Arapaima can grow to over 400 pounds.
Pirarucu Lodge - Brazil
Fly Fishing for Arapaima and Arowana
For this fly fishing adventure, you'll take a 70-minute flight from Manaus, Brazil, and then a 50-minute boat ride to the Lodge on the Mamirauá Reserve, the largest arapaima reserve in the world. The Reserve is a complex system of lakes and channels covering 4,300 square miles and is the largest protected flooded forest in the world. Here, you'll find great fly fishing for pirarucu, also known as arapaima.
2025 Rates: Packages start at $5,510 + $550 Native Comm. Fee for 5-nights and 4-days guided fishing.
Pirarucu Fishing
Pirarucu and arapaima are one and the same. Arapaima can grow to over 400 pounds. They are an air-breathing fish that closely resemble tarpon both in size and shape. When hooked, they start to move and then explode into aerial displays and headshakes.
Guides and anglers watch for arapaima rising to the surface to gulp air. In the shallow bays of the lake, these rolling fish offer more of a sightcasting opportunity than in the deeper parts. Similar to hunting the flats and mangroves for tarpon, anglers search the lakes, channels, and rivers for pods of fish. Be prepared. When you see the rolling fish, it is usually the fish mid-water or on the bottom that hit your fly.
The toughest part of fishing for arapaima is setting the hook. You’ll need to get a firm hook set and keep continual pressure.
Arowana: There’s no other place where you can catch so many arowanas on the fly. These fish are omnivorous and eat just about any insect or baitfish presented to them. Anglers will want to use streamers or big dry flies.
Pacu: The mighty black pacu, also known as tambaqui, is in the same family as the piranha. Pacu readily take artificial flies and prove an intense battle on a fly.
Peacock Bass: The smaller peacock bass, the yellow species, range in size from 2 to 10 pounds and act much like their larger cousins found elsewhere in the Amazon. When found, they are usually busting bait along the shorelines.
The Fishing Program
The Pirarucu Season is short, running from September to the end of November. The dry season in this part of the Amazon runs from July through January, so this season straddles the middle of the dry season when water should be low, and fish congregate in the lakes and channels. November 30th marks the end of fishing due to special regulations. In order to protect juvenile fish, the Arapaima fishery is closed throughout the Amazon.
Guides: Professional, English-speaking native guides. Two anglers per guide and boat.
Boats: You'll fish from 20-foot fully equipped shallow draft skiffs. Each skiff has two large casting platforms and an electric trolling motor with a remote control for moving silently within the lagoons. 60-HP four-stroke motors, GPS, and VHF radios are on board to keep guides in contact and to remain aware of each other’s position.
A Fishing License is included in your package.
Fishing Equipment: Fly-fishing outfits are available for guests upon request and with 30 days notice (Thomas & Thomas rods, Nautilus Reels, and Scientific Anglers Lines). Flies are available at camp for $5 to 15 each. Our confirmation packet includes a detailed list of what to bring.
A Typical Fishing Day:
5:30 a.m. - Coffee is hot.
6:30 a.m. - Breakfast.
7:30 a.m. - Head to fishing grounds.
Noon - You’ll take a 5 to 20-minute boat ride back to the Lodge for lunch and a nap.
2:30 p.m. - Fishing resumes.
6:00 p.m. - You’ll return to the Lodge.
6:30 p.m. - Cocktails and appetizers.
7:00 p.m. - A buffet-style dinner is served.
Uakari Lodge - Floating Cabins
Uakari Lodge
Uakari, a floating lodge, is very simple yet comfortable. The Lodge has ten floating cabins and wooden walkways over the water connect each building.
The main lodge features a dining room, living area, and kitchen. Solar-powered showers and comfortable beds with mosquito netting. Daily laundry service.
In the offseason, the Lodge is used as an ecotourism lodge primarily for birdwatching and wildlife viewing. It is recognized as one of the top five birdwatching areas in the Amazon.
Meals: Hearty breakfasts. Hot lunches at the Lodge. Buffet-style dinners. American and regional favorites.
Alcohol: House wines, beer, and local spirits are included in the package.
Communications: Complimentary Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi internet. There is no cell phone service. A satellite phone is available for guests at $5.00 per minute.
Non-Angler Activities: Pirarucú offers guided bird safaris, jungle expeditions, canoe tours, and visits to the local village communities with professional, English-speaking guides.
Getting to the Lodge:
When you arrive in Manaus, you’ll be greeted by an English-speaking lodge representative who’ll arrange your ground transfer to the boutique hotel. The following morning, your host will drive you to the local airport for your 8:45 a.m. flight to Tefé, which is not included in the package. There is a 50-pound baggage weight limit for the flight. You’ll have lunch in Tefé before taking a 50-minute fast-boat ride to the Lodge. After your arrival, you'll get in a half-day of fishing. (The ground transfers in Manaus and the first hotel night are included in the package.) The charter flight between Manaus and Tefé is not included in the package.
2025 USD Rates:
Our advice is free.
We never charge more than the Lodges we represent.
