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 Rod2: Echo Musky 11wt 9’4” $375 or Lamson Cobalt 11wt 9’ $500
Affordable & Effective. Love these rods for Payara! Echo is better for figure-8s while the Lamson is easier to cast.
Fav Peacock & Golden Dorado Rods: Echo Prime 9wt 8’10” $500 or Lamson Cobalt 9wt 9’ $500
Both are great for peacocks, dorado, and all the other species.
Spinning Rod- Yes I bring a spinning rod for catfishing. For evening fishing next to camp at night, if your shoulder gets f#$%ed, or if it rains and the rivers gets muddy, having a catfish rod is worth bringing! 100lb+ braid recommended, 60lb+ fluoro leader, Octopus 6/0 & 8/0 hooks. This is the Penn Rod/Reel I bring.
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+ for budget or Lamson Centerfire 10 as a premium reel with Saltwater components. 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 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 is my fav and used with my 11wt or 350 grain for a 10wt
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 2 Lamson Remix S reels with an extra spool for the 3rd line. You will want at least 2 reels available. I then 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 or 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:
Waterproof Backpack. I use Fishpond
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:
5-10 Payara Flies depending on how many days fishing. Think 2-3 per day for color & weight options.
10-15 Peacock/Dorado flies depending on how many days fishing. 2-3 per day. 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 for Peacocks or 4-8 mice/sliders for Golden 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 or Golden Dorado. 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:
4 pair of synthetic quick dry pants
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
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
2-3 sets of stripping gloves- tape for the fingers too
Sunscreen, First aid kit, Cortisone Cream, Gold Bond for chafing & other 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 Colombia
