Untamed Angling discovered this incredible headwaters system and its tributaries, finding that this magnificent clear water system offered an angler’s nirvana for new species on the fly. Kendjam holds the most prolific multi-variety species fishery in the Amazon basin.
In addition to its species diversity, there is a geographic phenomenon -created by its geological structure- which makes the river flow faster and creates a perfect environment for wet wading. This situation is very common in many stretches of Iriri River and sets the stage for this awesome and unique fishing grounds in the Amazon.
Imagine yourself in a clear water jungle river with many different options for numbers of amazing and powerful Amazonian species, many of them unknown to most anglers from around the globe.
Sight Fishing
Sight fishing is the most exciting way of fishing and Kendjam is the perfect multi variety Amazon fly fishing destination to do it. The river runs over a huge granite base, which allows perfect sight fishing in shallow water. An angler can target several jungle fish species using 5 to 8 wt. fly rods, using topwater flies in the process.
Unique Guiding Experience
Kendjam offers a unique fishing experience thanks to the combination of professional, highly skilled fly fishing and English/Spanish/Portuguese speaking guides - who have a wide jungle fishing experience - together with the ancestral knowledge provided by Kayapo indigenous guides. It generates a unique and personalized experience that any angler would love to see.
Fishing Season
Kendjam operates during the best months of the low, clear water season, which runs from June to September. The dry season is the time when water is at its lowest average levels and very clear, allowing great fishing throughout the entire river system, including its numerous tributaries.
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 aimara 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.
Matrinxã
Matrinxã Brycon falcatus The Matrincha is pound for pound one of the strongest fish in the jungle. Their average size (3-8 lbs) makes them a perfect gamefish for dry flies like hoppers, beetles and topwater attractors. We recommend 5-6wt fly rods for this pursuit. They are an omnivorous species and lay in shallow flats and runs. They run like crazy, so be prepared to see your backing!
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.
Wolf Fish
Hoplias aimara
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
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.
Matrinxã
Brycon falcatus
The Matrincha is pound for pound one of the strongest fish in the jungle. Their average size (3-8 lbs) makes them a perfect gamefish for dry flies like hoppers, beetles and topwater attractors. We recommend 5-6wt fly rods for this pursuit. They are an omnivorous species and lay in shallow flats and runs. They run like crazy, so be prepared to see your backing!
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
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
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.
If you want to read more about the travel, logistics, gear of this incredible experience, check out our travel planner.
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