As the tenth season at Kendjam Lodge in Brazil begins we’re delighted to bring you the fishing reports from this stunning spot. Keep in touch with this page for all the news from 2025 as anglers target a variety of species in the remote crystal clear Amazon waters. Along with fishing at Kendjam you’ll find fascinating indigenous culture, fabulous wildlife, birdlife, and scenery. All told, a fly fishing holiday in Brazil is a truly memorable experience and so much more than just an angling expedition. Scroll down to the bottom the blog for a great video which brings to life the fishing here.
Kendjam 2025 Season Fishing Report, Week 7 – August 2 to 9
Week 8 welcomed a crew of seasoned saltwater fly anglers to the Iriri for the first time — a group with miles of flats behind them, now stepping into the depth and diversity of jungle fishing.
There’s always something special about first-time guests — especially those with a sharp eye for reading water and casting with precision. This week became an exchange of experiences, as our guides shared the nuances of the Iriri’s behaviour while learning from the technical intuition that only comes from a lifetime of chasing tides.
Despite the first rain of the season, conditions remained excellent for sight fishing, with the water glass clear under the jungle light. From tight matrinxã rises to the deep pull of wolf fish, every take demanded awareness — and rewarded it in kind.
A standout catch of the week came from Davison, who landed one of the finest peacock bass of the season. At 62cm, it was a fish that demanded precision and strength, one of the best fish of the season. The fight was intense, the moment pure Kendjam.
Fishing stats:
Eight anglers
Total number of fish landed this week: 236
Standout catches:
Wolf Fish 81cm
Peacock bass 62cm
Mantrinxã 52cm
Bicuda 88cm
Pacu borracha 44cm
Pacu silver 40cm
Kendjam 2025 Season Fishing Report, Week 7 – July 26 to August 2
This week offered more than just technical fishing as we welcomed a family of five who came with a shared purpose, bringing both lightness and reflection to their days on the Kendjam. Their presence reminded us how the river connects stories across generations and how fly fishing can be both healing and joyful.
The river was in prime shape, and guests responded to its rhythm with both curiosity and control. Dry fly sessions lit up in several stretches, while streamer work yielded consistent results with larger species. As always, the Iriri River, with its more than 800 miles, rewarded focus and finesse, encouraging each fisherman to adapt and evolve.
Peacock bass were the main attraction, showing in size and numbers, but the range of species (matrinxã to payara) kept everyone adjusting, experimenting, and discovering new layers of what this jungle river has to offer. Each day felt unique, shaped by the rhythm of the river and the group’s growing bond with it.
Our unforgettable moment of the week came from Fred. At 84 years old, this fly angler brought more than skill — he brought a spirit. With 55 years of casting behind him, Dr Fred turned every session into a masterclass, not just in technique but in how to embrace each moment on the water. A true legend with a smile to match every cast.
Fishing stats:
Eight anglers
Total number of fish landed this week: 340
Standout catches:
Wolf Fish 88cm
Peacock bass 65cm
Mantrinxã 52cm
Bicuda 87cm
Pacu borracha 48cm
Pacu silver 38cm
Payara 85cm
Kendjam 2025 Season Fishing Report, Week 6 – July 19 to 26
Some weeks speak louder than words. Week six brought together an extraordinary blend of experience, camaraderie, and pure jungle magic.
We had the honour of welcoming back longtime friends and seasoned professionals of the fly fishing world — Benja, Nico, and Tomi — legends in their own right from the finest lodges in Patagonia. To see them, rods in hand, wading through Iriri’s crystalline waters with wide grins and weathered casts, was to witness a beautiful reunion between trout finesse and jungle chaos.
This week proved, once again, why Kendjam is a testing ground for fly anglers with strong trout instincts and a thirst for adventure. Whether swinging streamers for wolf fish or skating poppers for peacock bass, the jungle demanded precision — and rewarded it richly.
Nymphs, dries, poppers, and even oversized foam bugs came into play. Adaptability was key. Those who listened to the river — and not just cast at it — found its rhythm and were handsomely repaid.
Beyond the numbers, half of the group experienced a rare and breathtaking sight: two completely wild jaguars, one black and one spotted. Witnessing these elusive predators in their natural habitat left everyone in awe and reminded us why Kendjam is unlike any other fishing destination.
