Even if you have worked with Acute Angling before, please read this guide carefully!

Flights and Transfer Days

Booking your International Flights and Hotels

We recommend that you purchase international flights six months in advance when possible. You are welcome to book your own flights but if you would like some assistance, we recommend Alexy at Dumonde Travel. Alexy is a free resource to our clients and books many of the flights for Acute anglers each year and speaks English, Spanish, and Portugues.

Alexy Mesa | Corporate Travel Consultant Dumonde Corporate Travel

1395 Brickell Ave-Suite 800 Miami FL 33131
Office 786 299 5505
alexy@traveldm.com
www.traveldm.com  

After you book your flights, please enter your flight information into your portal on WeTravel. The portal has specific questions such as arrival time, flight numbers, etc. This will assist the Argentina team in coordinating transfers.


Note: You will be given contact information for key staff members in Argentina and the US after you confirm your trip and pay a deposit.


Airports

Please note that Buenos Aires has two airports: Ministro Pistarini International Airport, also known as Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) and Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP)


Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) is the main international airport. If you are traveling from North America, Europe, or Central America you will fly to this airport. The majority of our clients fly to this airport. Ezeiza also has domestic flights to various locations throughout Argentina if you chose to travel after fishing on the Paraná.


Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) has domestic flights in Argentina and a few international flights within South America.


Transfers

The trip starting date we publish corresponds to the date that the charter van transfers you from the airport or hotel to the yacht on the Paraná River. The last day we publish corresponds to the day you transfer from the yacht to the Buenos Aires airport.


Starting Transfer Day:


Option 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires the day before the transfer day. Once you walk out of customs there are several kiosks offering taxi services in the airport. We recommend booking a cab with one of these services as many of the receptionists speak English and they will accompany you to your taxi once you pay. Please have the name and address of your hotel to assist them with booking your taxi.

Stay in one of the recommended hotels and enjoy touring Buenos Aires or relaxing at the hotel. The next morning the van will pick you up between 7:00-8:00 a.m. and transfer you to the Paraná River. Transfer from the recommended hotels take 4-4 ½ hours depending on mothership location on the Paraná. Once you arrive at the yacht you will have lunch and a brief orientation. After which you will enjoy half a day of fishing.


Option 2: Arrive in Buenos Aires on the morning of the starting transfer day. The van will pick you up directly from the airport and you head to the Paraná River. Once you arrive you will eat and have a brief orientation. You may or may not get a half day of fishing. It depends when your international flight arrives in the morning. Transfer from the airport to the yacht takes about 4 ½-5 hours depending on the location of the yacht in the Paraná system.

Departure Day: The last published day of the trip is when you transfer back from the yacht to the Buenos Aires airport. In the morning you will wake up on the yacht and eat breakfast. Afterwards you will head to the airport. Please make sure that your return international flight is after 4:00 p.m.

Hotels

If you choose to arrive the day before to relax and enjoy Buenos Aires (which we encourage as it is a great city) here is a list of hotels that we recommend. These are in a very nice part of the city with shops and food nearby. Please note that Alexy Mesa can assist you with booking your hotel.

Dazzler by Wyndham Recoleta

Dazzler Recoleta | Hotel in Recoleta with the best location  

Dazzler by Wyndham Palermo

Home - Dazzler Palermo  

Intersur Recoleta 

Intersur Recoleta | Con el estilo y la exclusividad de Recoleta  

Palladio Hotel

Boutique hotel with personality for a luxury travel experience  

Ian Hotel

https://www.ianhotel.com.ar/

Baggage Requirements

Because no charter planes are needed for this trip baggage is per international airline regulations. No special baggage requirements are needed for this trip.

Packing

  • We provide all conventional fishing tackle it is not necessary to bring your own

  • We do not provide fly-fishing gear. You must bring your own (see fly fishing section below)

  • We do laundry daily, so you can pack light

  • Medications and personal requirements

Packing List

  • Two pairs of polarized sunglasses:

    • Please bring two pairs in case you break or lose a pair. You must have eye protection when fishing. You do not want a hook in your eye out on the river.  Always wear glasses when fishing. You might consider clear safety glasses for early morning or evening fishing. Especially if your eyesight is weak. It won’t win a fashion contest, but neither does a hook in your eye.

