Jungle Flyfishing Gear Guide

Fly fishing in the jungle is WILD! Best to come prepared for this epic adventure. The below list is what I take on my Colombian and Bolivian adventures. Everyone is different but here’s are my recommendations:

FLY RODS

  • Payara 10/11/or 12 wt rods

  • Peacock Bass/Pacu/Golden Dorado 8/9/or 10 wt rods

  • Sardinata/Pacu/Matrinxa/etc 7/8 wt rods

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  • Frankly you could use a 9 and 10 wt for everything but I highly recommend bringing extra rods if it’s possible for you. Seems like someone usually breaks a rod. I take five flyrods- an 8wt, two 9s, 10, & an 11wt.

  • I’ve also found that I prefer to size up. Throwing large weighted flies all day is work. Plus if you catch that trophy Peacock near structure it’s nice to have power instead of him running straight into the logs.

  • Fav Payara Rod: Echo Musky 11 wt 9’4” $300

    • Affordable & Effective. Love this rod for Payara!

  • Fav Peacock Rod: Echo Prime 9wt 8’10” or Lamson Cobalt 9wt 9’

    • Both are $450-$500 and great for peacocks and dorado

  • Spinning Rod- Yes I bring a spinning rod for catfishing. For evening fishing next to camp at night, if your shoulder gets f#$%ed, or if it rains and the rivers gets muddy, having a catfish rod is worth bringing! 100lb+ braid recommended and 60lb+ fluoro leaders

Fly Reels

I’m less picky on reels than I am with rods and lines. I will say that my older 10 wt reel had its drag max’d with Payara ripping line down a rapid! I upgraded to the Lamson Litespeed M, a top of the line saltwater reel, which has been much more effective. Payara’s strength is incredible and having a reel to handle that power is crucial. If they can get going full speed down a class IV rapid, you can get in trouble quick! Come prepared and put 60-80lb backing on these reels.

For Peacock Bass and Dorado I definitely have a favorite. Lamson Remix S size -9+! Usually I don’t use my reel as much with these fish. You have to horse them a bit once they first hit if they are near structure so I rarely spend much time on the reel and would rather invest in multiple line combinations. So the Lamson Remix S 3-pack is the best value for dang good quality.

FLY LINES

Payara lines are tough. In most situations you want the fasting sinking line possible. Payara will nearly always be found near or in fast and deep currents. They then attack anything going by with their unique ferocious slashing style! You also want something that can throw a 9-10 inch weighted fly. Luckily Rio makes a great line for Peacock and Dorado as their Warmwater series is fantastic.

  • Fav Payara Line:

    • Rio Leviathan Elite 400 Grain

      • Yes it’s a saltwater line but its burley in all the best ways! Hucks a large fly well and has a super strong core to partner with the 40lb wire line

  • Fav Peacock Line Combo:

    I highly recommend all 3 lines (Hence the Lamson Remix S 3-pack). I use 50 lb flouro at the fly, strong swivel, then a 40 lb connector to the fly line. Note that most 8-9 wt lines only have a 35-40 lb breaking point. The Warmwater Predator has a 50 lb core and handles the inevitable heat really well. The S5/S7 also works great as a backup Payara line or in deeper Peacock water.

  • If you show up with these 4 lines, you’re gonna do just fine!

  • Always have an 8 or 9 wt floating line rigged up for Peacock and Sardinata poppers. Don’t want to miss that topwater opportunity if it presents itself! For a larger POP, use the popper with the intermediate line

  • For more info on rigging leaders, check out my Tips and FAQ page

OTHER FISHING GEAR:

  • 40 lb Rio Wire bite

  • 30lb, 40lb, & 50lb fluoro

  • Bogogrip Scale- The fish always weigh less than you originally think!

  • Barrel Swivels for connecting leaders

  • #6/0 or #8/0 circle hooks and big weights if catfishing

  • Long needle pliers and wire cutters

  • Comb or brush to clean your flies each day

  • Flies— My optional packages are great! If bringing your own consider the following:

  • 6-10 Payara Flies depending on how many days fishing. Think 2-3 per day for color & weight options.

  • 10-12 Peacock/Dorado flies depending on how many days fishing. 2-3 per day minimum. Piraña’s can munch through a lot of flies in some area’s and you want a good combo of light and dark options

  • 2-3 Poppers, I use NYAPs for Peacocks and Sliders for Dorado

  • 3-5 small streamers (Pacu, Sardinata, Matrinxa, Bicuda)

    • 4-5 inches. Usually black or white based colors

  • Several Grasshoppers with strong hooks if you want to fish for Matrinxa/Yatorana, Silver Dorado, or potentially Pacu. Make sure the hooks are extra strong!

CLOTHING/ETC

Most lodges, like Fish Colombia, do laundry but best come prepared! NO cotton on ANY of the below. Click here for my blog on bugs and other potential dangers when traveling. Here’s what I bring:

  • 3-4 pair of synthetic quick dry pants

  • 3-4 thin long sleeve shirts/hoodies

  • Shorts and t-shirt as back-ups

  • Crocs! They are the best for down south! I wear with socks, on the rocks. Shockingly good grip. Wading boots are another option and would recommend studded felt over Vibram rubber.

  • Lightweight breathable hiking shoes like an Altra Lone Peak

  • 3-4 pairs of thin wool or synthetic socks

  • 2 hats, 2 Buffs

  • Waterproof Rain Jacket for afternoon rain storms

  • 2 pairs of Sunglasses- good polarized ones

  • Headlamp. It gets dark early

  • 2 sets of stripping gloves- tape for the fingers too

  • Sunscreen, First aid kit, Cortisone Cream, & Personal toiletries

  • Electrolytes! It’s hot out there. Stay hydrated! Highly recommend having 2-4 Nuun or equivalent, electrolyte servings per day

  • Bug Repellent- (optional) Very few mosquitos but biting gnats come out a few times. Also bees in many areas so plan accordingly

  • PFD- (optional) Provided by and mandated to wear in many areas