EN
Back in business for our fourth official week, we had the pleasure of hosting perhaps the most relaxed crew so far. It was an honor to welcome Canadian colleagues and lodge owners Lyle and his lovely wife Debby, along with Greg from the U.S.—the king of good vibes.
After their long journey, they arrived on Saturday tired but eager to settle in. Chef Diego spoiled them with a traditional local lunch before they dove into gear prep and the kind of deep fly-fishing conversations that always mix stories of triumph with a few humbling defeats.
With flies, lines, and rods selected, and after a short helicopter delay for safety checks, we lifted off in search of golden yunga torpedoes.
Fishing from the raft takes adjustment—especially learning to set the hook hard while seated—and everyone paid the tuition fee early. By day’s end, both Lyle and Greg had landed their first cola grande from the Tarija, each fish delivering burning runs, bent rods, and even a scorched finger or two from blistering line.
Confidence was high, and Greg delivered the week’s first showstopper. After covering endless water, he hooked into a true Tarija giant. A violent take, a flawless set, and minutes later the beast was buried headfirst in the net. Emotions ran high as the team celebrated, admired, and released the fish back into its domain.
Clear skies greeted us, but forecasts warned of storms. Maybe that unstable weather fired up the fish, because activity exploded.
• Lyle & Debby: A dozen solid chances but none to hand—this river demands ruthless hook-sets, and sometimes the learning curve is steep.
• Greg: On fire. After a few fish on black streamers, his guide Fede convinced him to try a mouse pattern. The result? A spectacular 93 cm dorado that detonated the surface. Moments later, back on the black streamer—this time tied by guide Fidel—Greg hooked into something even bigger. A blistering run, a 3-foot leap, and then pandemonium. After 10 minutes, Fede netted the biggest fish of the season so far: a monster measuring 1.09 meters. Arms raised, shouts of victory, hugs, and pure joy. A fish for the ages.
The night closed with an Argentine-style asado worthy of the celebration.
A night of rain and heavy clouds delayed our start, but river conditions held steady. Both groups floated the canyon, mixing rafting thrills with careful casting. Dorados were still active: the Canadians had multiple shots but no hookups—this river is unforgiving if you hesitate. Greg, with his trademark calm and gratitude, once again turned the day into a celebration with more fish to hand.
Lyle and Debby stayed on the Tarija chasing a trophy, hooking a big one that broke free, though they landed a couple of strong mid-sized fish.
Greg, already beyond satisfied, opted for adventure in Lapacho Creek. The decision paid off: pristine trout-like waters filled with golden bars. Hiking, climbing, even swimming were required to access untouched beats. Guided by Fidel, he landed several fish—including two spectacular ones on mouse patterns. Pure magic.
The final day brought mixed emotions—nostalgia, fatigue, and joy. Lyle and Debby fought hard on the main river but fell just short of the one-meter mark. Greg returned to a new section of Lapacho and relived his childhood, casting mice to hungry dorados in fairy-tale waters.
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• Fresh mornings around 12°C, warming to 22–28°C in the afternoons.
• One night of rain (Tuesday) helped relieve regional drought and fires without affecting fishing.
• Floating/intermediate clear-tip lines on 9-weights proved most effective.
• Productive flies: black, yellow/green and chartreuse streamers, with the undisputed star of the week being the mouse pattern.
Thus we wrapped up another unforgettable week—epic fish, laughter, adventure, and friendships forged on the wild Tarija.
Tight lines,
JP & the entire Tariquía Lodge family