Tsimane - Pluma Lodge

The Pluma River

The Pluma River is a crystal-clear freestone river that flows from south to north, running parallel to the Mosetenes Mountain Range. This river has incredibly diverse topography and is wider and more open than some of Tsimane’s other rivers. The Pluma’s wide banks, mainly composed of round, smooth gravel, and rock, make for easier wading. As you head further upstream, the river becomes steeper with rugged terrain.

Upper Pluma River - Higher Sector

The Pluma Higher Sector is located upstream from the confluence of the Pluma and the Itirisama Rivers. The river often reminds anglers of freestone trout rivers with gin-clear water, boulders, shallow runs, riffles, and well-defined pools. The Upper sector is home to many resident golden dorado, holding in numerous pools and pocket water. Anglers typically wade fish their way upstream, and fishing is mostly done on foot. At the end of the day, a Chiman canoe is used to transport extra gear and coolers back to Pluma Lodge.
Pluma Species:  The Pluma is home to all four of Tsimane’s main species—golden dorado, pacu, yatorana, and catfish (surubi).

Lower Pluma River

The Lower Pluma section extends from the confluence with the Itirisama River to its mouth in the Secure River. The structure is similar to the Upper section, but the Lower is 50 to 60 percent higher in volume, resulting in wider, deeper pools and more powerful runs. With more water, the fish have more room to fight and explode into aerial acrobatics.
The jungle is less dense, and the shorelines are occasionally marshy. There are steep drop-offs, long runs, sand-covered flats, islands with braided channels, and deep pools. The deep pools serve as natural food traps, and king dorado and large pacu are found here. The biggest pools, near the confluence with the Secure River, have low sandy areas where one can sight cast to cruising and feeding dorado, similar to bonefishing on the shallow saltwater flats.

Itirisama River

The Itirisama River is regarded as Tsimane's crown jewel. It is similar in size and volume to the high sector of the Pluma River but has a steeper gradient and more rugged terrain. The river runs from west to east through rugged canyons, with deep pools flanked by canyon walls. This section of the river is physically intense for wading and fishing, but the scenic rewards and large dorado make it worth the effort.
The Itirisama is the coldest and clearest river in Tsimane, making fishing more technical. While you are less likely to catch large numbers of dorado, you are more likely to catch your best dorado of the week. This sector has the lowest population of resident dorado but the highest average size. Some dorado are huge, but catching them in the small clear water is difficult. In some of the far upstream pools, you'll find large numbers of big pacu, which can be caught using fruit imitations, streamers, and big dry flies.

Pluma River Golden Dorado

Pluma Lodge Fishing Program:

Pluma Seasons:  The Standard Lodge-Based Program season runs from late May through October. The Heli-Fishing program runs from July through October. The Lodge season targets clear water conditions, which gives anglers stunning sight-fishing opportunities.
Guides:  For every two anglers, there is one English-speaking professional fly-fishing guide and two native boatmen.
Methods:  Only fly fishing is allowed. Fishing is primarily done on foot, walking, and wading upstream.
Boats:  A Chiman canoe is used to transport gear back to the Lodge at the end of the day.
Equipment:  No equipment is provided. Flies can be purchased for $10 each at the small fly shop onsite; around two dozen would be needed for the week. Our confirmation packet includes a detailed list of what to bring.
Licenses:  Fishing licenses are not required.
Native Community Fee:  Tsimane packages require a Native Community Fee, which helps support the conservancy program and local community. The fee is $670 for Lodge-Based programs and $1,250 for Heli-Programs.

Pluma River Pacu

Standard Lodge-Based Program
Sample Fishing Day:
Available from late May through October.
7:00 a.m. - You’ll have breakfast at the Lodge.
8:00 a.m. - You’ll head out with your guide to fish.
Midday, you’ll enjoy lunch on the riverbank.
4:00 to 5:00 p.m. - You’ll return to the Lodge for dinner.
There is the possibility of fishing the upper Pluma and Itirisama Rivers. When fishing the upper Pluma and Itirisama Rivers, all the fishing is done by walking and wading upstream. Long hikes are necessary to reach the upper sections of the rivers to access better fishing areas.
For the Heli-Fishing Program, you'll take five to 35-minute flights each day to pristine headwater areas, returning to the Lodge at about 5:00 p.m.
Click here for the Heli-Fishing Program.

Pluma River Lodge

Pluma Lodge  is a cozy jungle retreat constructed from sustainable wood from the nearby jungle. The Lodge features a spacious dining and gathering area, a massage room, complimentary Wi-Fi, free daily laundry service, and a small fly shop onsite.

Queen-Size Beds

The Lodge now has 14 wooden cabins for 14 anglers. Each angler gets his own room and private bathroom.

Dining Room Area

Meals and Beverages:

Meals:  International cuisine paired with great wines.
Alcohol:  An open bar with spirits, liquors, and special drinks is included in the package.
Communications:  Free Wi-Fi is available. Satellite phone service is $5.00 per minute.