Bolivia

Tsimane - Secure Camp

Species
Golden Dorado
Fishing Style
Jungle, Sightfishing, and Wading
Season
June - October
Fishing Days
6
Rate
$$$
Why We Go

  • Fish for large migratory golden dorado and pacu in one of the Amazon's southernmost tributaries
  • Engage in true adventure travel complete with dugout canoes, indigenous people, and a pristine jungle environment
  • Enjoy fishing access right from camp to the upper and lower reaches of the Secure River
  • Experience deluxe six-person safari-style tent camp with attached bathrooms
  • Enjoy thoughtfully prepared meals paired with fine Argentine wines

Overview

The six-person Secure Camp is the furthest upstream of the three Tsimane camps and focuses on the uppermost reaches of the Secure River. It is accessed from an airstrip in the little village of Asunta, where it is common for many members of the community to come out and greet new arrivals. From there it is about a 15-minute boat ride upstream to the deluxe six-person tent camp. The hardwood main building features an open bar and provides delicious meals paired with excellent Argentine wines. Guests stay in deluxe, double-occupancy safari tents complete with attached bathrooms, hot showers, comfortable bedding, and ceiling fans. Anglers fish the productive waters of the Secure above and below the camp. The water upstream of camp is rugged and incredibly scenic with mossy cliffs and deep green pools, and in addition to great dorado fishing, is known to have the region’s best pacu fishing. This upper beat is accessed by traditional, pole-pushed dugouts. The water downstream is broader with more woody debris. It offers good wade- and boat-fishing for large dorado and is accessed by motorized dugouts. Like the other two Tsimane camps, Secure also offers backpacking-style trips to the upper reaches of the system for a night or two based on the angler’s preferences.

Fishing Program

Anglers fish the upper reaches of the Secure River system as well as tributaries, accessing more than 25-kilometers of pristine water out of the main camp. Secure anglers fish two anglers per motorized dugout with an English-speaking Argentine guide as well as one or two native boatmen. They will fish beats both up and downstream of the camp.

All Tsimane anglers will spend a portion of their time blind-casting and a portion of their time sight-casting. Boats are used to motor through the longer pools and much of the angling is done while wading the freestone terrain. Due to the overall distances that need to be covered and the hot weather, this trip is best suited for reasonably-fit anglers who are comfortable with semi-rocky terrain.

Accommodations

The camp has been constructed using local wood and is best described as both rustic and elegant. The camp has a main building where anglers enjoy meals and cocktails and offers guests spacious, double-occupancy safari-style tents with comfortable beds, full linens, and private bathrooms with showers. The camp is also equipped with generator power with battery back-up, on-demand hot water, and Wifi. The chefs at Secure Camp are from Argentina and serve a variety of Argentine meals thoughtfully paired with Argentine wines.

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart Home.

Day 2: Arrive Santa Cruz, Bolivia. In Bolivia guests will be met by a member of the Tsimane team and transferred to their hotel.

Day 3: Charter flight to Tsimane’s Secure landing strip. At the landing strip, guests will be met by their guides who will transfer to the Camp. At the camp, guests will be shown to their tents to prepare for the next week of fishing.

Days 4 - 9: Six days of guided fishing

Day 10: In the morning, guest will pack up and transfer to the air strip where they will meet their charter flight back to Santa Cruz. In Santa Cruz guests will be met by a member of the Tsimane staff who will take them to their hotel (included in package).

Day 11: Depart for Home.

Rates & Details

2025 Rate: Per person based on single occupancy and shared guiding

  • 9 night/6 day package: $7,600 plus $670 native fees

Included: Accommodations and meals at Secure Camp, arrival night and departure night lodging in Santa Cruz, guided fishing, charter flights, native fees

Not Included: Round trip airfare, fishing tackle and flies, guide gratuities, departure taxes

Species: Golden dorado, Amazon pacu

Season: July– October

Capacity: 6 anglers

Fly Water Q&A

Who is best suited to this destination? These trips are best suited to true adventure travelers. It is best if guests are in relatively good shape as most of the fishing at Pluma Lodge is in a walk and wade fashion and the wading is fairly challenging. This is also a great destination for guests interested in targeting pacu.

Where is the lodge? Sécure Lodge is located within the Isiboro Sécure National Park and an Indigenous Territory, where the Amazon jungle meets the foothills of the Andes Mountains. The lodge is near the headwaters of the Sécure River. Sécure lodge is the highest in the system of the three Tsimane programs.

How do I get there? To get to Sécure Lodge guests need to fly to Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia (VVI). In Santa Cruz guests will be met at the airport by a lodge representative and transferred to a local hotel (included in package). The next day guests will be met at the hotel and transferred to the civil airport where they will take a two-hour charter flight to the Asunta Indian Community. After arriving at the Asunta Indian Community, guests will then boat upstream ten minutes to Sécure Lodge. At the lodge guests will be shown to their lodge rooms and then have an overview of the week to come.

When should I go? Sécure Lodge is open during the Bolivian dry season from June through October.

How will I fish? Nearly all the fishing at Sécure Lodge is done by wet wading or fishing from the banks.

Is there wade fishing? Yes. The fishing at Sécure Lodge is mostly walk and wade fishing.

Where will I fish? Based out of the Sécure Lodge and with the opportunity to do headwater out-camps, anglers have access to three different rivers: The Sécure River, the Maniquicito and the Ashahana. This broad variety of options allow guests to fish fresh water every day, and rarely, if ever, repeat the same fishing beat.

