We are delighted to bring you the first season fishing reports from Tariquia, a new destination to our Bolivian portfolio. Fishing the mythical Tarija River in the heart of the Bolivian Yungas, the 2025 opening season offers a wonderful opportunity for adventurous anglers to be one of the first to target trophy golden dorado in a pristine setting. Keep an eye on these pages for all the action.
Tariquia fishing report – 13 to 20 September
Back at it again from Bolivia’s wild heart. Week two at Tariquía Lodge is in the books—still fine-tuning logistics, still learning something new every day about the river, the fish, the people, and what it means to run a world-class fly fishing operation in the middle of nowhere.
This week we had the privilege of hosting four seasoned anglers, true globe-trotters with stamps in their passports from many of other programmes. Two came from Australia—Dizzy and Stuart—and two from the U.S.—John and Carlton, fishing buddies and business partners. Having anglers of this calibre is a gift: not only did they fish hard, they shared tips and insights that will help us refine the programme.
Saturday was warm-up day: sorting gear with the guide team, swapping stories, dissecting techniques, and enjoying great food and local drinks.
But come Sunday morning, the serious business began.
Day 1 – Breaking the ice
Eager as kids on Christmas, everyone was up before dawn, rods rigged and assignments clear. The Aussies had a slow start—few eats, none landed—but they never lost their drive. We all knew it was just a matter of time before their grit paid off.
On the American boat, John and Carlton dialled in faster. After paying their dues with a couple of early misses, they got the hang of the brutal strip-set needed from a raft seat. John drew first blood with a feisty Chapaco dorado (that’s what the locals call Tarija natives). Not a monster, but it fought with oversized heart. Moments later Carlton answered with a fish of his own. Ice broken, week underway.
Day 2 – Plan B pays off
A storm brushed the valley overnight, and by morning we weren’t sure what we’d find. From the chopper, it was clear: the upper beats were mud soup. Luckily, we’d staged spare rafts downstream, so Plan B kicked in.
Stuart’s highlight came when Fidel, his guide, tied on a giant sábalo imitation in EP fibres—just a handful of casts later, Stuart came tight to what felt like a rock. “Set!” Fidel yelled, “That rock is way too yellow!” The rod bent, the backing screamed, and after a furious 10-minute brawl, Stuart landed the dorado of his life. Clean photo, quick release, champagne smiles all around.
Not to be outdone, Carlton stuck a 94cm brute off a mid-river boulder. First cast was short, but Juanchi muscled the raft into position. Second cast, perfect. The fish tracked, missed once, then bulldozed the fly out of the water and crushed it on the second swipe. Solid strip, blistering run, acrobatics, and finally a safe release. Pure electricity.
Day 3 – Weather wins
By Tuesday, it was clear Mother Nature had her own plans. Heavy rain upstream had pushed a surge of dirty water down the valley.
Safety first—we grounded the chopper, called off the floats, and turned the day into a gift: casting lessons, fly tying, a local wine tasting, and an Argentine-style asado that Diego, our magician of a chef, served to perfection. No one complained.
Day 4 – Grinding it out
Wednesday dawned gray and damp. Spirits were tested, but this crew are warriors. The river was high and brown, so strategy shifted to tight pockets and ambush water. We cycled through poppers, mice, black streamers, white streamers—you name it.
The Aussies dug deep, working tirelessly until each of them earned a medium-sized dorado on a black streamer. Hard-earned, but richly deserved. Energy restored. That night Diego put on “Italian Night”—garlic cream pasta, laughter, and wine. Perfect reset.
Day 5 – Weather wins
Thursday brought more of the same—milk-chocolate flows and impossible visibility. Sometimes nature lays down the law, and all you can do is accept it with grace. Our anglers knew it, and they battled honourably through the blank day. Respect to them—fighting not the fish, but the conditions.
