Payara
(Hydrolycus scomberoides)

The fish

Known as the "vampire fish" for its impressive lower teeth, the Payara is a powerful challenge for any angler.

How to Fish

Using fast and aggressive techniques to simulate injured fish can attract explosive strikes from the Payara. These fish prefer to lay and hunt in the tailout of deep pools close to rock areas and in deep fast water runs. 

 

 

Peacock Bass

Peacock Bass Cichla melaniae This endemic species of peacock bass is only found in Iriri River Basin, and they are the only ones that prefer moving water over stagnant water. Their average size is around 5-9 lbs with some big fish up to 12 lbs. Most of the time we sight fish for them using poppers or streamers. These bass are beautiful to sight fish for and watch an aggressive strike.

Wolf Fish

Wolf Fish Hoplias lacerdae They act like hungry wolves chasing a piece of meat when you cast a popper or a big fly. We recommend an 8wt rod and floating line for them. In Kendjam we only sight fish for them, so if you like fishing for aggressive predators, it doesn't get much more exciting than watching a wolf fish attack a popper. They can reach up to 20lbs in Kendjam.

Pacu

Pacu We fly fish for 3 different species of pacu: Silver Pacu, Pacu Seringa and Pacu Curupete. The mighty pacu eat insects and anglers can fish for them with dry flies, wets, nymphs and even algae flies using trout sight fishing techniques in runs, flats and pools. They are a jungle delight with a 5-6wt rod. Their average size is 3 to 8 lbs.

Matrinxã

Matrinxã Brycon falcatus The Matrinxã is pound for pound one of the strongest fish in the jungle. Their average size (3-8 lbs) makes them a perfect gamefish for dry flies like hoppers, beetles and topwater attractors. We recommend 5-6wt fly rods for this pursuit. They are an omnivorous species and lay in shallow flats and runs. They run like crazy, so be prepared to see your backing!

Bicuda

Bicuda Boulengerella cuvieri Their bodies and turbo boosted tails resemble a barracuda, making them the real runners of the Iriri River. A really aggressive topwater predator, they are most exciting when caught using poppers and divers. The bicudas average from 4-10 lbs. and guarantee a strike of pure adrenaline in your day of fishing. A 7wt rod is the perfect outfit for them.

Surubi & Red Tail Catfish

Surubi & Red Tail Catfish Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum & Phractocephalus hemioliopterus The Iriri River surubi is a highly predacious hunter of small fish, and your best chance to catch one on fly is on the shallow sandbar banks. Their size is about 5-20 lbs. Be prepared for the amazing red tail catfish, the strongest catfish species in the rivers of the Amazon. At Kendjam, they can reach over 60lbs.

If you want to read more about the travel, logistics, gear of this incredible experience, check out our travel planner.

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