Alex Jardine was delighted to visit Tapam tarpon lodge after it reopened last year. His trip report gives a full account of his time there – well worth a read if you are interested in visiting this magical place in the Nicaraguan jungle.
We’ve just a few rods left for the 2026 season the week of 23 to 31 May. The team on the ground describe this week as a very special one. In their own words here’s why:
Let’s talk about a very special week
The very last week of the season – the closing chapter of Tapam 2026. When the first dark clouds begin to roll in, it’s the beginning of the end. And yet, it still feels like peak season – and you might ask why? You’ll smell it in the air first thing in the morning, taking those few steps from the lodge down to the pangas.
That’s part of the Tapam experience. Pure anticipation. At this point of the season, most of the migratory giants have left the open ocean behind, pushing into the vast jungle river system. Does that mean they’re easy to catch? No. Does it increase your chances of hooking a big jungle poon? Most definitely.
We turn on the engines and race against time to reach the spot before sunrise, passing through a heavy downpour on the way. The rain stops just as the sun begins to rise, and the anticipation makes the silence feel loud. First, a roller in the distance… Then another, this time a bit closer… A mullet in flight mode skips across the mirror-calm surface… But only until the prehistoric beast beneath breaks through and shatters the river into a thousand pieces.
In the blink of an eye, the situation escalates and erupts into a complete frenzy. Just getting a chance to throw a fly into that, feels like the biggest privilege as a fly fisherman. That’s why you come to Tapam: for a morning rush no coffee can match. It doesn’t happen every morning, but there’s a very clear pattern. We’ve experienced some of our absolute best tarpon action during this time, close to the wet season, when occasional downpours and temperature drops can light a spark in the fishing.
So, these last rods for 2026, from 23 to 31 May are prime dates for those who don’t mind a little rain – as long as it comes with tarpon action!
If you aren’t able to travel this year we still have some availability in 2027
March 1st to 9th
March 25th to April 2nd
April 2nd to 10th
April 12th to 20th
May 6th to 14th
May 14th to 22nd
May 22nd to 30th
For more information about Tapam 2.0 please email Alex Jardine or Peter McLeod, alternatively you can call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.
