They came with a double mission — to check on how the operation was running halfway through the season, and to see how the fishing was holding up. Anyone who knows Marcelo knows which of those two got the lion’s share of his attention.

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I’m happy to report that we passed the inspection with flying colors, haha.

Our chef Diego once again outdid himself with his bold South American fusion cuisine, crowned midweek by a true feast — a lechón a la cruz that left everyone speechless. Well done, Diego!

Hospitality, one of our main strengths, needed no adjustment. María Pía, mentor and trainer of our service team, along with our incredible local staff, showed once again what true commitment looks like. Great job, team — let’s keep that spirit alive!

Fishing remains productive, following the same pattern we’ve observed week after week. Tariquia is not an easy river — it demands focus, effort, and persistence. It rewards those who put in the work: covering a lot of water, casting precisely toward the river’s endless structures, and staying sharp for those few magic moments when everything aligns.

The rafts are our greatest allies, saving us long walks and putting us right where we need to be without the need for monster casts. Still, the key lies in making many good casts throughout the day — and in driving the hook home with authority when the opportunity comes. Do that, and your odds of connecting with a true Tarija giant go way up.

Everyone managed to bring a beast to hand this week — though, of course, a few heartbreaks made their appearance too.

The most memorable was Michela’s fish: after a perfect cast and a solid hook set, the fight was on. The fish tore into the backing in seconds, battled hard through one riffle, dropped into the next, and just when it was under control — close enough for guide Fidel to ready the net — it turned, shook its head, and was gone. The kind of loss that burns into your memory.