The matrinxã is one of the most electrifying species to target at Kendjam Lodge. Known for its aggressive behavior and strength, this jungle fish is often compared to a mix between a trout and a bonefish when hooked. They live in shallow flats, fast runs, and crystal-clear pools of the Iriri River, offering ideal conditions for sight fishing.
Matrinxãs feed on a wide range of prey, from insects and fruits to small fish, making them prime targets with dry flies, poppers, and small streamers. They average between 3 to 8 pounds, but what they lack in size compared to a giant arapaima, they more than make up for in speed and power.
Get ready: once hooked, a matrinxã will explode across the river, often forcing you deep into your backing! Fly fishing for matrinxã offers pure Amazon adrenaline with light tackle gear (recommended 5-6wt rods).
The fish
The matrinxã is an omnivorous and native fish to the Amazon basin, known for its agility and strength, characterized by a robust, silvery body and a diet that includes insects, fish, crustaceans, fruits, and seeds that fall into the water. This fish is famous for its aerial acrobatics when hooked.
How to Fish
To catch matrinxã, fishing techniques using lures that mimic fruits and insects are effective. Fishing should preferably be done in the calmer parts of the rivers or where there is an abundance of fruit trees on the banks.
Recommended Equipment
A 5 to 7-weight fly rod is ideal, combined with a floating line and a 16 to 20-pound leader up to 9 feet long to withstand the runs and jumps of this amazing fish. We recommend using a fluor carbon shock tippet of 20-25 pounds.
Peacock Bass
Peacock Bass Cichla melaniae This endemic species of peacock bass is only found in Iriri River Basin, and they are the only ones that prefer moving water over stagnant water. Their average size is around 5-9 lbs with some big fish up to 12 lbs. Most of the time we sight fish for them using poppers or streamers. These bass are beautiful to sight fish for and watch an aggressive strike.
Wolf Fish
Wolf Fish Hoplias lacerdae They act like hungry wolves chasing a piece of meat when you cast a popper or a big fly. We recommend an 8wt rod and floating line for them. In Kendjam we only sight fish for them, so if you like fishing for aggressive predators, it doesn't get much more exciting than watching a wolf fish attack a popper. They can reach up to 20lbs in Kendjam.
Pacu
Pacu We fly fish for 3 different species of pacu: Silver Pacu, Pacu Seringa and Pacu Curupete. The mighty pacu eat insects and anglers can fish for them with dry flies, wets, nymphs and even algae flies using trout sight fishing techniques in runs, flats and pools. They are a jungle delight with a 5-6wt rod. Their average size is 3 to 8 lbs.
Bicuda
Bicuda Boulengerella cuvieri Their bodies and turbo boosted tails resemble a barracuda, making them the real runners of the Iriri River. A really aggressive topwater predator, they are most exciting when caught using poppers and divers. The bicudas average from 4-10 lbs. and guarantee a strike of pure adrenaline in your day of fishing. A 7wt rod is the perfect outfit for them.
Payara
Payara Hydrolycus armatus The payara is a real challenge at Kendjam, found commonly rolling in the morning or in pools chasing baitfish. These fish fight really hard! It's normal to lose these fish when they jump, due to a particularly hard mouth. We use streamers with intermediate and sink tip fly lines for payara, their average size ranges from 5-20 pounds.
Surubi & Red Tail Catfish
Surubi & Red Tail Catfish Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum & Phractocephalus hemioliopterus The Iriri River surubi is a highly predacious hunter of small fish, and your best chance to catch one on fly is on the shallow sandbar banks. Their size is about 5-20 lbs. Be prepared for the amazing red tail catfish, the strongest catfish species in the rivers of the Amazon. At Kendjam, they can reach over 60lbs.
Peacock Bass
Cichla melaniae
This endemic species of peacock bass is only found in Iriri River Basin, and they are the only ones that prefer moving water over stagnant water. Their average size is around 5-9 lbs with some big fish up to 12 lbs. Most of the time we sight fish for them using poppers or streamers. These bass are beautiful to sight fish for and watch an aggressive strike.
Learn More
Wolf Fish
Hoplias lacerdae
They act like hungry wolves chasing a piece of meat when you cast a popper or a big fly. We recommend an 8wt rod and floating line for them. In Kendjam we only sight fish for them, so if you like fishing for aggressive predators, it doesn't get much more exciting than watching a wolf fish attack a popper. They can reach up to 20lbs in Kendjam.
Learn More
Pacu
We fly fish for 3 different species of pacu: Silver Pacu, Pacu Seringa and Pacu Curupete. The mighty pacu eat insects and anglers can fish for them with dry flies, wets, nymphs and even algae flies using trout sight fishing techniques in runs, flats and pools. They are a jungle delight with a 5-6wt rod. Their average size is 3 to 8 lbs.
Learn More
Bicuda
Boulengerella cuvieri
Their bodies and turbo boosted tails resemble a barracuda, making them the real runners of the Iriri River. A really aggressive topwater predator, they are most exciting when caught using poppers and divers. The bicudas average from 4-10 lbs. and guarantee a strike of pure adrenaline in your day of fishing. A 7wt rod is the perfect outfit for them.
Learn More
Payara
Hydrolycus armatus
The payara is a real challenge at Kendjam, found commonly rolling in the morning or in pools chasing baitfish. These fish fight really hard! It's normal to lose these fish when they jump, due to a particularly hard mouth. We use streamers with intermediate and sink tip fly lines for payara, their average size ranges from 5-20 pounds.
Learn More
Surubi & Red Tail Catfish
Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum & Phractocephalus hemioliopterus
The Iriri River surubi is a highly predacious hunter of small fish, and your best chance to catch one on fly is on the shallow sandbar banks. Their size is about 5-20 lbs. Be prepared for the amazing red tail catfish, the strongest catfish species in the rivers of the Amazon. At Kendjam, they can reach over 60lbs.
Learn MoreIf you want to read more about the travel, logistics, gear of this incredible experience, check out our travel planner.
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