Tsimane - Agua Negra Lodge

The Agua Negra

Agua Negra Base Program:  The base program for Agua Negra includes fishing all waters of the Agua Negra, the waters of the Secure medium sector, and an optional day trip to the Chimoro Stream—a 15-minute canoe ride from the Lodge. There is also an Out-Camp option on the headwaters.
The Agua Negra holds the best waters for sight casting to big dorados in shallow water, and the medium sector of the Secure River offers plenty of fish on subsurface structure.

Wade Fishing:  99% of the fishing is wading or fishing from the bank. The river structures vary in every section—from sandy and small gravel beaches to sharp volcanic rocks passing through all kinds of freestones. Wading is not difficult or risky, but there is a lot of it.

The Fishing Program

Season:  The Lodge is open from late May through October.
Group Size:  The Lodge hosts four anglers + 1 host.
Species:  Two different species of dorado are available, plus other Amazon basin fish such as pacus and yatorana. Strict catch-and-release.
Boats:  Dugout canoes with small outboard motors are used for transport. Guides often pole the boat. You'll occasionally fish from the boat in slow, deep sections of the river. You'll mainly be bank or wade fishing. You'll fish two anglers and two guides per boat.
Guides:  There is one English-speaking professional fly fishing guide per boat and a native boatman.
Equipment:  No equipment is provided. Flies cost $10 each; you will need about two dozen for the week. Our confirmation packet includes a detailed list of what to bring.
Fishing License:  Fishing licenses are not required.
Native Community Fee:  Tsimane packages require a $670 Native Community Fee, which helps support the conservancy program and local community. The fee is payable in cash upon arrival at the Lodge.

A Typical Fishing Day:
7:00 a.m. - You’ll have breakfast at the Lodge.
8:00 a.m. - You’ll head out with your guide to fish.
Midday - You’ll enjoy lunch on the riverbank.
4:00 to 5:00 p.m. - You’ll return to the Lodge for dinner.
Each day, angling teams of two will fish the beats in the medium Secure River, the Chimoro Creek, or the Agua Negra River. You’ll walk through a mountainous virgin rainforest and fish a wide variety of waters with varying techniques.

The Agua Negra River

The Lower Agua Negra, with its low gradient, is similar to a floodplain river; slowly and with clarity, it meanders through the valley. Numerous sandy beaches, deep runs, and cover hold strong populations of golden dorado and yatorana. The Upper Agua Negra is one of Tsimane's jewels, with an excellent number of dorado, pacu, and yatorana. With its shallow, clear water and rocky bottom, the Upper section is ideal for sightcasting. You'll walk upstream and sightcast in low waters, plus prospect for fish in runs and deep pools. Use a floating line, long leaders, and a delicate presentation for success.

Chimoro Stream

The Chimoro, a small crystal-clear stream, descends from the same mountain range as the Agua Negra River. Fish with light gear, a 5-weight rod, small streamers, and even dry flies for good-sized yatoranas. A 15-pound dorado on a 5-weight rod on the Chimoro is an unforgettable fight. You'll travel from the Lodge to the mouth of the Chimoro by canoe on the Secure River, about a 15-minute boat ride.

The Secure River - Middle Section

The Middle Section of the Secure River runs from Ushwea Village to the confluence of the Chimoro and Secure Rivers. You'll wade downstream, traveling in dugout canoes that are poled or engine-powered. The river is shallow and open in the middle section, with sandy flats. The clear waters gradually become stained due to sediments in the high plateau. Cast toward sunken logs, trees, and subsurface structure, hangouts for big dorado.

Angler with Yatorana

Large Black Pacu

Agua Negra Lodge

Agua Negra is a very comfortable jungle lodge built entirely from sustainable wood cut from the nearby jungle.

Guest Rooms with Ensuite Bathroom

Guests enjoy double rooms with private bathrooms, box spring beds, hot water, free Wi-Fi, and electricity. There is free daily laundry service and a small fly shop.

Meals and Beverages

Meals:  Hearty breakfasts. You'll take a packed lunch of sandwiches and fruit. Delicious appetizers in the evening. Dinners feature chicken, steaks, and pasta dishes... with great wines and delectable desserts.
Alcohol:  An open bar with fine wines, beer, and regular spirits is included in the package.

Living Room

Communications:  Free Wi-Fi is provided. Satellite phone service is $5 per minute.
Power:  Generator-powered electricity is available from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The electricity is 220 volts. (U.S. voltage is 120.) If you’re a U.S. resident, you’ll need a power plug adapter and a two-prong plug.

Agua Negra Out-Camp

Depending on fishing conditions, weather, and river levels, 2 to 4 anglers can overnight at the Agua Negra Out-Camp. This option offers access to prime fishing near the headwaters.
Your adventure begins with a 20-minute hike from the Lodge to the riverbank, where you’ll board a dugout canoe and fish your way upstream to camp. On the second day, you’ll continue fishing upriver until about 3:00 p.m., then drift downstream to the Agua Negra port for the short hike back to the Lodge.
The Out-Camp is in a remote and pristine location with double-occupancy African-style wall tents, chair toilets, solar-powered showers, a mosquito-netted gazebo with a table and chairs, and a generator for charging batteries and keeping drinks cold. Fresh, hearty meals are prepared by the camp staff, keeping you well-fueled for fishing.

Getting to Agua Negra Lodge:

Day 0:  You’ll arrive at the Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. A representative will greet you and transfer you from the airport to the Los Tajibos Hotel, where you'll have a single occupancy room.
(The first and last hotel nights are included in the package.)

Day 1:  You’ll have breakfast at the hotel. A Tsimane representative will pick up your group around 9:30 a.m. and take you to the local airport. You’ll take a 70-minute charter flight to the Oromomo Indian Community. The guides will transfer the group upriver to Agua Negra Lodge by boat, about a two-hour transfer.

Day 8:  In the morning, you’ll pack your gear and transfer back to the Oromomo village for your return flight to Santa Cruz. In Santa Cruz, you’ll be met by a member of the Tsimane staff, who will drive you to the Los Tajibos Hotel. The first and last (two) single-occupancy hotel nights are included in the package.

Day 9:  You’ll be picked up at your hotel and driven to the Viru Viru International Airport to catch your flight home.

A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for this adventure. Tsimane lodges are located in remote rainforest areas east of the Andes.