Pirarucu Lodge - Brazil

Fly Fishing for Arapaima and Arowana

For this fly fishing adventure, you'll take a 70-minute flight from Manaus, Brazil, and then a 50-minute boat ride to the Lodge on the Mamirauá Reserve, the largest arapaima reserve in the world. The Reserve is a complex system of lakes and channels covering 4,300 square miles and is the largest protected flooded forest in the world. Here, you'll find great fly fishing for pirarucu, also known as arapaima.



Pirarucu Fishing

Pirarucu Lodge

Pirarucu and arapaima are one and the same. Arapaima can grow to over 400 pounds and closely resemble a freshwater tarpon or an alligator gar. When hooked, they start to move and then explode into aerial displays and headshakes.
Guides and anglers watch for arapaima rising to the surface to gulp air. In the shallow bays of the lake, these rolling fish offer more of a sightcasting opportunity than in the deeper parts. Similar to hunting the flats and mangroves for tarpon, anglers search the lakes, channels, and rivers for pods of fish. Be prepared. When you see the rolling fish, it is usually the fish mid-water or on the bottom that hit your fly. The toughest part of fishing for arapaima is setting the hook. You’ll need to get a firm hook set and keep continual pressure.
Arowana:  There’s no other place where you can catch so many arowanas on the fly. These fish are omnivorous and eat just about any insect or baitfish presented to them. Anglers will want to use streamers or big dry flies.
Pacu:  The mighty black pacu, also known as tambaqui, is in the same family as the piranha. Pacu readily take artificial flies and prove an intense battle on a fly.
Peacock Bass:  The smaller peacock bass, the yellow species, range in size from 2 to 10 pounds and act much like their larger cousins found elsewhere in the Amazon. When found, they are usually busting bait along the shorelines.


Fishing Season and Skiffs

Pirarucu Lodge

The Pirarucu Season is short, running from mid-September to the end of November. The dry season in this part of the Amazon runs from July through January, so this season straddles the middle of the dry season when water should be low and fish congregate in the lakes and channels. November 30th marks the end of fishing due to special regulations. In order to protect juvenile fish, the Arapaima fishery is closed throughout the Amazon.
Guides:  Professional, English-speaking native guides. Two anglers per guide and boat.
Boats:  You'll fish from 20-foot fully-equipped shallow draft skiffs. Each skiff has two large casting platforms and an electric trolling motor with remote control for moving silently within the lagoons. 60-HP four-stroke. GPS and VHF radios are on board to keep guides in contact and to remain aware of each other’s position.
A Fishing License  is included in your package.
Fishing Equipment:  Fly-fishing outfits are provided to guests upon request (Thomas & Thomas rods, Nautilus Reels, and Scientific Anglers Lines). Flies are available at camp for $10 each. A complete packing list is included in our confirmation packet.


Typical Fishing Day:
5:30 a.m. - Coffee is hot.
6:30 a.m. - Breakfast.
7:30 a.m. - Head to fishing grounds.
Noon - You’ll take a 5 to 20-minute boat ride back to the Lodge for lunch and a nap.
2:30 p.m. - Fishing resumes.
6:00 p.m. - You’ll return to the Lodge.
6:30 p.m. - Cocktails and appetizers.
7:00 p.m. - A buffet-style dinner is served.


Uakari Lodge - Floating Cabins

Uakari Lodge

Uakari, a floating lodge, is very simple yet comfortable. The Lodge has ten floating cabins, and wooden walkways over the water connect each building. The main lodge features a dining room, living area, and kitchen. Solar-powered showers, comfortable beds with mosquito netting. Daily laundry service.
In the offseason, the Lodge is used as an ecotourism lodge primarily for birdwatching and wildlife viewing. It is recognized as one of the top five birdwatching areas in the Amazon.
Meals:  Hearty breakfasts. Hot lunches at the Lodge. Buffet-style dinners. American and regional favorites.
Alcohol:  House wines, beer, and local spirits are included in the package.
Communications:  Complimentary Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi internet. There is no cell phone service. A satellite phone is available for guests at $5.00 per minute.
Non-Angler Activities:  Pirarucú offers guided bird safaris, jungle expeditions, canoe tours, and visits to the local village communities with professional, English-speaking guides.

