The last weeks before departure
were kind of busy as work took toll and several flies had to be tied. Still
some flies where missing. Spare lines and fly tying stuff to be ordered. We all know that feeling - a mixture of anticipation and fear that something of importance will be missing in combination with time running out.
A new Thomas & Thomas Solar 8# 9’ and a #9 reel from Alfa Fishing Finland via WorldFly Angler were added to the bursting Patagonia tackle bag. For Dorado extra spare rods are always needed. These fighting machines will shred everything: flies, lines, rods and fingers.
One member of our group broke two rods in a single day
and a third rod just days later. Handling fish before landing easily leads to
high sticking or a smaller Dorado attached to the fly might be taken by a much
larger (4 years ago that ended one of my rods). 8 and 9 weight are the appropriate
gear for Dorado combined with rather aggressive tapered floating or
intermediate tip WF lines (such as Rio Outbound Short Saltwater) and a sturdy
reel with some 30lbs backing. Dorados do not make long runs, but just in case
for a fish that might go down some rapids 100m of backing should be more than
plenty. Leader is simple: level 40-60lbs mono of around two meters and 30-40cm of
30 or 40lbs (Rio) wire. Albright knot to connect wire and mono and perfection loop
to attach the fly. Flies are 3/0 – 4/0 with high quality saltwater hooks (such
as Owner Aki) that provide volume to push water. Black with red, orange,
violet, yellow, chartreuse and some flash and dumbbell eyes. Add some very
light deceiver style flies in natural colors for the upper reaches of the
tributaries. Flies - as with all serious fly fishing - have to be barbless!
Sturdy wading boots with felt sole and studs provide the best traction possible
(against better knowledge I took only Simms Vibram – they will make you dance
on the slippery boulders, do not take them without studs!). Add stripping
gloves or stripping guides (add an extra pair as spare) to
protect your fingers from line burns that will happen immediately.
Traveling to Bolivia was comfortable via MUC – GRU (in C) and GRU – VVI, only the not granted access to GRU Star Alliance Lounge was pain in the ass as I had hours of time to spent: Low level of service orientation and very stubborn ladies at the lounge access. But MUC – GRU will be history by October anyway due to the unpleasant situation of Brazilian economy, Lufthansa decided to skip that direct connection and only fly from Frankfurt. I hope that will change soon in terms of economy and flight schedule back to a more pleasing situation.
Besides that – aren’t
we gifted with the German passport – no visa needed! The German passport will
allow you to travel the most countries on that planet without a visa of all
passports.
Friday night, our
group of fly fishermen from around the globe meet for the first time in Santa
Cruz. Daniel and his friend Carlos, Alexis and Hernan all four from Argentina,
Chris from Eugene, Oregon – my room and fishing mate (and owner of The Caddis Fly Shop) – and finally me, the one with the longest distance traveled from
Bavaria, Germany. Not many Europeans find that destination in remote Bolivia or
even fish for Dorado at all. Which is surprising as Dorado fishing is a thrill
of its own, plus that special location of Untamed in the Tsimane area of TIPNIS
add up to one of the best freshwater fishing experiences.
As Chris
did arrive around afternoon as well, we had some time left to go to the
center of Santa
Cruz and to have a walk around there. Church, piazza, … - nothing
spectacular but worth to go there to see more of the country than just
the hotel and the lodge. I knew it from my first visit back in 2012.
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Dinner for the first
evening was at the beloved Asian Garden restaurant, part of Los Tajibos Hotel
in Santa Cruz (which we did not make use of this time), sitting outside on the
water the menu is far less sophisticated then sitting inside. Food outside was
basic but good (go inside!) and company even better. Four years ago I spend a
couple of nice evenings at that location (inside) and enjoyed it very much with
well-cooked fusion kind cuisine. I was amazed by the Bolivian beer - HUARI is actually absolutely drinkable! And as usual in South America: VERY cold! Love that.