  • Clothing: 

    • Please note that lighter colors are better than darker during warm weather periods (December – mid-March).

  • Rain jacket and pants

  • Light-weight jacket (It can be cool in the morning and evening).

  • Warm jacket (This is especially true for those visiting in weeks outside of December to mid-March).

  • 3-4 long sleeve fishing shirts or hoodies (warm weather UPF shirts)

  • 3 pairs of quick-drying pants

  • 3 pairs of white socks (the boat deck can get hot; these will keep your feet from burning)

  • 4 pairs of underwear

  • 3 buff face masks

  • Fishing hats

  • 3 pairs of fishing sun protection gloves

  • Swimsuit

  • Sandals

  • Water shoes

  • Tennis shoes

  •  Some companies that sell fishing-specific clothing items include:

    • Colombia- Performance Fishing Gear

    • Pelagic

    • Simms

    • Huk

    • Bass Pro Shop

    • Orvis

Medical and Personal

  • Insect repellent (Deet is a good thing)

  • "Anti-itch" cream

  • GoldBond medicated powder

  • Aspirin, Advil, or Ibuprofen

  • Band-Aids

  • Imodium, Pepto-Bismol or other anti-diarrheal

  • Neosporin (or other Anti-bacterial cream)

  • Benadryl (for allergic reactions)

  • Prescription Medications (please pack in your carry-on bag in case your luggage gets lost)

  • EpiPen and anti-allergic medication for those with serious allergies.

  • Powder Gatorade mix or other electrolyte mix

  • Waterproof sunscreen SPF 30+ (unscented)

  • Lip balm with sunscreen (highest SPF you can get)

  • Toiletries

  • Prescription Glasses

  • Flashlight

  • Day Pack (preferably 100% Waterproof)

  • Waterproof bags, Zip-Loc bags, Trash bags (to keep gear dry or to pack wet clothes or shoes)

  • Lens Wipes (Good for glasses, smart phones, and cameras)

Other

  • Passport with at least 6 months of validity from your date of arrival in Argentina.

  • 2 Copies of passport (Put in Ziplock bag to keep moisture off)

  • Airline tickets and itinerary

  • Cash (for tipping and souvenirs)

  • Credit card (Let the cc company know where and when you are traveling)

  • Emergency Telephone Numbers

  • Smartphone or Tablet with Charger

  • Universal Electrical Adaptor. In Argentina, power plugs and sockets (outlets) of type C and type I are used. The standard voltage is 220 V at a frequency of 50 Hz (Look Up Adapter for Argentina on Amazon.com and there will be several options)

  • Apps for smartphone

    • Google Translate (Download Spanish language before arriving to use in areas without Wi-Fi)

    • WhatsApp or Telegram (Remember to have loved ones back home download as well.

      • Remember to have loved ones back home download as well. We recommend sending a few initial messages at home to ensure your numbers are connected.

Optional

  • Waterproof Camera and Charger

  • Notebook and pen

  • Binoculars

  • Book

  • Hook Sharpener (seems like the guides often lose or forget it)

  • Fishing knot tying smartphone app. There are several, but Grog Knots is a good one.

Health

Vaccinations
Argentina has different vaccination requirements for residents of different countries, but currently no vaccines are required for U.S. or Canadian citizens. If your home country is somewhere else, then please feel free to reach out to Acute Angling for more information regarding your specific home country’s requirements.

  • Yellow Fever Vaccine

    • If you are arriving from, or have recently visited, countries that present a yellow fever risk then we recommend that you carry your Record of Immunization with you with the Yellow Fever Vaccination verification.

Your Health
Those who have known serious health problems should understand that you are going to a location with limited medical facilities. Buenos Aires has good medical care, but it would take 3-4 hours to arrive at a clinic for medical attention. If you are concerned about these risks, we suggest buying medical evacuation insurance from a company such as Global Rescue or Ripcord. Acute Angling can refer you to a rep if you chose to purchase this insurance.

Consider giving a list of emergency contact numbers to the host in the event of emergency including loved ones and your doctor. Remember, these emergency contacts will need WhatsApp or Telegram on their smartphone.


Please let us know before your trip if you have any serious health problems. You can enter any important health or dietary information directly via your registration questionnaire on WeTravel.

If you cannot swim, please let the host and guide know before fishing.


