Tsimane Helicopter

Combined program

Bolivia

6 days on 2 locations

230v, 50hz

2 hours

SEASON

May until October

FIND OPEN DATES

WHERE THE AMAZON MEETS THE ANDES

The Journey Ahead

The most immersive of all 4 Tsimane fishing programs. The heli fishing program involves both lodges, pluma and secure, 3 days and 3 days fishing on both locations, but on the unreached headwaters. The combined program offers the chance to fish the best of the best in these watersheds.

Starting with 3 days fishing the secure headwaters (staying at secure lodge) and switching to Pluma lodge at the end of fishing day 3, for 3 more full days of flying to the top waters in that part of the basin.

The main river that collects every inch of water from this system (that flows into the amazon basin) is the Secure river, which is a freestone like cristal clear creek on its headwaters and as it keeps going down gets wider and dirtier.

RIVERS

Both Secure Lodge and Pluma Lodge waters that you can reach out in the helicopter are quite similar. Crystal clear water, big boulders, freestone like, medium to small size river, pocket water. That’s why a lot of times you’ll feel like you are fishing for trout, and actually, they tend to behave like trout, sitting behind rocks and on tailouts.

You’ll find yourself sight casting dry flies upstream and see them rise and zip just like a rainbow would swallow a mayfly. Long casting is not required most of the time, but it’s important to have a fast and accurate pick and drop.

Book now

SPECIES

Dorado

Dorado

Pacu

Yatorana

Golden Dorado

(Salminus brasiliensis) is a striking freshwater fish known for its vibrant golden scales and powerful build. Native to South America's river systems, such as the Paraná and Amazon basins, it is a fierce predator with impressive jumping abilities.

Highly prized by anglers, it is celebrated for its beauty, strength, and thrilling fight when caught.

Pacu

Aka the jungle permit, aka the veggie piraña. Pacus belongs to the piranhas family “characidae”. They love hanging around the deepest pools of the river, looking up, waiting for fruits, leaves, flowers, big seeds or big insects falling in the pool.

They have a plate shape, very similar to permit, they can be grey, dark grey, dark olive or black. With human-like teeth, they will bite through your line the same way a dorado will, so the set up you use for them is exactly the same, though different flies!

Yatorana

They say pound for pound is the strongest freshwater species, family related to dorados, they tend to have a very similar diet to pacu, lots of insects, fruits and nuts. Not as big as dorados, yatoranas will size anywhere between 1 to 5 kg.

Like a lot of jungle fish they will have sharp teeth and strong jaws, so wire tippet is required as well. They will be found in smaller tributaries as well as in the main river. If you are planning to target them, make sure you bring a #6 wt rod with you, and a foam fly tied to the end of your line!

TACKLE

Dorados and pacus are strong fish, aggressive and will make you feel their power from the very first moment you connect with one of them.That’s why you want a strong fighting but and a nice smooth reel drag.

Rods: All of the Tsimane experience can be perfectly done with any #8 saltwater rod, fast recovery and strong fighting but is a must when choosing your jungle rod.

Reel: Same as for picking your reel, we prefere and recommend saltwater reels, #8 or #9 will do fine, anyhow, most freshwater top range big reels will do fine as well!

Lines: Full floaters and warm water is a must. Jungle water, despite being “fresh”, is not cold at all. Cold water lines will get very soft and rubbery. Another thing to take into consideration is geometry. A line with a shortish and more aggressive front taper will help you turn over bulky and heavy flies as well as poppers in case you need to use them. Some lines we recommend are the Redfish (SA) Mastery jungle titan (SA), Outbound short (rio), Superflo ridge flats power taper (airlo).

Flies: Baitfish imitation flies will be the most used, lefty’s deceivers, andino deceivers, GT brushes, clouser minnows, and any kind of baitfish tied in strong saltwater hook, form 1/0 to 4/0. Floating flies will make fish rise as well, mice patterns such as the morrish mouse are killer patterns. Foam flies like big terrestrials, titanic sliders, poppers, gurglers and round foam balls imitating fruits for pacu and yatorana!

Bolivia

Tsimane Helicopter

SEASON

May until October

FIND OPEN DATES