Bolivia

Tsimane Pluma Lodge

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Accommodations

Single Occupancy Rooms // Guest Capacity - 6 Anglers

Season

June-October

Species

Golden Dorado, Yatorana & Pacu

Ideal For

Adventurous Anglers

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We can tell you from personal experience that this is one of the most incredible, unique, one-of-a-kind fishing trips in existence. The remote nature of the fishing for golden dorado, pacú, and yatorana in this area, combined with the exotic wildlife, the fascinating native cultures, and the overwhelming beauty of the region make for incredible angling and travel experience that is without a doubt one of the most interesting and unique in the world of destination fly fishing. Pluma Lodge is set high atop a cliff on the banks of the Pluma River, just above its confluence with the Secure River. From the lodge, anglers have many different beats and rivers that they can fish from this location, including the Pluma, the upper Pluma, the Itirizama, and the Secure Rivers (above and below the confluence). This is a fixed-base lodge with six comfortable single occupancy rooms and private bathrooms.

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Lodging Details
Even in one of the most remote jungle locations in the world, guests at Tsimane will enjoy each night in comfort and style. The Pluma Lodge experience is based around the main jungle lodge and two smaller headwater out-camp operations. The first out-camp is located on the upper Pluma River and the other is on the upper Itirizama River, one of the main tributaries to the Pluma. With this program, anglers have access to three different rivers: the Pluma River, the Itirizama River, and the Secure River. This broad variety of waters allows groups to fish new (and rested) water every day and rarely if ever, repeat the same fishing beat over the course of a week. The main Pluma Lodge features six single occupancy lodge rooms. Each room features a comfortable bed, private bathrooms with hot water, and full electricity. The main common area offers satellite Wi-Fi and satellite phone service, and the menu focuses on delicious international cuisine paired with great Argentine wines.

Food and Beverages
Each night guests will enjoy delicious international cuisine, fresh meats and vegetables, and great Argentine wines. Breakfast is cooked to order each morning, and lunches are packed for the day on the water and served streamside each afternoon. All beer, wine, and liquor are included in your lodge package. Overall, the food at the lodge is delicious, and the lodge staff will be happy to accommodate any special requests and dietary requirements.

Typical Length of Stay
The standard package for the Tsimane two-lodge program is eight (8) nights / six and a half (6.5) days of fishing. Contact Yellow Dog for specific trip dates and availability.

Non-Angling Activities and Options
Tsimane operates in a remote, fishing-focused destination. It is not the ideal location for non-anglers and is best suited to those who are there to fish. That said, the wildlife, birds, and butterflies are amazing, and sure to impress even the most hard-core angler.

Internet / Communications
Satellite Wi-Fi is available at Tsimane’s Pluma Lodge location. There is also a satellite phone on site for emergency use.

How To Get There
Guests will fly to the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz (VVI) on an international flight. Upon arrival in Santa Cruz, guests will be met by a member of the Tsimane team at the airport and transferred to a 5-Star hotel for their first night in the country. There, guests will settle into their room and enjoy the amenities of one of the best hotels in Bolivia. The Tsimane team member will further explain the details of the trip, and the following morning guests will take a charter flight to the Oromono Community jungle airstrip – a flight of approximately 1.5 hours. Upon arrival at the lodge’s jungle airstrip, anglers will be met by the guides, and taken by boat upriver to the lodge.

Arrival and Departure Details / Times
The typical week at the lodge is a Saturday to Saturday. You will want to arrive in Santa Cruz (VVI) the day or evening before, where you will overnight in the city, and depart for the lodge the following morning.

Documents Required
Passports valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Bolivia are required to enter and depart Bolivia. U.S. citizens (and some others) do require a Visa and are can purchase their visa upon arrival in Bolivia ($160 USD cash). A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate will be required for entry into Bolivia.

Travel Arrangements
Yellow Dog provides airline reservations ad ticketing assistance through etcTravel Group, and a full-service airline logistics agent that can help book airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and more. You can click here to request a quote or contact Yellow Dog for more information at 406-585-8667. etcTravel Group offers dedicated support services for all Yellow Dog clients. Service fees may apply when booking or researching tickets, and etcTravel will discuss this with you before sending quotes.

Travel Tools
– Airline Ticketing
– Moon Phases
– Rent This Rod
– Trip Insurance and Emergency Evacuation
– Global Rescue Membership

General Information
A destination that has taken the international adventure angling scene by storm, many are calling the Tsimane offerings the ultimate freshwater fly fishing experience for the adventurous angler. Rather than focusing on a new river in an already discovered region or a new section of flats in an already-developed fishing area, Tsimane instead has opened a totally new and different door with regard to a new and untouched exotic location. What Tsimane offers is fly fishing for huge golden dorado in small, clear, freestone rivers – something that has to be experienced to be truly appreciated. Unusual? One comparative analogy that we like is the image of fishing for baby tarpon on the Three Dollar Bridge section of the Madison River in Montana.

Instead of mayflies in the air, however, there are thousands and thousands of huge, colorful butterflies fluttering around the river and crawling along the rocky banks and gravel bars. Even though the dorado in Tsimane’s area waters are plentiful, the fishing in these rivers presents a number of challenges (as well as opportunities) for the angler. And although golden dorado are voracious, savage hunters, they are not necessarily easy to catch. As with most fishing situations, the element of surprise is an advantage that anglers will want to take full advantage of. These fish are almost always easily put down if spooked, so every pool and run must be carefully approached, well-planned, and well fished. Working closely with your guide will maximize each opportunity. In most situations, dorado are caught when they are leisurely feeding and unaware of an angler’s presence. That said, their “eats” and their attacks can be very swift and sudden, so accurate casts and timing become important variables. Being able to shoot 40 to 60 feet of line, minimize false casts, and deliver a large fly in an accurate and delicate manner is a huge advantage when fishing this area. Like many saltwater situations, a powerful and accurate double-haul certainly helps.

