HELI FISHING PROGRAM
We recommend singlehanded 8 and 9-weight rods. Ideally the angler will carry two rods, one rigged with a floating line and the other with a clear-tip intermediate line. It is recommended to bring at least one or two extra rods. We recommend eight-foot, 40-lb. straight fluorocarbon shock leaders tied to a 40-lb. 15-20” wire tippet.
We recommend Thomas & Thomas Exocett SS 350 rods, Nautilus NV-G 9/9 reels, Scientific Anglers (SA) Mastery Jungle Titan 9 lines (special for the jungle), SA Absolute Fluorocarbon shock leader, and SA Absolute Predator 7x7 knottable wire.
At the lodge we have a small fly shop with lines, fluorocarbon, wire, and an assortment of flies for you to buy.
The outfit you need is simple: long quick-drying pants, long-sleeved quick-drying shirts or hoodies, felt sole wading boots, neoprene socks, and a 100% waterproof backpack for transporting your gear while wading. Please do not bring rubber-soled wading boots; they do not work on the slippery bottom of the headwaters and may be quite uncomfortable for your experience.
➢Cap or hat and Buff® headwear
➢Two pairs of polarized sunglasses
➢Waterproof factor 30+ sunscreen (UVA)
➢ Saltwater pliers
➢Sun gloves and stripping guards
➢Telescopic wading pole (optional)
➢ Wading boots with felt soles
➢Lightweight waterproof jacket
➢Three long-sleeved quick-drying shirts
➢Three pairs of quick-drying long pants
➢Two pairs of neoprene wading socks
➢Insect repellent with 30%+ DEET
➢ Lip balm (with the maximum sunscreen possible)
➢ 100% waterproof backpack
➢Passport with at least six months of validity
➢ Two copies of passport kept separately in Ziploc bags
➢ Flight tickets and itinerary
➢Emergency telephone numbers
➢Toiletries, such as shampoo, toothpaste, hand cream, etc.
➢Medications that you use regularly
Created by the argentine tier Carlos Ingrassia, this pattern is unarguably the number one chooses in your fly box when you pursue a dorado wherever. The muddler head creates a particular turbulence that turns on a perfect trigger for a predator. It was originally tied with feathers tail but recently it’s also made with good results on synthetic materials.
Recommended hooks: Tiemco 600 SP #4/0, Owner Aki 5170 #5/0 or 6/0, Gamakatsu Sl12 S #4/0 or SC 15 2H 3/0 and 4/0.
We use these patterns when spot pacu rising on pools with hanging branches with fruits and flowers. The technic is a little tricky as you have to make a high cast to imitate the “plop” of a fruit falling in the water, and let the fly sink without moving it at all.
Recommended hooks: Owner Aki twist 5169 3/0 and Sasame Chinu 5/0, both in black color.
We use these patterns more in the crystal clear headwaters where is more important the presentation and the shape of the fly. Here we can use clear and even white colors with real chances to catch a big resident dorado.
Recommended hooks: Tiemco 600 SP #4/0, Owner Aki 5170 #5/0 or 6/0, Gamakatsu Sl12 S #4/0 or SC 15 2H 3/0 and 4/0.
Recently used at Tsimane, this worldwide predator pattern created by Blane Chocklett is very effective both in headwaters and lower areas, especially when we do dead drifts in strong currents.
Recommended hooks: Gamakatsu Sl12 S #4/0
The jungle offers a varied menu of insects that are a good food resource for the omnivorous fish like the pacu and the yatorana, but sometimes it also can be a trigger for dorado too. Our guides have developed a sophisticated technic to pursue big dorado on dries.
Recommended hooks: Tiemco 600 SP #2/0, Owner Aki 5170 #3/0 Gamakatsu Sl12 S #2/0 or SC 15 2H 1/0 and 2/0
Very effective in the lower sections with sand bars and sunk log’s structure, specially during feeding frenzies, or in the first part of the season when tons of sabalo are arriving to Tsimane and dorado feed on them consistently.
Recommended hooks: Tiemco 600 SP #4/0, Owner Aki 5170 #5/0 or 6/0, Gamakatsu Sl12 S #4/0 or SC 15 2H 3/0 and 4/0.