General Information
While this trip is definitely not for everyone, it is ideal for those anglers that love to combine adventure travel, technical fishing, and the opportunity to catch one of the most exotic and interesting fish on the planet. Arapaima are quite literally freshwater dinosaurs. Found in few places on the planet, the arapaima is the largest, scaled freshwater fish in existence, known for reaching weights of over 700 pounds and lengths of more than ten feet long. The waters controlled by Rewa Village are home to impressive numbers of large arapaima, and the fact that the local guides and the Indifly conservation project have worked hard on researching, protecting, and understanding these amazing fish has resulted in a very legitimate and successful fly fishing program.

Arapaima fishing is never a numbers game, and if an angler can land a handful of these beasts over the course of a week, then that is considered a good week. If you can envision a stealthy, colorful, and incredibly intelligent jungle tarpon, then you have a general idea of what arapaima are all about. They are without a doubt the apex predator of their freshwater ecosystem, dominating the area’s rivers and ponds that they share with piranha, payara, crocodiles, and numerous other species. It takes stealth, patience, accuracy, and skill to land these huge fish, but when your line finally comes tight and a 200-pound fish explodes out of the water only feet from your boat, you will immediately understand the draw of jungle arapaima fishing!

Most fish caught on the fly in Guyana are anywhere from 100 to over 200 pounds. The average length of the fish is six to seven feet. Anglers fish from the bow of small, aluminum fishing boats or wooden dugouts, depending on the waters being fished. It is typical to run up or down the Rupununi River to access trails that lead into isolated jungle ponds – home to some of the largest fish in the region. The Makushi Indians of Rewa Village form an entire “fishing support team” each day dragging boats, coolers, and other equipment into each pond ahead of the guides and anglers. Once an access point is reached via the river, anglers then hike into the ponds to access the boats and equipment that are already waiting for them. These easy walks along jungle trails are anywhere from five to 30 minutes in length.

Anglers can expect to fish large streamers (many of which imitate peacock bass and other fish species) on 12-weight rods. It is recommended that you bring at least two 12-weight set-ups: one with a tropical floating line and another with an intermediate line. The guides will help rig each set-up and make sure that you are prepared for battle with these huge jungle dinosaurs.

Boats and Equipment
All fishing for arapaima is done from either aluminum fishing boats (similar to shallow-water john boats) or large, wooden dugout canoes. While the lodge does offer high-end Loomis rods and Nautilus reels that can be rented and used on location, it is recommended that anglers bring their own equipment when possible. Flies are available for sale at the lodge. We recommend that anglers adhere to the packing and equipment lists provided by Yellow Dog.