Golden Dorado Fly Fishing: Tsimane 2014
Fins and Feathers Guide Service first experienced fly fishing the Amazon Jungle during the early years of Untamed Angling’s Tsimane operation back in 2014. We hosted a group of 6 anglers for a week of golden dorado fly fishing along the foothills of the Andes, deep in the wilds of Bolivia.
The flight in was “western” as we embarked in 40+ MPH winds from Santa Cruz in a duo of small Cessnas. The flight into a former narco runway, cut into the jungle alongside a small Indian village, took a couple of hours and was nerve-rattling at times.
The locals greeted us with shy, curious eyes as we departed the planes, and took stock of our surroundings while heading to the river for the short ride to the Secure River Lodge. I recall being overwhelmed by the warmth and butterflies basking in the heat along the river’s edge.
Rain came in early on our first day, bringing rising water levels and off-color water conditions. The fishing was tough that first day and impossible the second. The professional fly fishing guides with Untamed Angling did their best to keep us entertained as we waited for conditions to improve for our last day on the Secure.
The final day at Secure gave most of the anglers their first real taste of golden dorado fly fishing in Bolivia. Dropping water levels exposed fish hunting sabalo in shallow riffles, giving us each the chance to target and hook a few of these extraordinary creatures.
In the early years, the standard Tsimane fly fishing program included 3 days at both the Secure and Pluma lodges. We transferred to the Pluma Lodge with hopes of improved water conditions, only to be disappointed by the return of rain and rising river levels. Today's Tsimane offerings include stays at well-established outer camps and lodges. The Pluma Lodge now offers both boat and helicopter-based itineraries
Despite the challenging conditions, we did manage to find a few trophy-sized golden dorado and enjoy our time in this pristine wilderness. When the opportunity came up, we returned to these world-class golden dorado fisheries in 2025 and were greeted with much better conditions and fishing!
2014 Bolivia Fly Fishing Gallery
From The Montana Fly Fishing Blog
Category: Montana Rivers, Upper Madison River Fishing Information, Missouri River Information, Jefferson River Fishing, Big Hole River Fly Fishing
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