Mataven River Peacock Bass & Payara Fishing – Colombia
Colombia’s #1 River for Trophy Peacock Bass
2027 marks the first fishing season on the Matavén River after three years of complete rest. Hidden within Colombia's Orinoquía—the country's wild eastern plains—the Matavén is renowned for its pristine blackwater, trophy peacock bass, hard-fighting payara, and unforgettable wilderness fishing. Fish with flies or lures using single hooks in one of Colombia's most remote river systems. Beyond the fishing, the untouched jungle offers opportunities to see jaguars, diverse wildlife, and exceptional birdlife.
Quick Facts - Mataven
2027 Rates:$6,000 p.p. for 9 nights / 6 days fishing ($5,400 + $600 Community Fee)
(7 nights at Camp and 2 hotel nights in Bogota)
Season: January through April.
Species: Peacock bass, payara, piranha, catfish, and more.
Group Size: 10 anglers per week.
Boats: Motorized bongos (canoe-style) with casting platforms
Methods: Sightcasting - fly or spin with single hooks.
Guides: Local, Spanish-speaking guides
Lodging: Single-occupancy tents near the river
Meals: Chef-prepared meals.
Travel: 90-minute flight from Bogota (included), 4-hour+ boat ride to camp.
The Mataven River flows approximately 390 miles through the Mataven Forest. Its lagoons, tributaries, submerged timber, and shifting sandbars provide prime habitat for trophy peacock bass, with fish exceeding 20 pounds and exceptional specimens potentially reaching 28 pounds. Afloat Adventures, the outfitter, has been providing unique fishing experiences in Colombia since 2016. Over the years, Fishing with Larry has hosted several fresh and saltwater trips with them.
The Fishing Season
Season: The prime fishing season runs from January through April, when the lower river levels during the dry season create favorable fishing conditions. For 2027, each week is limited to just 10 anglers, with a four- to five-day rest period between groups to minimize fishing pressure and allow the river time to recover. Species: Trophy peacock bass and payara, piranha, pacu, catfish, and other Amazon species.
Catfish Double
Aerial of Mataven River Camp
The Fishing Program
Boats: Indigenous Bongos, a type of canoe, have fixed casting platforms, chairs, and coolers stocked with snacks and drinks for the day. You'll fish two anglers per boat and one professional guide. Guides: Local, Spanish-speaking guides speak enough English to communicate what's important. Fishing Equipment: No equipment is provided. Single hooks are required on all lures and flies. All lines and leaders need to be at least 40 pounds. Fly lines have to be tropical and feature short, wide tapers. Our confirmation packet includes a detailed list of what to bring. Fishing License: A fishing license is not required in Colombia.
Trophy Payara - Mataven
A Typical Fishing Day You'll get 6 full days of guided fishing. You'll fish up to ten hours per day, with most prime fishing locations 10 minutes to an hour from Camp. Schedules are flexible, but a typical day is as follows:
Enjoy breakfast at Camp or take it with you on th. 6:00 a.m. – Guided fishing begins. Noon – Enjoy lunch along the river, followed by a two-hour siesta during the heat of the day. 2:00 p.m. – Fishing resumes. 5:30 p.m. – Return to Camp. 7:00 p.m. – Dinner is served.
The Matven River Camp
The Camp is located on a sandy beach, with single-occupancy tents beneath a long thatched shelter. You'll enjoy chef-prepared meals. The rustic camp is simple and comfortable. Bathroom Facilities: The Camp has three toilets. Cold showers are available. Meals: Chef-prepared breakfasts may include eggs, sausage, fried arepas, lemonade, and coffee. Dinners feature traditional Colombian dishes, including paella, pasta, beef, pork, chicken, and fish, served with rice, beans, steamed potatoes, and fresh fruit. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice. Beverages: Unlimited soft drinks and Gatorade at Camp. Each guest has a 24-beer-per-week allowance (included). You may pre-order hard liquor for your trip, payable upon arrival. Electricity: The Camp has standard 110-volt, generator-powered electricity available for about 18 hours per day. Both two- and three-prong outlets are available for charging batteries. With advance notice, CPAP machine batteries are available. Communications: The Camp has Starlink Wi-Fi. Email and Wi-Fi calling are available if your cell phone is set up to support these options. We recommend WhatsApp.