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? Depending on where guests are fishing for the day it can take minutes or a couple of hours to reach the fishing grounds.

What type(s) of fish will I catch? The main event at Sécure Lodge is golden dorado, but it is possible to catch pacu, yatorana and various jungle catfish as well. Sécure Lodge offers the best pacu fishing of the Tsimane programs.

How many fish will I catch? Expect to catch 3-6 dorado per day and a few dorado over the 15-pound mark per week.

Will I see other anglers? Guests will only see other anglers at the lodge or while moving between beats.

What are the guides like? The guides are experienced, safe and speak great fishing English.

What are the physical demands? The trip is not physically demanding but a fair amount of walking and wet wading is required, making it best suited for active anglers.

Are there any special skills required? Not really, but anglers that are in relatively good shape and can hike a few miles per day are going to have more success. We recommend that guests do some walking or jogging in the weeks leading up to their trip.

Does the lodge provide equipment? The lodge can provide loaner equipment if a rod or reel is broken or lost, but it is best for guests to bring their own equipment.

What is your favorite setup for the trip? A fast action 9-weight rigged with a jungle specific floating weight-forward line. Wire bite and heavy mono leaders are a must have.

What are the top flies? The go-to dorado fly in Bolivia is the Andino Deceiver, but other bait fish patterns can be successful. Flies like the Tarpon Snake, Lefty’s Deceiver, Intruders, and Puglisi streamers have all worked great. It is recommended that flies do not have a lot of flash.

What are the options if water conditions become challenging? If there is heavy rain, guests will have to wait it out at the lodge. If the water is high or off-color the guides can usually travel upriver to find fishable water.

What is a typical day like?
6:00AM - Coffee is hot
7:00AM – Breakfast
8:00Am - Head to fishing grounds
12:00PM to 1:00PM - Anglers will have a picnic style lunch on the river.
1:00PM - After lunch, fishing will resume until late afternoon when the guides will deliver anglers back to the lodge around 6pm.
6:30PM - Cocktails and appetizers are served.
8:00PM – Dinner is served.

What is the general vibe, atmosphere, and style of the lodge? The lodge is welcoming, comfortable and laid back with a fishing camp vibe.

Is there an on-site owner, manager, or other point-person at the lodge? Yes. There is always a lodge manager onsite.

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like? Hearty and filling meals are served in the main lodge building. The chef and the cuisine are Argentinian, and the food is presented with amazing flair especially for being in such a remote place. Argentinian wines are served with each meal.

What is the alcohol policy? Beer and wine are included in the package. If guests would like a hard alcohol, they should bring it with them in their luggage.

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? The Sécure Lodge experience is based on one comfortable lodge building, built entirely from sustainable wood cut from the nearby jungle. The lodge features 4 tent cabins for up to 6 anglers. Each tent has comfortable beds, private bathrooms, and electricity. The lodge offers satellite Internet wireless connection and satellite phones are available if guests need to use one.

Is there internet and/or cell service? There is internet service at the lodge but not cell service, a satellite phone is available for a fee.

Are there other activities? Guests can interact with the indigenous people and eco tour, but this is first and foremost a fishing lodge.

Are there any other expenses? Guests will need to pay a Native Fee to enter the Indigenous Territory and pay for meals, incidentals, and any additional nights of hotel in Santa Cruz.

Do I need a visa? No. US citizens are not required to have a visa for tourism travel to Bolivia. US citizens will be required to show a printed round trip airline ticket, hotel reservation, or invitation letter. Citizens of other countries should check with their local consulate.

Are there any health concerns, dangers, or annoyances? A Yellow Fever vaccination or waiver is required to enter the native areas. We strongly recommend visiting your doctor or county health department before departing for Bolivia. They should be able to help you with health care matters and securing your Yellow Fever Vaccination and Certification.

There are some no-see-ums and some mosquitoes in this area, but it is less than one would think. This is a wilderness area and we recommend guests not to go deep into the Jungle, pass through dense vegetation, over down logs or through fallen leaves.

All the buildings are constantly fumigated, and all beds have mosquito nets covering them. We strongly recommend wearing long sleeve shirts and long pants during your fishing week. The best way to protect yourself from insects is by wearing insect repellent at least 3 times a day (morning, afternoon, and night). We suggest washing your clothes in Permethrin prior to traveling.

Anglers who wet wade in the jungle must take special care of their feet. While blistering and abrasion of wet skin is an issue, fungus is as well. To prevent getting foot fungus we recommend the following:

  • Use neoprene socks
  • Wash these socks out each evening
  • Apply a heavy layer of moisturizing lotion to your feet before fishing each day (Arm and Hammer Foot Therapy is a good one)
  • Use foot powder or Gold Bond at the end of each day
  • Carry anti-fungal ointment

Eastern Bolivia is considered a Dengue Fever influenced area. This illness is dangerous in the low land areas and during the rainy season from December to April. Even though this is not the camp’s fishing area or season, there have been many cases in the city of Santa Cruz. To avoid this illness, we recommend guests always wear long sleeve shirts and pants and use insect repellent while in the city.

Eastern Bolivia is also considered a Leishmaniasis influenced area. The disease is carried by infected sand flies and can cause open sores in addition to other health complications. Please note not all sand flies are carriers. Presently there is not a preventive inoculation or medications such as what we see with Yellow Fever or Malaria and no early detection method available. That said, like many worldwide health issues, the best method of addressing this issue is to wear the recommended clothing and repellent at least 3 times a day.

We recommend that guests always consult with the US Department of State and the Center for Disease Control websites for general travel information and guidelines.

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