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 – 11 to 18 october
We kicked off the week with the pleasure of welcoming true friends — people who’ve followed us from other places, with whom we share stories, adventures, and even moments that made me dust off some old guiding school lessons.
Most of them old pals: Bill, Ryan, Stan, and Shawn from the U.S., joined this time by Fred from South Africa and Steve, also from the States. For these last two, it was their first encounter with golden dorado madness.
Saturday was a warm and lazy day — perfect for rest, stories, and catching up after months apart. After a fantastic welcome lunch and the classic siesta, we gathered to check rods, sort flies, stretch lines, and dive into tall tales of past fishing days.
And then, it was time for the real business: the relentless hunt for Tarija’s golden beasts.
Monday: the first strikes of the week
Bill and Ryan started slow, but Fred and Steve hit the ground running. They landed three dorado before lunch. The highlight came when Fred, from the back of the raft, executed perfectly what his guide Fidel had instructed: “Drop it on that tail-in, and if you get a strike, put pressure — don’t let him run downstream.”
He did exactly that.
A solid eat, brutal set, and a hard fight that ended with a nearly one-meter golden beauty safely in the net and then back to the river. A textbook team effort!
Meanwhile, Stan and Shawn were on fire. They hooked into multiple fish, including one that left guide Fede in disbelief. After an epic battle through a fast run, the fish — the biggest Fede had ever seen — came unbuttoned just as it seemed secured. Heartbreaking and breathtaking all at once.
But the team bounced back, landing some big ones and redeeming the loss.
Tuesday: The river tests our patience
Day two was a near copy of the first. Fred and Steve, fishing the middle section, kept their momentum going. Stan and Shawn had steady action in the canyon. Bill and Ryan, though, still struggled to connect — but as every angler knows, fly fishing always gives second chances.
Wednesday: Redemption and roar of the giants
Stan and Shawn decided to hike up one of Tarija’s dreamlike tributaries — the Picabuey. It’s the kind of stream that looks painted rather than real. The morning was quiet, but the afternoon brought life: healthy, flawless dorados in crystal water.
On another beat, Steve found his glory moment — a flawless fight that ended with a massive 90cm dorado in hand, perfectly executed under Fidel’s guidance. His South African partner Fred also had a banner day, picking fish methodically from the back of the raft.
And then came the turning point for Bill and Ryan. After a couple of tough days, their persistence paid off. While working one of countless structures, Bill ceded a shot to Ryan. On Ryan’s first cast, an imitation of a sábalo barely hit the water when it exploded in a detonation of gold and foam.
At first it felt like a medium fish, but when it dug deep and refused to move, everyone knew — this was the real deal. After long minutes of tension and precise teamwork, a true giant, close to a meter long, was netted by guide Juanchi.
Bill also scored a stunning dorado later that day, wrapping up what would become one of the most rewarding sessions of the season.
Thursday: The feeding frenzy before the storm
If Wednesday had felt special, this day proved unforgettable. As if sensing the coming storm, the fish went wild.
Steve lost two good fish in a row — both breaking the leader — but soon after found redemption with a solid dorado.
Meanwhile, Fred seized the moment: as Steve reorganized his line, he dropped a black streamer into the current and — boom — a torpedo of a fish hammered it mid-swing.
Perfect fight, flawless technique, and another beauty to the net.
Everyone had remarkable action — but the spotlight, without a doubt, belonged to Bill and Ryan, who landed two absolute monsters measuring 1.03m and 1.05m.
The fights were fierce and spectacular, the kind that leave scorched fingers and permanent smiles.
Friday: Racing the storm
The morning arrived with threatening skies and the smell of rain. With the helicopter on standby, our anglers made the most of every cast. Despite the shortened day, there was plenty of action. We had to pick up the teams earlier than usual, just like the day before.
Even so, both our anglers and guides were razor sharp, making perfect use of the available time — several solid catches, a few break-offs, and the joy of another successful day on the river.
