Hunting Arapaima in Guyana

Hunting Arapaima in Guyana

Deep in the heart of the South American jungle, the rivers of Guyana play host to the largest freshwater game fish on earth – Arapaima Gigas. Guyana is one of the rare locations where these massive beasts can be caught on the fly. Due to a co-partnership between local communities, conservationists, and the government, the area has become a protected sport fishing zone resulting in the healthiest arapaima fishery on earth. If you’re looking for a unique jungle fishing experience, then don’t miss your opportunity to join us for this incredible off the grid fly fishing adventure! 

Why you should come on this trip:

Are you searching for an exotic and remote fly fishing adventure? 

The main event in Guyana is fly fishing for arapaima, which is the largest scaled freshwater fish on the planet. These massive fish feed in the most remote sections of Guyana’s rivers. Reaching weights of over 500 pounds, and exceeding 15 feet in length, these prehistoric beast are not for the faint of heart. After 2 years of Covid and limited travel, the ponds are rested and the fish are hungry.

Trip Dates

February 25 March 11
Total Days: 14

Species

Arapaima, Arowana, Pacu, Payara, Peacock Bass, Wolf Fish

Rates

$4,000 Double Occupancy - $4,500 Single/person

Group Size

4 Guests

Meet Your Host

Gillie Greenberg

The aptly named Gillie Greenberg, known by friends as Gil, has always felt most at home when on the water. Growing up in Toronto, Canada, he spent his summer’s bass fishing with his uncle and father. At age 18, Gil bought his first fly rod to experiment with on his family’s annual walleye trip. Armed with the knowledge one gains from watching hundreds of YouTube videos, Gil managed to land a handful of pike on his first morning with a fly rod. Just like many great fly fishermen before him, he was instantly hooked on the fly.

Upon finishing his military service a few years later, Gil moved to Australia to study marine biology at James Cook University, located on the Great Barrier Reef. Gil became obsessed with fly fishing as a way of life and ended up spending more time on the flats than in the classroom. It was a steep learning curve, but with the help of his fishing partner, Brad Morris and local fishing club, the NQ Fly Fishers, he became quite an angler.

By combining fly fishing with marine biology Gil has been granted access to contacts and locations that most anglers can only dream about. In 2015, he was offered a job by the German government to gather fisheries data as part of the Choiseul Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation project. The project was located hundreds of miles away from civilization in a remote corner of the Solomon Islands. Spending a season off the grid and living off the sea solidified his dedication to fishing as a lifestyle. In total, Gil has fly fished over 20 countries, spanning 5 continents. He brings experience, passion, and leadership to the MidCurrent Travel team.

Trip Itinerary

Days 8 - 15 Days

Group arrives in Georgetown, Guyana, and meets at the hotel. Gil provides an orientation presentation and we spend the night at a local hotel.

Day 2

Early wake up and fly out to Letham. From there we meet the guides, pick up supplies, and travel to the Essequibo river landing via jeep/van. Then it is a 6 to 8 hour boat ride to our basecamp on the Rewa. Quick dinner and off to bed.

Days 3-9

Fish local ponds for arapaima. River fishing for peacock bass, payara, swordfish, arowana, and catfish.

Day 10

Travel up to (and possibly past) corona falls (4-8 hours). Make a bush campsite and fish the upper river for red pacu, wolf fish, monster payara, catfish, and peacock bass.

Days 11-13

Fish upper river for red pacu, wolf fish, monster payara, catfish, and peacock bass. Optional exploratory side trips are available at an additional cost depending on conditions.

Day 14

Return to basecamp fishing along the way. Pack up camp and eat dinner.

Day 15

Wake up and finish packing up camp. Head back to Essequibo landing to take jeeps/van back to Letham to spend the night at the ranch.

Day 16

Wakeup and catch return flight to Georgetown. Those with same-day flights are transported to the airport. Rest of the group spends the day/night at the hotel and fly out the next morning.

The Hunting Arapaima in Guyana

Deep in the heart of the South American jungle, the rivers of Guyana play host to the largest freshwater game fish on earth – Arapaima Gigas. Guyana is one of the rare locations where these massive beasts can be caught on the fly. Due to a co-partnership between local communities, conservationists, and the government, the area has become a protected sport fishing zone resulting in the healthiest arapaima fishery on earth. If you’re looking for a unique jungle fishing experience, then don’t miss your opportunity to join us for this incredible off the grid fly fishing adventure!

The main event in Guyana is fly fishing for arapaima, which is the largest scaled freshwater fish on the planet. These massive fish feed in the most remote sections of Guyana’s rivers. Reaching weights of over 500 pounds, and exceeding 15 feet in length, these prehistoric beast are not for the faint of heart.

We’re here to fish.  But the site seeing and travel are a once in a lifetime experience.

You will arrive in Georgetown, Guyana and be met by one of our representatives who will take you to your hotel. The next morning we will head as a group to Ogle airport, a short drive from our hotel where we will board a flight to Lethem. From Lethem, we will drive to the staging area and boat upriver through the rainforest to our basecamp. If water levels aren’t too low, we should arrive in time for a late dinner.

ACCOMODATIONS:

We will be staying at a river front basecamp, which is setup with hammocks, tents, a full kitchen, portable shower, and a small generator. The site is fully lit at night and the spring water has been tested and is safe for drinking. A medical kit is also onsite in case of emergencies. As additional safety precautions, Gil always carries a water purifications system, inreach-satellite communication device, and an emergency locator beacon.

Package options include 15 days (12 days fishing) for $4000 USD.
Shorter packages are also available for 8 days (5 days fishing). Please contact Gil for more details!

INCLUDED:

• Food/drinks
• Transport from airport
• Guides
• Camping equipment
• Accommodations services

NOT INCLUDED:

• Flights
• Backup/rental gear (Available upon request)
• Alcohol (Available upon request)

Bookings are confirmed with a 50 percent deposit. Balance must be received before the start of your trip. Notification of cancellation must be received 60 days prior to your scheduled arrival in order to receive a full credit for an alternate date. All payments are final and nonrefundable, with the exception of a medical or family emergency at GFFI’s discretion.

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