THE TRUTH ON LA ZONA

Practically every day since I have returned from a very successful golden dorado trip at La Zona on the Uruguay River, I get letters stating that there are new restrictions on the area you can fish!  Truth is nothing has changed.  A few months ago the Argentina government placed a restriction of entering the waters, 500 meters from the Salto Grande Dam due to terrorist prevention.  When contracts were drawn up between the Argentina government and permit holder, Hector Bradanini, the restrictive area know as the zone was from the beginning of the dam walls out to about 1000 meters.

 This area, known as the zone, prohibits local boats from entering except those with permits.  The Argentina government has issued 2 permits  whereas 1 boat on each permit can gain entrance.  Currently, the government of Uruguay has not issued any permits.  Due to breach of contract, lawsuits are being heard between the government and permit holder to set the restrictive zone back to that stated in the contract!  However for now the TRUTH IS 500 METERS from the dam wall, nothing has increased!!!   As stated in my report from the first week of January, I had my best trip to date, having fished for golden dorado since the opening years ago.  In my opinion, to much valuable time is spent fighting 25 to 30 lbs dorado when fishing directly near the dam.  So fishing slightly away increases the odds of landing a 50 lbs monster!   So you will say that you will now not catch many per trip.  This again is nonsense.  My top session was over 30 huge dorado caught and released by my partner and I during the afternoon.  So do not believe what is floating around on the "net".  Jealous US outfitters so some reason are making up these false rumors of what is going on at La Zona.  The truth is they have no contacts down there and probably never made a booking for clients at La Zona.  They are just trying to make money and have clients go elsewhere for golden dorado and put the screws to them after they are lucky to catch a 10 lbs dorado!

SPARKY'S DORADOKILLER SPINNERBAITS

On my recent trip to La Zona for golden dorado, the key to our success was the Sparky doradokiller spinnerbait.  These spinnerbaits held up to the massive strikes and fighting ability of golden dorado up to 50 pounds!  The spinnerbait is made of the strongest wire available and the dorado was not able to bend it.  It has either single huge Colorado blades or Willow blades or tandem blades of either style.  The top colors for our group were blades in either fluorescent orange, red, or chartreuse.  The 2 ounce spinnerbait head has a free swinging 10/0 single hook which prevents the dorado from bending the lure during headshaking runs.  Long quality skirts of many colorations are available. While we used the Sparky doradokiller spinnerbait, we dragged the spinnerbait along the rocks during our drifts in the zone.  I highly recommend attaching the spinnerbait to a strong leader which has a split ring instead of a snap swivel to prevent tangle across the spinnerbait arm.  I have not found spinnerbaits which are available in stores which can stand up to the dorado.  So, when getting your tackle ready to battle the mightly golden dorado and other ferocious species, I highly recommend you purchase a few Sparky's doradokiller spinnerbaits.

La Zona January 6 to 9, 2017

Had the opportunity to fish for golden dorado on the Uruguay River in the section known as La Zona during January 6 to 9, 2017.  This was my 10th trip to his fishing fantasy!  There was much uncertainty entering this trip as a few months prior, the Argentina government placed restrictions on the "zone" due to protection against terrorist activity near the dam.  So, a new boundary of 500 meters from the dam wall was put into place.  The "zone" is an area where government permits are required for entry.  Originally, the "zone" was 1000 meters and after the new set of rules it was reduced into half.  The water levels were ideal with 4 to 5 meters being the norm.  Fishing was absolutely on fire!  Our group of 4 fishermen who previously fished La Zona landed and released 17 dorado at 40 lbs or better.  I got lucky as was able to land the 2 largest golden dorado of the trip both weighing in at 50 lbs.

 We also landed 1 at 49 lbs, 1 at 48 lbs, 5 at 46 lbs. 4 at 44 lbs, 1 at 43 lbs, 2 at 42 lbs and 1 at 40 lbs plus numerous between 15 to 40 pounds.  The top lure by far were the Clark doradokiller spinnerbait and the Sparky doradokiller spinnerbait.  Guides Elbio and Alejandro did a tremendous job putting us on top of trophy dorado each session.  Hostess, Giuliana Bradanini, received 5-stars from all in the group as she made sure every detail in our trip was too perfection.  Also all of us put a few pounds on with chef, Marcello's wonderful meals.
In my opinion, there are too many smaller dorado near the dam, so the odds of catching a monster over 40 lbs are not good.  When you hook into the battling 20 to 30 lbs dorado, your drift takes you out of productive areas since the boat is rapidly moving through the zone.  So, I truely believe the odds are increased to catching trophies by starting the drift slightly away from the dam.  Cannot wait until my 11th trip to golden dorado heaven comes about next season at La Zona!