Fishing stats:
Eight anglers
Total number of fish landed this week: 340
Standout catches:
Wolf Fish 86cm
Peacock bass 64cm
Mantrinxã 50cm
Bicuda 86cm
Kendjam 2025 Season Fishing Report, Week 5 – July 12 to 19
Week 5 welcomed legendary arapaima record-holder John back to the jungle — this time sharing the adventure with his son. Guiding this father–son duo reminded us of the deep, timeless connections forged through fly fishing. We also had the honour of hosting celebrated writer Steve, who found fresh inspiration for his upcoming book within the rhythms and silences of this wild and sacred place. Soon, the stories born along these waters will echo far beyond the jungle.
As the river turned nearly crystal clear and levels dropped to excellent wading conditions, every cast revealed new possibilities. From precise dry-fly presentations for matrinxã and nymphs for acrobatic rubber pacu, to aggressive streamer swings, anglers found the Iriri’s clarity and structure unmatched for true fly-fishing mastery.
The week’s highlight unfolded as anglers hooked matrinxã on dry flies and peacock bass on poppers in knee-deep runs. Each perfect drift and surface pop sent ripples through the glassy water, triggering explosive strikes that had rods bending and hearts racing. In those split seconds, when a flash of bronze or green erupted, fly fishing felt truly alive.
Fishing stats:
Six anglers
Total number of fish landed this week: 292
Standout catches:
Wolf Fish 86cm
Peacock bass 64cm
Mantrinxã 50cm
Bicuda 86cm
Kendjam 2025 Season Fishing Report, Week 4 – July 05 to 12
A last-minute cancellation turned this into an intimate week with just four anglers — and the Iriri made every moment count. With water levels dropping and clarity improving, fish pushed into the right zones, and the action was steady from start to finish.
Our returning friend Leo led the charge, landing so many fish we’ve half-joked about assigning him a staff shirt next season. From precision dry-fly work to aggressive streamer swings, every angler brought experience to the water — and the river rewarded them.
And while we had only half as many rods as the week before, the numbers don’t lie: the catch stats were nearly identical. A healthy river, in prime shape, paired with skilled hands — that’s the formula.
This week’s standout moment wasn’t defined by a single fish, but by the consistency of size and the spirit on the water. Under bright skies and falling water, anglers connected with oversized peacocks, wolves, and bicudas, all in prime shape and holding tight in classic Iriri structure.
From the first topwater explosion to the final strip-set in deeper seams, the action kept coming — but what truly stood out was the way it was shared.
A couple fished side by side, celebrating each hook-up like their own. Two close friends pushed each other deeper into the jungle rhythm, one cast at a time.
Big fish, wild water, and good people — that’s Kendjam. And this week, it showed up in full.
Fishing stats:
Four anglers
Total number of fish landed this week: 269
Standout catches:
Wolf Fish 88cm
Peacock bass 64cm
Mantrinxã 50cm
Silver pacu 44cm
Rubber pacu 49cm
Bicuda 86cm
Kendjam 2025 Season Fishing Report, Week 3 – June 28 to July 05
With water levels steadily falling, fish had fewer hiding places, turning every channel and stream into a hunting ground. Our nine guests, including several first-timers, embraced the challenge and scored impressive multispecies hauls.
By the end of the week, they’d mastered new techniques and landed a remarkable variety of fish, all while soaking up the jungle’s raw beauty.
Back at the lodge, familiar winged visitors (macaws and toucans) returned to greet anglers between sessions, a vibrant reminder of the ecosystem we fish.
One of the week’s highlights was a first-time fly angler locking into an 85cm wolf fish. The strike was brutal. The fight—relentless. With guidance on every move, from the strip to the set, they held the line through each violent surge.
When the fish finally surfaced—dark, prehistoric, and defiant—the celebration was instant. Some moments don’t need time to become unforgettable.
With waters now ideal clarity and flow every day, the stage is set for technical fishing at its finest. Shoals are emerging, inviting precise dry-fly presentations for matrinxã and pacu in fast, shallow runs. Meanwhile, ambush zones tighten for the aggressive takes of peacock bass in shifting current seams. Week four brings new rhythms to the river—where instinct, timing, and a sharp cast might just unlock the next unforgettable encounter.
