Pirarucú Overview: The Best Arapaima Fishery in the World
Reaching lengths of up to 6-ft+ and weights that exceed 300-lbs, the Arapaima is the true heavy weight of the jungle. Many consider this air breathing, jungle giant the crown jewel to capture on fly, and there is not a better destination on earth to make this dream into a reality. Imagine working your streamer through an area that has more rolling fish than one can count, when suddenly your streamer comes to an abrupt stop, followed by powerful head shakes as you attempt to drive the hook home into a large Arapaima’s hard, bony mouth with several hard/quick strip sets. If you are fortunate enough to drive the hook home, a chaotic battle will ensue with large powerful runs and aerial displays as this head shaking giant takes to the air. The reward at the end of a hard-won battle will be to watch your guides expertly position the boat to shore to land the fish and properly position it with you to document a catch that not too many anglers in the world can claim. Many have compared Arapaima to tarpon, and in our opinion, there are enough similarities between these two species to validate this statement. They are big powerful fish and getting the fish to eat your fly is only a small win as you struggle to tame a fish that clearly has a distinct advantage over the best engineered fly rods, reels, lines, and terminal tackle that money can buy.
So, if you are at a disadvantage in terms of a solid hook set and subsequent fight, then why not head to a destination that increases the chances of landing your trophy of a lifetime by giving you multiple shots and opportunities on a daily-basis? Hands down Pirarucu is the premier destination in the world for Arapaima. Yes, that is a strong statement; however, it is the absolute truth! There is no other destination in the world that can rival it in terms of terms of the size, numbers, and sheer availability of Arapaima. Throw in world class angling for the elusive and acrobatic arowana, and you are set for an angling adventure that will exceed even the most discerning angler’s expectations.
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Pirarucú is located within the Mamirauá Reserve, approximately 375-miles west of Manaus. The Mamirauá Reserve is Brazil’s first Sustainable Development Reserve, which totals more than 1 million hectares and was created first and foremost to preserve Arapaima and their habitat. The Reserve and lodge are accessed from Tefe by traveling upriver via a motorized boat for approximately one hour on the Solimoes River. As you approach the mouth of the Reserve, you are entering a pristine environment that consists of a large complex of lakes and channels that connect the Solimoes to the Japura River. These lakes and channels are a classic jungle, wetland environment that provides suitable feeding and breeding grounds for the elusive Arapaima. Besides Arapaima, the Reserve also provides prime habitat for the black caiman, black and red-bellied piranhas (more on this “pest” later), tambaqui, yellow peacock bass, and numerous parrots, macaws, and other exotic jungle bird species. In fact, Pirarucu was first established as an eco-tourism lodge that is ranked as one of the top birding destinations in the world!The lodge is relatively easy to access from Manaus. Guests depart Manaus via a commercial airliner for a short, comfortable one-hour flight to Tefe. Upon arrival in Tefe, the angling group will be met by one of the English-speaking, professional fishing guides for a short cab ride to a simple, yet good local restaurant for lunch. Enjoy some traditional Brazilian barbecue and a cold Brahma or Sol beer over a sit-down lunch and get to know the other anglers that you will sharing your fishing week with! After lunch, the cab will deliver you to the local harbor and dock, where the Pirarucu transfer boat will be awaiting to take you to the lodge. The transfer boat is equipped with comfortable seating, overhead sun screening, and we recommend that you have your camera ready to capture the sights as your travel up the Solimoes River and into the Reserve.As you enter the Reserve, you will notice a floating sentry point that is continually manned to restrict access to the Reserve. This security is a welcome sign because it prevents unauthorized access that aims to restrict fishing to only those anglers that are fishing out of the lodge. In fact, you will not see another operation fishing in the Reserve during your angling week, which is becoming rarer and rarer as anglers all over the world recognize the world class angling that the Amazon Basin offers!Upon booking your trip, we will work with you to ensure that you have all the essential gear, flies, clothing, etc. for trip comfort and success! This is a destination that we have spent more time at than any other booking agency in the world, and we know what works and what is not needed!
