Bolivia

Baitfish imitations are the go-to flies. Full black and combinations of black and red, purple, or orange are very effective. Good action and volume flies in length from 6 to 10 inches in barbless 3/0 to 4/0 high quality hooks are required. Get creative with your fly selections! Large deceiver type baitfish patterns with bead chain eyes as well as other baitfish imitations have proven to be very successful. Flies like the Puglisi Streamers in medium to very big sizes, Lefty's Deceiver, Andino's Deceiver, and especially Umpqua's Tarpon Snake are excellent options.

At Tailwaters we have selected our favorite dorado flies for a variety of water conditions. The jungle can be unpredictable, and Golden Dorado are hard fighting fish with razor sharp teeth…having the right flies with the correct hook sizes is a requirement for this destination!

8 & 9 weight single hand rods are recommended. The ideal setup is to have two rods rigged with different lines or flies at the boat. An extra backup rod is highly recommended as rods can break on this trip! Powerful rods with a strong butt section are a must. If you tire easy casting larger flies, consider bringing a 10 weight! A 7 or 8 weight rod is also recommended for other species such as Yatorana.

As with rods, reels that have been designed for saltwater fly fishing are the most appropriate. The strong and fast runs of big Dorado and the relentless Pacu will get anglers to the backing very often and a strong smooth drag is a must. Bring a trusted reel that you feel comfortable with. Thirty pound dacron or gel spun backing is required.

While you should definitely bring a floating line for golden dorado for certain scenarios, particularly during lower water conditions, we recommend intermediate sinking lines for the dorado setups and warmwater floating lines for the pacu outfits. Intermediate sinking lines perform best for presenting flies to dorado in deeper, faster-moving water, while floating lines are ideal for targeting pacu on the surface with fruit and terrestrial patterns. Having both line types properly matched to your rods will ensure you are prepared for the variety of fishing situations encountered throughout the trip.

Please do not bring conventional cold-water floating lines, as the hot weather conditions can cause them to become overly soft and gummy. We also recommend spooling reels with 30lb Dacron backing.

Golden dorado are not particularly leader shy, so we typically recommend a non-tapered 40-pound fluorocarbon leader. This will turn over heavier flies and will provide enough backbone for larger fish. Spools of fluoro in your kit should should include 50, 40, 30, and 20 lb for all fishing scenarios and species.

All species of fish caught at Tsimane are well equipped with strong jaws, and a mouthful of sharp teeth! WIRE IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST. We recommend bringing both 30lb and 40lb knotable wire. Anything less and you run the risk of a bite-through, especially for fish in the 25-35lb range. Our favorite brands are Scientific Anglers and Rio. Both are easy to knot and super strong.

It is critical have high quality and durable wading shoes or boots for maximum foot and ankle protection. Loose footing, slippery rocks, and awkward boulders make wading and navigating the streambed dangerous without proper footwear. Please know not to cut corners in the boots department!

IT IS ABSOLUTELY MANDATORY THAT YOU BRING WADING BOOTS WITH FELT SOLED BOTTOMS. WADING THESES RIVERS WITH RUBBER BOOTS IS UNSAFE AND NO FUN.

Many brands such as Simms and Patagonia make felt-soled wading boots. They have thick soles, drain quickly, and offer ankle support that tennis shoes and sandals do not. Gravel guards will help keep sand and rocks from getting inside your boots. Simms also makes a product called a Guard Sock that simulates the comfortable neoprene boots found with Gore-Tex waders, as well as provides the same protection from debris as traditional gravel guards. We recommend bringing at least two sets of Guard Socks. If you are an unsure wader, bring a wading staff as well!

We highly recommend a waterproof backpack for carrying extra flies and tackle, sunscreen, bug spray, camera, water, rain jacket, extra food, etc. Waterproof models are critical as the dugout boats used by the Tsimane natives are constantly taking on water. Backpacks as opposed to boat bags are recommended as there are times you will spend 1-2 hours away from the boat without access to your personal items and extra gear. We recommend models from Patagonia, Simms, Fishpond, and YETI.

If you are a minimalist, or desire to bring two bags, a waterproof hip or chest pack is a good option. Consider buying one that can hold an easily accessible water bottle.

We highly recommend waterproof soft-sided duffle bags for this adventure! Transfering luggage to/from lodges by plane and dugout canoes exposes luggage to the elements and you want to keep your clothing and gear dry on a rainy day. Ideally you have a bag that adheres to airline size restrictions but it still large enough to fit a couple of rod tubes, tackle, boots and other gear. If you have a particularly large bag, we advise you to communicate with your commercial carrier as well as the TSA regarding any baggage weight restrictions that might be applicable.

We carry many excellent sets of luggage by Patagonia, Simms, and Fishpond. These bags are the ideal size, durable, and some of the waterproof versions are equipped with efficient roller systems. Some models also have separate compartments for storing wet boots and/or waders or even rod tubes. Don't forget to mark your luggage with appropriate personal identification bag tags. Remember, there is a 45lb weight limit on Tsimane aircraft.

