Agua Negra
A Perfect Start to the Season
Some seasons begin with uncertainty. This one began with the arrival of the fish.
The first week of the 2026 season arrived at exactly the right moment. Large numbers of migrating sábalo entered the system, bringing dorado with them and creating outstanding fishing throughout the Agua Negra system.
Anglers encountered fish of all sizes feeding along riverbanks, structure, and migration corridors, making for an exceptional start to the season. Even as weather conditions changed later in the week, the fishing remained consistently productive.
This week's group included first-time visitors Leslie ("Les") and Lisa Wall from Canada, along with Steve and Jared ("JR") from the United States, all experiencing Agua Negra for the first time.
4Les & Lisa Wall (Canada); Steve & JR (United States).
Sunny, stable conditions to start, before a southern front brought rain and colder temperatures during the second half of the trip.
Levels started low before rising midweek. Some sections turned off-color after the rains, but clarity gradually improved and fishing stayed strong.
Catch of the Week
A Triple on the Sécure
The final day, following rain and rising water, the team launched two boats on the Sécure River.The group encountered actively feeding dorado at a confluence of the river. Golden dorado appeared in numbers.
What followed was a "party": In a brief but unforgettable window, three dorado were hooked and landed at the same time, a fitting way to close the week.
Memorable Moments
Pacú on the surface
During an overnight camp in the Upper Agua Negra, both Lisa and Les landed pacú on the surface. Wind and rain had pushed large numbers of leaves onto the water, creating ideal feeding conditions. With fish actively rising, both anglers connected with one of the Amazon's most challenging and rewarding species on the fly.
Lisa's Pacú from the Canoe
After several frustrating encounters with fish that inspected the fly but refused to commit, Lisa finally connected.
Fishing from a small canoe in a deep pool of the Upper Agua Negra, she watched another pacú rise and take the fly. What followed was a powerful fight in tight quarters — and one of the most rewarding moments of the week.
Sight Fishing the Chimoré
One afternoon, JR and the guides pushed deep into the Chimoré.
The reward was outstanding sight fishing in a small river full of structure and pocket water.
Dorado aggressively attacked flies throughout the session, making for one of the most productive and memorable walks of the week.
Looking Ahead
Both the Agua Negra and Chimoré systems have seen strong upstream movements of sábalo and dorado, providing encouraging signs for the weeks ahead and creating excellent prospects throughout the upper sections of the watershed.
Guides & Staff
Agua Negra Lodge, 2026
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