A 10 weight is a little too heavy to cast all day in these temperatures.This is much more akin to saltwater fishing than fresh water and the tackle should reflect this. At least one back-up rod is essential and if you do not have a second 9 weight, a 10 weight is best.

The reels do not need to be fancy as long as they have good drag.

Fly lines must be of the tropical type. The water here is warm and standard fly lines become a sticky gooey mess. A floating line is the most commonly used, although an intermediate or sink tip is very useful and can be rigged on your backup rod to save time changing lines.

Your end tackle is crucial. Leaders are usually tapered using lengths of40lb, 30lb and 20lb breaking strength. Top quality fluorocarbon such as Seaguar, Riverge or Rio are recommended (only the latter is IGFA approved). You will also require 30lb Tyger wire trace. Although this type of wire is quite easy to tie, for the sake of convenience, top quality snaps are very useful to take the chore out of changing flies.

Stripping gloves for both hands.

Good quality polarizers.

Good quality wire snippers.

For spinning equipment, please drop me a line.

Your primary weapon in these waters will be large Styrofoam poppers: either the “Bob’s Banger” variety or we found that saltwater popper heads that can be slipped in front of a large streamer to be very effective indeed. The “Bob’s Bangers” are particularly effective in chartreuse and white. You should have, at least, a half dozen of each as these fish do serious damage to flies.

Streamers should be big and bushy. The more streamlined saltwater types are no good. A full body with plenty of sparkle works well for all species. Plain white, bushy flies are also excellent. When choosing streamers you should concentrate on a chunky profile in the water. The colours that work well are: yellow & red, white, yellow, orange, purple, white & blue, white & chartreuse. Flies should be tied on top quality, ultra sharp hooks in sizes 1/0, 2/0, 3/0 & 4/0

You will find that you get through a good number of flies on the Iriri. Apart from flies getting chewed up, bigger fish, despite the end tackle described above, can break you.

It is not easy to find good streamers in the UK and if you wish, we can organise to have a set ready for you on arrival at the lodge. These a tied by a top class fly tier in Brazil and work out considerably cheaper than you would ever pay here.

The Lodge is planning to build a fly tying station in the main living room. If this facility is of interest please ask for an update.

The fishing season for fly-fishing the Iriri River is from the beginning of July to November. The prime fishing on fly is from mid-July to mid-August. This is when the water conditions are optimal for high numbers of catches.

The whole season is highly productive and whatever part of the season you chose, the fishing is quite exceptional.