Weather
Overall, the weather was kind to us — cool mornings and evenings (around 59°F / 15°C) and hot afternoons peaking near 97°F / 36°C. Toward the end of the week, storms rolled in, bringing rain on Friday.
Gear and flies
Floating and intermediate clear-tip lines on 9-weights worked best.
Productive flies: black, chartreuse, and orange/green streamers.
The undisputed winner of the week: the black streamer.
Tariquia fishing report – 4 to 11 october
Fishing remains productive, following the same pattern we’ve observed week after week. Tariquia is not an easy river — it demands focus, effort, and persistence. It rewards those who put in the work: covering a lot of water, casting precisely toward the river’s endless structures, and staying sharp for those few magic moments when everything aligns.
The rafts are our greatest allies, saving us long walks and putting us right where we need to be without the need for monster casts. Still, the key lies in making many good casts throughout the day — and in driving the hook home with authority when the opportunity comes. Do that, and your odds of connecting with a true Tarija giant go way up.
Everyone managed to bring a beast to hand this week — though, of course, a few heartbreaks made their appearance too. The most memorable was Michela’s fish: after a perfect cast and a solid hook set, the fight was on. The fish tore into the backing in seconds, battled hard through one riffle, dropped into the next, and just when it was under control — close enough for guide Fidel to ready the net — it turned, shook its head, and was gone. The kind of loss that burns into your memory.
Weather and water
The weather kept us on our toes. The first two days were scorching, around 38°C, before a strong southern front swept in, dropping temperatures dramatically — down to 6°C in the mornings, peaking around 20°C until Wednesday. The week ended with crisp mornings (8°C) and pleasant afternoons (26°C). Classic mountain yunga mood swings.
Gear notes
Floating/intermediate clear-tip lines on 9-weights worked best.
Productive flies: yellow/green and chartreuse streamers.
Tariquia fishing report – 27 September to 4 october
Back in business for our fourth official week, we had the pleasure of hosting perhaps the most relaxed crew so far. It was an honour to welcome Canadian colleagues and lodge owners Lyle and his wife Debby, along with Greg from the U.S.—the king of good vibes.
After their long journey, they arrived on Saturday tired but eager to settle in. Chef Diego spoiled them with a traditional local lunch before they dove into gear prep and the kind of deep fly-fishing conversations that always mix stories of triumph with a few humbling defeats.
Day 1 – Finding the rhythm
With flies, lines, and rods selected, and after a short helicopter delay for safety checks, we lifted off in search of golden yunga torpedoes.
Fishing from the raft takes adjustment—especially learning to set the hook hard while seated—and everyone paid the tuition fee early. By day’s end, both Lyle and Greg had landed their first cola grande from the Tarija, each fish delivering burning runs, bent rods, and even a scorched finger or two from blistering line.
Day 2 – Monday: Greg strikes gold
Confidence was high, and Greg delivered the week’s first showstopper. After covering endless water, he hooked into a true Tarija giant. A violent take, a flawless set, and minutes later the beast was buried headfirst in the net. Emotions ran high as the team celebrated, admired, and released the fish back into its domain.
Day 3 – Tuesday: Chaos and glory
Clear skies greeted us, but forecasts warned of storms. Maybe that unstable weather fired up the fish, because activity exploded.
Lyle and Debby: A dozen solid chances but none to hand—this river demands ruthless hook-sets, and sometimes the learning curve is steep.
Greg: On fire. After a few fish on black streamers, his guide Fede convinced him to try a mouse pattern. The result? A spectacular 93cm dorado that detonated the surface. Moments later, back on the black streamer—this time tied by guide Fidel—Greg hooked into something even bigger. A blistering run, a 3-foot leap, and then pandemonium. After 10 minutes, Fede netted the biggest fish of the season so far: a monster measuring 1.09 meters. Arms raised, shouts of victory, hugs, and pure joy. A fish for the ages.