Getting to the Lodge:
You'll fly into El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Bogotá, Colombia. An Afloat representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the nearby Hilton Garden Inn, less than 5 minutes away. Your package includes an overnight stay in a double-occupancy room. Single-occupancy rooms are available for an additional $90 per person.
The next morning, you'll take an included 90-minute charter flight to Inírida, followed by a 10-minute tuk-tuk transfer to the river. From there, enjoy a 2-hour speedboat ride to the Matavén River, where you'll transfer to smaller jon boats for a 2- to 2.5-hour journey to Camp. Lunch is served en route, and you'll be welcomed at Camp with cold drinks and snacks.
Baggage Weight Limit: Domestic flights have a combined baggage weight limit of 17 kilograms (37 pounds), including your checked luggage, carry-on bag, and fishing equipment. Additional weight may be allowed for $4 per kilogram (2.2 pounds).
Departure Day: After breakfast at Camp, you'll return to Inírida by jon boat and speedboat, then board the included charter flight back to Bogotá. Upon arrival, an Afloat representative will transfer you to the Hilton Garden Inn for your included overnight stay. Single-occupancy rooms are available for an additional fee. The following day, an Afloat representative will pick you up from the hotel and drive you to the international airport three hours before your flight home, depending on your international flight schedule.
2027 USD Rates
Season: January through April.
9 nights / 6 days guided fishing
(7 nights at Camp and 2 hotel nights in Bogota)
Two anglers per guide and one per tent $6,000 per person
($5,400 + $600 Community Fee) There is no non-angler rate for this package.
The Packages Include:
• First and last night’s hotel stay in Bogota, double occupancy
• Ground transfers between the airport and hotel in Bogota
• Roundtrip charter flight between Bogota and Inirida
• Roundtrip boat ride between Inirida and the Camp
• 7 nights tent camping, single-occupancy
• Meals, snacks, Gatorade, and soft drinks at the Camp
• 24 cans of beer per person per week
• Starlink Wi-Fi at the Camp
• 6 days guided fishing
• (A fishing license is not required in Colombia.)
• Travel insurance in Colombia
• Our eBook Fly Fishing for Peacock Bass by Larry and Guy Schoenborn, upon request.
The Packages Do Not Include:
• Airfare to and from Bogota, Colombia
• Native Communities Fee, $600 per person
• Meals and beverages in Bogota
• Extra hotel nights
• Hard liquor
• Beer, after the weekly 24-can allowance
• Fishing gear, tackle, and flies
• 10% to 15% gratuity for guides and staff
• Global Rescue coverage
• Travel insurance outside Colombia
• Anything not listed under inclusions.
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Afloat Adventures' POLICIES:
Required Waiver of Liability:
Upon your arrival at the Camp, you’ll be required to sign a Waiver of Liability form. This legal agreement releases the outfitter from liability for certain risks and accidents associated with your trip.
The Native Communities Fee:
A $600 per person Native Community Fee is required and must be paid with your final trip balance prior to your arrival at camp.
Deposit Policy:
A 50% deposit is required to confirm your reservation within 15 days of the reservation date. The balance is to be paid 90 days before departure.
Cancellation Policy:
The deposit required to confirm your reservation is non-refundable; however, a name change is acceptable for an additional $200.00. If you do not cancel your reservation within 60 days of your arrival date, the package will be considered purchased at full price. Final payments are also non-refundable. There is no refund for any unused portion of the land package. Afloat is not responsible for cancellations made due to weather conditions or force majeure events. Once you have made a reservation, it will be deemed that you have consented to the Lodge’s terms and conditions described in their Accident Waiver and Release of Liability Form, as well as to the cancellation policy detailed above.
Travel Insurance:
Fishing with Larry strongly recommends purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes trip cancellation coverage and Global Rescue (medical evacuation coverage). Visit our Travel Insurance page.
Fishing with Larry Payment Options: 1.) Credit Card: A 2.5% convenience fee applies for all credit card transactions. 2.) Check: Please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to Fishing with Larry P.O. Box 419 Columbus, MT 59019. 3.) Wire Transfer: Send money electronically. Typical fees are approximately $15–$30 for domestic transfers and $45–$50 for international transfers. Please email Toni at toni@fishingwithlarry.com for wire instructions. 4. Please review our Travel Terms & Disclaimers prior to submitting your deposit.
