Fishing in the Amazon

The Amazon rainforest is a fisherman’s paradise. Over 2000 different species of fish inhabit these waters, with many new species being discovered every year. This is more than double the amount of species found in all of the Atlantic Ocean. Can you imagine casting lures or flies into these remote waters searching for that prized peacock bass? Perhaps you may want to go after the legendary giant catfish from the depths? Maybe you would like to try your skill with a hand spear under nothing but the moonlight? You can do all that and much more; join us on the remote Tahuayo River for the ultimate fishing adventure.

photo of guest holding peacock bass caught while staying at Amazonia Expedition's Tahuayo Lodge

Fishing in our region

The rainforest is a dynamic ecosystem, constantly changing due to the yearly influx of water from the Andes Mountains. At times water levels can rise more than a foot in one day. Generally, the best season for fishing is August to November. This is when we would recommend more serious fisherman to visit the Tahuayo. During this time water levels are at their lowest and fish are concentrated into the main river channels.

 

Species

The Tahuayo is home to some of the most prized game fish in the Amazon. Some of the most popular of which include the peacock bass (butterfly), arowana, catfish (many varieties, some which grow over 200lbs), piranha, pacu, oscar, and vampire fish (payara). Whether you are a professional or just an amateur you never know what you will find when you cast a lure into the river.

 

Fishing Gear

We do provide basic gear and tackle only for simple piranha fishing. This includes a cane fishing pole or for those interested, a fishing spear. For those with a more serious interest in fishing it will be necessary to bring your own gear and tackle. Please take a look at our full itinerary which includes a detailed bait and tackle list.

Fishing Tour 8 days / 7 nights

Bait & Tackle Recommendations

Suggested Gear and Tackle for Butterfly Peacock Bass and Aruauna

You will want to bring a bass fishing rod of about 6 feet with a medium to fast taper.  The taper is how quickly the rod becomes stiff and resistant from the tip of the rod.  A fast taper rod will have a flexible tip, which is good for casting, but it becomes stiff very quickly as you move down the rod.  It also has some backbone to it so you can apply some real pressure to the fish, which will probably be necessary when you see your peacock bass running straight for some trees or other structure which could snag or cut your line.  If you are not experienced with casting a conventional real (like a Daiwa or Shimano bait-caster), then you’ll probably want a spinning rod and reel – those are the reels you have to pull back the round wire thing to open up the spool for casting.  The good thing about spinning reels and rods is you don’t get tangles, and the rod is available in two-piece configuration, so they are ideal for traveling.

This is what you’ll need to bring to Peru:

  • 1 Medium to fast taper 6 foot fishing rod appropriate for fish of to 10 pounds – spinning rod would be best.
  • 1 Spool of 10-pound Berkley monofilament
  • 1 Spool of 12-pound Berkley monofilament
  • 1 Spool of 15 pound Berkley monofilament
  • 10 6-inch steel leaders (20-pound rated)
  • An assortment of 10 bass plugs or poppers
  • A few “Rattle Traps” – this is a relatively new lure which many fishermen swear by
  • 1 package of 20 bass fishing hooks for 5 to 10 pound bass.
Total Land cost: USD $1,995 per person
  • The Amazon rainforest is a fisherman’s paradise. Over 2000 different species of fish inhabit these waters, with many new species being discovered every year. This is more than double the amount of species found in all of the Atlantic Ocean.
  • (Recommended 10 days / 9 nights but shorter or longer trips available)
  • Includes all in Amazon (all transfers, lodging, meals, private guide, excursions customized to your liking, gear such as jungle boots, wifi, entrance fees, conservation fees, port taxes, etc.).
  • Optional expenses only: cola or beer drinks, souvenirs, tips, and laundry

Day 1 (trip starts after arrival of people on LA 2240, scheduled to arrive just past noon)

  • Trip starts after arrival of people on LA 2240, scheduled to arrive just past noon
  • Transfer in from airport or hotel
    • If airport: Look for our booth in the baggage area of Iquitos Airport, by the
      restrooms, with our logo (head of a hoatzin bird on a diamond shape)
    • If hotel: please let us know the address for where to pick you up.
  • Speedboat transfer (note–is 4 hours) up the Amazon, then the Tahuayo
    tributary to our lodge.
  • Evening excursion

Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 2-4

At the Tahuayo Lodge

Guided fishing with a private boat or other excursions in and around the TamshiyacuTahuayo
Reserve. Every day your native guide will discuss a selection of activities or
fishing sites that you can choose to do. There is no extra cost for a private guide or
customizing your itinerary to your needs and interests.
Some fishing sites from the main lodge:

  • Quebrada Palmichal, an inlet from the Tahuayo that is very productive in
    peacock butterfly bass and other fish
  • Lake Tabano – a permanently flooded forest and fish breeding ground
  • Lake Tapaje and Lake Charo
  • Tahuayo River

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 5-7

At Amazon Research Center Peru Lodge, ARC
The Research Center is more remote, many miles away from any native inhabitation,
and thus there is no competition from the native fisherman. You will most likely be fishing
in sites where no one has fished before. Fishing sites include large and small lakes,
the Tahuayo River and the Tangarana River. At the Tahuayo Lodge

Full day birding in the islands near the mouth of the Tahuayo, a great place for sandpipers, herons, terns, skimmers, stilts, plovers and others. The evening will be spent looking for nocturnally active species along the river

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8

At Amazon Research Center Peru Lodge, ARC
Before breakfast will be the last fishing outing. After breakfast you will be returned to the main lodge for lunch. After lunch return to Iquitos, arriving about 4pm.

