Bolivia

Working the clear flows of the Itirizama above Pluma Lodge. Photo: Ken Morrish

Tsimane, Bolivia

One of the world’s most exotic and rewarding angling adventures W hen it comes to fly fishing adventure, Tsimane has it all. Located in a remote national park and indigenous territory of Bolivia where the Andes meet the upper Amazon, Tsimane is home to freestone rivers which will feel both familiar and foreign to the well-traveled angler. Each season, hundreds of thousands of baitfish migrate up the greater Secure system and with them come thousands of large, aggressively feeding dorado. Here, anglers wet wade a jade-green river and cast six-inch flies on wire leaders through an endless array of pristine water types. These waters feature pugnacious, aerial dorado in the 8-to 35-pound class and other jungle species like the fickle pacu and the elusive surubi. With few exceptions, the anglers we have sent to Tsimane rate the trip among the top three angling experiences in their extensive careers. Tsimane is operated by an international outfitter with exclusive rights to the region. They offer three distinct fly fishing programs, the Secure and Agua Negra safari camps, and the Pluma Lodge. All trips begin with an overnight in Santa Cruz followed by a charter flight to a remote jungle airstrip. All programs feature main lodge buildings made from handhewn local timber that have comfortable sitting areas, open bars, and fine cuisine. While guests often access the fishing grounds by boat, considerable walking and wading is essential to success. This trip into the heart of the Bolivian jungle is best suited to adventurous, fit travelers. Their season runs June through October.

Pluma Lodge Pluma Lodge is Tsimane’s most deluxe offering and one of the great lodges in the world. Pluma caters to eight anglers per week, all of whom enjoy tasteful double-occupancy cabins with private baths, ample storage, and ceiling fans. Much of Pluma’s water is characterized by beautiful, rocky, freestone terrain, making it rather physical and best suited to stable waders. Anglers with lesser wading skills will have the option to fish from the boat on multiple beats.

Pluma is unique for its wide variety of water types ranging from pocket water to long pools and has incredible sight fishing opportunities. Pluma fishes two remote tributaries (the upper Pluma and Itirizama), multiple beats of the main Pluma, and two beats on the larger main stem Secure, making for a highly varied program. Additionally, upriver out-camps allow anglers to become fully immersed in a stunningly beautiful deep-jungle experience. Overnights at the simple out-camps are voluntary and are perfect for the most adventurous anglers. Rate: $5,800-$7,600 plus $570-$670 native fees per person for a 9 night/6 day package

Agua Negra Camp The unique benefits of the Agua Negra program include a smaller group size of four anglers (making it perfect for private parties), lower cost, and easier wading. This program also offers more fishing from the boat, access to the region’s smallest streams (not to be confused with small fish), and the best opportunity to engage with the adjacent and endearing local communities. Agua Negra also offers a remote upper-river camping option which is more primitive but easier to reach than the Pluma out-camp options. Rate: $5,800 plus $570 native fee per person for a 9 night/ 6 day package

Secure Lodge Secure Lodge is a deluxe, six-person, safari-style tent camp much like Agua Negra. Anglers fish both up and downstream from the camp and fish from the bank as well as from boats. Secure Lodge beats do not overlap in any way with Tsimane’s other camps and this lodge offers access to the uppermost reaches of the Secure where guests can find bedrock gorges and incredible deep-green pools filled with dorado and large pacu. Rates: $5,800 plus $570 native fee per person for a 9 night/ 6 day package