Uakari Lodge Uakari Floating Cabins

Getting to the Lodge:

When you arrive in Manaus, you’ll be greeted by an English-speaking lodge representative who’ll arrange your ground transfer to the a boutique hotel. The following morning, your host will drive you to the local airport for your 8:45 a.m. flight to Tefé, which is not included in the package. You’ll have lunch in Tefé before taking a 50-minute fast-boat ride to the Lodge. After your arrival, you'll get in a half-day of fishing. (The ground transfers in Manaus and the first hotel night are included in the package.) The charter flight between Manaus and Tefé is not included in the package.


2024 USD Rates:

8-nights and 6.5-days guided fishing
(7-nights at Lodge and 1-night in Manaus)
• Two per room and boat:
$6,400 + $640 Native Comm. Fee = $7,040.00 per person
• One per room and two per boat:
$8,000 + $640 Native Comm. Fee = $8,640.00 per person
• One per room and boat:
$10,240 + $640 Native Comm. Fee = $10,880.00 per person
Non-angler sharing room:
$3,350 + $330 Native Comm. Fee = $3,680.00 per person

7-nights and 5.5-days guided fishing
(5-nights at Lodge and 1-night in Manaus)
• Two per room and boat:
$5,990 + $590 Native Comm. Fee = $6,580.00 per person
• One per room and two per boat:
$7,340 + $590 Native Comm. Fee = $7,930.00 per person
• One per room and boat:
$9,590 + $590 Native Comm. Fee = $9,940.00 per person
Non-angler sharing room:
$3,150 + $310 Native Comm. Fee = $3,460.00 per person

6-nights and 4.5-days guided fishing
(5-nights at Lodge and 1-night in Manaus)
• Two per room and boat:
$5,350 + $530 Native Comm. Fee = $5,880.00 per person
• One per room and two per boat:
$6,600 + $530 Native Comm. Fee = $7,130.00 per person
• One per room and boat:
$8,480 + $530 Native Comm. Fee = $9,010.00 per person
Non-angler sharing room:
$2,800 + $280 Native Comm. Fee = $3,080.00 per person
Rates for 3 and 4-night packages are also available.
‍ And Extra Night in Manaus – USD: $200.00 to $220.00 per night/room - based on double occupancy.
All prices are subject to change based on availability.

The Packages Include:

• One overnight stay at a boutique hotel in Manaus
• All necessary ground transfers in Brazil
• Lodging and meals at the Lodge
• Wine, beer, and spirits
• Daily laundry service
• Guided fishing
• Fishing license
• Fly fishing outfits are available upon request
• Our eBook Fly Fishing for Peacock Bass
  by Larry and Guy Schoenborn.

The Packages Do Not Include:

• International airfare
• Roundtrip domestic flight (Manaus/Tefe)
• Native Community Fee
• Gratuities for guides and lodge staff
• Food and beverages in Manaus
• Airport departure tax (if not included in airfare)
• Satellite phone calls, $5.00 per minute
• City tours in Manaus
• Extra hotel overnights
• Flies, $10.00 each at the Lodge
• Global Rescue
• Travel insurance
• A Brazilian eVisa is required as of 04/01/2024.
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.

Arapaima Fishing - Brazil


Arapaima can grow to over 400 pounds.

Angler Crouched in Water Holding Arapaima

Brad Staples with baby arapaima.

Brad holding a Baby Arapaima

Tambaqui readily take artificial flies.

Angler with Tambaqui

Pirarucu explode on the line.

Angler Crouched on Bow of the Boat Holding Pirarucu

Extremely fun to catch on a dry fly

Angler and Guide with Large Arapaima

Fly fishing for Pirarucu (arapaima).

Angler with Large Arapaima

Arowana fly fishing, too.

Angler with Arowana

Pirarucu Lodge - Floating Cabins

Pirarucu Houseboats

Houseboat bedroom

Two Twin Beds and Two Windows

Go to . . .

Brazil Main Page 

Fishing Travel Experts


Guy Schoenborn

1-800-205-3474 ext. 1

MT Office:  406-322-5709

Email:  guy@fishingwithlarry.com

Brad Staples

1-800-205-3474 ext. 3

Cell (503) 250-0558

Email:  brad@fishingwithlarry.com