ARAPAIMA PARADISE LODGE - BOLIVIA
‘GIANT ARAPAIMA, CATS AND EVEN MORE MULTI-SPECIES ….’
Destination Arapaima Paradise Lodge
Country Bolivia
Season June to November
Trip Type Giant Arapaima and Catfish Adventure Trip
Species Arapaima, Pacu, Corvinata, Amarillo/Jau Paleta/Firewood and Tiger/Shovelnose Surubim, Flatwhiskered, Redtail and Jundia Cats, Payara/Vampire Fish and much, much more ...
Description Beautiful lodge built within the property of a Brazil-nut harvesting farm/Hacienda deep in the Bolivian jungle.
Cost $4750 per angler (all costs are in US dollars)
Duration 6 days fishing and 7 nights
TRIP INTRODUCTION
This trip is designed for the angler who is seeking an unforgettable experience hunting truly massive Amazonian fish, the giant Arapaima, Pacu, Corvinata, many different big Catfish, Payara/Vampire Fish and many other species.
This is an ideal destination for small groups, families, partners and solo anglers alike (max. 8 anglers), with plenty of River Monsters to target. We will NEVER overfish these pristine rivers, often letting them settles for weeks at a time.
With a touch of luxury in the middle of the Bolivian jungle, you’ll feel right at home at our Arapaima Paradise Lodge, with all the creature comforts.
GIANTS THAT YOU’LL BE TARGETING ……
Arapaima … this mighty leviathan is the one Amazonian fish that every angler wants to catch and is the Holy Grail of all the Amazonian species.
These huge fish lurk in the many ponds, lagoons and lakes (over 50 in this system alone) off the river. They are prehistoric in every sense, air breathers, but also incredibly delicate fish for their size at the same time.
Arapaimas ‘roll’ on the surface to gulp air and they easily give their presence away. With our strict catch and release policy, not one Arapaima is harmed in any way. They are all revived carefully and released quickly to fight another day.
These incredible river monsters grow in excess of 4.5m and reach over 500lbs! The areas where we fish have many Arapaima and we target them using big flies and lures or with live, cut or whole dead baits.
To catch an Arapaima on a fly must be up there with the ultimate fishing experience to be had by any angler in the world! Heavy 10-12wt. outfits and big flies are a must here. We also fish ‘lighter’ outfits with mediumsized lures to trigger amazingly strong and aggressive strikes from big Arapaima. A heavy or medium-heavy set-up with 65lbs braid provides some of the best sport fishing for these leviathans.
Huge Catfish, from the unusual up to big bruising bullies are found in the deep holes of the river system proper. All can be caught on cutbait, livebait or whole dead fish.
Three species of Surubim or Shovel-nosed Tiger Cats, incuding the very odd, elongated ‘Paleta’ or Firewood Shovel-nose, are fast, sleek and strike hard. These hieroglyphically-marked predators are also caught on lures. Growing to over 50lbs, they are powerful fish to catch.
The Flat-whiskered Cat is a dynamite of a fish for its size. Averaging 15lbs, they max out at about 25lbs and are the tastiest fish in the Amazon.
Granulated Catfish are plentiful here and we can claim an IGFA world record for this fish caught by Art Weston from the USA in June of 2018.
Monster ‘Amarillos’ Jau Cats to over 180lbs are the Rottweilers of the river dwell in the rocks and fast water and will take you deep in their caves! Gentle persuasion followed by brute force is needed to land these giants.
OTHER SPECIES YOU CAN ENCOUNTER ….
There are plenty of other species for the budding Amazon Angler to target:
Pacu are normally fruit and nut foragers, but when the water levels are low and the river is running cleaer with no rains from the Andes, these megafighters come out to play. They will sometimes take lures but can be caught by drifting cutbait downriver in the current in the middle water column. The larger species here can reach 40+lbs and will use the current and their wide bodies to fight you every bit of the way.
Payara/Vampire Fish can be targeted when the river is running clear and low. They find baitfish in the faster current and will slam minnowbaits and even cutbait strips. They can get big here to over 20lbs but the right river conditions are a must for them to start feeding well.
Giant River Stringray are also plentiful in the main river system and once hooked, will stick in the mud like a huge Limpet. They can fight well, but usually just hug the bottom and can be a reall struggle to get them to let go and be brought in to unhook.
Red-Bellied Piranhas are here by the thousands and can be a real problem when bait fishing. Luckily Arapaima like eating Piranhas and they tend to keep the population in control in the lagoons and ponds.
Corvinata/Silver Drum are some of the best tasting fish in the water and can be caught on cutbait, livebait and even lures if the conditions are right.
Jundia Cats are very ‘cool Cats’ indeed, with strange, yet beautiful markings all over their bodies. They fight hard and fast and great fun on lighter tackle.
All manner of strange and weird fish species can also be targeted and having had no fishing pressure in any way, this river holds plenty of surprises.
WHERE YOU’LL BE STAYING….
Our lodge is built to high standards, to accommodate 8 anglers in four twin rooms divided in two chalets.
Each chalet has its own bathroom and hot shower and there is A/C in all rooms.
We have a dining room, a bar, and TV room/lounge and a fully stocked kitchen providing top local Bolivian and American-style churrascos and main meals.
The bar is open 24/7, the beers are always ice cold, cocktails flow in the evenings and delicious and sumptuous meals are prepared by our in-house chef.
YOUR ITINERARY ….
DAY 1: TOUR STARTS – Arrive from Santa Cruz to Riberalta latest this day in the morning. Charter flight to the Lodge and overnight for next 7 nights (all included).
DAY 2-7: Six full days guided fishing.
DAY 8: Return to Riberalta early afternoon – TOUR ENDS. Flights are in the mid-late afternoon back to Santa Cruz.
WHAT IT WILL COST YOU ….
DURATION 6 days fishing and 7 nights
COST $4750 per angler (all costs are in US dollars)
OCCUPANCY Single anglers, partners, families (with children 9yrs and above), small groups all welcome. Rooms are based on double occupancy.
INCLUDED Return charter flights Riberalta /Lodge/Riberalta, seven nights at lodge with six full days guided Arapaima and Cat fishing, daily laundry, local transfers, all meals while at lodge and all drinks with water, coffee, soft drinks, beer.
NOT INCLUDED International airfares and flights to Riberalta, tipping (suggested USD $250 per person to be divided between guides and lodge staff), meals and drinks other than in lodge or when fishing, wine, liquor or other drinks other than above, costs associated with medical advice and medications for your trip, lures, fishing tackle etc., visas.
TRIP NOTES
*Prices are stated as a guide and may be subject to currency and seasonal variations. Please inquire for exact prices for the dates you are interested in.
*Terms and conditions of payments: 50% as deposit on reservation, 50% due 90 days before trip starts.
*US, UK and EU citizens do NOT need Bolivian Visas. Please check with your country of residence if visas are required: www.boliviahop.com/visa-requirements/#visa
*A full tackle guide and gear list will be provided once a deposit payment has been received for reservation of trip.
*Tips – we suggest $250 per person to be divided between guides and lodge staff.
*Through our travel agent partners we can secure excellent rates for all your international and domestic flights and travel insurance that are not included in our packages.
*Please check that you have had a Yellow Fever Vaccination and bring your Vaccination Certificate with you in case you are required to show it (Yellow Fever Vaccinations are now valid for life). Also inquire with your doctor for any other medications or vaccines needed.