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The Fishing: The Unique and Elusive Arapaima in Private Water
The fishing program at Pirarucu was developed for one reason; to realistically target Arapaima on the fly in a ecosystem that receives very little pressure! The only outfitter licensed to operated in the Reserve is Untamed Angling, and you will not see any other sport or commercial fishing operations on the water during your stay. The water at the lodge and fishing grounds are teaming with Arapaima that range in size from 30-lbs to up and over 300-lbs. When at the lodge or on the water, a common sound and sight are the numerous rolling Arapaima, which surface on a regular basis to gulp in air to fill their bladder. Please note we do not specifically cast to rolling fish because in our experience they are focused on the task at hand, which is breathing the air that provides a vital function to their survival. However, rolling fish are used as a locater to find fish, and when you see fish rolling, it is tell-tale sign that other fish are present and likely feeding in the area.
In the channels, the goal is to cast a moderate to larger-size streamer (i.e. 6-8-inches in length) pattern on a heavy-sinking line to entice a take from the unseen, yet likely feeding fish. Yes, this style of fishing is considered blind-casting; however, how can one’s adrenalin not be pumping as you watch rolling fish that are good-sized to giants! The lakes also provide viable sight fishing opportunities in shallower water with floating or intermediate lines to fish that are cruising or other obvious signs of fish, such as air bubbles and/or rolling fish. The fish in the lakes tend to be smaller on average; however, small is a relative term because a juvenile Arapaima will range from 30-80-lbs. The fishing in the lakes can be fast with multiple takes and numerous fish landed in an angling session being more common than not.
The week of fishing and productive locations will be dictated by water levels that are ever changing even during the “dry’ season. If the water is up, the lakes are easier to access, and a portion of your stay can be focused on targeting the “juveniles”. Under low water conditions, the channels are the place to be to fulfill that dream of landing an 80-lb+ giant. This is the general fishing strategy at Pirarucu and regardless of water level conditions, an average week typically offers a balanced program that will focus on both the lakes and river channels. With that said, Pirarucu should be considered a trophy fishery and in a normal week of fishing an angler can expect 1 to 2 chances per day at fish up to and going well over 100-lbs. Yes, the fishing can be faster, but overall this is quality instead of a quantity fishery.
Pirarucu also contains a remarkable population of Arowana: That average 5-lbs, with fish landed every week approaching and going well over 10-lbs. The fishing for Arowana is extremely consistent and offers a nice change of pace from the “big” rods and heavier lines that are typical to Arapaima fishing. Large schools are often found near the surface at shoreline structures, and a well presented terrestrial-type dry fly or small white streamer will typically elicit a competitive feeding response. It is not uncommon to have both anglers on the boat hooked into nice-sized Arowana at the same time! Your favorite 6-wt or 7-wt set-up with a floating line is all you need to capitalize on this amazing fishery, which we highly recommend that you do because there are not too many places in the Amazon where you can consistently target them on fly! There are also other good numbers of Tambaqui, a Pacu-type fish, and yellow peacock bass around, which can be targeted with the same set-up you have rigged for Arowana.
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Fishing is exclusively done from the well-designed skiffs because of the large population of aggressive black caiman. Anglers will only enter the water during a shoreline landing of a large Arapaima and that is done under the careful instruction and supervision of your professional fishing and indigenous native guide team. The boats are equipped with 60-hp outboard motors, and each boat contains a large casting platform on the bow and stern. Each day, up to two anglers will head out per boat to fish the numerous beats that are present in the channels and lakes. Both anglers will fish at the same time, and in our experience, there is no noticeable advantage of where you fish on the boat. The name of the game is to keep your fly wet as your target areas that have actively rolling fish and/or are known to hold fish.The guides know where to find the fish and how each specific situation needs to be approached. Your job is to effectively cover the water and stay alert for a subtle take or bump that is indicative sign that an Arapaima has sucked in your fly. Keeping the rod low with an abrupt strip set is required to drive the hook home into the hard, bony mouth of an Arapaima!We highly recommend that you set the hook multiple times to ensure it stays put! Casting distance with 6-8” flies is important because the farther you throw, the more effectively you cover the water. The best flies are large baitfish patterns in all black and combinations of black/red, and an all-white pattern has also proven to be an effective fly for these fish. We have spent countless hours tying, testing, and fishing numerous patterns at Pirarucu. We know what works and how the fly needs to be dressed to reasonably cast them all day long. Upon booking a trip with us, we will work closely with you to ensure that you have the correct types and number of patterns. In our experience, there are very few commercial patterns available that will work, and the ones that do are usually overdressed or tied on hooks that are too small or weak to withstand the brute force of an Arapaima!
