Tariquía
When the Window Opens
Once again, we’re checking in from the remote reaches of the Bolivian Yungas with another update from the season.
Our fifth week is now in the books, and this time we had the privilege of hosting our friends from the United States, the renowned Tom Morgan and his group: a great bunch of guys, incredibly easygoing and a pleasure to have around.
Unfortunately, one member of the group, George, had to cancel at the last minute. We hope to welcome him another season, when there will be new opportunities to share an adventure together.
Their arrival in Tariquía was a bit of an adventure in itself, with a few flight delays along the way and one or two bags still somewhere between here and civilization.
Some weeks give you time.
Others give you windows.
Day 01 | Grounded
Early in the morning, together with the guides and anglers, we got the team moving. Rods and reels were selected, fly boxes organized, the right river clothing checked and final recommendations discussed. Everything was ready for launch.
Everything, that is, except the Yungas.
The jungle had other plans.
Heavy fog and a persistent drizzle made flying unsafe, so the first day became a lodge day instead. Stories, relaxation, plenty of laughs and, as always, Gonza, our star chef, stepped up to the plate and made sure everyone could enjoy a cold, wet day from the warmth of the lodge while he worked his magic in the kitchen.
Sometimes, in a place this remote, the first opportunity you need is simply a safe window to reach the river.
Day 02 | One Chance
By the second morning, anticipation was running high. Everyone was ready for a rematch.
After breakfast, we gathered the entire team for the safety briefing: a quick refresher on helicopter procedures and a few important reminders about river safety. The Tariquía is a powerful river, with plenty of rocks and several rapids that should never be underestimated.
The fog finally lifted. Pairs were assigned, lunches packed, waders on.
Waders… in mid-September? Could this really be El Niño? It sounds almost unbelievable that we were wearing them this time of year, but it was another clear sign that conditions were still far from normal.
As expected, fish activity remained limited through the day.
Mike was the first to find a serious fish. He moved a big dorado tight to structure. The fish tracked the streamer, then ate halfway through the retrieve. Mike set the hook and immediately tried to stand up.
Big mistake. He lost tension, and just like that, the fish was gone.
That’s dorado fishing. There is no room for hesitation, and sometimes the river gives you only one chance.
Next time, Mike.
That evening, we needed to replace a few of the calories burned on the river, and once again Gonza was assigned the mission.
Day 03 | The Window Opens
Finally, the sun came out.
And with it, our souls returned to our bodies.
It looked like El Niño was finally going to give us a break, and for the first time all week, we had a day that felt much closer to normal.
The pairs were mixed up today, and as the water temperature began to climb, the opportunities started to appear.
Pat, fishing with Clay, made the most of his chances. Three fish attacked his fly solidly, and following Fidel’s precise instructions throughout the sequence, Pat brought two beautiful dorado to the net.
Solid hook sets and good teamwork made the difference.
Meanwhile, in another boat working a middle section of the river, Fede’s team refused to leave a single piece of structure unexplored. Tom and Mike were relentless casters, methodically working every likely lie and following Fede’s instructions to the letter.
Both anglers found success, but without question, the day belonged to Mike.
Mike found his second chance.
Fishing from the front of the boat, working a small piece of structure, he felt his line come tight with incredible violence. There was no mistaking it: a serious fish had just crushed the black streamer.
Mike drove the hook home.
Then came the fight.
Two blistering runs straight into the backing. Several spectacular jumps completely clear of the water. The kind of moments that seem to slow time down while they are happening, and then stay burned into your memory forever.
After an epic battle, the fish finally came to hand: a beautiful dorado measuring well over a meter.
The day before, the line had gone slack at the worst possible moment. This time, he made it count.
A quick photo, a few seconds to admire the beast, and then back to the river.
Congratulations, team! A truly well-earned accomplishment.
Day 04 | The River Cools Again
Day four dawned much like the previous one, sending expectations and spirits through the roof.
Fresh anglers. Well-rested guides. New
energy.
And once again, we headed out in search of the
trophy.
But the clouds and a persistent southern wind had other ideas. They kept the temperature from rising, and the river stayed cold from the night before.
The opportunities were slow to develop. A few chances finally appeared, but some slipped away.
Clay was the one to capitalize, turning one of his two opportunities into a hard-fighting dorado shortly after midday.
A well-deserved reward for effort and
perseverance.
Well done, Clay!
On a week like this, one clean opportunity can change the entire day.
Day 05 | Keep Looking
The fifth morning looked promising again, with temperatures expected to rise through the day.
It turned into the kind of day that tests patience more than technique. The guides kept searching. The anglers kept casting.
Because when the fishing is demanding, every missed opportunity teaches you something about the next one.
That evening, the team returned to the lodge for our traditional lechón a la cruz, slowly roasted over the fire, while anglers and guides talked through the day and what they could adjust for the final morning.
Every cast matters.
And tomorrow is another day.
Day 06 | A Closing Window
The final morning arrived with rain threatening in the distance.
At departure time, conditions were still safe to fly, so the teams headed out while everyone kept a close eye on the weather. By mid-morning, clouds were beginning to drop into the valley and a light rain had started.
The window was closing.
There was only one responsible decision to make: bring the anglers back before conditions deteriorated.
Before the helicopter arrived, Pat and Clay still managed to create two opportunities. Both fish were hooked. Both cleared the water. Both eventually came free.
A fitting end to a week in which opportunities were never guaranteed and each one had to be earned.
The Yungas had other plans almost every day of this week. Fog kept us at the lodge. Cold water slowed the fish. A few hours of sun changed the river. Southern winds cooled it again. And on the final morning, approaching rain shortened the fishing day.
There was very little the anglers or guides could control about any of that. What they could control was what happened when an opportunity finally appeared.
Keep casting. Listen to the guide. Stay
connected.
And when the window opens, be ready.
That persistence made the difference this week. For the anglers. For the guides. And for anyone willing to keep looking for the one opportunity that could change the entire day.
A very special thank you to the entire guide team for their outstanding work throughout a demanding week. In these conditions, their experience, patience and commitment make all the difference.
Gear & Flies
- Flies
- The standout fly of the week was a black streamer in the 8 to 9 inch range, tied on 6/0 hooks.
- Lines
- Once again, WF floating / intermediate clear-tip lines were the most effective setup.
- Leaders
- 50-pound monofilament, with a 40-pound steel wire tippet.
Fishing Technique
Given the cold and fluctuating water conditions, the most productive technique was keeping constant tension on the line, with short, rapid strips to keep the fly moving.
Staying focused was key: with so few opportunities, being ready for each one was vital.
Mike’s week was the clearest example. One opportunity disappeared the moment the line went slack. The next one became a meter-plus dorado.
Same river. Different execution.
One More Night to Remember
As always, our final evening brought anglers and staff together around the table for a great night of camaraderie. Stories from the river, laughs, a few well-deserved toasts and, of course, promises of a reunion somewhere down the road.
That is one of the things we love most about Tariquía. The fishing is what brings us here. But the people, the stories and the friendships are what stay with us long after the boats are back on the riverbank.
Thank you for reading all the way to the end. We’ll be back here next week with another report from the Bolivian Yungas.
Tight lines,
JP and the entire Tariquía Lodge family
Tariquía Lodge, 2026
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