fly fishing Bolivia tips

After returning from our first Fishwest-hosted trip to Bolivia, one thing became clear—when it comes to flies for golden dorado, what you pack matters. While we brought a variety of patterns, the jungle quickly taught us what was effective and what got ignored. The guides at the lodge have dialed in their fly selection based on years of experience, changing water conditions, and real-time feedback from anglers on the water. While it’s always smart to bring your favorites, we highly recommend purchasing flies directly from the lodge's on-site shop. They know exactly what’s working, and it saves space in your gear bag for the essentials. 1. EP Fiber Sabalo Fly To no one’s surprise, this pattern is doing work. Designed to mimic the sabalo—one of the dorado’s primary food sources—it’s been responsible for many of the most consistent eats. The EP fibers provide just the right mix of bulk, translucent flash, and swim, while still shedding water with ease. Color Notes: White and chartreuse continue to dominate.Why it works: It matches the local baitfish perfectly, and the fish waste no time attacking it. 2. EP Baby Dorado Yes, dorado eat smaller dorado. While this may sound brutal, it’s also highly effective from a fly selection standpoint. The Baby Dorado pattern has been particularly deadly in mid-depth runs and tight structure where larger dorado wait to ambush. Color Notes: Olive, gold, and white tones have seen the most action.Why it works: It taps into both predatory and territorial instincts—double trouble for these apex fish. 3. Black & Purple EP Streamers In low light or shadowed water, this fly has consistently delivered. Nearly every group we’ve fished with has someone throwing a black and purple variation, and without fail, it produces. Why it works: The high contrast and silhouette stand out in tannic or cloudy water, pulling aggressive reactions from lurking fish. 4. White & Chartreuse (Any Profile) While we mentioned this color combo earlier with the Sabalo Fly, it deserves its own spot. Not only is it working across multiple fly styles—deceivers, bulkhead baitfish, hollow-tied streamers—but it’s also triggering confident strikes across various river conditions. Why it works: The color scheme is bright, highly visible, and closely resembles multiple prey species. 5. Mouse & Hopper Patterns (For Your Secondary Rod) Even though these patterns aren’t headliners for dorado this week, they’ve earned a place in every angler’s quiver. Mouse and hopper patterns have been the go-to surface flies for targeting pacu—those stealthy, veggie-loving tanks that roam under the canopy and around structure. Why it works: Terrestrial patterns drifted tight to cover invite unexpected—and unforgettable—topwater eats from pacu. 6. EP Amazon Special This one has been the surprise MVP. While it wasn’t originally on our radar, the yellow, orange, and pink flash in this fly has absolutely lit up the upper Pluma and Itirizama. Dorado in technical water have followed and crushed it with real commitment. Pro Tip: Bringing a few alternate shades might give you a bonus edge when conditions shift. Why it works: The flash combo creates irresistible movement and visibility, especially in clear or fast-moving water. Local Truth: Trust the Lodge Fly Shop We’ll say it again—the flies sold at the lodge fly shop are your best bet. These aren’t just guesses or generic patterns; they’re created based on daily guide feedback and constantly refined for this specific fishery. What worked last year may not work this week, and the lodge’s shop reflects that reality. It’s a smart idea to show up with a variety, but don’t hesitate to stock up once you arrive. You’ll get better results and more confidence in your box. P.S. One of our anglers brought a whole new meaning to "custom-tied" by crafting a fly using fur from their own dog back home. As wild as it sounds, that homemade pattern got eaten—and not by just any dorado, but a solid one. Goes to show that sometimes a little creativity (and a bit of dog hair) goes a long way in the Bolivian jungle.