Day 4 – Wednesday: Into the canyon
A night of rain and heavy clouds delayed our start, but river conditions held steady. Both groups floated the canyon, mixing rafting thrills with careful casting. Dorados were still active: the Canadians had multiple shots but no hookups—this river is unforgiving if you hesitate. Greg, with his trademark calm and gratitude, once again turned the day into a celebration with more fish to hand.
Day 5 – Thursday: Splitting paths
Lyle and Debby stayed on the Tarija chasing a trophy, hooking a big one that broke free, though they landed a couple of strong mid-sized fish. Greg, already beyond satisfied, opted for adventure in Lapacho Creek. The decision paid off: pristine trout-like waters filled with golden bars. Hiking, climbing, even swimming were required to access untouched beats. Guided by Fidel, he landed several fish—including two spectacular ones on mouse patterns. Pure magic.
Day 6 – Farewell
The final day brought mixed emotions—nostalgia, fatigue, and joy. Lyle and Debby fought hard on the main river but fell just short of the one-meter mark. Greg returned to a new section of Lapacho and relived his childhood, casting mice to hungry dorados in fairy-tale waters.
Weather and water
Fresh mornings around 12°C, warming to 22–28°C in the afternoons. One night of rain (Tuesday) helped relieve regional drought and fires without affecting fishing.
Gear and flies
Floating/intermediate clear-tip lines on 9-weights proved most effective.
Productive flies: black, yellow/green and chartreuse streamers, with the undisputed star of the week being the mouse pattern.
Tariquia fishing report – 20 to 27 September
At the start of week three, and after a heavy flood, no one knew how long it would take the Tarija to clear. Sunday, our first day, was the trial by fire.
One team flew into Los Búhos Creek, an unknown stream we hadn’t even scouted from the air, while Bernardo explored a new section of Lapacho Creek. The Gallo brothers had some early action in murky waters, while Bernardo scored with four dorado between six and 12lb. The highlight came when guide Fede spotted an “invisible fish” behind a submerged boulder. With a precise cast, Bernardo’s own hand-tied chartreuse deceiver was annihilated. The hook-set, the fight, the laughter—it was a perfect start.
Monday tested our willpower again: a brutal drop from 39°C to 5°C, fog that grounded the helicopter until mid-morning, and still our anglers pushed forward. The Gallos explored Picabuey Creek, finding strong fish and even breaking a rod in four pieces on a monster that had the final word. Meanwhile, Bernardo “sacrificed” himself to float the still-turgid Tarija— to be rewarded with a stunning fish pulled from structure after a nail-biting cast.
By Tuesday, conditions were improving. Both teams committed to the main river and everyone got on the chopper. Bernardo was first to strike, battling a powerhouse fish that tore downstream, stripping backing, leaping, and finally surrendering to the net. Not to be outdone, Fernando Gallo landed a trophy after his brother lost a giant to a broken leader.
Midweek brought ups and downs: Wednesday was slow, but Thursday fired up again. The Gallos stayed on the Tarija and landed three beauties, while Bernardo worked crystal-clear Picabuey and had a spectacular day—sight-fishing dorado and even tempting one with a mouse pattern. The fish eventually won that duel, but the battle was unforgettable.
Friday, the last day, was bittersweet—part nostalgia, part relief after endless casting, but still burning with hope for one final trophy. And it came in cinematic fashion. As the helicopter approached, guide Fidel insisted Bernardo make one last cast against a boulder. The strike was violent, the fight long and deep, with no jumps to reveal the mystery. Fifteen minutes later, a massive 97cm dorado slid into the net. Celebrations erupted like a scored goal. The perfect closing scene for an epic week.
Weather and water
Temperatures swung from chilly 7°C mornings to hot 30°C afternoons. Strong winds hit Friday at 55 km/h. The Tarija improved steadily after Day 2 but never reached gin-clear levels—proof that dorado can still be hunted in stained water.
Gear notes
Lines: Floating/intermediate clear-tip lines on the main river; floating lines on tributaries with #8 rods.
Flies: Big chartreuse & black deceivers on strong 3/0 hooks; mouse patterns on creeks for explosive 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.
