- Strong enough to handle powerful dorado while remaining comfortable for repeated casting
Reels
- Quality spinning or baitcasting reels
- Smooth, reliable drag
- High-speed retrieval is recommended for baitcasting
- 25–30 lb braided line
Leaders
A wire leader is essential when targeting Golden Dorado.
We recommend:
- 30–40 lb wire
- Approximately 8–12 inches in length
Lures
A good Paraná tackle box should include a mix of:
- Minnows and jerkbaits
- Crankbaits
- Spinnerbaits
- Spoons
- Soft plastics
- Weedless frog patterns
- Poppers
- Propeller-style topwater lures
- Other surface and subsurface lures
Bring your favorites. Experimenting is part of fishing the Paraná, and sometimes an unexpected lure produces the fish of the trip.
Fly-tying materials
Guests who enjoy tying or customizing their own flies may want to bring:
- Danville 210 thread or equivalent
- Saddle / rooster hackle
- Strung Schlappen
- Deer body hair
- Bucktail
- Flashabou
- Painted lead eyes
- TMC 811 – 3/0 hooks
- TMC 600SP – 3/0 hooks
- Vise and standard fly-tying tools
- Scissors, bobbin and whip finisher
- Wire-cutting pliers
What to wear & bring
Days on the Paraná can range from hot and sunny to cool, windy or wet. Lightweight layers and good sun protection are essential.
We recommend:
- Lightweight waders and boots
- Lightweight long-sleeve UV shirts
- Lightweight fishing pants
- Fleece or warm layer
- Rain jacket
- Rain pants
- Polarized sunglasses
- Sun gloves
- Cap or wide-brimmed hat
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Sandals or comfortable lodge footwear
- Waterproof bag or pouch for personal items
- Fly or lure boxes
- Line nippers
- Forceps / fishing pliers
Leave the rest to us
You don't need to predict exactly what the Paraná will be doing before you arrive.
Our guides fish these waters every day and will help you choose the right tackle, flies, lures and techniques for the conditions at the time of your trip.
Come prepared. We’ll take care of the rest.
Plan your trip
Are you ready?