Fishing stats:
Nine anglers
Total number of fish landed this week: 285
Standout catches:
Wolf Fish 85cm
Peacock bass 63cm
Mantrinxã 50cm
Silver pacu 44cm
Rubber pacu 47cm
Bicuda 82cm
Kendjam 2025 Season Fishing Report, Week 2 – June 21 to 28
As water levels dropped, the jungle emptied and the action ignited. Fish moved into prime feeding zones, delivering nonstop takes for our seven guests — including returning anglers Breno and Cacá, now in their second week, and a vibrant fishing family.
Each drift brought new thrills. In clearing water, fish grew more aggressive. Reels screamed, lines snapped tight, and anglers fine-tuned their approach — from lighter leaders to spot-on foam bugs.
By week’s end, nearly 100 more fish had been landed compared to the previous week. Species locked into their favourite holding zones, and the Iriri once again proved why it’s one of the finest fly-fishing stages on Earth.
This week’s peacock bass catches were truly exceptional, with anglers consistently reeling in fish of impressive sizes. What truly set this week apart were the numerous sight-casting opportunities, a thrill that left even our most seasoned guests speechless.
One standout moment occurred when Caca nearly broke the Kendjam record with a 66cm peacock bass, missing the mark by just 1cm. The tension in the air and the roars of excitement as the fish slipped back into the depths reminded us why this river continues to challenge and captivate.
As water levels continue to drop and clarity improves, we’re expectingeven more sight-casting magic. Upcoming weeks promise unhurried dry-fly sessions for matrinxã and pacu along newly exposed runs, plus the chance to target the Kendjam record peacock bass in crystal channels. The Iriri’s full spectrum of predators and omnivores is waking up, and week three is poised to be our most dynamic yet.
Fishing stats:
Seven anglers
Total number of fish landed this week: 259
Standout catches:
Wolf Fish 80cm
Peacock bass 66cm
Mantrinxã 51cm
Silver pacu 42cm
Rubber pacu 41cm
Bicuda 77cm
Kendjam 2025 Season Fishing Report, Week 1 – June 14 to 21
The first group of the 10th season arrived hungry for adventure, and the Iriri River did not disappoint. Under clear skies, anglers chased everything from wolf fish to peacock bass, their lines dancing through sun-lit currents. Laughter echoed from the boats as stories of early-morning strikes and epic battles intertwined, turning every drift into a cherished memory.
This was not a week for numbers alone — though we had them — it was a week that felt like a conversation between angler and river.
The matrinxã stole hearts again. Their speed, aggression, and elegance in the current made each hook-up feel earned. Many took dry flies — foam bugs delicately dropped near rock faces, only to vanish in a swirl of bronze and silver.
Pacu borracha and pacu prata tested technical skills in strong, flowing water. These fish thrive in current, demanding perfect drifts, subtle presentations, and a sharp reading of complex water. When it came together, the reward was unforgettable. Bicuda, sharp as spears, exploded onto streamers with no warning, their chrome bodies flashing under sunlight. And the wolf fish — brutal, prehistoric, and endlessly thrilling — made their presence known. The largest, at 81cm, was a brute of a fish that tore into a streamer like it had a grudge.
But perhaps the most exhilarating visuals came from the peacock bass. Dozens were sight-fished in skinny water, cruising just beneath the surface, their shadows weaving through white sand and submerged structure. Watching them track, follow, and erupt on a properly placed streamer was jungle fly fishing at its purest form. No guesswork. No blind shots. Just eyes on fish, and heart in throat.
With the river still settling into its seasonal rhythm, we expect visibility to improve and the fishing to become even more dynamic in the coming weeks. Conditions are shaping up beautifully for sight casting — a hallmark of Kendjam — and for exploring the full variety this fishery has to offer, from high-speed predators to current-loving omnivores.
Fishing stats:
Six anglers
Total number of fish landed this week: 412
Standout catches:
Wolf Fish 81cm
Peacock bass 57cm
Mantrinxã 51cm
Silver pacu 42cm
Rubber pacu 37cm
Bicuda 77 cm
If you have enjoyed reading the 2025 season fishing reports from Kendjam Lodge and would like more information on fishing in Brazil please do not hesitate to contact Peter McLeod or Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847 389.
Learn more about fishing at Kendjam in the video below:
