Meet Your Host: Brian Oakland

Brian is the owner here at Got Fishing, and he’s looking forward to connecting with fellow anglers! He’s hosted over a dozen international fishing adventures, including trips to Argentina, Mexico, Christmas Island, and more!

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LODGING

Single & Double Guest Rooms

SPECIES

Golden Dorado, Pacu

DATES

Pluma // June 13 – 20, 2026

Secure // June 19 – 26, 2026

RECOMMENDED FOR…

Small Groups, Adventure-Seekers

EQUIPMENT

Bring Your Own Gear

Join Got Fishing’s Brian Oakland for an unforgettable adventure deep in the Bolivian rainforest, where anglers will chase Golden Dorado in some of the most remote and pristine waters on Earth. With two back-to-back weeks to choose from, you can experience the world-renowned Tsimane program at either Sécure Lodge or Pluma Lodge—each offering a unique blend of exhilarating fishing, breathtaking landscapes, and cultural immersion. Both programs promise an extraordinary experience, so choose the week and lodge that best fits your adventure style!

Sécure Lodge kicks off the first week, providing anglers with access to freestone rivers, jungle creeks, and braided channels teeming with aggressive Dorado and powerful Pacu. The following week, a different group will venture to Pluma Lodge, where diverse fishing environments—from expansive rivers to secluded tributaries—deliver incredible opportunities.

This is fly fishing at its wildest—hiking through dense jungle, wading and floating crystalline rivers, and connecting with the Indigenous Sécure, Tsimane, and Mosetén communities who have preserved these waters for generations. With spots filling fast, don’t miss your chance to join Brian Oakland and Got Fishing on this bucket-list expedition for trophy Dorado in the heart of the Amazon.

Differences Between the Lodges

Sécure Lodge
Located at the headwaters of the Sécure River, this lodge offers access to a diverse array of waters, including the Head Waters of the main river (Secure), and two smaller streams, Maniquicito and Ashahana, where anglers can target large pacu and resident dorado. The upper Sécure River also holds big dorado and pacu. This program will include a camping trip for fishing further into the headwaters, with an overnight stay in the jungle for an immersive experience. Unique to Sécure, dry-fly fishing techniques have been specially developed and are a must-try for guests.

Pluma Lodge
As the most established lodge in Tsimane, Pluma offers the greatest variety of fishing waters. Its crystal-clear freestone river allows for sight fishing in the headwaters, while sandy flats at Coruya provide opportunities for sight-casting to feeding dorado, reminiscent of bonefishing on saltwater flats. The lower pools near the Sécure River confluence feature large dorado and pacu, with sandy and freestone sections catering to diverse fishing styles. Its reputation for variety and accessibility makes it a favorite.

The Tsimane programs offer comfortable and well-appointed accommodations that complement their remote jungle setting. Each lodge is designed to provide a blend of rustic charm and modern convenience, ensuring guests have a relaxing retreat after adventurous days on the water. Lodges feature a mix of single and double occupancy rooms, all with en suite bathrooms, and focus on eco-friendly designs that harmonize with the surrounding environment.

The Tsimane programs in Bolivia offer a world-class angling experience in one of the most remote and untouched fishing environments on the planet. Set in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, these programs focus on fly-fishing for Golden Dorado, Pacu, and Yatorana in the pristine waters of freestone rivers, jungle creeks, and tributaries. Anglers are immersed in an adventure that combines technical fishing, incredible biodiversity, and breathtaking natural surroundings. Each day involves hiking, wading, or floating crystal-clear rivers, ensuring a diverse and dynamic fishing experience.

The fishing here is not only challenging but also immensely rewarding, with Golden Dorado often ambushing flies in spectacular displays of power. Pacu, known as the “permit of the jungle,” add variety with their selective feeding habits and brute strength. The rivers are home to a remarkable array of fish, offering a mix of high-action and technical fishing opportunities. The Indigenous Sécure, Tsimane, and Mosetén communities co-manage these waters, ensuring sustainable practices that protect the fragile ecosystem while preserving the cultural heritage of the region.

About The Species

Golden Dorado

Golden Dorado are the star of the show at Tsimane. Known for their dazzling gold scales and ferocious nature, these apex predators provide an unforgettable fly-fishing experience.

Anglers can expect heart-pounding takes as Dorado ambush streamers in shallow water or aggressively strike flies swung through runs. Dorado are famed for their acrobatic leaps and powerful runs, making them one of the most exciting fish to target on a fly rod. At Tsimane, the abundance of these fish in clear, jungle rivers creates ideal conditions for sight fishing, adding an extra layer of challenge and excitement.

Pacu

Pacu, often called the “permit of the jungle,” are a prized species for their wariness and strength. These fish have a unique diet that includes fruits, nuts, and small aquatic organisms, requiring anglers to use accurate casts and well-presented flies. Pacu are known for their deep, sustained runs when hooked, testing an angler’s skill and patience. The crystal-clear waters of Tsimane offer the rare opportunity to sight fish for Pacu, creating an exhilarating and technical fishing experience in an extraordinary setting.

Tsimane’s fishing programs offer a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for fly anglers, combining the thrill of pursuing extraordinary species with the beauty and remoteness of Bolivia’s Amazon rainforest.

Traveling to Tsimane’s programs is designed to ensure a seamless and comfortable journey. Your adventure begins with your arrival at Viru-Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, where you’ll be greeted by a Tsimane host. After a short transfer, you’ll settle into a 5-star hotel for your first night in Bolivia, allowing time to rest and prepare for the adventure ahead. The following morning, after breakfast, you’ll be transported to El Trompillo Airport for a scenic charter flight to the Oromomo or Asunta village airstrip, depending on your lodge destination.
 
 
Upon landing, lodge staff will greet you and guide you on a brief dugout canoe ride to your lodge, where you’ll spend seven nights immersed in the pristine jungle. Once settled, your guides will review your fishing gear and discuss the week’s plans. The lodges offer six full days of fishing, with personalized guidance from English-speaking guides and local Indigenous assistants, ensuring an intimate and culturally rich experience. On your final day, you’ll take the canoe back to the airstrip for your return flight to Santa Cruz, where another night in a luxury hotel awaits. The next morning, you’ll head to Viru-Viru Airport for your journey home, concluding an unforgettable Tsimane adventure.

Note: A comprehensive gear list will be provided upon booking.

Tackle

We recommend bringing 8- or 9-weight single-handed rods, ideally two of each, with one rigged for floating lines and the other with a clear-tip intermediate line. Carrying one or two extra rods is advised. Use an 8-foot, 40 lb. straight fluorocarbon leader paired with a 40 lb., 15/20-inch wire tippet. For gear, we suggest Thomas & Thomas Exocett SS 350 rods, MAKO 9500 or Tournament reels, Scientific Anglers Mastery Jungle Titan 9 lines, Absolute Fluorocarbon shock leaders, and Absolute Predator 7×7 knottable wire. A small on-site fly shop stocks lines, fluorocarbon, wire, and flies.

Wading

For wading, keep it simple: quick-drying long pants, long-sleeved shirts or hoodies, felt-soled wading boots, neoprene socks, and a 100% waterproof backpack for your gear. Avoid rubber-soled wading boots, as they are unsuitable for the slippery riverbed.

Flies

Successful fly patterns include baitfish imitations, large insects, and fruit imitations, as well as poppers, sliders, and divers. Black-colored streamers or deceivers with vibrant tails (red, yellow, orange, green, or violet) are top choices, particularly the Andino Deceiver, which is 4-8 inches long with 3/0 or 4/0 barbless hooks. Puglisi streamers, Lefty Deceivers, and the Sabalo Snake are also effective. Surface lures such as foam poppers, Titanic Sliders, and Pole Dancers excel for dorado, while larger ground-insect patterns like the Chernobyl Ant are ideal for pacú and yatorana. Flies with excessive flashabou are not recommended.

TRIP INCLUDES

  • 7 nights lodging (single occupancy)
  • All lodge meals and drinks
  • Wifi and laundry, free of charge
  • 6 days of guided fishing
  • 2 nights in a Santa Cruz five-star hotel
  • Transfers in/out of Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz

DOES NOT INCLUDE

  • International flights
  • Food and drinks in Santa Cruz de la Sierra (except breakfast at the hotel)
  • Gratuities for the staff
  • Tours in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
  • Travel Insurance
  • Air taxes and other taxes
$8,670 ($8,000 + $120 National Park Fee + 550 Indigenous Community Fee per angler

ADVENTURE AWAITS

If you’re interested in talking to a consultant or booking this adventure, please complete this form.