Fishing
There aren’t too many places left in this world where we can say in all seriousness that the fish we are casting to have probably never seen a fly. This is one of them.
The two stars of the show here are the Peacock Bass and the Payara, and the two inhabit very different stretches of river.
Peacock Bass, as their name would suggest, are lovers of the slower channels and overhanging branches of the upper basin.
Payara on the other hand are very much whitewater enthusiasts, hunting class IV and V rapids and impaling the stunned baitfish that swim through them with their giant vampire like teeth. Both of these species are about as exotic as it gets in terms of their appearance, but what tends to surprise most anglers when they first hook into one is that they are also among the strongest freshwater fish on the planet.
8 to 10 weight rods combined with 60 pound-test tippets mean reels have to come equipped with really good drag systems to keep these fish from running downstream through the whitewater or up into the trees on either bank. Hook up, and HOLD ON.
It goes without saying that the flies you’ll be throwing need to be tied on super strong hooks to prevent turning them into straightened pieces of wire. Most of those flies will take the form of either big gurgling topwater poppers, or streamers between 3” and 12” long. Many anglers do bring some lighter tackle for Pacu and the many other smaller species that live in these waters. A comprehensive list of tackle is of course included in the pre-tip planner documents.
Much of the Peacock Bass fishing is done from boats in the lagunas and side channels of the upper river, whereas the Payara fishing in the lower river is done mostly from casting positions on rocks in the middle of the rapids. Each other species anglers choose to target has its own preferences in terms of habitat, but the native guides know them all and will put us into whatever we are looking for without hesitation.
Accommodations
Your first and last nights for this program will be spent at the Marriot Courtyard Hotel in Bogota.
From there you’ll move to the main Orinoco camp which is on the section of river with the most rapids and best Payara fishing.
Here we have eight double occupancy cabins, each with its own shower, bathroom, and cooling unit.
In the main common area there is also WiFi.
Upstream we also have very comfortable tent camps in the midst of an enormous network of Peacock Bass waters, and usually guests spend a few nights in one of these as well.
Cuisine
Despite its remote location, the Jungle Bum program does in fact maintain a chef at both the main lodge and the tent camps, and the food is always complimented by our guests.
Standard fare is a mixture of local and international styles, and special dietary considerations can always be accommodated as long as we are made aware of them in advance.
Travel Details
Flights for the Jungle Bum program arrive to Bogotá’s el Dorado international airport, where our guide/driver will be waiting to pick you up and take you to the Marriott Courtyard Hotel (a 5 minute drive). The next day you will be picked up there and taken back to the airport for your domestic flight which is included in your rate.
After the 1 hour domestic flight you’ll then enjoy a 2.5 - 4 hour 4x4 SUV ride to the river where you will embark on a short 15 minute boat ride to the main lodge, and you’ll then spend 7 nights there and at the upstream camps before heading back to the Bogota Marriott via the same route for your tenth and final night.
Rates
Our season for the Jungle Bum Colombia program runs from January 6th - March 31st each year. 
Cost for the week and a half program (10 nights, 7 full days of fishing) are $4,000 for the program + $500 for the indigenous lands use fee. Total = $4,500 USD This price includes: Domestic flights 2 nights at the Mariot Courtyard in Bogota All meals and snacks outside of Bogota Guides Camping gear Basic travel insurance Price does not include: Tips Fishing tackle Meals first and last nights (in Bogota) Fishing license (currently not required) *Due to the shortness of the season space for this one is (honestly) super-limited; if you are interested then get in touch right away for available dates!
