The Best Golden Dorado Guides

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 3 golden dorado trips, and the most popular trips are Premier Bolivian Flyfishing guided by Federico, Bolivian Amazon Golden Dorado guided by Federico, and Golden Dorado Grand Slam guided by Juan.

All guides on Captain Experiences are licensed, insured, and vetted by our team. You can access their reviews, click through trip photos, read bios to get to know them, and preview trip details like species, techniques, group sizes, boat specs and more.

River fishing is the most popular for golden dorado.

The most common fishing techniques are fly fishing, wading, and light tackle fishing.

for golden dorado prices can range anywhere from $1,080 to $3,000 and up, but the average price for a full day for golden dorado is $11,786.

The best time to go fishing can depend on a number of factors. Call us to talk fishing!

See here for more information on golden dorado fishing licenses, golden dorado bag limits, and fishing season regulations for golden dorado. When in doubt, your fishing guide will always know the right golden dorado rules and regulations.

The golden dorado (dourado, dorado, river tiger, jaw characin, salminus brasiliensis) is a beast of a freshwater fish living in central South America. Golden dorado is actually a bit redundant, since dorado means golden in Spanish.

The breathtaking patterns of the Golden Dorado are why they're also referred to as "El Tesoro" (The Treasure). Their chrome-plated skulls, gills, and eyes are the true color of gold. Their hefty, chunky frame alludes to their status in the Casare River's food chain. Their jagged teeth command respect and retire streamers after one successful use.

While the average size of a golden dorado is 15-25 inches and about 5-20 pounds, they can get substantially bigger than this, which is why they are so legendary on the fly and are a true freshwater river monster. Golden dorado reach maturity at around 15 inches and 4-5 years, and will reach up to 15 years of age.

The world record golden dorado was recorded at 51 inches and about 75 pounds.

An excursion to the Bolivian jungle will get you to your target. You'll experience jungle plane rides to remote airstrips, practically untouched wild rivers, unbelievably rich starry night skies, local indigenous guides, and ferocious giant Golden Dorado (and other amazing Amazonian species).

In addition to the rainforests of Bolivia golden dorado can also be found in southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northern Argentina. The golden dorado naturally inhabits a number of river basins and has been introduced more widely still. It prefers water temperatures from 68-82 degrees Fahrenheit and is somewhat migratory in response to temperature, season, and the availability of prey. They will move upstream in the Spring to spawn.

The spawn is a great time to try your luck at this elusive prize, as the normally solitary species will school up to head upstream. Naturally, increased numbers will better your odds and be helpful when fishing with a few companions. In the southern hemisphere, this means October to March are your best times to go.

The shots of anglers technically stalking these golden, torpedo-shaped fish while hiding in the brush along the banks or behind giant flood-deposited boulders will get anyone excited.

Part of the draw of this trip is the level of fly fishing technique necessary to make the most of the experience. It would be the letdown of a lifetime to fly into Santa Cruz de la Sierra, fly out to the Casare River, hike up and down its banks, spot a Golden Dorado feeding frenzy (they hunt in packs to corner Sabalo baitfish), and then not be able to cast worth a damn...

Golden dorado are known to be a true prize for fly anglers who appreciate its fighting spirit and intelligence - they can spot you coming, so a lot of your fishing might be while crouching or sneaking up on them. They will frequently go airborne to try and shake the hook. You'll need to use heavy line and present them with an attractive and bulky streamer. You'll also want a steel wire or fluorocarbon monofilament because the teeth on these bad boys will tear a line to shreds.

If all else works out, you'll reach the moment that brings it all full-circle: the "Grip & Grin". Lifting these brutes should be an Olympic sport in and of itself.

Golden dorado are excellent to eat and have traditionally been used in local stews and soups, or are good grilled or fried. That being said, the fish has lost ground because of more industry and dam activity in the region and some countries are getting more strict about fishing limits. Many anglers are opting to respect the fish and release them.