santa cruz de la sierra - freshwater Fishing

TSIMANE is located within a National Park and Indigenous Territory (TIPNIS), where the Amazon jungle meets the Andes mountain chain. The rivers are inhabited by two different dorado species and other fish from the Amazon basin, such as the pirapitinga or Amazon pacú and the yatorana (pound by pound, one of the strongest fresh-water species).

Trip Overview

TSIMANE is located within a National Park and Indigenous Territory (TIPNIS), where the Amazon jungle meets the Andes mountain chain. The landscape is incredible and its rivers are streams of clear water running through the jungle and the mountain, with wading-and-sight casting-friendly banks. The jungle remains in an absolute virgin state and it is probably one of the most voluptuous natural expressions in the world. Millions of butterflies of impossible colors flitter in the warm breeze, the rumor of hundreds of hidden birds and animals resounds from the depths of the jungle.

The rivers are inhabited by two different dorado species and other fish from the Amazon basin, such as the pirapitinga or Amazon pacú and the yatorana (pound by pound, one of the strongest fresh-water species). The golden dorado that inhabit this waters can reach the 22 to 44 lbs.

Tsimane blends, like no other destination on Earth, the best aspects of fly fishing: sight casting, freestone wading, light tackle, floating lines; majestic sceneries, mountain rivers with clear, virgin waters; and four extremely sportive species reaching very significant sizes. The combination of such characteristics results in an overwhelming experience. And this is where we offer this exclusive operation.

The Tsimane operation offers 3 different programs for anglers to explore diverse rivers that the extense area offers:

1) & 2) Secure Lodge & Agua Negra Lodge´s experience is based on two very comfortable jungle lodges. Each lodge features four double tent cabins. The Secure lodge offer an out-camp option in its headwaters. Agua Negra operates a new out-camp located in an unspoiled virgin area on its headwaters. Secure & Agua Negra lodge and their out-camps are suited for no more than 6 anglers in the first case and 4 anglers in the second one. Secure Lodge takes advantage of all Secure waters downstream and usptream the Lodge, and Agua Negra some beats in the Secure river and Agua Negra river.

3) The Pluma Lodge experience is based on one very comfortable jungle lodge. There are also two smaller headwater out-camp options, one on the upper Pluma River and one on the upper Itirizama River, one of the main tributaries to the Pluma. This program takes advantage of the main Pluma River, upper Pluma River, Itirizama River, and lower sections of the Secure River. The capacity is limited to 8 rods at Pluma Lodge, with options for overnight excursions for 2 anglers at a time at either the Upper Pluma or Itirizama headwater outcamps.

Package

Fisherman will have 6 full fishing days, 9 nights with an all inclusive package (excludes Int´l flights) and dinners in Sta. Cruz de la Sierra.

Secure Lodge
Day 0: Arrive to Santa Cruz. Transfer from airport to the Hotel for 1 night accommodation. Breakfast included.
Day 1: Transfer to local airport (around 9:30 am) and charter flight to the aborigine community of ASUNTA (@1,5 hour flight). During afternoon guide's meeting, equipment preparation and home pool fishing for half day.
Days 2 to 7: Full fishing days from 8:30 to 17:00, stopping for lunch. Then returning to base-camp in the evening for appetizers, cocktails and fine meal.
Day 8: In the morning transfer back to the Indian Community where guests will take charter fly back to Santa Cruz. Transfer from local airport to the Hotel for night accommodation. Breakfast included.
Day 9: Transfer to International Airport.


Agua Negra Lodge

Day 0: Arrive to Santa Cruz. Transfer from airport to the Hotel for 1 night accommodation. Breakfast included.
Day 1: Transfer to local airport (around 9:30 am) and charter flight to the aborigine community of Oromomo (@1,5 hour flight). Tranfer to AGUA NEGRA LODGE. During afternoon guide's meeting, equipment preparation and home pool fishing for half day.
Days 2 to 7: Full fishing days from 8:30 to 17:00, stopping for lunch. Then returning to base-camp in the evening for appetizers, cocktails and fine meal.
Day 8: In the morning transfer back to the Indian Community where guests will take charter fly back to Santa Cruz. Transfer from local airport to the Hotel for night accommodation. Breakfast included.
Day 9: Transfer to International Airport.


