Payara Paradise Discovered Beneath the Uraima Falls

Although the peacock bass has garnered the most attention by anglers visiting the Amazon/Orinoco Watershed of South America, the payara is rapidly gaining ground as a prized sportfish by international anglers looking for the ultimate in light tackle sportfishing. Noted angling authority Larry Dahlberg, host of ESPN's Hunt for the Big Fish series, describes the payara as having "the body of an elongated permit and the tail of a salmon." These anatomical characteristics not only allow it to be quite at home residing in the turbulent waters below the Uraima Falls, but also make it a tremendously powerful and acrobatic adversary on the end of ones line. These fish leap like a tarpon, their silvery iridescent bodies performing aerial contortions some four feet out of the water, and make runs comparable to any saltwater light tackle gamefish. Located 550 miles southeast of Caracas, Uraima Lodge is located on an island at the base of Uraima Falls on the Paragua River of eastern Venezuela. This lodge currently boasts the all-tackle world record payara, as well as all of the line class records. There is little doubt that this is the premier destination in the world for this awesome gamefish.

Uraima Lodge Fishing Package 2007 Season Pricing Per person

3 1/2 days of Payara Fishing

Party of 2 anglers....$2,432
Party of 3 anglers....$2,482
Party of 4 anglers....$2,356
Party of 5 anglers....$2,381
Party of 6 anglers....$2,387
Party of 7 anglers....$2,401
Party of 8 anglers....$2,348

5 1/2 days of Payara Fishing

Party of 2 anglers....$3,568
Party of 3 anglers....$3,568
Party of 4 anglers....$3,442
Party of 5 anglers....$3,467
Party of 6 anglers....$3,473
Party of 7 anglers....$3,487
Party of 8 anglers....$3,434

(TRIPS CAN BE ARRANGED ON A PER DAY BASIS. CALL FOR A QUOTE)

Deposit Required for Uraima Lodge Package

A $1000 deposit is required of each angler to confirm a reservation at Uraima Lodge. Final payments are due 60 days prior to departure. Reservations are not confirmed until deposits are received.

Included in Uraima Lodge Package

• First night hotel accommodations in La Guaria, Venezuela
• All ground transfers associated with hotels and airports in La Guaria and Puerto Ordaz
• All ground and water transportation to and from lodge
• Appropriate nights of lodging at Uraima Lodge
• Appropriate days of fishing
• Boat and captain and mate
• All meals at Uraima Lodge
• Water, soft drinks, beer and National alcoholic beverages

Not included in Uraima Lodge Package

Airfare to Caracas, Venezuela; Domestic flights in Venezuela; Dinner the first night in La Guaria; Gratuities to guides and lodge staff; Airport international and domestic departure taxes.

Capacity at Uraima Lodge

10 anglers.

Availability at Uraima Lodge

As the booking calendar changes on almost a daily basis, please contact our office for current availability on your specific travel dates.

Uraima Lodge Fishing Season

The Uraima Falls fishery is prime from January 1 through mid-May.

Travel Logistics to Uraima Lodge

Day 1: Arrival Venezuela, met at the International Airport and transferred to Hotel Puerto Viejo or Aerobuilding Express Hotel (Depending on availability). These hotels are located near the International airport at La Guairá city (not in Caracas). Overnight.

Day 2: Picked up at the Hotel and transferred to domestic terminal for flight to Puerto Ordaz (60 minutes flight), this domestic flight (CCS-PZO) should be booked for the 6:00 am or 7:00 am departures depending on flights availability (The earlier the better). Met at the Puerto Ordaz airport and driven to La Paragua (2:45 minutes drive over paved road), then boat ride to Uraima Falls Lodge (2 hours boat ride by the river). Reception at Uraima Falls and 1/2 day of fishing in the afternoon.

Day 3-4-5-6-7: depending on the number of days you fish

Day 8: Breakfast and transfer back to La Paragua by the river (2 hours boat ride), then ground transfer to Puerto Ordaz (2:45 minutes drive over paved road) to take domestic flight to La Guairá city (60 minutes flight), this domestic flight (PZO-CCS) should be booked after noon from 3:00pm to 4:00pm, depending on flights availability. Pick up and transfer services to Hotel. Overnight.

Day 9: Picked up at Hotel in the morning to transfer anglers to international terminal to connect with international flight home. This international flight back home can be booked at your convenience depending on the flights availability on this day.

Predominant Language Spoken at Uraima Lodge

Spanish is the language of Venezuela. Although the guides do understand and speak some English, it is primarily fishing English. Most anglers do not have difficulty communicating with their guides. It is always wise to learn a few words of basic Spanish before undertaking this trip. Your Complete Peacock Bass Angler text will contain a basic English-Spanish translator. An English-speaking host will always be at Uraima Lodge.

Special Entrance Requirements for Venezuela

U.S. residents must have a valid passport to enter Venezuela. A tourist visa will be given on board the flight to Caracas.

