Tsimane : Pluma Lodge Fly Fishing

Golden Dorado Fly Fishing at Pluma Lodge

Nestled deep in the Bolivian Amazon, Pluma Lodge is set along the Pluma River, a stunning freestone jungle river that meanders through the territory of the indigenous Tsimane people. This is an environment where dense rainforest spills right down to the water’s edge, macaws and toucans call from above, and each bend of the river feels untouched by time.

The Pluma Lodge is the flagship outpost of Untamed Angling’s Bolivia fly fishing program. Wildlife teems in the surrounding jungle with the sounds of birds, monkeys, and tapir heard in the distance at dawn and dusk. The lodge complex is a luxurious sanctuary, immersed in the heart of Amazon headwaters.

Fly fishing for golden dorado is the cornerstone of the Tsimane experience, attracting small groups of anglers from around the world between June and October. Guests are able to choose from boat-oriented, helicopter-supported, or blended weeklong fly fishing itineraries.

Boat-Oriented Fly Fishing

Anglers spend the week exploring the Pluma and Itirsama Rivers in dugout canoes with their guide and native boatsmen. The fishing is a blend of floating and easy wading along gravel bars. This program is the foundation upon which the Tsimane operation was built upon, the guides and locals are intimately familiar with the movements of migratory fish through these waters during the season.

For the angler whose heart beats faster at the thought of remote jungles, clear rivers, and fly fishing for hard-fighting apex predators, then Bolivia should be at the very top of your fly fishing bucket list. With Untamed Angling’s exclusive helicopter program at Pluma Lodge, anglers can experience an adventure that goes beyond the ordinary — it’s an expedition into one of the most pristine fly fishing frontiers left on earth.

Helicopter Fly Fishing

Designed for adventurous anglers who crave remote waters and solitude, the helicopter package at Pluma Lodge unlocks headwaters and tributaries that are simply impossible to reach by foot or boat. Each morning, you'll lift off from a jungle helipad, soaring above emerald canopies and snaking river systems. From the air, anglers can see schools of dorado and giant pacu patrolling the clear waters below.

Touching down on gravel bars in the jungle wilderness, anglers step into a pristine world filled with clear rivers and virgin rainforests. Typical day trips involve covering a few kilometers while characterized by uneven ground and tricky river crossings in heavy currents. Swimming, crawling over giant boulders, and side-stepping slippery hillsides are all in a “day’s work” on these remote, jungle rivers.

The “draw” of the heli-program for anglers fishing Tsimane is to experience new adventures on rarely fished waters in the expansive headwater system. Covering ground can be difficult here, so the heli-program is ideal for guests with good to excellent mobility and fitness levels.

Fly Fishing Lodge Description

Back at Pluma Lodge, luxury meets wilderness in perfect harmony. Constructed from local hardwoods with thatched roofs, the lodge offers cozy double and single ensuite accommodations. Daily laundry service, made-to-order breakfasts, and dinners with South American origins highlight the lodge's services. Reliable, high-speed Wifi enables guests to stay connected throughout the week. After a thrilling day on the water, unwind with a cold drink on the veranda or hang out in the main lodge among friends.

Untamed Angling works closely with the Tsimane people, who not only protect these waters but also share their rich knowledge of the jungle and its secrets. Fishing here is more than just a sport — it’s a profound journey into an ecosystem where every cast is a brush with the wild.

For the angler who dreams of remote rivers and the heart-pounding take of a golden dorado in jungle waters, week at the Pluma Lodge with Untamed Angling delivers an experience that is simply unmatched.

- 2025 Trip Report

2025 Pluma Lodge Helifishing Gallery

From The Montana Fly Fishing Blog