A high quality, lightweight rain jacket is another essential piece of clothing while in the jungle. Patagonia, Grundens, Sitka, and Simms make great lightweight jackets that will keep you dry during rainstorms.

Lightweight Shirts
Fishing shirts should be cool and dry quickly and should be easy to pack and maintenance-free. Howler Brothers, Patagonia, Sitka, and Simms make several different models and styles both in short and long sleeves. If you are bothered by the sun, we recommend the long-sleeved versions (and hoodies) for insect and sun protection. Many fishing shirts are also equipped with chest pockets for storing small items like tippet material or a cleaning cloth for sunglasses and camera lenses.

Shorts & Tights
Bring shorts for wearing around camp, but NEVER fish in shorts unless you are wearing some leggings or tights as a base layer. Long pants or shorts with tights are needed for insect protection. Simms has a new short with integrated tights called the Latitude BiComp which is very functional.

Long Pants
Sun and insect protection is the primary function of long pants when fishing in the Bolivian jungle. Patagonia and Simms make great pants and shorts specifically designed for fishing in tropical climates. They will protect you from the sun, are wind resistant, and dry quickly. Some pants have removable pant legs that zip off to become shorts. Most styles of pants are also suitable for wearing at the lodge or on your travel days.

Additional Clothing & Shoes
T-shirts, shorts, and lightweight pants will round out your everyday attire. Flip-flops, sandals, or tennis shoes are ideal for wearing around the lodge or in town.

This jungle is surprisingly bug friendly; however, some no-see-ums and some mosquitoes are present at times. Remember that this is virgin rainforest where all kinds of spiders and strange insects live. We recommend guests not to go deep into jungles, pass through dense vegetation or turn round logs, called leaves, etc. All lodges and inhabited areas are constantly fumigated to avoid surprises and all beds have mosquito nets. We strongly recommend wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants during your fishing week. The best way to protect from bugs and no-see-ums is to use DEET insect repellant. Reapply throughout the day on the river and while at the lodge open areas. We suggest washing your clothes in Permethrin prior to traveling.

Regarding sun protection, the tropical sun is very intense even on cloudy days. Pack some sunblock and lip balm with a minimum of 30SPF. Neck gators are a comfortable, lightweight, and breathable face covering garment that functions similar to a bandana and will keep UV rays off of your face, neck, and ears. Wearing a hoody is also a good idea. Sun gloves are also great for protecting your hands from the sun and abrasions. We also recommend finger guards for protecting your fingers if you are not keen on wearing gloves.

Bring two hats or caps for sun protection. If you are sensitive to the sun, make sure to b ring a hat that covers your head as thoroughly as possible. Hats that have dark colors underneath the brim help reduce glare from the water, aiding in spotting fish.

This is one of the most important pieces of equipment while fishing at Tsimane. You will often have sight fishing scenarios for dorado. Without the ability to see the fish you are stalking, you put yourself at a great disadvantage. Sunglasses also protect your eyes from serious injury from a hook or other objects. Copper or brown lenses are the best choice for this type of fishing. Yellow lenses are great for mornings, late afternoons, and cloudy conditions. Always bring two pair of polarized sunglasses in case you lose or break a pair. A lanyard or "croaky" is also invaluable in order to keep from dropping or losing your glasses. Likewise, a lens cloth/lens cleaner often comes in handy.

Items like nippers, hemostats, and hook hones are necessities in every fishing pack. The tools can be kept on a retractor or on a lanyard. A Leatherman multi-tool is also a nice extra to have in your pack.

Although your guide should be equipped with pliers, we recommend a quality pair of corrosion resistant pliers as an essential tool for safely unhooking and releasing dorado and other species. Don't ever stick your hand into the mouth of a dorado! Pliers by Van Staal, Simms, Abel, Hatch and others aid in hook removal, cutting heavy tippet and wire, and tying big game knots. All pliers should be kept in a sheath and have a check-cord to avoid dropping them overboard. Don't forget to bring a synthetic belt to be worn in order to accommodate your pliers' sheath.

While not mandatory, a quality pair of protective gloves is a nice convenience to have while handling large and unruly dorado. Although your guide should have a set of tailing gloves in his possession, it is always a good idea to be prepared. Dorado have razor sharp teeth as well as extremely hard mouths and a sharp gill plate that require a solid pair of gloves and pliers in order to properly handle.

Always throw in a couple of small trash bags in your bag for packing wet wading boots and gravel guards for the trip home in order to keep mildew from spreading through your clothing. Having some Ziplock baggies on hand are also a good idea for keeping camera equipment or papers dry in your pack.

A flashlight can be an invaluable item to have when walking around the lodge at night. Headlamps are great for reading at night while your roommate is sleeping, and free your hands to get organized in the dark. A water bottle, measuring tape, camera, and lens cloth/lens cleaner are also good additions.