Pirarucu

Pirarucú Lodge is one of the most unique and specialized fly fishing destinations in the world, offering anglers the rare opportunity to target arapaima—one of the largest freshwater fish on Earth—on the fly. Located deep within Brazil’s Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve, the lodge sits in the largest protected arapaima sanctuary on the planet, a vast network of lakes, lagoons, and flooded forest between the Solimões and Japurá Rivers.  This fishery is defined by its exclusivity and conservation model. Pirarucú is the first and only government-approved fly fishing operation focused on arapaima, developed in partnership with local indigenous communities to protect the species while creating sustainable economic opportunities. The result is a carefully managed program with limited angling pressure and a thriving population of fish that can reach sizes exceeding 200 pounds. 

The setting is quintessential Amazon—flooded forests, still backwater lagoons, and an overwhelming sense of immersion in one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. Unlike river-based fisheries, Pirarucú focuses on stillwater environments where arapaima surface regularly to breathe, giving anglers visual cues and shot opportunities unlike anywhere else in the world. While arapaima are the primary draw, the fishery also offers a surprising diversity of species. Arowana provide acrobatic surface eats, tambaqui offer technical, permit-like challenges, and additional species such as peacock bass and piranha round out the experience. 

The lodge itself operates with a strong emphasis on sustainability, community involvement, and low-impact tourism. With limited weekly capacity, guests enjoy an intimate and highly personalized experience, with access to vast, untouched waters that feel entirely their own. For anglers seeking a true “bucket list” experience—one centered on giant fish, visual presentations, and meaningful conservation—Pirarucú Lodge stands alone as one of the most compelling freshwater destinations in the world.

Tailwaters Travel must adhere to the cancellation policies of the guides, outfitters and lodges which it represents. Pirarucu’s policy follows: A non-refundable 50% deposit is required to secure all reservations. Final balance is due 90 days prior to departure. All deposits are non-refundable unless clients can be replaced. A 10% trip fee shall be levied if the reservation is moved to an alternative date within the same season. Tailwaters Travel reserves the right to charge a handling fee of $150 per person for date changes after initial reservation has been made. No credits or refunds are given for fishing time lost due to inclement weather. Refunds of deposits/payments made on credit cards will be charged a 3.5% service charge to fully compensate Tailwaters Travel for all bank charges incurred. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgement that the registrant has read and accepts the cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses.

PIRARUCU HIGH WATER POLICY

Fishing in the Amazon jungle represents one of the last frontiers in the fly fishing world. As with any such hyper-remote destinations, there can be challenges associated with offering a first-class experience in the ‘back of beyond’ . In the Amazon, water level conditions will, on occasion, present such challenges. The Amazon River annual water level cycles are not a simple equation, even for the most experienced local experts. Normally, high and low water levels here follow a fairly predictable monthly cycle, but climate changes and the effects of stronger or weaker El Niño and La Niña cycles can directly and immediately affect those levels.

Specifically, these El Niño and La Niña events tend to impact the amount of rain in the headwaters of Amazon rivers, which in turn affects the entire Amazon basin.

Water levels are important when fishing for peacock bass, and understanding how to work around them is a key component to success. Low water does not always result in the best fishing, just as high water is not always the worst thing. More important is to understand where and how to fish as the water fluctuates. Though the Pirarucú season has been chosen to coincide with the best water conditions annually, it’s difficult to predict water levels, and this is one of the risks associated with fishing the Amazon.

If you are not comfortable with the risk of the river levels being too high or low during your trip, then it is probably not the trip for you. You will not be refunded for water conditions that may not meet your expectations. In the event the water is too high to fish on any given week, Pirarucú will re-schedule your week to a later time, but will not refund your trip payment.