Jungle fly fishing Colombia trips like this one don’t come along often. The strike came just after sunrise, when one of our guests worked a popper along a fallen log on the Tomo River and the water exploded — a trophy peacock bass came up fighting, and by the time he had it boatside, the whole camp was awake. That’s a normal morning at Akuani Floating Camp, deep in the Colombian Amazon.
Why Jungle Fly Fishing Colombia Belongs on Your List
Colombia is still a relatively untouched destination for serious fly anglers, and that’s exactly the appeal. While Brazil gets most of the attention for peacock bass, the Tomo and Vichada rivers we fish — along with the smaller, clearer Gavilan River — see a fraction of the pressure. Long stretches of water where you won’t spot another boat all day. Beyond the fishing, jungle fly fishing Colombia trips with Afloat connect anglers to the Indigenous communities who call this region home, through sustainable tourism that supports local jobs, schools, and long-term conservation of the rivers themselves.
Jungle Fly Fishing Colombia at Akuani Floating Camp
Akuani Floating Camp sits on the Tomo River in the Vichada region, home to three species of peacock bass — including the trophy Cichla temensis, which can push past 20 pounds. From January through mid-April, falling water concentrates fish and triggers aggressive, territorial surface strikes, making it prime season for topwater poppers and big streamers. The camp’s floating cabins put you steps from the water each morning, with easy access to sandbanks, submerged logs, and oxbow lagoons where peacock bass ambush their prey.
Payara: The Amazon’s Vampire Fish at Akuani River Lodge
A short run from the Floating Camp, Akuani River Lodge adds a second, wilder target: payara. Locals call it the vampire fish for the two curved fangs hanging past its jaw, and it hits a streamer like nothing else in freshwater — a sudden, violent take followed by a fight that tests your leader and your nerve in equal measure. The IGFA maintains official world records for payara for a reason. Landing a peacock bass and a payara on the same trip is what makes jungle fly fishing Colombia different from anywhere else we’ve fished.
What to Expect on a Jungle Fly Fishing Colombia Trip
Logistics are simple: all you need to do is get yourself to Bogotá. From there, Afloat Fishing & Adventure handles the rest — transfers, guides, boats, and meals. Bring an 8–10 weight rod, floating and intermediate lines, wire or heavy fluorocarbon leaders for payara, and a mix of poppers and baitfish streamers for peacock bass. Days move with the river, not a clock: mornings usually start on foot or by boat working the banks for peacock bass, afternoons shift toward faster water for payara, and evenings are spent back at camp swapping stories over dinner. Experienced local guides read current, structure, and feeding activity throughout, so every day is built around where the fish actually are.
Ready for Jungle Fly Fishing in Colombia?
Contact us today and start planning your remote fly fishing trip for trophy peacock bass and vicious payara in the Colombian Amazon. Limited 2026 spots available.
