General information for 2015 season Documentation Requirements: All US citizens require visas to enter Bolivia. Bolivian tourist visas are valid for five years from the date of issuance and allow the bearer to enter the country three times in a year for a cumulative stay of not more than ninety days. There are two options for securing a Bolivian visa: 1. - You can apply for the visa in advance through your local travel company..or 2. - You can apply and receive your Bolivian visa in Santa Cruz while you are going through customs. In order to do this, you will need the following: (THIS IS RECOMMENDED) Completed Visa application form 2 passport photos (not wearing glasses) Your vaccinations card Hotel reservation or invitation letter (This we will provide) Sufficient funds (cc, cash, or bank statement) Fee: $160US to be paid in cash With all these, you can secure your visa on site quite rapidly. *All guests will be required to sign the Angling Frontiers disclaimer forms prior to participating in any activities. *
Inoculations and Health Risks: All visitors to Bolivia need a Yellow Fever Vaccine certification as Santa Cruz is considered a Dengue affected area. There are also rare cases of leismaniasis, a potentially deadly tropical disease if left unchecked and untreated. Although these diseases are rare cases, ALL guests are strongly encouraged to wear long sleeve shirts and pants, closed toed shoes, gloves, a buff and always use insect repellent at all times, even during their stay at the various camps. We also advise our guests to be current with hepatitis and tetanus vaccinations. Medical Facilities: The closest medical facility is in Santa Cruz. Guests have the responsibility to disclose any special medical, physical, or dietary needs to the lodge ahead of time. For emergencies, we recommend Global Rescue, Spot or other popular medical evacuation services. Before our departure to the fishing area, we will notify a local helicopter rescue team of our trip details and (at your cost) be called by satellite phone to our location at any point in the expedition.
Tackle and Equipment List The fishing at Casare river is very diverse. Therefore, we recommend bringing different types of equipment and more than one set up. Fly Fishing Tackle/Equipment List: Rods: 7-10 weight rods are the recommended sizes for the different species and conditions. A 9 9wt. being the most practical all around rod. 10wt are for the upper-most sector of the river, where shallow pockets among lots of boulders and structure force you to use a rod with more backbone, especially with those 30+lbers! Reels: Any quality reel with a good drag system and at least 100 yards of 30 pound backing. Lines: Most fishing is done with freshwater or saltwater floating lines and lines with built in intermediate tips. Lines like the Rio Saltwater Versi-Tip or a 300 grain saltwater sinking head are handy as well and allow anglers to get down deep when needed. While not mandatory, it can be nice to have two rods rigged, one with a floater and one with a sinking tip. Top 3 lines: Rio Outbound Fresh, Clouser Freshwater and Wulff Ambush.
Leaders/Tippet: 9 ft. leaders with 20-60 pound tippet and wire are the norm. Bring along spools of 20, 25, 30 and 40 pound mono as well as 2 spools each of 30, 40 and 60 pound coated wire tippet. With these diameters we typically fashion our own simple leaders. Titanium leaders are also a very good choice. Flies: In general, this trip favors large dark 4-8 inch patterns. However, when the water levels drop smaller and lighter colored flies become crucial. When a sudden downpour muddies the river, the big dark flies are back in favor. As an absolute minimum, we suggest arriving with 4-6 dozen flies. We will have some flies available for sale, and we do have flies made specifically designed for the rivers you will fish so you will be able to purchase or restock some flies on-site. They run about $8.00-$10.00 each. Keep in mind if the fishing is good you will most likely end up buying 2-3 dozen flies on site with cash. Fishing is mostly done using baitfish imitations. Full black, and combinations of black and red, purple or orange are very effective. The most popular fly used is the Andino Deceiver. It is just like a regular Deceiver but has lead eyes and a muddler head. Another popular fly used is the Lefty s Deceiver. Small imitation of fruits (figs) and nuts in green and dark patterns are irresistible to pacu and yatoranas.
For large catfish, (if desired) we recommend the following: (we will have some heavy gear for our guests, should they not have it and choose to fish for these giants) Rods: Heavy to Extra Heavy saltwater or freshwater rods. A strong rod is a must to get big fish out of deep holes, logs and rocks. Reels: Big Saltwater or Freshwater reels (ex: Shimano Torsa) with strong drag and good line capacity. Line capacity of at least 150 yards of 25-30 lb line. Line: We recommend 100-150kg braided line. You can also use heavy monofilament. Braided line: At least 150 yards of 100-150kg braided line. Monofilament: At least 150 yards of 80+ lb of monofilament line. This line strength and durability will give you the confidence you need to land your potential IGFA record trophy fish. Hooks and other tackle: Heavy gauge, offset Mustad and Gamakatsu 8/0 10/0 circle hooks are recommended. This is to increase your hook set ratio, and to limit unnecessary injury to the fish. We like to make our own leaders, so a spool of 150-200lb wire leader, crimps, and swivels are necessary. We will gladly rig them for you.
