Wolf Fish
(Hoplias lacerdae)

The Fish

The Wolf Fish, known locally as Trairão, has impressive dentition and a robust body, ideal for ambushes. They are one of the top predators of the Iriri River.

 

How to Fish

Fishing for Wolf Fish involves baiting their aggressive nature into areas with underwater structures where they ambush prey. The preferred places are rocks and jungle creek mouths.

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.

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.

Payara

Payara Hydrolycus armatus The payara is a real challenge at Kendjam, found commonly rolling in the morning or in pools chasing baitfish. These fish fight really hard! It's normal to lose these fish when they jump, due to a particularly hard mouth. We use streamers with intermediate and sink tip fly lines for payara, their average size ranges from 5-20 pounds.

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.

kendjamlodge

Follow us so you'll never miss an update.