Day 6 – Creeks save the day
Friday we rolled the dice on Plan B: tributaries. From the air we spotted promising water and split the team. John and Carlton waded Picabuey Creek, a pocket-water paradise. Fish weren’t big, four to ten pounds — but they were savage, explosive, and eager. Many lost, a few landed, and plenty of laughs.
Meanwhile, Dizzy and Stuart hiked into Lapacho Creek, a tiny stream with outsized gold. Juanchi’s sharp eyes spotted a dorado posted up in skinny water. Dizzy’s cast landed perfectly; two fish charged, the bigger won, and suddenly he was tied into 15lb of muscle in water barely wide enough to walk. Aerials, runs, a quick net job, photo, and release. Dizzy and Juanchi both earned gold stars that day.
We closed the week with Diego’s ‘local flavour night’, empanadas, stories, and toasts to future adventures. A tough weather week, yes, but full of lessons, camaraderie, and flashes of brilliance.
Weather
Early week brought wide temperature swings—cool nights (down to 43°F / 6°C) and hot afternoons hitting 91°F / 33°C. South winds at 8–18 mph didn’t bother us. Midweek rains in the headwaters brought high, muddy water that shaped the rest of the week.
Gear notes
Most effective setups were floating/intermediate clear-tip lines. Flies: big sábalo patterns in gray/white and yellow/green early in the week, then black streamers when the water dirtied. All tied on strong 3/0 hooks.
Tariquia fishing report – 6 to 13 September
Day 1 – Breaking the Ice
Sunday morning, after a night of pure anticipation, our guests hopped on the chopper and minutes later were stepping straight onto rafts, rods ready to roll. Steven and Petr drew first blood with clear-tip lines.
Petr lost a couple early on, which had Fede (his guide) raising an eyebrow at hook size. As Petr swapped flies, Steven got smashed boat-side by a dorado that tore straight into the backing. These fish are different—oversized tails, absurd power, and no quit.
Steven kept his cool, stuck the hook perfectly, and after a wild fight landed season one’s first golden trophy: an 18lb beauty.
Moments later Petr redeemed himself with a true monster—10 cm of gold that looked like it swam straight out of another planet.
Rob and Andrew both added fish to the tally. Granny and Brad had a slower start, but with daily rotations of water and guides, redemption was always around the corner.
Day 2 – Moon Myths
Clear skies Monday morning, but spirits were a little muted thanks to the “bad full moon” superstition. Didn’t matter. The river had too much structure, too many ambush points, too much life. By late afternoon Andrew and Granny were in the spotlight, each landing several beautiful dorado.
Days 3 & 4 – Giants in the Shadows
Tuesday and Wednesday brought identical weather—crisp mornings, sunny afternoons—and crushed the “bad moon” theory. Petr and Brad both landed meter-plus fish.
Brad’s was the stuff of legend. From the stern, he snuck a cast between two rocks. A beast detonated on the fly, felt like a snag, then lit up and ripped into his backing. Fifteen minutes later, Juanchi netted a dorado that made the net look comically small. Epic fight, epic release.
Day 5 – Going Out in Style
Thursday felt like Friday, with most of the crew flying home early. The morning started slow, but the afternoon exploded—Rob and Brad both sticking multiple fish, including two more over a metre. Pure chaos, pure joy.
We closed the week around the fire, feasting on a traditional Tarijeño lamb roasted on the cross by Diego, our chef. Honestly—what more could you want?
Weather
Conditions were kind: chilly nights (43°F / 6°C), hot afternoons (86°F / 30°C), and steady south winds at 8–18 mph. Nothing that slowed fishing—or flying.
Gear Notes
Floating and intermediate clear-tip lines were the ticket. Best flies were big sábalo imitations in green/white, gray/white, and yellow/green, tied on sturdy 3/0 hooks.
us US$1,300 local fees per angler, 7 nights, 6 days fishing
If you you would like further information on the 2025 opening season at Tariquia, or would like more information on fishing in Bolivia in general, please contact Charlotte Chilcott or call us on +44 (0) 1980 847389. Alternatively, click HERE if you would like us to contact you.