Pluma Lodge

Day 0: Arrive to Santa Cruz. Transfer from airport to 5* Hotel for 1 night accommodation. Breakfast included.
Day 1: Transfer to local airport (around 9:30 am) and charter flight to Oromomo Indian Community (@1,5 hour flight) then transfer in boat and 4x4 to PLUMA LODGE. During afternoon guide´s meeting, equipment preparation and home pool fishing.
Days 2 to 7: Full fishing days from 8:30 to 17:00, stopping for lunch. It exists the possibility to fish the upper Pluma and Itirizama river headwater camps, for one or two nights during the fishing week. Each headwater camp is suited for two anglers, so it is possible for two anglers to fish in the upper Pluma camps at the same time as two anglers are in the upper Itirizama camps, with 4 anglers remaining at the lodge. Groups are welcome to switch so that everyone has an opportunity to experience the headwater camps.
We recommend the upper Pluma/Itirizama camps only for physically fit anglers. All of the fishing is done walking and wading upstream, and long hikes are necessary to reach the upper camp areas by the end of the day.
Day 8: In the morning transfer back to the Indian Community where guests will take charter fly back to Santa Cruz. Transfer from local airport to 5* Hotel for night accommodation. Breakfast included.
Day 9: Transfer to International Airport.

Accommodation

The Lodges offer comfortable cabins with spring box beds, private bathrooms with hot water and electric light. Every evening guest will be delighted by delicious International Cuisine paired great Argentinean Varietals in a well fashioned living and dining room. We offer satellite internet wireless connection and phone service for all our guests.

Tackle and Flies

This is a FLY FISHING only destination.
All pre trip info, gear and equipment will be delivered before the travelling. But the equipment used on Tsimane rivers are #6 to #9 weight rods, with good quality and strong drag reels, floating lines and intermediate tip lines.
We use from big hoppers (for Yatornas and Affinis), to surface flies and streamers to Dorados and Pirapitingas.

Wet Fly Muddler Minnow # 2/0, 3/0, 4/0, 5/0, 6/0 Wet Fly Deceiver # 2/0, 3/0, 4/0 Wet Fly Black & Brown Muddler # 2/0, 3/0 Wet Fly Black Muddler # 2/0, 3/0 Wet Fly Black & Red Muddler # 2/0, 3/0 Wet Fly Black & Yellow Muddler # 2/0, 3/0 Wet Fly Parrot Muddler # 2/0, 3/0 Wet Fly Deceiver # 2/0, 3/0 Popper Orange Popper # 1/0, 2/0 Popper Black Articulated Popper # 1/0, 2/0 Wet Fly Black & Yellow Muddler # 2/0, 3/0 Wet Fly Multicolor Deceiver 3/0, 4/0 Wet Fly Yellow Lu Streamer 3/0, 4/0 Wet Fly Black Lu Streamer 3/0, 4/0 Wet Fly Purple Lu Streamer 3/0, 4/0 Wet Fly Andino  # 3/0 Wet Fly Andino  # 3/0 Terrestrial Fly Hopper # 2/0, # 3/0 Terrestrial Fly Mouse # 3/0  Agregar Nombre + Info # 2/0

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TSIMANE

Jungle Fly Fishing

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Rates

2023 U$S 6.950.- SECURE / AGUA NEGRA

~ Per person in double occupancy basis. ~

Rates include: Reception; 2-night accommodation in Santa Cruz de la Sierra hotel; private charter from Santa Cruz de la Sierra to the aborigen community and return; all transfers; 7-night accommodation in Secure Lodge or Agua Negra Lodge with all meals and beverages, and 6 1/2 fishing days.