Breakfast, Lunch

 

A note on our two lodges

The Tahuayo Lodge (main lodge)

  • Cabins have private bathrooms
  • A greater variety of activities

The Research Center Peru Lodge (ARC)

  • Cabins have shared bathrooms
  • Better hiking, over 50 miles of trails through a variety of ecosystems
  • More wildlife
  • The lodge is more remote, in more pristine forest

Erika

Our time in the jungle was an absolute highlight on our trip to Peru! Truly amazing! …Again, we had the most wonderful time. Almost more than words can say. The jungle and the Tahuayo Lodge hold very special places in our hearts and CAN NOT WAIT to return. Thank you again for offering such an amazing trip.

Renee

Our trip was INCREDIBLE. The lodge was great, the food was amazing, and the staff were all so friendly. We loved our stays at the B&B, the main lodge, and the ARC.

Tia & Paula

It was incredible and a trip of a lifetime Paul! My sister Paula and I had an amazing time and loved everything — your facilities and staff are top notch and I want to come back with my husband and daughters!!

Estefani Mishel Maytahuari

Mishel got her degree in tourism from Nauta Institute in 2016. After working as a guide with other companies, Mishel came to study with Amazonia Expeditions as a training guide in 2023. Mishel was promoted to head guide in 2025.

Leyner Arian Ijuma

Leyner got his degree as a tour guide in 2010 at the Nauta Institute and came to work at Amazonia Expeditions in 2021. He was promoted to head guide in 2023. He has biological field work experience from supporting Nicholas Gardner of the University of Florida who he helped study the adaptations of birds in seasonally flooded igapo forests. Birding is one of Leyner's strongest skills.

Julio Pacaya

Julio finished his studies as a tour guide at the Nauta Institute in 2016 and came to work as a training guide with Amazonia Expeditions in 2021. He was promoted to head guide in 2023. Nature photography and birding are among Julio's strongest skills. Julio is fluent in English and French, as well as his native tongue of Spanish.

Claudio Huayllahua Sánchez

Claudio was born and grew up in El Chino Village on the Tahuayo River. He studied primary school in El Chino and continued his education in Iquitos, earning a technical degree from SENATI Institute. He started working for Amazonia Expeditions in 2014 as a field research assistant with several biologists and as an assistant guide. Claudio was promoted to head guide in 2017 and is our camping and jungle survival specialist.

Hersog Chavez Yuyarima

Hersog first got the idea of becoming a guide after watching the tourist boats going by his village every day. He was fascinated that tourists would come to see his home and he loved the way that the guides he saw did their work. He knew that someday he wanted to be just like them. Hersog studied at technical school for 3 years leaning the basics of guiding. After graduating, Hersog worked as a guide for several years working with Peruvian tourists, later coming to work for Amazonia in 2017. Hersog was promoted to head guide in 2019. He has worked as a field research assistant in the study of the elusive pygmy marmoset. Hersog is known for his sharp eyes and his unique stories about the jungle.

Lander Juan Peña Ramirez

Lander was born in the remote jungle community of Santa Victoria. His boyhood dream was to become to best jungle guide in the Amazon. Lander studied at a local institute for several years where he learned basic English and the foundations of the being a tour guide. Later he worked for several years at other jungle loges as a guide, honing his skills as a survival camping guide. Lander came to work for Amazonia Expeditions in 2017 and along with a strong interest in birding and fishing is also one of our lead camping and survival guides.

Aladino Jr. Hidalgo

Aladino was born and raised in El Diamante Village along the Blanco River and attended school in the community of “Valentin” on the Tahuayo River. During this period, Aladino worked with his father as a trailblazer, assisting primate researchers who came to study at a local field station. Afterwards, he moved to Lima where he worked for several years while studying guiding & English. Upon returning in 2019, he was hired by Amazonia as a field assistant and actively supported researchers studying giant river otters, pygmy marmosets, and various bird species. He then joined Amazonia Expeditions as a guide assistant and was later promoted to head guide in 2022.

Jhony Hidalgo

Jhony was born and raised in El Diamante Village along the Blanco River. He attended primary school in his home village and high school in the community of “Valentin” on the Tahuayo River. Jhony later pursued further studies in Iquitos, where he obtained a guide degree from the Milagro Fe & Alegria Institute. After graduating, he worked at the Amazon Rescue Center in Iquitos (CREA), guiding visitors to the center. In 2021 he joined Amazonia Expeditions as a guide assistant and was promoted to head guide in 2023.

Sila Hidalgo

Sila was born and raised in El Diamante Village along the Blanco River. She attended primary school in Diamante village and high school in the community of “El Chino” on the Tahuayo River. Her family moved to El Chino so Sila could attend high school, as it was the closest village offering secondary education. Later, Sila joined our Angels (AoA) scholarship program to further her education in Iquitos, where she earned a guide degree from the Milagro Fe & Alegria Institute. She completed her internship at Tahuayo Lodge. After graduating, Sila began her career with Amazonia Expeditions as a guide assistant and was promoted to head guide in 2022.

Welister Perez

Welister grew up in the small community of Padre Cocha just outside of Iquitos City. He lived there for most of his life, and later worked at several jungle lodges before starting at Amazonia Expeditions. Welister has proven himself as both a talented jungle man and team player with an eagle eye for spotting wildlife. After several months of training with Amazonia he was promoted to a head guiding position in 2017.

Javier Anibal Alván Arévalo

Javier has worked at the Amazonia Expeditions lodges for 10 years, starting as a young teenager as an assistant in building repair, then moving up to motorboat pilot, then camping assistant and assistant guide, and after passing his guide exams with high grades was promoted to head guide in 2014. Javier is also our Canopy Zipline specialist and has taken professional certification classes in Costa Rica. Javier is also a fishing specialist and is beloved by families with children.