The golden dorado of Argentina’s Paraná River are explosive predators that challenge every part of an angler’s skill. They average 10 pounds but can blow past 30. These fish push the limits of freshwater fly fishing. Hosting trips here has been a true privilege—chasing these golden brutes while sharing Argentina’s wild places, good wine, and great people.
Three days into a weeklong trip, after a banger of a day on the water, one of the guides came over with concern. A guest had been telling stories all afternoon of his battles with dorado. As things were winding down, the guide noticed his hand. At the base of the right thumb were clean tooth marks—red, swollen, and warm to the touch. No active bleeding, but definitely not nothing. The fish had twisted just enough while being unhooked to drag a row of teeth across the skin and leave a deep graze. It didn’t look bad, but it hurt more than he expected.
A bite like that in warm freshwater carries real risk. Pseudomonas, Aeromonas—bacteria that thrive in these rivers—can turn a minor wound into a real problem—fast. The site was scrubbed immediately with soap and water. That first scrub is critical and probably the most important step. “Scrub it till it bleeds” isn’t about being rough—it’s a reminder that you won’t get a second chance to clean it right. I started him on ciprofloxacin, which we always carry. It’s known for treating traveler’s diarrhea but also works well for some aquatic wound infections. By morning, the redness and swelling were already starting to ease. It still hurt, but the infection was in check. By 48 hours, he was back on the water landing multiple dorado over 20 pounds.
That moment stuck with me. The core principles don’t change—clean early and thoroughly, use the right antibiotics, and keep a close eye on it. Improvisation matters, but preparation is what keeps things from unraveling.
The goal is to keep the stories about the fish—not the infection.