Rates do not include: International flight; boarding taxes; personal expenses in town; personal health insurance; fishing equipment and flies; staff and guide gratuities. Payment of US$ 570.- to the local aborigen community, at destination.

Notes: All visitors to Bolivia should carry a Yellow Fever Vaccine certification.

2023 U$S 7,600.- PLUMA LODGE

~ Per person in double occupancy basis. ~

Rates include: Reception; 2-night accommodation in Santa Cruz de la Sierra 5* hotel; private charter from Santa Cruz de la Sierra to the aborigen community and return; all transfers; 7-night accommodation in Pluma Lodge with all meals and beverages, and 6 1/2 fishing days.

Rates do not include: International flight; boarding taxes; personal expenses in town; personal health insurance; fishing equipment and flies; staff and guide gratuities. Payment of US$ 670.- to the local aborigen community, at destination.

Notes: All visitors to Bolivia should carry a Yellow Fever Vaccine certification.

Fishing report

September 2022

Secure Lodge - Week 15
We ended our 14th week hosting a very cosmopolitan team of guests and fishermen from England, Denmark, and the USA here at Sécure Lodge.

Weather conditions brought a comfortable range of temperatures with cool nights and days, becoming warmer in the end of the week. The water level is still low and totally clear, which requires a lot of walking and precise approaches. In this sort of game, “play to win” means the angler must put one hundred percent of the bet in the first cast, where he has the highest chance to connect with a fish.

We fished all the beats, making camps and going as far downstream as upstream. All the guests had opportunities with medium and extra-large size dorado; stranding some of them and loosing many more due to the “dorado on the fly” was a totally new experience for all the guests.

The pacú didn’t take the flies this week, but the biggest golden dorado was a 18-lb. fish, caught in a very deep spot upstream from the home pool.


Pluma Lodge - Week 15
This week we received nine anglers, hosted by Jako with eight friends: Jerry and Mark, Douglas and Mary Key, Tod and Paul, and Jacob and David. Both water conditions and weather were excellent, and the week provided some high-quality fish, including some really big ones.

We landed also three pacú, three yatorana, and two moturo. The upper sections and the main Pluma were productive in quality and quantity, with some nice fish caught over 20 pounds.

The Secure sections also gave us strong fishing, with good fish sizes and two fish over 15 pounds. We are waiting and looking forward to an excellent next week.


Heli Fishing - Week 6
In our sixth week of the exploratory helifishing program we have had the honor of hosting two friends from the United Kingdom, with whom we have shared the great experience of fishing pristine waters from the headwaters of the rivers in our basin. The weather helped us, both in fishing and in flights, so we could rotate between different environments. Although the prevailing drought makes the river levels very low, by having options and the possibility of moving by helicopter, we find ways for the fishing to be successful. We rounded off the week with good catches of golden dorado, pacú, and yatorana.


Agua Negra Lodge - Week 14
We had cool nights and very comfortable days over the past week. The water in all the rivers was in good condition, loaded with fish but very technical due to many days without rain. We spent mostly of the time hiking the tributaries, and also made a camp in the upper Agua Negra, where we had many chances for big dorado and a few pacú. The Chinoro was also very fun on dry flies and small streamers.

The biggest fish of the week was 20-lb. dorado in the upper Agua Negra.

Testimonials

Perfection

By: Ale Navarro - Septembre 2018

Happy of having participated in such an adventure in the middle of the jungle, with such transparent rivers and abundance of fishing species and wildlife. Everything went perfect, from the organization to the flights, lodge, fishing, guides and aborigen community as well. I hope to be back… thank you Tsimane!!!

Fishing friends!

