Tsimane Bolivia Fishing

Agua Negra Lodge

Fly Fishing for Golden Dorado

Agua Negra, which means black water, is an important tributary of the Secure River and is the most recent addition to the Tsimane fishery. The Agua Negra contains half of the water volume of the Secure River, divided into low and high sectors. Flowing from east to west, the river is clear and shallow, making it easy to wade. It is home to big dorados weighing up to 30 pounds.

The Agua Negra

Agua Negra Base Program: The base program for Agua Negra includes fishing all waters of the Agua Negra, the waters of the Secure medium sector, and an optional day trip to the Chimoro Stream—a 15-minute canoe ride from the Lodge.
The Agua Negra holds the best waters for sight casting to big dorados in shallow water, and the medium sector of the Secure River offers plenty of fish on subsurface structure.

Wade Fishing: 99% of the fishing is wading or fishing from the bank. The river structures vary in every section—from sandy and small gravel beaches to sharp volcanic rocks passing through all kinds of freestones. Wading is not difficult or risky, but there is a lot of it.

The Fishing Program

Season: The Lodge is open from late May through October.
Group Size: The Lodge hosts four anglers + 1 host.
Species: Two different species of dorado are available, plus other Amazon basin fish such as pacus and yatorana. Strict catch-and-release.
Boats: Dugout canoes with small outboard motors are used for transport. Guides often pole the boat. You'll occasionally fish from the boat in slow, deep sections of the river. You'll mainly be bank or wade fishing. You'll fish two anglers and two guides per boat.
Guides: There is one English-speaking professional fly fishing guide per boat and a native boatman.
Equipment: No equipment is provided. Flies cost $10 each; you will need about two dozen for the week. Our confirmation packet includes a detailed list of what to bring.
Fishing License: Fishing licenses are not required.
Native Community Fee: Tsimane packages require a $670 Native Community Fee, which helps support the conservancy program and local community. The fee is payable in cash upon arrival at the Lodge.

A Typical Fishing Day:
At 7:00 a.m., you’ll have breakfast at the Lodge.
At 8:00 a.m., you’ll head out with your guide to fish.
Midday, you’ll enjoy lunch on the riverbank.
Between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m., you’ll return to the Lodge for dinner.
Each day, angling teams of two will fish the beats in the medium Secure River, the Chimoro Creek, or the Agua Negra River. You’ll walk through a mountainous virgin rainforest and fish a wide variety of waters with varying techniques. Depending on the fishing, weather, and river conditions, two or four anglers can stay overnight at an outcamp on the Agua Negra. The outcamp option provides extended fishing time and access to some of the best fishing sectors near the headwaters.

The Agua Negra River

The Lower Agua Negra, with its low gradient, is similar to a floodplain river; slowly and with clarity, it meanders through the valley. Numerous sandy beaches, deep runs, and cover hold strong populations of golden dorado and yatorana. The Upper Agua Negra is one of Tsimane's jewels, with an excellent number of dorado, pacu, and yatorana. With its shallow, clear water and rocky bottom, the Upper section is ideal for sightcasting. You'll walk upstream and sightcast in low waters, plus prospect for fish in runs and deep pools. Use a floating line, long leaders, and a delicate presentation for success.

Chimoro Stream

The Chimoro, a small crystal-clear stream, descends from the same mountain range as the Agua Negra River. Fish with light gear, a 5-weight rod, small streamers, and even dry flies for good-sized yatoranas. A 15-pound dorado on a 5-weight rod on the Chimoro is an unforgettable fight. You'll travel from the Lodge to the mouth of the Chimoro by canoe on the Secure River, about a 15-minute boat ride.

The Secure River - Middle Section

The Secure River in Bolivia features great golden dorado fishing.

The Middle Section of the Secure River runs from Ushwea Village to the confluence of the Chimoro and Secure Rivers. You'll wade downstream, traveling in dugout canoes that are poled or engine-powered. The river is shallow and open in the middle section, with sandy flats. The clear waters gradually become stained due to sediments in the high plateau. Cast toward sunken logs, trees, and subsurface structure, hangouts for big dorado.

Angler with Yatorana

Large Black Pacu

Golden Dorado and Baitfish

Agua Negra Lodge

Thatched-Roof Lodge with Wooden Walkways

Agua Negra is a very comfortable jungle lodge built entirely from sustainable wood cut from the nearby jungle. The Lodge has six cabin-style tents with boxspring beds, hot water, and electricity. There is free daily laundry service and a small fly shop.
Communications: Free Wi-Fi is provided in camp. Satellite phone service is $5 per minute.
Power: Generator-powered electricity is available from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to midnight. The electricity is 220 volts. (U.S. voltage is 120.) If you’re a U.S. resident, you’ll need a power plug adapter and a two-prong plug.

Cabin-Style Tents

One angler per cabin-style tent with a boxspring bed. The Camp has toilets and solar-powered showers.

Meals and Beverages

Three Anglers Seated with White Tablecloth, Condiments, Steak

Meals: Hearty breakfasts. You'll take a packed lunch of sandwiches and fruit. Delicious appetizers in the evening. Dinners feature chicken, steaks, and pasta dishes... with great wines and delectable desserts.
Alcohol: An open bar with fine wines, beer, and regular spirits is included in the package.

Getting to Agua Negra Lodge:

Day 0: You’ll arrive at the Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. A representative will greet you and transfer you from the airport to the Los Tajibos Hotel, where you'll have a single occupancy room. (The first and last hotel nights are included in the package.)
Day 1: You’ll have breakfast at the hotel. Tsimane’s local host will pick up your group around 9:30 a.m. and take you to the local airport. You’ll take a one-hour and 40-minute charter flight to the Oromomo Indian Community. The guides will transfer the group upriver to Agua Negra Lodge by boat, about a two-hour transfer.
Day 8: In the morning, you’ll pack your gear and transfer back to the Oromomo village for your return flight to Santa Cruz. In Santa Cruz, you’ll be met by a member of the Tsimane staff, who will drive you to the Los Tajibos Hotel. The first and last (two) single-occupancy hotel nights are included in the package.
Day 9: You’ll be picked up at your hotel and driven to the Viru Viru International Airport to catch your flight home.