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When Montana winters close in, the fish don't stop. Neither do we.
The Blackfoot and Clark Fork will always be home. But some years call for something wilder — a different hemisphere, a different species, a different kind of challenge entirely. Zoo Town Anglers has partnered with world-class destination lodges to offer a small number of international expeditions each year for anglers who want to go further.
These aren't resort trips. They're real fishing expeditions — long days, big gear, and water that few fly anglers ever see. If that sounds like you, read on.
Featured Expedition
Deep jungle fishing with indigenous Sikuani guides on one of the world's great river systems
Tucunare Lodge is a fishing camp in the truest sense — no spa, no cocktail hour, no curated Instagram moments. What it offers instead is harder to put a price on: a location so remote it takes a regional flight from Bogotá to Inirida just to reach the starting point, followed by boat transport to camp on the banks of the Rio Vichada.
Accommodations are dual-occupancy cabanas with memory foam mattresses, mosquito netting, fans, and private semi-outdoor bathrooms with cold water showers. When you've been fishing in 85-degree jungle heat all day, cold water feels like a luxury. Meals and community time happen in a central dining space, and cold beer is always waiting when you come off the water.
The camp sits alongside the Sikuani indigenous community — the same people who will be your guides on the water. That proximity is not a tourist feature; it's the real thing, and it shapes the character of every day there.
You will fish two distinct systems: the main channels of the Rio Vichada and Rio Orinoco — the third-longest river in South America — and the surrounding lake systems whose outlet streams feed both rivers. Each environment fishes differently and holds different species.
The peacock bass live primarily in the lakes. Everything else — payara, pacu, piranha, sardinata — is found on the rivers. These aren't delicate presentations with 5x tippet. The standard setup is a 10-weight rod, intermediate sink tips or 400-grain sinking lines, and large, often articulated flies. It is physically demanding fishing. The days are long, the casts are long, and the jungle humidity makes all of it harder.
The payoff is proportional. Shots at 10–15 pound peacock bass are real. Trophy payara — the "vampire fish" of South American rivers — are a genuine possibility. If you've only ever chased trout, this will recalibrate your sense of what fly fishing can be.
Target Species
Bring a 10-weight rod rated for tropical use. You'll need intermediate sink tips and 400-grain sinking lines depending on conditions. Flies are large, heavy, and often articulated — think 4–6 inch streamers with dumbbell eyes. A sturdy stripping basket is worth its weight. Leave the delicate stuff at home. Jason can help you build out a full gear list once you're booked.
International expedition spots are extremely limited — Jason takes a small group each season to ensure the experience is what it should be. If you're serious, reach out early. These fill up fast.
Colombia is the first of what Jason plans to be an expanding roster of international expeditions — each one chosen for the quality of the fishing, the authenticity of the experience, and the caliber of the local guides. Stay tuned.