By: Bill Baugh - Agosto 2018

Our three sons and I have recently returned from an awesome fly fishing trip in the Amazon basin in Bolivia. We were in a very remote area of jungle and had a blast seeing a wide variety of animals........caiman (crocodiles), jaguar, tapir,monkeys, parrots, macaws, butterflies, snakes, lizards, frogs and toads, beautiful (but strange) insects and caught our targeted fish.....Golden Dorado.

It was an epic adventure for us all and I want to share our pictures with you on the link at the bottom. I apologize for the sheer number of photos and hope you might wade through them, find a few that pique your interest, and get a sense of our extraordinary experience!

Tight Lines,
Bill

The enchantment of the jungle!

By: Daniel Beilinson - October 2015

Just got back from my last trip to Tsimane, Bolivia, where I shared a fabulous fishing week with friends. Our destination was Agua Negra and Asunta, today known as Secure Lodge. Upon our arrival to Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, we were transferred to a cosy boutique hotel called 'Casa Patio' hosted by its owners Nicole and Manuel, very nice and friendly people. Saturday morning we were called up very early, to tell us that our charter flight to Oromomo was departing earlier due to a storm. Therefore we had to rush and were driven to Trompillo domestic airport. In the airport we met with the other fishing group that was travelling to Pluma Lodge and were accommodated in a different hotel than ours. We were divided in 5 small airplanes. The flight lasted no longer than 2 hours and when we landed we met the lodge manager and also the anglers that were returning from their fishing week, who all said our week was going to be good due to the rains in the last few days and water levels were higher.
Our group of 6 anglers was divided in 3 boats to go upstream to the lodge. When we arrived to Coruja we had to get off the boats and walk since the water level was very low, while the staff was taking care of our luggage we were able to see some sábalo swimming upstream and golden dorados biting their tales... it was a good sign.

After almost 3 hours of navigation we arrived to the Auga Negra Lodge where we accommodated our stuff in our tents, safari like, had lunch and prepared our equipment (rod #8 with floating tropical line, steel shock tippet of 40 lbs and big streamers). Each couple was assigned a guide and a different section of the river; Carlos and Pedro went to Agua Negra, Eduardo and Raul downstream the Lodge waters and Willy and me upstream the Lodge waters. That afternoon we were able to fish for 3 hours but with poor results, in my case I didn't have any hook up at all.

Sunday, we rotated fishing zones and ours was Agua Negra. Fish Agua Negra is a particular experience, we're talking about a river (almost a stream) of 33 to 49 ft., not deep, with waters clearer than the Secure and hosts very well fitted dorados. Before heading up stream we tried luck casting to some fallen trees, with shoots no longer than 30 ft and in less than half an hour I landed 2 golden dorado around 15 lbs each.
In this operation it is forbidden the use of hooks with barb, only barbless hooks are permitted, so it is very important to maintain the tension on the line while you're fishing.
Heading upstream Willy and I had various hook ups and along the day we landed 12 fish (5 Willy and 7 myself) between 9 and 18 lbs. Our friends also had a good fishing day, the best catch was from Carlos Cristini with a 26 lbs golden dorado.

Monday we were assigned Secure river downstream from the Lodge. We all did a nice job that day but the highlight was a surubi (typical south american cat fish) of @26 lbs caught by Eduardo in Agua Negra, and also 2 pirapitinga of 15 lbs fished by Willy and me. It was remarkable how our pirapitinga bit our streamer fly with such aggressiveness!

