Tsimane Heli Fishing

With the advent of helicopters, Tsimane has elevated an already spectacular trip to one of the most interesting and rewarding wilderness fly fishing experiences in the world. By transitioning to a helicopter program, fewer anglers will access almost four times the amount of water than the prior, standard Tsimane program.  Not only will they be able to see the remote headwaters they will also be able to access the areas above and below the lodges that will now be completely rested, giving guests ultimate flexibility.  Because most days guests will be flying into extremely remote and pristine areas, this trip quickly becomes more than just a fishing trip. It becomes a complete wilderness experience where you get to travel to parts of rivers where the fish and wildlife have rarely if ever seen people. 

Each day pairs of guests with the help of skilled English-speaking guides will chopper into remote, clear, headwaters systems or access the fully rested water closer to the lodges. In the headwaters, guests will hike and fish upstream crossing the rivers where necessary as they mostly sight fish to large dorado and pacu.  Despite these beats being very well rested, big dorado are wary and require stealthy approaches and well-executed presentations. The rewards, however, can be immense, both in terms of the scenic beauty and the quality of the fishing experience.  This nine-night, six-day fishing program includes in-bound and outbound overnights in Santa Cruz de la Sierra and single accommodations at both Pluma and Secure Lodges. Guests will spend half of their fishing week in each lodge switching between them mid-week to enable short flying times to entirely different systems. With more than 60 unique beats to choose from, this jungle freestone adventure is among the most unique and rewarding fly fishing adventures imaginable.  

This program is limited to 12 anglers per week. Six at Pluma Lodge and six at Secure Lodge. Each day pairs of anglers and their dedicated guide will board one of the two Robinson R44 RAVEN II helicopters and get dropped at their specific beat. Flight times range from five to 35 minutes and there will be three distinct departures and pick-ups each day for paired groups of anglers. Once dropped, guests will hike and fish upstream through rugged scenic terrain, at times swimming or deep wading across pools with waterproof packs. Guests are encouraged to come with fishing partners that are of similar physical ability to enable a comfortable pace and equitable level of exertion. While you do not need to be a top athlete to thoroughly enjoy this trip, guests with the ability to hike several miles over rocky terrain and navigate numerous river crossings will greatly increase the amount of water they can cover each day. Lunches will be carried by your guide and eaten streamside. At the end of the day, the chopper will pick up guests starting with the first guests out in the morning and finishing with the last guests out.  Water conditions permitting, most fishing will center around casting to spotted fish with anglers taking turns. In addition to good numbers of dorado in the 10-20 pound-class, there should also be plenty of chances to cast to large pacu. Due to the number of systems and beats available with 30 minutes flying time, beats will be well-rested between trips. In addition to the headwaters, guests will also have access to all the traditional home waters that will now be very well rested. 

Guests will split their time between Pluma and Secure Lodges. During the Heli weeks there will be only six guests in camp and each guest will have a well appointed private room with attached bathroom, queen size bed, desk, armchair, hot water, and electricity. Other amenities include a comfortable main lodge/living room, with Wi-Fi, an all included open bar, a massage room, free laundry service and a fly shop. Thoughtfully prepared meals will served in the main living/dining area. Dinners will be paired with great Argentine and Chilean wines. 

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 the Oromomo Village before transferring to Pluma Lodge. At the lodge guests will be met by their guides and shown to their rooms.

Days 4 - 9: Six days of guided helicopter fishing at Pluma and Secure Lodges.

Day 10: In the morning, guest will pack up and transfer to the Oromomo Village 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 guests to their hotel (included in package).

Day 11: Depart for Home.

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

• 9 night/6 day package (6 heli days): $16,000 plus $1,270 native fees
• 9 night/6 day package (3 heli days): $12,000 plus $1,270 native fees

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

Not Included: Airfare, fishing tackle and flies, guide gratuities, departure taxes

Species: Golden dorado, Amazon pacu

Season: June – October

Capacity: 12 anglers

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 both lodges is in a walk and wade fashion. The wading is fairly challenging but anglers with limited mobility can focus on beats where the wading is less strenuous. This is also a great destination for guests interested in targeting pacu.

