Bolivia Golden Dorado Fishing
This August I ventured back to the jungles of Bolivia for golden dorado with an incredible group of guys. There were 6 of us total and all are current or former Montana fishing guides. We booked with Tsimane Lodges and stayed at the Secure River camp.
Coming from the states it is best to plan on a couple days to get into the Lodge. We all took the red eye out of Miami to Santa Cruz arriving early morning. We checked into the hotel, got some rest, and then had an authentic Bolivian steak dinner before going to bed.
The next day, Zoltan, from Tsimane picked us up in the morning and took us to the private airport. 2 hours later a tiny landing strip in the middle of jungle came into sight. After a short boat ride we arrived at the lodge and were in our cabins and unpacked in time for lunch.
Bolivia Golden Dorado Fishing
We faced some tough conditions for the start of our trip. The area was in the midst of the biggest cold front of the season. After our hot Montana summer it was nice to wear a puffy jacket in the morning and not be drenched in sweat in the afternoon, but the dorado were in a state of shock with the sudden change and the fishing was especially difficult the first two days.
We pounded the water hard and only managed a fish or two per person early on in the trip. Fortunately the forecast called for a dramatic warm up throughout the week and that is exactly what happened.
Bolivia Golden Dorado Fishing
The river blew everyone away. We fished a rotation of 4 different beats with 2 beats upriver in crystal clear water with rapids and boulders that are similar to the Blackfoot.
The lower river beats were out in the flood plain with side channels and lots of logjams that reminded everyone of a jungle version of the Bitterroot. 4 of us were also fortunate to get a day in on one of the two tributary creeks that come into the Secure.
Bolivia Golden Dorado Fishing
We had an awesome team of guides on the trip. Every day each boat had 2 anglers, 2 native guides from the local tribe, and a fly fishing guide. The boats are 25 foot canoes hand built by the natives and powered by a special motor that can run in shallow, rocky water.
There is a native in the front of the canoe with a wood pole to help steer the boat, slow down when going downstream, and help push when going upstream. The native in the back of the boat runs the motor both up and downstream, and they also have a push pole to help when the motor can’t be used.
The fly fishing guide sits in the middle of the boat, and they have to pitch in and help with their own push pole in shallow stretches. When we got stuck all 3 would hop out of the boat to drag it upstream or downstream. They refused to let us help at all. It is truly amazing the teamwork required and the type of water that can be navigated in those canoes.
The fly fishing guides were all from Argentina. They spoke excellent English, and were all great instructors and awesome guides. The natives were equally impressive. Most of them worked barefoot on slick rocks and some hunted sabalo (bait fish) with their traditional bow and arrows during the day.
Bolivia Golden Dorado Fishing
The amount of wildlife in the jungle was impressive. There were countless number of different bird species from tiny swallows to large eagles. We saw large macaws flying overhead most days. We encountered bugs of all kinds and most were 3 times the size of anything we have back home, and loads of butterflies.
As a group we spotted caiman, river otters, monkeys, lizards, frogs, badger, and the tracks of tapir, ocelot, and jaguar on the river bank.
Bolivia Golden Dorado Fishing
We learned that the rainy season did not produce the typical high water levels which allow the dorado to migrate as they chase the sabalo upstream. As a result there were not as many dorado in the system as years past. Fortunately as the weather warmed up, the dorado that were there became more and more active each day.
The lower river proved best for numbers each day. Jeff and Troy had an incredible day with well over 20 dorado to hand on the lower river. The upper river beats provided exciting sight fishing opportunities and the best chance to find a feeding frenzy. The feeding frenzies occur when the dorado team up in packs, like wolves and push the sabalo into the shallows.
There were also a couple other species we encountered during the trip.
Bolivia Golden Dorado Fishing
Every angler on the trip fished extremely hard. We did not put up big numbers of fish overall, but what we lacked in quantity we made up for with quality. Everyone landed at least one fish 15 pounds or over and there was a good collection of dorado from 8-13 pounds.
You can’t say enough about the fish itself. They eat the fly super aggressively and most immediately jump. Those jumps continue throughout the fight as they put up an impressive battle. They also demand constant focus from the angler. Any pool and any cast can produce the fish of a lifetime.
It’s the most physically demanding fishing I have ever done. Simply wading the river is a legitimate challenge. Add to that casting an 8 inch long 3/0 streamer 60-80 feet all day and then stripping at a fast pace. It requires a serious commitment, but the reward is definitely worth it.
Bolivia Golden Dorado Fishing
The guides and staff of the Secure Lodge all worked extremely hard for us everyday. The trip was smooth from start to finish and I can highly recommend their operation.
It was a long trip back to Montana. I have a few days to rest and get organized for the fall season. There were some big rains and cooler temps in Missoula while I was gone. That was a welcome reprieve from the heat. Our nights are getting longer and colder and with that the fall mayfly hatches are just on the horizon.
I am looking forward to getting back on the water during one of my favorite times of year, and there will be familiar faces in the boat everyday for the rest of the season.
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Tight Lines,
Tony Reinhardt
Montana Trout Outfitters
406-544-3516