Tuesday was the Lodge exchange day, we sailed out and fished up stream the Secure with the intention of having lunch in a middle point between our group and the other group that was coming downstream from the other lodge located, upstream.
After lunch we had to change boats and continue with the guides to the Secure Lodge until the last day of the program. That day because the navigation time is quite a lot, we went through amazing fishing spots which we couldn't actually fish because we're running against time. Nevertheless I was able to fish a pirapiting of 15 lbs, which gave me quite a fight since it stayed in the middle of the river where the current was strong, I was also able to fish 4 dorados of 11 lbs. Everyone in the group was able to fish; Eduardo who was sharing my boat, landed a 16 lbs dorado and Raul hooked his first pirapitinga of 6 lbs.
We arrived to the Secure Lodge around 18 hrs, we got settled in our tents (the same structure as Agua Negra Lodge) and after dinner we shared our stories of the previous days with a drink in the comfortable living room. Fernando Beltran, the lodge manager, commented about the fishing options for the following days. Willy and Eduardo decided to go the camp upstream the Secure River, adventure which would take them half day trekking to arrive to the camp, they would fish in the afternoon, camp at night and return the following day in the afternoon after fishing in the morning. In the meantime, Raul and I would go fishing the Secure starting above the ex Home Pool up to the Cañon and Carlos with Pedro would go downstream from the Lodge.

Wednesday we fished with Raul 1 pirapiting each, of approx 15 lbs and mine of 20 lbs, besides some golden dorado as well. The Secure upstream has become a river quite narrow, with more runs and pools, and the jungle extends almost on top of the river. On the beaches we could see jaguar footprints, trails of tapir in some places and many birds, too. Carlos fished very well with nice and big catches, and so did Pedro, but around 16.30 hrs a very hard rain started, sort of a thunderstorm and we had to return immediately to the Lodge. The first though we all had was 'Willy and Eduardo' and the hard time they would be having with the storm, moreover the danger they're exposed being the camp so close to the river... but for our surprise and sake before sunset we saw them returning to the Lodge "alive and healthy" though soaked! They told us they decided to return during the late afternoon when they saw the river started to grow quite fast and while riding the canoe they almost flip twice.
That night while having dinner we all discussed the fact of how would the rain and the higher waters affect the fishing, most of all because the river becomes turbid and the fish are impossible to catch.

So it was, that Thursday we all had a very poor fishing day, with exception of Pedro and Willy who both had a blast fishing the cascade of the ex Home Pool during the afternoon before returning to the Lodge.
Pedro's catch had an extra ingredient of excitement since the dorado he hooked of approx. 11 lbs, had bitten the fly in a very complicated spot between rocks and strong runs, and in order to avoid the fish to go down the cascade, Fernando the guide, got himself in the water and dived a couple of times until he grabbed the fish's tail!!! Pedro had an inexplicably happiness, was very very grateful with Fernando and said it had been "the best catch of his life". We all celebrated with him that night!

On Friday, our last fishing day, the results were much better... the water level had dropped rapidly and it was clearer. Pedro and Carlos went Secure upstream to try fish for pirapitinga but had no luck in that alley, instead they caught some golden dorado and Carlitos, lucky and experienced as always, landed one of 26 lb. Raul and Eduardo went fishing downstream the Lodge where Raul caught a 22 lbs surubí and some smaller dorados. Willy and I went further downstream, with a harder beginning but the fishing got better after midday when we approached a waterfall with good current and lots of sábalo swimming upstream. We fished very well with streamers and I adventured to try an articulated mouse... after some casts letting the line drift, I hooked a spectacular dorado of @24 lbs, and later that day I landed 2 more giants of 22 and 26 lbs and a yatorana also with the mouse fly. Willy had many hook ups which he lost but finally he landed a nice dorado of 18 lbs.

That afternoon we were all very happy of being able to enjoy the week in an amazing and unique spot, with great fishing and amongst friends. The total catches of the week were: 77 golden dorado, 6 pirapitinga, 2 surubí and 2 yatorana.
The sounds of the jungle are still in my memory and I dream of going back to Tsimane soon!
Thank you Carlitos Cristini, Pedrito Güiraldes, Willy Porta, Eduardo Valenzuela and "gallo" Raúl Pinochet for sharing the week with me and for the good vibes!

A real adventure!

