Treasures of the Guaviare

Anglers,

Today, I want to share a little about our latest trip to #MapiriLodge, deep in the heart of the Guaviare jungle—a magical place overflowing with nature and new experiences every day.

This time, the Fish Colombia team had the pleasure of hosting anglers from Thailand and the United States. Initially, we planned to dedicate six days to targeting Peacock Bass and Payara (Vampire Fish), but three days before the trip, the weather took an unexpected turn. The main river swelled and turned a muddy brown. After discussing the situation with our guests, we decided to adjust the plan: four days focused on these species, while the remaining six days would be dedicated to a multi-species adventure, as the anglers wanted to catch as many new species as possible.

The Journey Begins

Our adventure started with a flight from Bogotá to Mapiripán, where we welcomed our guests with the high energy that defines us. From there, we embarked on an eight-hour boat ride to the lodge. Upon arrival, we organized our gear and selected the best lures for targeting Peacock Bass on the first day. We also had a briefing with the anglers to introduce them to the fishing area and techniques.

The next morning, after an early wake-up, a delicious coffee, and a hearty breakfast, we headed out for our first fishing session. Everyone had the opportunity to catch Peacock Bass, and we ended the day with three hours of Payara and Pacu fishing. Although we had many strikes, only two anglers successfully landed their catches, making for an exciting start to our jungle adventure.

Payara Paradise and Giant Catfish

On the second day, we reassembled our gear, this time for Payara fishing and our first encounter with catfish in the rapids. Upon arrival at the fishing spot, we found ourselves in Payara paradise—these fish were attacking everyone's lures! We had multiple big catches, with some weighing between 15 and 20 pounds. After two hours of intense action, we moved upstream to target yellow catfish. Luck was on our side as we landed six of them, took some photos, and released them back into the water.

While in the rapids, as the clients fished for yellow catfish, I decided to cast a lure and managed to catch a massive Payara. Inspired, the anglers followed suit, successfully landing more of these stunning fish. We returned to the lodge with destroyed lures and incredible footage of epic battles.

A Diverse Fishing Experience

On the third day, we returned to the Peacock Bass lagoon, but some anglers opted to target other species using bait, such as Pacu and Red Tail Catfish. Upon entering the far side of the lagoon, we witnessed an incredible sight—Pacu and Cherna feeding on the surface. It was amazing to see them all around the boat. We successfully mimicked the natural falling of fruit into the water, leading to an incredibly productive fishing session.

Meanwhile, other boats continued their pursuit of Peacock Bass with great success. In one boat, we heard shouts of joy as an angler from Thailand landed a giant Peacock Bass—a dream come true for his long journey. Later in the day, we fished with bait at the mouth of the lodge’s stream, where we landed several striped catfish.

Exploring the Culture and Pursuing the Legendary Piraiba

The following days were dedicated to exploring the area. One of the highlights was visiting ancient petroglyphs, believed to be a sacred site where our ancestors depicted rivers and lagoons. Nearby, a small stream is thought to have been a birthing place for indigenous women.

We took a moment to express our gratitude to Pachamama for allowing us to experience such a beautiful place and for the incredible fishing days we had.

Next, we set out in search of the legendary Piraiba (Valenton), one of the largest catfish in the region, capable of reaching up to 400 pounds. This type of fishing demands great patience. On the first day, two boats focused entirely on catching Piraiba, while another targeted smaller catfish and other species like stingrays, corvina, and yamu. By the end of the day, the boats fishing for Piraiba had only landed a 35-pound yellow catfish and experienced one strong strike that we suspect was a Piraiba.

On the second day, one boat remained dedicated to Piraiba fishing, and after two solid strikes, they finally landed one—an estimated 50-pound fish that brought joy to the entire team, both anglers and guides alike.

Unforgettable Moments in the Jungle

As our multi-species expedition continued, we had an unforgettable encounter when we caught a large stingray. As we were taking pictures in the boat, she suddenly began giving birth! Three baby stingrays emerged, and we immediately returned them, along with the mother, to the river to continue their journey.

During these final days, we caught a variety of species, including many striped catfish, Red Tail Catfish, and different types of sierra. We even had the rare capture of an Apuy Catfish, known for its striking colors and long tail.

Additionally, we spent time with local indigenous communities, learning about their rich traditions.

The Final Tally

At the end of our 10-day fishing adventure, our group had a total of 380 catches across 42 different species—a testament to the incredible biodiversity of the Colombian jungle.

We invite you to experience this unparalleled adventure with Fish Colombia Expeditions in the heart of the Amazon.

Tight lines and best wishes!

CRISTHIAN DAVID SUÁREZ

Fishing Guide