Where are the lodges?  Both Pluma and  Sécure Lodges are located within National Park and an Indigenous Territory, where the Amazon jungle meets the foothills of the Andes Mountains. Secure lodge is near the headwaters of the Sécure River and Pluma lodge is near the confluence of the Pluma and Itirizama Rivers.

How do I get there? To get to Pluma/Secure Lodges 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 Oromomo village(Pluma) or Asunta Village(Secure). After arriving at Oromomo or Asunta, guests will then board dug out boats to make the final leg of the journey to their respective lodge. 

When should I go? The helicopter operation is only open during the prime Bolivian dry season from July through October. That said we have been working with this destination from the very start and found that the season does not follow a particular pattern like we see in places like Alaska or the Rockies. We have had great trips and challenging trips just about every week of the season. The culprit to challenging trips being prolonged dry spells causing low water or storms that bring a cold front. Both happen but not with a consistency that is predictable. 

How will I fish? The fishing will involve wet wading and fishing from the banks. Nearly all fishing is done with streamers and large flies.

Is there wade fishing? Yes. All of the fishing will be walk and wade fishing.

Where will I fish? At Pluma Lodge anglers have access to three unique rivers: the Pluma River, Itirizama River, the lower section of the Sécure River, and two other systems that will remain unnamed. At Sécure Lodge 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.

(Most beats are fished less than once every two weeks)

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? Here is another advantage to the helicopter fishing:  Beats are accessed from 5 minutes to 30 minutes. 

What type(s) of fish will I catch? The main event at Pluma Lodge is golden dorado, but it is possible to catch pacu, yatorana and various jungle catfish as well. Sécure lodge is one of the best places in South America to catch a pacu.

How many fish will I catch? This is a fishery that catch rates can vary greatly. We like to say that a solid day is 3-5 fish but double digit days are absolutely a possibility. Fish range from 5lbs and go up to 30+. The average size is approx. 10lbs and we expect guests to have shots at fish approaching the 20lb mark over the course of a week. 

Will I see other anglers? No. Tsimane has exclusive rights to the area. 

What are the guides like? The guides are patient, safe and experienced. They all speak very good fishing English and are some of the most experienced guides in Bolivia. 

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? We recommend a fast-action 9-weight with a dedicated jungle line and a leader made from heavy mono and wire.

*Sage R8 990-4

*Sage Arbor XL

*RIO Tropical Outbound Short Floater WF9F

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 higher in the systems.  Dense cloud cover may force the helicopters to stay grounded in which case fishing the camp water might still be an option.

What is a typical day like?

6:00AM - Coffee is hot
7:00AM – Breakfast
8:00AM - Head to fishing grounds. There will be three distinct departures and pick ups each day for each paired group of anglers. Once dropped, guests will hike and fish all day long through rugged scenic terrain, at times swimming or deep wading across pools with waterproof packs.

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 lodges are 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, 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? There will be an All-inclusive bar: liquor, spirits, and special drinks at both locations. If you have a particular favorite spirit, we recommend you bring a bottle.

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.

The Pluma Lodge experience is based on one very comfortable jungle lodge, built entirely from sustainable wood cut from the nearby jungle. The main Pluma Lodge features four log cabins and sleeps up to eight anglers. Each cabin has spring box beds, private bathrooms with hot water and electric light.

Remember you will be splitting time between the two lodges regardless of which one you begin your trip at (3 days at one before being transferred to the other lodge during your fishing on day 4)

Is there internet and/or cell service? Yes. Satellite internet Wi-Fi and satellite phone service is available for a fee. 

Are there other activities? Not really. Guests can interact with the indigenous people and bird watch, but this is first and foremost a fishing lodge. 

Are there any other expenses? Almost everything is included. The only additional costs at the lodge will be for items purchased at their small fly shop and massages.   

Do I need a visa? Yes. All U.S. citizens will require a visa to enter Bolivia. A Bolivian visa is valid for 10 years, allowing multiple entries with a maximum period of stay of 90 days per calendar year.

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.

This part of the Bolivian jungle is surprisingly friendly. There are some no-see-ums, and some mosquitoes are in this area. This is however 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 We recommend that guests always consult with the U.S. Department of State and the Center For Disease Control websites for general travel information and guidelines.