MY EIGHT DAYS OF FISHING CHRISTMAS/ ALASKA PENINSULA

Well hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!  I awoke this morning only to find another great fishing trip on my list, a return trip to the Alaska Peninsula, Pumice Creek Lodge.  I have fished this area for monster silver salmon for the past 27 years and now call it my home away from home.  On the Peninsula there are more huge brown bears than people and hundreds of thousands of monster silver salmon return home from the sea to their native river to spawn.  The weather on the Peninsula is harsh to say the least with normal strong winds and rain.  However, the fishing is darn right spectacular!  Days catch of a hundred silvers is possible if your arms are worthy and days of hundreds of arctic char can be easily completed.  Gary LaRose, owner of Pumice Creek Lodge, has been in the guiding business all his life.  While staying at the lodge you have the option of fishing for silvers at the Cinder River, which in my opinion has the largest, most abundant silvers on earth!  Or, you can fish Arctic Char at Lava Creek where the action is non-stop.  Alaska is a spectacular, vast land where vast herds of caribou roam, some of the largest moose and brown bear call home, and up north Polar Bears can be viewed!  Alaska was probably the best purchase the USA has ever done and am sure with the vast mineral resources available, Russia kicks themselves in the rear everyday after selling it very cheap.  Make sure to visit Alaska when you have the chance and you will definitely return numerous times like I have.

Speaking of Christmas, make sure to thank God on how blessed each one of us are.  Having been fortunate to visit many International countries, most here in the USA do not realize how good they have it!  Most, are lucky to find a meal for the day or a cup of water to drink.  Clothes are a blessing for most.  They do not have modern items such as computers, television,or any contact with the outside world! They is no going to the grocery store to fill your stomach or heading to the local doctor to cure your illness. They live each day more or less to Survive!  God bless each and every family on this day of celebration of  the birth of my Christ!

MY EIGHT DAYS OF CHRISTMAS FISHING/ TANZANIA TIGERFISH

Tigerfish are one of the most ferocious freshwater fish on earth!  Their giant teeth puts a scare to anybody who handles them as evident by the numerous bite marks in our guides arms!  Tanzania is situated  in Eastern Africa bordering the Indian Ocean between Kenya and Mozambique.  It boasts some of the finest wildlife sanctuaries in the world plus some of the fishing for monster tigerfish.  The Mnyera and Ruhuji Rivers are rarities as the tigerfish here grow to enormous size.  20 pound + tigers are caught daily during the dry season.  These tigers are not the goliath tigerfish found in the Congo, but a separate species altogether.
The housing at the lodge was very comfortable as each client is given his own safari type tent which is larger than the 1st floor on my house.  You are next to the river so many sleepless nights happen as you are dreaming of hippos, elephants, crocs, etc.. entering your tent!

 Noises are heard throughout the evening and hippos walked through camp practically each night!  Tigerfish are extremely difficult to get a good hookset in as their mouth is very hard thus making hook penetration difficult.  Normally the enormous teeth of the tigers are just stuck in your lure.  Tigerfish are one of the top freshwater game fish and hopefully Santa puts this great trip under your tree tonight!

MY EIGHT DAYS OF CHRISTMAS FISHING/ JURASSIC LAKE ARGENTINA

Argentina is rapidly becoming my favorite International destination having fished La Zona for many years and now have ventured into the Southern remote Patagonia Region at Jurassic Lake Lodge. Over the years I have made numerous friends in Argentina and enjoy seeing a few of them each visit in Buenos Aires.   Here, some of the largest rainbow trout on earth swim.

The lodge sits on the Barrancoso River where literally thousands of large rainbow trout enter for their spawning cycle.  Numerous rainbows over 20 pounds are caught each week.  My largest to date is a monster weighing 23 lbs.  All fishing here is done wading either Jurassic Lake or the Barrancoso River.  Friend and owner, Carlos Casanello has made numerous improvements in the lodge which now boasts of a beautiful main lodge building and newly built guest rooms overlooking the lake.  So, if a monster rainbow trout is on your fisherpersons Christmas list, give Carlos a shout here on Facebook or write him at carlos@jurassiclakelodge.com

MY EIGHT DAYS OF CHRISTMAS FISHING/ PAPUA NEW GUINEA

In my opinion Papua New Guinea bass are the strongest freshwater on earth pound for pound.  A 40 lbs PNG bass will give you the battle of your life.  A 50+ lbs bass might be impossible to land.  During our visit we flew out of Brisbane, Australia to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.  Here outfitter, Jason Yip of www.sportfishingpng.net greeted us.  Jason is the only outfitter to have permission from the natives to fish the top rivers in PNG.  Recently, Jason has utilized a large houseboat, the K2O, as base camp to gain access to very remote areas on the Island.  I fished the remote Gulf Providence during my visit.

 Numerous monster PNG bass and barramundi were landed.  In fact, Jason set the IGFA all tackle world record during my stay.  This record was topped recently by one of Jason's clients. PNG has the unworthy reputation of on going tribal warfare and being unsafe.  I found the exact opposite to be fact.  Not once during my stay did I feel unsafe.  I visited numerous villages during a day of fishing and found the natives to be very friendly. I visited a local tribal school of which had a huge ceremony for our visit and presented us with Keys to their Kngdom!  I highly doubt there is another fish on earth which could pull me to my knees such as my 40+ lbs PNG bass did.  I cannot brag about this trip enough.  Do it now before the crowds start to come to PNG.