🎣 Fishing Spot: Rupununi River – North Rupununi, Guyana

🏞️ About the Rupununi River

The Rupununi River (pronounced "Roo-poo-noo-nee") is one of South America's last true fishing frontiers — a pristine wilderness river flowing from the Kanuku Mountains through vast savannahs and dense rainforest before joining the mighty Essequibo River in southern Guyana. This remote tributary system represents the world's premier destination for fly fishing arapaima, the Amazon's largest and most prehistoric gamefish.

Located in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo region of the Guiana Shield, the Rupununi watershed encompasses over 8,000 km² of virtually untouched wetlands, lagoons, and jungle rivers. During seasonal floods, waters from the Amazon basin mix with Atlantic-draining rivers, creating exceptional aquatic biodiversity with species found nowhere else on earth at such densities.

The Rupununi is managed entirely by Indigenous Makushi and Wapishana communities under one of the world's most successful community-based conservation models. Since 2001, the North Rupununi District Development Board has implemented strict catch-and-release regulations, restoring arapaima populations from near-extinction to over 4,000 fish while creating sustainable ecotourism revenue for 20 Indigenous villages.

This is expedition fishing at its purest — accessible only by bush plane and dugout canoe, where anglers battle 300-pound fish in hidden jungle ponds, wade crystal-clear savannah channels for explosive peacock bass, and cast to fanged payara in thundering rapids, all under the watchful eyes of harpy eagles, jaguars, and giant river otters.

🌟 Why the Rupununi Is Special

• Last Arapaima Fly Fishing Frontier
  The only place on Earth where arapaima populations are healthy enough to support fly fishing — with fish averaging 100-200 pounds and specimens exceeding 400 pounds regularly encountered. This is dinosaur hunting with a 12-weight.

• Indigenous Community Management
  100% owned and operated by Makushi villagers of Rewa who serve as guides, boatmen, and conservation stewards. Your fishing directly funds village schools, healthcare, and habitat protection under a UNESCO-recognized conservation model.

• Multi-Species Amazon Diversity
  Target 15+ gamefish species in a single week: peacock bass exploding on topwater, vampire-fanged payara in whitewater, prehistoric wolf fish in dark pools, plus pacu, bicuda, giant catfish, and yes — red-bellied piranhas.

• Pristine Wilderness Access
  Fish waters that have never seen commercial netting — hidden jungle ponds accessible only by portage trails, gin-clear savannah lagoons teeming with baitfish, and remote river channels where caimans outnumber humans 100 to 1.

• Strict Catch-and-Release Conservation
  Since 1994, the Rewa Arapaima Management Plan has restored populations from 200 to 4,000+ fish through monitoring, harvest bans, and science-based regulations. Partner with conservation biologist Dr. Lesley de Souza's research.

• True Expedition Experience
  This isn't lodge fishing — it's portaging aluminum boats through jungle, camping in hammocks under stars, eating freshly caught peacock bass grilled on open fires, and sleeping to the roar of howler monkeys. Adventure fishing in its purest form.

🐟 Fish Species of the Rupununi River

🌤️ Seasonal Fishing Overview

🌧️ Wet Season (April – August)

• High water period — rivers flood into jungle, creating vast interconnected wetlands.
• Arapaima dispersed across flooded forest; difficult to target specifically.
• Peacock bass push into new lagoons with trapped baitfish; excellent numbers.
• Payara in main river channels but harder to locate.
• Challenging access — many jungle trails and ponds become inaccessible.
• Hot and humid with daily afternoon thunderstorms.
• Not recommended for dedicated arapaima trips; better for general multi-species.

☀️ Early Dry Season (September – November) — PRIME TIME

• Peak arapaima season — water levels drop, concentrating fish in known ponds.
• September-October: Best overall fishing for all species as waters recede.
• Arapaima become sight-fishable in clear jungle lagoons; 100+ pounds common.
• Peacock bass aggressive in lagoons and savannah channels; topwater heaven.
• Payara excellent in rapids and fast current seams.
• Temperatures 70-95°F; less rain; ideal expedition conditions.
• Book 12+ months ahead — this is peak season and lodges fill early.

🌾 Late Dry Season (October – December)

• Water at lowest levels; some ponds become too shallow for large arapaima.
• Trophy hunting — remaining deep ponds hold the largest fish (250-400 lbs).
• Peacock bass concentrate in remaining deeper channels; aggressive feeding.
• Excellent sight fishing as water clarity peaks.
• Hottest period (up to 95°F+); bring sun protection.
• December can see early rains beginning.

🌱 Transition/Spring Dry (February – March)

• Second shorter dry period with good fishing.
• Arapaima active but populations more dispersed than fall.
• Good peacock bass and payara action.
• Less crowded than September-November; good alternative timing.
• Temperatures moderate; pleasant fishing conditions.
• Water begins rising late March as rains approach.

🪶 Fishing Techniques on the Rupununi

⚖️ Regulations & Permits

The Rupununi fishery is managed exclusively by Indigenous communities under some of the strictest conservation regulations in South America:

ARAPAIMA-SPECIFIC REGULATIONS (Rewa Area):

GENERAL REGULATIONS:

PERMITS & ACCESS:

Booking Outfitters:

• Yellow Dog Flyfishing (USA) — yellowdogflyfishing.com
• Aardvark McLeod (UK) — aardvarkmcleod.com
• Trident Fly Fishing (USA) — tridentflyfishing.com
• Amazon Angler / Jaguar Camp — amazon-angler.com
• Direct: Rewa Eco Lodge — rewaecolodge.com

⚠️ CRITICAL: Arapaima are critically endangered globally. The Rupununi population exists only because of 25+ years of Indigenous conservation. Strict adherence to handling protocols is non-negotiable. Fish longer than 10 minutes must be released immediately. Support in water for recovery. No gaff, no lip grips, gentle net only.