Accommodations at Uraima Lodge

Built in typical Indian-style with materials derived from the adjacent forest, anglers will reside in thatched roof huts called churuatas. Each circular shaped churuata contains two bedrooms, a sitting area and a bathroom with flush toilets, running water and hot-water shower. Fishermen enjoy spacious, private bedrooms with comfortable beds, sheets and pillows. This just isn't roughing it! Uraima Lodge provides a taste of luxury in the jungle. The camp is set right on the water with the huts arranged in a cleared, landscaped area connected by stone walkways leading to the huge dining area. This is the center of camp life. Comfortable chairs and sitting hammocks line the open-air, unwalled structure, topped with a gigantic conical thatched roof. Breezes, coming off the surrounding water keep the open air pavilion cool and comfortable. In the evenings, anglers trade fishing stories (and fishing lies) and sometimes solve the problems of the world while sitting at the convivial bar.

Meals at Uraima Lodge

The Lodge provides both quality and ample meals throughout your stay. A hot breakfast is typically served at 6:00AM each morning. Pancakes, eggs, toast, fresh fruit, bacon, cereal and fresh coffee are all standard fare. Lunch and dinner are served family style. In the evening, appetizers are usually on the table as soon as all anglers return from the day's fishing. Dinner is usually served on or before 7:00PM. A mixture of Venezuelan and 'American' foods comprise the Uraima Lodge dinner menu. Fresh fish, beef, and chicken are accompanied by an assortment of beans, rice, bread and mixed vegetables. The camp supplies soft drinks, beer and local liquors with dinner. Anglers enjoy three terrific full course meals a day.

The Fishing at Uraima Lodge

The Uraima Falls fishery is undoubtedly the most dynamic payara fishery in the world. One can catch both payara and occasionally large aymara in close proximity. The Uraima Falls and Paragua River provide a variety of fishing environments. Your guides may take you into fast water beneath the falls or the quick current of the river. You may troll in some locations and cast in others. You can even fish from the islands shores and very effectively catch large payara. It's advisable to have at least two outfits ready to fish, one medium/heavy rig to cast lighter baits and one heavy rig for trolling and casting bigger baits. It's a good idea to have adequate tackle ready to handle these powerful and aggressive adversaries. Payara can also exceed 30 pounds and they readily take cast or trolled subsurface baits. They strike with tremendous power and can strip off line like a bonefish and jump like a tarpon. These traits, coupled with their terrific stamina not only make them a favorite of anglers but also a great consumer of lures. To insure the best fishing possible, a strict catch and release policy is in effect at the lodge. We strongly encourage all clients not to handle fish, not only to reduce stress on the fish, but also because these fish species have strong jaws and sharp teeth that can severely injure you! The guides are well trained in fish handling and care. If you catch a trophy and want to photograph, measure, or weigh the fish, use a fish handling tool such as a Boga-Grip,or sturdy gloves. Or better yet, have the guide hold the fish. Your understanding and cooperation will ensure that this fishery remains as productive as ever.

Non-Angler Activities at Uraima Lodge

While there is certainly plenty for the non-angling guest to do either before or after a trip to Uraima Lodge, there is little to do at the lodge other than to take advantage of the world class payara fishery.

The Weather at Uraima Lodge

Tropical temperatures prevail in Venezuela with midday temperature ranging between 85 to 100 degrees F. Generally, there is light to medium wind and an extremely intense sun throughout the day, so please be mindful of dehydration and overexposure to the sun. At night, the temperature slowly drops to 72-78 degrees F. Rain can be common throughout the week's fishing, so bring along a good quality, lightweight rain suit to avoid a cold boat ride.

Packing for Uraima Lodge

Detailed tackle, lure, clothing and gear lists will be sent once deposits are received to confirm your trip.

Itinerary for Uraima Lodge Program

Day 1: International flight to Caracas, Venezuela. Transfer to national airport for flight to Puerto Ordaz. Overland transfer to Ciudad Bolivar. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Early charter flight to lodge. Unpack and begin fishing.

Fishing days: Full days of fishing.

Final Day: Charter flight to Puerto Ordaz; commercial flight to Caracas; international flight home.

Trip Cancellation and Travel Insurance Recommendation

Travel, especially foreign travel, unfortunately has some unusual aspects that need to be addressed. Issues such as lost baggage, missed flights and medical concerns are often over looked until an untimely event happens. You or your traveling partner may need protection from trip cancellation due to events at home such as illness of you or your travel companion, illness while away from home, as well as a host of other travel nightmares. Worldwide Angling strongly recommends all parties obtain trip insurance right after booking a trip abroad. We obtain our own travel insurance with Travelex, a well established, highly recommended, travel insurance company and we recommend it to all of our clients. Travelex specializes in insuring the foreign traveler to far away and remote places. Once a trip is booked with Worldwide Angling, you will receive from us an application for Travelex travel insurance. The cost is quite reasonable, less than $60 per $1000 in most cases. Please review your insurance needs to see if Travelex is for you.