Recommended Packing List: Fly Fishing expedition- Packing for an adventure of this nature is not easy. On a trip like this it is very important to have everything you need and nothing you do not. Below you will find the detailed list of items we recommend bringing on this trip. Please feel free to ask any questions regarding your packing items, we will be glad to personally help you by phone or email. ---------- Passport, plane tickets, visa [or visa application with valid passport photos (2), vaccination card (with yellow fever vaccination), invitation letter (or hotel reservation and/or itinerary), proof of funds (Copy of current bank statement, personal checks, and cash), and $160 Visa fee.] Rods: 2-3 rods of your choosing (4 piece). For purposes of keeping the weight down we take our rods out of individual metal tubes and put into one lightweight rod case. Reels: Two-three large arbor reels. Floating Lines: 1 floating line and one sink-tip. Heavy headed lines like the Rio Outbound or Clouser (we feel the freshwater versions are slightly better than the saltwater versions but both are adequate). Also, the Wulff Ambush line performs well. It has a very short heavy head and throws large flies well. We recommend bringing one spare floating/sink-tip and sinking line. Sinking Lines: One intermediate tip line and one 300-grain line (optional). Tippet: Four spools of tippet - 30lb, 40lb, 50lb, 60lb. Wire: Four spools of coated wire - (2) 30lb, (2) 40lb, 60lb optional.
Flies: Approximately 4-6 dozen flies. As water conditions will vary you need to be prepared with everything from big heavy and black to light weight and multi colored. Often times a fly will only last for one or two fish. Pliers: One good pair long nose pliers. Clippers: One line clipper. Hardware store wire cutters are the best, large Dr. Slick scissor pliers also work well for wire. Knife: One medium size knife. Boots/shoes: 1 pair of quick dry closed toed shoes for camp, and for Fly Fishing/wading- one pair of felt-sole wading boots with good ankle protection. Waders: Although this is a tropical climate and lightweight waders are mostly unnecessary it is not a bad idea to have them. Alternatively you can bring a pair of expedition weight long underwear for warmth. Socks: Four pairs of wading socks. You need to take care of your feet! You should keep your feet as dry as possible when not fishing and to bring antifungal foot powder/cream. Also bring good amount of cotton socks to wear and keep your feet dry when not fishing. Shirts: 4-5 long sleeve quick-dry shirts. Pants: 4-5 pairs of quick dry pants with zip off legs. Hats: Two hats. Rain Jacket: One lightweight rain jacket. Warm Layer: Although this is a tropical climate we recommend bringing one fleece or lightweight down jacket as well as a pair of fleece pants or sweat pants. Also one long sleeve thermal layer just in case. Camp Shoes: One pair of lightweight shoes for around camp.
Gloves: One pair UV protection fly-fishing gloves/stripping gloves. Buff: Two Buff facial sun/insect protectors. Sunglasses: Two pairs of polarized sunglasses. It is great to have a lens cleaner and a soft cleaning cloth as well. Sun Screen: One full bottle 50SPF +. Lip balm: Two tubes of 50SPF+ lip balm. Tape: (For Fly Fishing) 1 roll of athletic tape (Coban) -used for taping fingers. Alternative is stripping guards or gloves. Repellant: One or two bottles of at least 80% deet repellant. Backpack: One waterproof backpack. Camera: Don t forget extra batteries, chargers and waterproof case/bag. Headlamp and flashlight: One small LED headlamp and flashlight with batteries. Baggies and/or waterproof bag: Six medium sized Ziploc baggies for storing cigarettes, phone, lighter, lens cloth, etc. and waterproof bag for camera, etc. Toiletries Kit: Toothpaste and toothbrush, deodorant, Advil, band aids, Bactroban (prescription anti-bacterial ointment), Benadryl, Goldbond powder, seasickness pills (for charter flight), and anti-fungal ointment. Liquid band-aid: Paint on super glue for finger cuts Candy and treats for native kids Tape Measure, notepad/pen Travel dictionary and/or translator (English-Spanish) Any personal medications you use. Credit cards, personal checks, cash for tipping and personal expenses.
Price for 2015 season: Group of four anglers----------------à $6,000.00 (outfitter price) + $550 (Indigenous Territory fees) ~Trip includes~ - Airport meet and greet, accompanied to hotel for check-in. - 2 nights at a luxurious 5 star hotel in Santa Cruz, with breakfast included. - All airport<-->hotel transportation. - Round-trip private charter flights to jungle airstrip. (3 planes per group of 4 anglers, and 2 planes with supplies) 2.35hrs travel each way) - Professional fly-fishing guides and local indigenous guides, guide operated boats. - Camp accommodations at fishing location, laundry. - Chef preparing 3 meals/drinks a day in fishing areas. Soft drinks, local beer and local liquor/wines included. (bring your own specialty liquor or tobacco). - Heavy spinning and bait-casting fishing equipment available for clients who wish to try their luck with giant catfish. - Limited supply of an assortment of hooks and other tackle provided (extra tackle available for purchase).
~Does NOT include~ - All commercial international air travel. Airport taxes and fees. -Visa expenses. -Indigenous territory fees. - Gratuities to fishing guides, lodge or/and camp staff, host/ess. Recommended tip for the staff is at least 8% of the trip cost, per client, to be given to the camp manager to be then equally distributed to the staff. - Phone calls, satellite phone calls and any purchases of personal items. -Any imported or specialty alcoholic beverages, cigars, cigarettes, etc. -Any meals outside of fishing areas.