Drinking Water

You cannot drink the water in Argentina. North American and European individuals are advised not to drink tap water in South America because it may be contaminated with bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that could cause illness. Drinking non-bottled water can cause discomfort, causing you to miss time fishing.


Be careful about ordering drinks with ice or drinking fresh juices. If they are not made in the operation, there are no guarantees about how they are made. Do not drink tap water in any hotel rooms, restaurants, or public areas.  Always brush your teeth with bottled water.


Insects
Mosquitoes
The Paraná River System has mosquitoes. Generally, while you are on the water you will not be bothered by them, but we recommend carrying bug spray in your day pack just in case. When you step on the grassy shoreline mosquitoes are more common.
We have never had an instance of a mosquito transmitted disease, but that does not mean it isn’t possible. Your physician, who knows your personal health status, should advise you regarding their opinion of the risk in consideration of your personal health status. If you choose to bring anti-malaria pills, then we suggest Larium or Malarone (but of course listen to your doctor). Please do not use Doxycycline Hyclate as it can cause serious reactions to the strong sun.


Horseflies, Wasps, and Bees
Like everywhere in the world these exist in Argentina. If you are allergic to stinging insects, be certain to bring proper medication (EpiPens if needed). Please advise the camp host about your allergies when you arrive.

Travel Insurance/Rescue Policy

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is not included in our packages. Everyone has different needs and has a different tolerance for risk. Please do your research and find the travel insurance company and plan that is the best fit for you needs. Please consider purchasing a Cancel-For-Any-Reason add on. While we do not endorse any specific company here are a few to begin your research:

Tipping

Tips are not included in the rates of the lodge. The staff and guides work very hard to make your fishing experience a memorable one. Please tip according to your ability and your opinion of their service.


The suggested tip for the lodge fishing guides and staff ranges from 8% to 15% of the rate paid, depending on the quality of the service received by guests: 8% good; 10% very good, 12-15% excellent.
Tips should be paid in cash in US currency.

Fly Fishing Gear

Fly Fishing: Golden Dorado.

Fly Rods 8 to 9 weights, fast action fly rods

Reels: Large Arbor with minimum 30-pound Backing (50-75 yards of backing is plenty)

Fly Lines (extra lines for backup)
Rio’s Elite Warmwater Predator

  • Floating for poppers

  • Sinking for Streamers

Scientific Anglers Mastery Tropical/Jungle Titan

  • Floating

  • Sinking

Leaders: A straight 6–8-foot piece of 30–40-pound monofilament with Rio’s wire bite (30-40 lb. wire bite).

Flies

All flies need to be on Saltwater grade hooks. 2/0-5/0 is a good size range. We recommend having a variety of colors for fly patterns. Basically, if the streamer swims like a baitfish it has a good chance of being eaten. If the popper moves water, then it has a good chance of being eaten. Don’t get too hung up on specific patterns. There is no need to have every pattern on this list. Try to have about two dozen flies for a week of fishing. Your fly box should be approximately 50% subsurface flies and 50% surface patterns.


Note that if you have Peacock Bass flies from a previous Amazon fishing trip or Saltwater streamers for species such as Tarpon or Snook then bring those.

Top Water

  • Not-Your-Average-Popper (good for surface disturbance)

  • Double Barrel Popper

  • Bob’s/Pop’s Banger Popper

  • Crease Fly

  • Pole Dancers

  • Popovicks Pop Lips (Difficult to find)

  • Sliders

  • General Saltwater Popper

Subsurface

  • Deceivers

  • Clouser Minnow

  • Enrico’s Puglisi Dorado

  • Peacock Reducer

  • Peacock Agitator

  • Barred Peacock Predator

  • Bucktail Streamer

  • Game Changer

  • Flashtail Whistler

  • Surf candy (Not recommended for big Dorados. More for schools of smaller dorados feeding on small baitfish. This pattern can be a smaller size.)

  • Tarpon, snook, or peacock bass patterns you might have from a previous trip

Other Tools for Fly Fishing

  • Line clippers (or hefty toenail clippers)

  • Long Sturdy Pliers

  • Stripping gloves and finger tape

  • Hook Sharpener

  • Wire cutter pliers (needed for Rio’s wire bite).

(866) 832-2987