Season: September through November
7-nights and 6.5-days guided fishing
(6 nights at Lodge and 1 night in Manaus)
Two per room and boat:
$6,590 + $660 Native Comm. Fee = $7,250.00 per person
One per room and two per boat:
$8,240 + $660 Native Comm. Fee = $8,900.00 per person
One per room and boat:
$10,550 + $660 Native Comm. Fee = $11,210.00 per person
Non-angler sharing room:
$3,450 + $340 Native Comm. Fee = $3,790.00 per person
6-nights and 5.5-days guided fishing
(5-nights at Lodge and 1-night in Manaus)
Two per room and boat:
$6,170 + $610 Native Comm. Fee = $6,780.00 per person
One per room and two per boat:
$7,560 + $610 Native Comm. Fee = $8,170.00 per person
One per room and boat:
$9,880 + $610 Native Comm. Fee = $10,490.00 per person
Non-angler sharing room:
$3,245 + $320 Native Comm. Fee = $3,565.00 per person
6-nights and 4.5-days guided fishing
(5-nights at Lodge and 1-night in Manaus)
Two per room and boat:
$5,510 + $550 Native Comm. Fee = $6,060.00 per person
One per room and two per boat:
$6,800 + $550 Native Comm. Fee = $7,350.00 per person
One per room and boat:
$8,735 + $550 Native Comm. Fee = $9,285.00 per person
Non-angler sharing room:
$2,885 + $290 Native Comm. Fee = $3,175.00 per person
Rates for 3 and 4-night packages are also available.
And Extra Night in Manaus – USD: $200 to $220 per night/room - based on double occupancy.
All prices are subject to change based on availability.
The Packages Include:
• One double-occupancy room at a hotel in Manaus upon arrival
• All ground transfers in Manaus per itinerary
• Guided fishing, two anglers per guide
• Lodging at Pirarucu
• All meals at the Lodge
• Beverages - wine, beer, and spirits
• Fishing license
• Fly outfits are available upon request
• Wi-Fi
• Daily laundry service
• Our eBook Fly Fishing for Peacock Bass by Larry and Guy Schoenborn
The Packages Do Not Include:
• International airfare
• Roundtrip domestic flight (Manaus/Tefe)
• Native Community Fee
• Gratuities for guides and lodge staff
• Food and beverages in Manaus
• Airport departure tax (if not included in airfare)
• Satellite phone calls, $5 per minute
• City tours in Manaus
• Extra hotel nights
• Flies, $5 to $15 each at the Lodge
• Global Rescue
• Travel insurance
• A Brazilian eVisa is required as of 04/10/2025.
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.
13-nights and 10-days guided fishing
(1-night in Manaus, 7-nights/6-days at Rio Marie,
and 5-nights/4-days at Pirarucu)
Two anglers per room and skiff:
$13,454 plus $1,280 NCF = $14,734.00 p.p.
One angler per room, sharing skiff:
$15,545 plus $1,280 NCF = $16,825.00 p.p.
One angler per room and skiff:
$21,858 plus $1,280 NCF = $23,138.00
Non-Angler Companion:
$8,311 plus $820.00 NCF = $9,131.00 p.p.
Fishing with Larry Payment Options:
1.) Credit card (a 2.5% convenience fee applies)
2.) Check. Please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to Fishing with Larry P.O. Box 419 Columbus, MT 59019.
3.) Wire Transfer (Send money electronically – typically a $15 to $30 fee for domestic transfers and $45 - $50 for international transfers.)
Please email Toni at toni@fishingwithlarry.com for wire instructions.
Pirarucu Lodge POLICIES:
A Signed Indemnity Release is Required: The Lodge requires that all guests sign a KNOWLEDGE LETTER. All guests, without exception, must sign the knowledge letter and the terms of responsibility prior to their trip.
Deposit Policy: Booking trips less than a year out requires a deposit of 50% of the total price and must be received within five days from the reservation date to confirm a package. The remaining balance is due 90 days prior to the trip. If your trip is more than one year out, a deposit of 25% of the total price must be received within five days from the reservation date to confirm a package. 25% is due one year prior to the trip, and the remaining balance is due 90 days prior to the trip.
Cancellation Policy: The Deposit required to confirm your reservation is NON-REFUNDABLE unless the customer is replaced. If there is no other replacement, the individual is responsible for the full costs, and no refund will be made to the customer. Additionally, there are no refunds for any unused part of the travel package. The Company and its subsidiaries are not responsible for cancellations resulting from weather conditions, river levels, or a Force Majeure event, and shall provide no refunds for such an event. The Company may opt to provide alternate dates, as set forth further below, in its sole and absolute discretion. In addition, the indigenous tax costs must be reviewed in the pre-trip itinerary and must be paid in cash upon your arrival in Brazil on the agreed-upon arrival date. After making a reservation, you will be deemed to have given your consent to their terms and conditions, as well as their cancellation policy detailed here.
“Force Majeure” shall be defined herein as circumstances beyond Company's reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fires; floods; weather conditions; wars; civil or military disturbances; acts of terrorism; sabotage; strikes; epidemics; pandemics; viral or bacterial outbreaks; riots; power failures; computer failure and any such circumstances beyond our reasonable control as may cause interruption, loss or malfunction of utility, transportation, computer (hardware or software) or telephone communication service; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority; governmental actions; or inability to obtain labor, material, equipment or transportation. To be clear, any amounts paid to the Company for your travel package are non-refundable under any conditions. You hereby acknowledge and agree to the refund and cancellation policy.
Fishing with Larry strongly recommends purchasing trip insurance. Click here for our Travel Insurance page.