🧭 Access & Logistics

Getting There:

International to Georgetown (GEO):

• Direct flights from Miami (MIA) or New York (JFK) via Caribbean Airlines, JetBlue
• 4-5 hours from USA East Coast
• 1 night in Georgetown required on arrival and departure

Georgetown to Lethem:

• 1.5-hour charter flight on small plane (6-12 passengers)
• Scenic flight over pristine rainforest
• Lethem is border town near Brazil

Lethem to Rewa:

• 2-3 hour 4×4 drive through savannah (dry season only)
• 4-6 hour motorized dugout canoe journey up Rupununi River
• Wilderness transfer; wildlife viewing en route

Total Travel Time: 24-36 hours door-to-fishing (from USA)

Accommodation Options:

Rewa Eco Lodge (Main Base):

• Community-owned by Makushi village
• Private cabanas with outdoor showers, flush toilets, mosquito nets
• Capacity: 8-12 guests maximum
• Solar power, no WiFi (completely off-grid)
• Meals: Hearty Guyanese cuisine, fresh fish, cassava bread
• $5,500-6,500 USD/week all-inclusive

Rewa River Camps (Fly-Out):

• Upriver camps for multi-day expeditions
• Hammocks with mosquito nets, outdoor showers
• Generator power, basic but comfortable
• Access to best fishing — avoid long daily boat rides
• Strongly recommended for serious arapaima anglers

Pirara Lodge (Alternative):

• Savannah location on Rupununi River
• More comfortable but less remote
• Better access to peacock bass, less arapaima focus
• Good for families or less hardcore trips

What's Included:

• All meals and lodging
• Indigenous guides (2 per boat)
• Boats, motors, fuel
• Porterage and trail support
• Fishing licenses and arapaima permits
• Georgetown transfers and charter flights

Not Included:

• International flights to Georgetown
• Georgetown hotels (2 nights — ~$100-150/night)
• Flies and terminal tackle (~$200-300)
• Tips for guides (~$300-500/week recommended)
• Alcoholic beverages
• Travel insurance (highly recommended)

Gear to Bring:

• Fly Rods: 12wt (arapaima), 8wt (wolf fish/payara), 6wt (peacock bass)
• Reels: High-capacity with strong drags (arapaima will test everything)
• Lines: Tropical floating, intermediate, sink-tip options
• Leaders: 80-150lb for arapaima, 40-60lb for peacock bass, wire for payara
• Flies: Large baitfish streamers (8-12"), poppers, Clousers, dark wolf fish patterns
• Sun protection: Hat, buff, long sleeves, 50+ SPF
• Rain gear: Light packable jacket (afternoon storms)
• Wading shoes: Wet wading only; quick-dry with good grip
• Headlamp: LED with red light for camp
• First aid: Antimalarials (consult doctor), insect repellent (30%+ DEET)

🧭 Summary

The Rupununi River represents the ultimate bucket-list destination for adventurous fly fishers — where the world's largest scaled freshwater fish swim in hidden jungle ponds, where Indigenous guides share ancestral fishing knowledge passed down through millennia, and where every cast carries the weight of true conservation success.

This is expedition fishing at its most raw and rewarding: portaging boats through steaming jungle, sight-casting to 200-pound arapaima cruising like submarines, watching peacock bass demolish poppers in savage topwater explosions, and battling vampire-fanged payara in whitewater rapids. The Rupununi delivers multi-species variety that rivals any freshwater destination on Earth — from piranha to pacu, wolf fish to giant catfish, all within a wilderness where jaguars hunt caimans and harpy eagles rule the canopy.

But the Rupununi is far more than exceptional fishing. It's a living example of Indigenous-led conservation transforming an ecosystem. The Makushi communities of Rewa have proven that sustainable ecotourism can restore endangered species (arapaima populations increased 20-fold), provide economic alternatives to destructive practices, and preserve traditional cultures — all while offering visiting anglers the experience of a lifetime.

When you fish the Rupununi, you're not a client — you're a conservation partner directly funding village education, healthcare, and habitat protection. Your fishing license supports scientific research. Your tips employ Indigenous guides. Your photos document population recovery. This is fishing with purpose.

Pack heavy rods, light expectations, and prepare for adventure that will redefine what you thought possible with a fly rod.

Location: North Rupununi, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region, Guyana
Main Village: Rewa (Makushi Indigenous community)
Access: Georgetown (GEO) → Lethem → 6-hour river journey
Fishing Season: Year-round (Peak: Sept-Dec for arapaima)
Main Species: Arapaima (to 400+ lbs), Peacock Bass, Payara, Wolf Fish, Piranha
Best Methods: Fly Fishing (6-12wt), Spinning, Sight Fishing
Regulations: Strict Catch & Release (arapaima), Indigenous-managed
Special Features: World's only arapaima fly fishery, 15+ species, Indigenous conservation model, true wilderness expedition, UNESCO-recognized management