Tsimane Lodge
(santa cruz, bolivia)

Bolivia has not really been on the fishing radar until the last few years. There have been a few adventurous souls searching the jungle rivers and lakes over the last few decades for previously undiscovered fishing, but most of them kept their findings to themselves or thought that very few people would be interested in such primitive surroundings.

It is on the screen, now. Tsimane (tchee-ma'-nay) Lodge has taken the danger out of the mission but not the adventure. Logistics must be horrendous to keep up the smooth flow of anglers now peeking into the jungle rivers that flow more like mountain streams. But the outfitters are doing a super job. Guests are housed in luxury lodges (especially considering where they are located) with great food and wines, but out on the rivers, one could imagine seeing one of the early Amazon explorers like Percy Fawcett or even Teddy Roosevelt making their way downstream, in a raft lashed together at riverside. It is easy to let your imagination run wild in such surroundings.

Bolivia is in central South America, bordered by Brazil to the North and East, Paraguay and

Tsimane boasts incredible numbers of two species of Dorado up to 40 pounds, Pirapitinga, Amazon Pacú up to 25 pounds, and Yatorana, pound for pound, one of the strongest species swimming in freshwater. This is stream sight-fishing for finned animals that don't belong in water this intimate. Without a doubt, Tsimane is the most exciting new jungle destination on the angling scene in a generation.

Package Cost:
The cost of the week-long Tsimane Lodge package is $7600 per person

Extension trips of Tsimane Lodges to Pluma or Itirizama Camps: $4,500 per person

Inclusions:
Included in your angling package at the Tsimane lodge is 10 nights arrival and departure nights in Santa Cruz and 8 nights at the lodges, with 6 1/2 days fishing, all inclusive services (including meals, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks and water while at the lodges), charter flights in/out Santa Cruz de la Sierra and the lodges.

Non-Inclusions:
Not included in your angling package at

The fishing at Tsimane is timed to coincide with the dry season so the rivers will be at their lowest. Tempertures can see the 90's during the day and drop to the 50's or 60's at night over the course of its season. Of course, rains can come at ay time, but this is the best time of the year to fish there. The rivers are more like clear mountain trout streams where sight fishing is the rule. Waders are not needed as all rivers are wet-waded.

Dorado, during their annual migration (on low/mid sections of rivers), are always following Sabalo school's migration (Dorado's main source of food). Both species migrate upstream from March/April according the

The trip packages begin at Santa Cruz, Bolivia. So anglers must first get there. There are many daily flights from major cities of the US and world-wide. You will need a passport valid to 6 months past your departure from Bolivia. US citizens will need to get a visitor's visa for entry to Bolivia. At this time (July of 2010) the cost of the visa is $135 USD and is available at Bolivian consulates or through procurement agencies. You can find a list of consulates at: http://www.bolivia-usa.org/consulares/consulares_eeuu.htm. It is actually very easy to get one when you arrive Santa Cruz.

Even though located deep in the jungle, the lodges (there are two; one each on different river systems), are beautiful structures using local woods and logs. Each camp has a main lodge for meals and gatherings and separate, roomy, cabins for sleeping (two double beds in each cabin). Each cabin has 24 hour electricity, on demand hot water and a private bathroom. Each camp has a generator giving 220V power to each cabin. Remember to take a converter for electrical

Day 1: Arrive in Santa Cruz, Bolivia - Anglers will arrive Santa Cruz Bolivia where a lodge representative will be waiting for you in Viru Viru International Airport and transfer you from airport to Hotel Los Tajibo, a five star property (included in the angling package).

Day 2: You will have breakfast at the hotel. The host will pick you up at approximately 10:00 a.m. and drive you to a local airport for your charter flight to Tsimane - Secure Lodge. The charter flight duration is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Arrival at Indian community landing strip and from here you will have a short boat ride to the lodge (15 minutes). Meet and greet by Tsimane Fishing Team and enjoy a cocktail, snack and a brief explanation of your upcoming fishing days on Secure waters. Afterwards, you will have a chance to unpack and ready your tackle. You are free to fish the home pool on your own this afternoon.

Two anglers will prepare their gear and head up with a guide to the new Yahana Refuge on the headwaters of Secure. It's a one-hour boat ride. The refuge has the same kind of accommodation for guests as Secure Lodge, with guest room, spring beds, bathroom with hot water and electric power. It's more simple and intimate when compared with the lodge, but it's built on a spectacular jungle plateau near the Yahana Creek mouth, which allows access to the headwaters of Secure and Yahana creek fishing area. We ask the team that goes to Yahana Refuge to pack light (the essential items only) for one day of fishing and one night lodging. The other 4 anglers will spend the night at Secure lodge.

Day 3: (Each day individual teams fish one of the several beats in the Secure area.)
Team 1 – Breakfast and fish the upper section of Secure and some tributary creeks. At the end of the day, anglers will head back to Secure Lodge.
Team 2 – Fishing on the middle section of Secure River. End the day fish toward the Yahana Refuge Lodge and spend the night.
Team 3 – Fish downstream until the Secure Rapids. Head back to Secure lodge after a full day of fishing.

Day 4:
Team 1 – Fish downstream until reach the Secure Rapids. Head back to Secure lodge at the end of the day.
Team 2 – Breakfast and fish the upper section of Secure and some tributary creeks. At the end of the day, anglers will head back to Secure Lodge.
Team 3 – Fishing on the middle section of Secure River. End the day fish toward the Yahana Refuge Lodge and spend the night.

Day 5:
Team 1 – Fishing middle section of Secure River. Late afternoon return to Secure lodge.
Team 2 – Fish downstream to the Secure Rapids. Late afternoon return to Secure lodge.
Team 3 – Breakfast and fish the upper section of Secure River and some tributary creeks. After fishing head back to Secure Lodge.

Day 6: In the morning, after breakfast, and after a short boat ride to a local village a plane