Ultimate Golden Dorado Fishing, Tsimane Bolivia

Sight fishing for specimen Golden Dorado in Bolivia

Tsimane, Bolivia

After many years’ waiting, the most exciting fishing operation in South America is up and running.

Known as the “El Dorado” of South America’s fishing destinations, Bolivia has always posed enormous logistical challenges due mainly to the lack of infrastructure in its Amazon region. Combined with the sheer inaccessibility of its famed rivers, the obstacles encountered in mounting a feasible operation have made it the preserve of the most fanatical fishermen only.

The Tsimane operation in the North West of the state of Santa Cruz is located in the heart of a National Park and Indigenous Territory. They have secured 80kms of exclusive fishing in this spectacular area where the Andes meet the Amazon, offering awe-inspiring backdrops. Clear rivers snake in between rainforest covered mountains holding specimen dorados, pirapitangas, the rare silver dorado, Amazon Pacu and the yatorana. Both forest and rivers are totally pristine and incredibly remote, alive with hundreds of species of unfeasibly coloured butterflies, birds and other wildlife. There is no human settlement but the indigenous tribes.

The golden dorado, Salminus maxillosus is fast becoming one of the most sought-after game fish in the world. Although dubbed “The Golden Salmon” it is not related to the salmon, but instead is a close relative of the tiger fish.

Often described as saltwater fishing in fresh water, hooking a dorado will make even a veteran fly angler sweat with nerves. The take can wrench the rod out of your hands, the fantastic leaps can shake out the best set hook and the dorado will relentlessly try to break, snag or shake you off. To land a good sized dorado in a narrow river is an unforgettable achievement and a memory for life. These rivers have already given up many specimen up to 40lbs and pacu to 25lbs on the fly.
Fishing is for a maximum of 4 rods. Nearly all fishing will be done wet-wading, with the custom-built aluminium canoes transferring a pair of anglers upstream from pool to pool. Fishing is almost entirely using floating or ghost tip lines. Anglers will fish 2 different rivers for 3 days returning in the evenings to shared safari tents, with hardwood floors and all equipped with private bathrooms.

Information

Season: 2009 - August to October. From 2010 - April to October

Methods: Fly fishing only. Strictly catch and release.

Tackle: 9' salwater rods rated, 8, 9 or 10. 9 is the ideal. The vast majority of fishing is done with floating line, but sometimes a ghost tip or intermediate line also required. Good quality reel with powerful drag.

Getting there: The package starts in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. Daily flights operate to Santa Cruz from Madrid, Miami, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires.

Package: The package is 9 days including 6 full days' fishing. Anglers will fish one river for 3 days, transfer to the second river on day 4 private private charter plane, then fish the second river for a further 3 days.

Maximum 4 rods. Not suitable for non fishing partners.


Endorsed by Hardy & Greys