By: Javier Serra - October 2012

For many years I've been hearing about golden dorado fishing in jungle rivers. I've also herd that there was a place in the bolivian jungle, in the rivers born in the Amazonas, big dorados could be fished on fly. This place really exists and it's called "Tsimane". It's an operation that combines 2 lodges and also the possibility of two headwaters camps all in the natural reserve called "Isiboro Secure" home to thousand of rivers, streams and hectares of jungle.

During the the second half of October, a group of friends, close people and I gathered in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, to catch a small airplane all together and headed to the "natural reserve".
We landed on grass and at the end of the strip there was a mid sized hut, as "airport". The guides from the first lodge -Secure Lodge- were waiting for us and had the company of almost 20 chimane kids to help us with the luggage, equipments and supplies. From the airport to the lodge went in big wooden canoes (carved trees) with an off board engine.
The lodge has a typical tropical style, thatched roof, wooden walls, windows without glass but with mosquito net and nice rustic curtains. Cabins are comfortable and spacious.
We arrived around midday for lunch and had the afternoon free to prepare equipment and get to know the lodge pools and fish them as well.
The three following days were exclusively for fishing, with a professional guide and a motor engine wooden canoe each 2 anglers. Each group had a different river section every day, having an area exclusively for their selves. There's no doubt exclusivity is a positive condition when fishing, but the negative part is if you liked a spot you fished one day so much, there's no possibility in returning the next days. Our fishing experience during the first 3 days was good, but still expected a bit more. Though, the fishing average per rod was 3 or 4 fish per day, 90% being golden dorado between 7 lbs and 17 lbs and some pacu between 9 lbs and 18 lbs. The fourth day we transferred to the second lodge Pluma Lodge, 50 km far from the first one, but with no direct access; we traveled via canoes, plane and finally 4 x 4 (Kawasaky mules). From the moment we arrived to Pluma I strongly felt we were going to have a blast fishing. While having an appetizer in the lodge deck, we could see right in front of us a bloody dorado hunt going after sabalo. We could see their strategy of cornering the sabalo in the cost so during the attack they had no other place to escape! That same afternoon we had free day so we fished by ourselves in the lodge pools. The fishing grew in both quantity and quality, and named the really big dorado of more than 22 lbs; "cows". All of us landed per day 4 or 5 dorado of which 2 were "cows" and we could also fish nice pacu.
The 9 hour fishing days, stopping for lunch in the shore, were exhausting. The hot weather, humidity, the wading and walking through rocks left us really tired when the night arrived but happy as well.
The appetizers and meals were top level with excellent cooks in both lodges.
Finally, after a great fishing experience we had to return - each of us to their own country but with the happiness of having fished in such a heavenly place, so wild, virgin, full of golden dorado and pacu, with an amazing landscape and a human company with good energy and very professional.

Before finishing I have some reflections I would like to share with the people that are planning to visit this place:
First - Though there are lots of fish, a precise casting is always favorable for a better fishing. I suggest before going to Tsimane practice the casting.
Second - In October the weather is very hot, there's a lot of walking involved in and out of the water; so it's important to be in shape.
Third - Surprisingly there are no mosquito! Apparently the water pH doesn't let them reproduce.
Fourth - The guides are from many nationalities; argentinean, australian, south african... experimented, professional and nice people.
Last reflection - If you're looking for golden dorado fly fishing and want to immerse in an adventure from the very beginning to step on the plane, then Tsimane is your place.

Great service, great fishing!

By: Martin Brandi - September 2012

Dear Daniel, the week was great. I'm still far with my fishing experience to seize the waters of Tsimane, but we had good fishing, very good service and up to the top guides. We were talking with Joaquin, manager of Pluma Lodge, that it would be appropriate to include in the equipment recommendations, sinking line of 225 grains or something similar to fish the confluence of the Pluma with the Secure River and other beats to. It really makes a difference; Fabian who was fishing with sinking line had a blast and Pedro who was with intermediate had less hook ups.
Overall an amazing experience and send over my advice to your clients concerning the sinking line, they'll get tired of fishing!
Best regards, Martin.

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