What a truly amazing trip to a remote tributary of the Amazon River in the heart of the Bolivian jungle. I've spent most of my adult life searching the world for my favoite flyfishing destination, and I think I've finally found it. Our trip to Agua Negra combined everything I love about flyfishing. Here is my rundown.
Sightfishing : I love sightfishing, for any fish. Whether its for permit, tarpon, and bonefish in the flats, a rising trout on Fall River, or a cruisning carp in a lake. Fishing on the small tributaries of the Secure river system reminds me of the upstream sightfishing angling experience during my years guiding in New Zealand. At times it is very technical, so accurate casting is important. But if you have a good first shot in broken water, the Golden Dorado just annihilate the fly, jump 20 times between ripping the line off your reel at a rapid pace.
Beautiful Wilderness Envoronment: It doesnt get anymore remote or pristine than these remote rivers, located in a protected part of the Amazon Jungle. It was a long, multi day journey to finally get to our destination, but thats what makes it such a cool place. The only people who fish these rivers are at the lodge. The native villages along the river and the people who reside there are truly amazing. They use bow and arrow or handline to fish, which was incredible to watch. The jungle is just teeming with wildlife and plantlife...and some nasty insects, but thats ok if you are prepared.
Agressive, acrobatic, and smart fish : These toothy fish are the ultimate preditor when they hunt. At times, you experience "feeding frenzies" where the Dorado chase baitfish into the shallows and banks of the river and just rip them apart. Amazing. Combine the agressiveness of an umpressured GT in the Pacific or striper in the delta, the jumping ability of a fresh chrome hen steelhead or tarpon, and at times the cunning and wariness of a large spooky cruising brown trout. And no fish, even a rooster or tarpon, has a cooler eat than a Golden Dorado. It doesnt matter if the fish was 2lb or over 20lbs. Some days we'd hook 5, some days 30. The guides said it was a "tough week". What?!
Superb Food, Accommodation, and Guides : As we say in the industry, you cant control the fishing, weather, or clients angling and physical capabilities. Thats why you better have great food, comfortable accommodation, great house staff, and superb guides. The Tsimane lodges greatly exceeed expectations on all levels. These rivers can blow out. These fish aren't always easy to catch. And you need to be reasonably fit in order to hike to even more amazing water above where the canoes can go. Despite these challenges, rest assured your time off the water is spent in the supreme comfort of the lodge, enjoying an full open bar, superb Argentine wine and cuisine and a comfortable bed waiting. Just epic.
I will be hosting a trip back to Bolivia next July, and every July after that as long as I can physically pull it off and fortunate to book a prime week in July at one of the lodges. Prime weeks book far in advance. I already have most spots locked up, but contact me with any questions or if you are interested in doing this trip in the future. Bolivia should be at the top of every keen anglers bucket list. Its not cheap, but the value of the product is incredible. From a logistical and infrastructure standpoint, its hard to believe it even exists for any price.