The Pluma River is a moderately-sized, clear freestone river with an incredibly pristine and beautiful topography. It is more open than many of the other rivers in the area and is easier to wade due to its wide banks, mostly composed of smooth gravel and rock. In order to keep the Pluma River as virgin as possible, motors are restricted, with the exception of a small stretch where the Pluma joins the Secure River. All fishing on the Pluma is done either by wading or poling in aluminum skiffs or dugout canoes. The Itirizama is considered by many anglers to be the “jewel in the crown” of the Tsimane programs. It is similar in size and volume to the upper section of the Pluma River, but it has a steeper gradient and more rugged terrain, giving it a very different look and feel. The Itirizama runs from west to east through rugged canyons, creating the characteristics of a typical mountain stream with fast runs, rapids, waterfalls, and large boulders. This is the most physically intense section of the river to hike, wade, and fish, but the rewards of incredibly scenic beauty and some of the largest dorado in the area make it worth the extra effort. Size prevails over numbers, and this is a true trophy fishery.

+ Listen to this WAYPOINTS Podcast: MARCELO PEREZ – Bolivian Golden Dorado and a Life of Adventure

Boats and Equipment
The inaccessible, remote nature of these rivers makes it virtually impossible to utilize traditional put-in and take-out points with boats, so standard watercraft such as jet boats, john boats, and drift boats are simply not an option. In order to move around and fish upstream waters, Tsimane has designed their boats based on the simple and proven designs of the area canoes favored by the natives. Outfitted with small outboard engines, these wooden, canoe-style, 28’ boats are comfortable and extremely practical for fishing the local waters. Typically, two boatmen will pole the craft up and downriver, utilizing a small motor for running in deeper sections. There are two seats in the canoes for guests and plenty of room for gear and equipment. Although some fishing can be done from the boats in slower, deeper waters, most fishing is done while wading in the river or fishing from the banks and gravel bars. It is recommended that anglers bring all of their own equipment to the lodge, including backup rods and fly lines, and felt-soled wading boots outfitted with carbide-tipped studs. Flies are usually available for sale at both lodges.

Package Rates
Remember that Yellow Dog’s services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge or outfitter. All prices listed below are per person, based on double occupancy, and quoted in U.S. dollars. Please contact Yellow Dog for current availability.

2024 Rates: $7,600.00 per person, plus $670.00 for the Indian Territory / National Park Entry Fee

What’s Included:

In-country air transfers between the Santa Cruz Airport and the lodge locations
Ground transfers in Santa Cruz
Lodging in a double occupancy room in Santa Cruz for one night at arrival and one night at departure date in a 5-star hotel
All meals while at the Pluma Lodge and the Itirizama out-camp
Argentine wines, soft drinks, and all alcoholic beverages while at the lodge / in camp
All guided fishing (2 anglers per boat)
Laundry services at the lodge / in camp
Internet and Wi-Fi access
All relevant taxes and GSTs

What’s Not Included:

International flights to Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Meals and bar tab while overnighting in Santa Cruz
Bolivian Visa fees and departure taxes
Equipment, flies, and terminal tackle
Gratuities for guides and lodge staff
$670.00 Indian Community Tax (can be pre-paid with your package)

Tsimane Golden Dorado Operations (Bolivia)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS – CANCELLATIONS
A non-refundable deposit of 50% per person is due at the time of booking to hold both space and guides for all Tsimane packages. In the case of cancellations, all deposits and payments are non-refundable. Because of the lodge’s strict no refund policy, we highly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance. No space or guides will be held without receipt of deposit. Full pre-payment is due 90 days prior to date of trip. Tsimane will not refund payments in the event poor weather, or for unused portions of any package. All baggage and personal belongings are the sole responsibility of its owners at all times. We highly recommend obtaining a comprehensible travel insurance covering loss and robbery of baggage and personal belongings. In no event will the lodges or agents be responsible for any losses. The lodges and agents will not be responsible for any loss, damage or injury arising while practicing sportfishing or any other activity, or for any loss damage or injury suffered aboard an airplane or a charter plane. The operator reserves the right to make changes to the trip itinerary whenever judged necessary by circumstances beyond control, or major force circumstances. In this case, no refund will be made, although the trip itinerary, dates and/or destination can be changed by Untamed Angling and a trip credit could be made with or without extra costs at the sole discretion of the operator. Please be aware that all guests will be required to sign and return an Untamed Angling Indemnity Form prior to the trip, and there will be no exceptions to this. No refunds can be made for unused arrangements or fishing time lost due to inclement weather. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the deposit, cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses for these Bolivia packages.

Payment Terms for All Yellow Dog Trip Bookings
Unless otherwise noted on your invoice, for all trips less than 90 days out, full payment is required after receipt of the confirmation email to secure guides and reservations. For trips outside of 90 days, a 50% deposit is required upon receipt of confirmation email to confirm your reservations.

Yellow Dog accepts on-line payments via a secure payment portal – a quick and easy way to complete your trip reservation. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com to gain access.

Yellow Dog Flyfishing Standard Forms of Payment

Debit card (fee-free) and credit card (3% convenience fee) - to pay via card please utilize the customer payment portal. If you need assistance, reach out to 406-585-8667 ext. #3
Wires - please include name and/or invoice number for reference on your wire. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com for wiring instructions. (client is responsible for wiring fees)
Physical check - please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to 213 S. Willson Ave. Bozeman, MT, 59715

If you have any questions about alternate payment methods, please contact Yellow Dog at (406) 585-8667 ext. #3. We are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM MT.