Arapaima are fished with rods and reels that will accommodate 10-12-wt floating, intermediate and heavy sink-tip lines. The rod weight is a personal preference; however, we do not recommend fishing anything less than a 10-wt, and a properly set-up 12-wt provides a tremendous amount of lifting power and will carry the heaviest of sinking lines with ease! In preparation of your trip, you need to budget in the cost of purchasing several sink-tip fly lines! The piranha at Pirarucu love the black, sink-tip portion of the fly line for reasons unknown, and it is not uncommon to have them bite through 3-4 lines in a week of fishing. This is a small price to pay to fish the most productive grounds in the world for Arapaima! Leaders are straight forward unless you are after an IGFA record. We recommend a short section (i.e. 4-5-ft) of high quality 80-100-lb fluorocarbon from fly line to fly. A perfection loop, double-figure 8 loop knot, or another proven tarpon knot should be used to tie on the fly. All of the guides are exceptional and experienced with the knots that work, and will assist anglers who are unfamiliar with big game terminal tackle connections.A closing note on the fishing is that each day will involve a lot of casting with large flies in a tropical environment that is very hot. In our experience, this is one of the warmest destinations in the Amazon basin, and anglers need to be prepared for long days in hot temperatures and high humidity. For this reason, anglers will head back to the lodge each day for approximately 1.5 hours for lunch. This is a much-needed break after the morning session and keeps you out of the blazing overhead sun during the midday fishing lull.
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FishFurtherTravel Expert Tip: Scientifc Anglers Fluorocarbon in 80- pound test strength is the preferred leader material by the guide staff.
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The Lodge: A Simple Eco-Style Lodge
Your home for the week is the floating, solar-powered, eco-tourism lodge built from native hardwoods, which features 10 floating cabins. The cabins are spacious and comfortable, which are located on each side of the outdoor veranda and main lodge that provides a spacious dining area. Each cabin is equipped with a private bathroom and separate, comfortable bedding to accommodate up to two anglers. Overhead ceiling fans circulate the warm night air as your fall asleep to the surrounding sounds of the jungle. There is no air conditioning at Pirarucu and nighttime lows can be rather warm with little to no wind. For this reason, we highly recommend that you bring a small, portable battery-operated fan. This little item is well worth the money and worth its weight in gold for nighttime sleeping comfort.
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Each day coffee is ready and hot by 6:00 AM with breakfast starting at 7 AM. Typical breakfast items are eggs, bacon/sausage, fruit, and locally-squeezed juices. Lunch and dinners are typically a combination of poultry-style dishes and local fish that are mixed in with various rice mixes and salads. The food is not elaborate; however, it is fresh, good, and available in quantities to ensure that you will not go hungry. Beer and select spirits are provided at no additional charge and are nice to have in hand at the outdoor veranda to watch the sun set! Wireless internet is also available at no charge, and smart phone-based applications such as WhatsApp allow the traveling angler to stay in touch with family and friends at home.
This is not the destination to bring a non-angling guest that expects to be pampered! However, if your non-fishing spouse is into eco-tourism-based activities (i.e. jungle tours, seminars, birding, etc.), then Pirarucu will likely provide them with a fulfilling experience that exceeds expectations!
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Season: September to November
Capacity: 6 anglers
2022 - 2023Rate: guive us a call. Best price guaranteed!
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Included: Accommodations and meals at Pirarucu, arrival night lodging in Manaus, transfers in Manaus, guided fishing, fishing licenses.
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Time: GMT/UTC – 04:00 hour.