Warmwater Fishes of Brazil Vol. 2: Golden Dorado and Payara/Cachorra.

The matter of the fact is that Brazil is not currently world-famous or widely well-known for Golden Dorados. Perhaps that is because our South American neighbors, Argentina and Bolivia, have done a much better job in protecting and marketing this species over the past 40 years as a prized sport-fishing game.  Having said that, Brazil has gone a long way in this aspect, from a dark period when the lack of legal harvest limits has nearly caused the decimation of that species in Brazil to a current situation when several states have prohibited and later regulated and limited its fishing to local subsistence and sportsmanship. Some states, like Mato Grosso, have established a "Zero Transportation Law", which does not allow anglers to move the Golden Dorados (dead or alive) back home, to other cities or states in Brazil.  In these locations, the Golden Dorados thrive and have quickly made a comeback.

The Payara, on the other hand, has never faced the risk of being a endangered species; its flesh has no commercial value or appeal, but for some reason, they have not received the treatment they deserve as a fierce game fish with international potential.

With that being said, if you are looking to know more about these two species, and are interested in going after them on your next fishing trip, Brazil has an abundance of top notch locations where you can find quantity and quality fish. The size of Brazil, three times larger than Argentina and twenty times larger than Bolivia, can be both intimidating but also rewarding, if you are looking for a an authentic, less-travelled Brazilian experience.

Read this article to learn more about the following warmwater fishes of Brazil and how to catch them on a fly rod: Golden Dorados and Payaras.

Golden Dorados (Salminus Brasiliensis)

Golden Dorados, also known as "The King of the River" is a fierce predator. In Brazil, it is called Dourado, and that is how I will be referring to them from now on. Golden Dorado was the name created to avoid confusions with the saltwater Dorado, also known as Mahi-Mahi or Dolphin fish. Those that speak a little Spanish know that "Dorado" means "Golden", so it is a little awkward for me to name a fish with two words that mean exactly the same thing.

Now that I have taken that out of my chest, let's get back to the fish, Dourados belong to the same scientific "Order" (but not "Family") as the Piranhas e Pacus. They possess a large head, strong jaws and very sharp teeth; so you NEVER want to handle them by the mouth. In general, they are silvery as a juvenile and more golden as an adult. An adult Dourado will range from 7lb to 20lb.

Catching a Dourado on a fly rod is both defying and rewarding. They behave somewhat like a brown trout and will wait for their prey on fast water, ahead or behind boulders, or close to structures near the banks. Casting large streamers is the most effective way to succeed, but poppers sometimes also do the trick. In general, a 8wt-9wt fast action rod will be able to handle most Dourados, but the line choice (floating, intermediate or sink) will depend on the type of water being fished. To catch a descent Dorado on a fly, good casting skills, including distance and accurate casting, is paramount. Not to mention a good dose of resilience. Don't let YouTube videos tell you otherwise.

As of today, the Brazilian record for Dourado is 94cm (37") - established in 2022.

Payara / Cachorra

Payara is the Spanish name for which this fish is mostly known for worldwide. In Brazil, a Portuguese speaking country, the same fish is known as Cachorra (stands for "female dog", or "bitch" - no pun intended). In English, this fish is often known as Vampire Fish, for obvious reasons.

There are many species of Cachorra, and most of them are named after the river or the region they are originated (H. Wallacei, H. Tatauaia, etc.) But to make things simple, at least in Brazil, there are two types of Cachorra that are most popular: The Cachorra Larga (Hydrolycus Scomberoides or Armatus) and the Cachorra Facão (Raphiodon Vulpinus). The former is a much larger fish, and the one that can make an angler stay on his/her toes; the latter is a smaller fish, but with the same mean attitude.

The Cachorra is a long shaped, silvery fish, with a scary look that resembles a vampire. It is famous for its long fangs protruding from its lower jaws, which are lodged in cavities at its upper jaws, allowing the fish to close their mouth, while ripping out their prey in pieces.

When fly fishing for Cachorra Larga, look for fast running waters and try to get large flashy flies half way deep to the bottom, where the fish usually hangs out, and then try to strip the fly slowly. If you get a bite, get prepared to set the hook as hard as you can, to penetrate through their very bony mouth. The fish will then give you a spectacle including runs and acrobatic jumps.

The 2024 Brazilian record for Cachorra Larga is 104cm (3.4').

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