Pirarucú Lodge Fishing Report 2026 | When Tambaqui Take the Spotlight Week 7 | Oct. 11–15

The second Tailwaters group of the 2026 season arrived at Pirarucú for three focused fishing days with our guides team. The seven experienced anglers, most of them longtime friends from Texas, were continuing an Amazon combo journey after Rio Marié (where the group had already experienced a potential world-record moment). At Pirarucú, however, the challenge changed completely, with arapaima, tambaqui, and arowana bringing their own rhythm, techniques, and demands.

The group quickly found strong action across all three species, finishing with 141 fish landed. A 2.15-meter arapaima provided one of the biggest moments of the stay, while arowana brought consistent activity throughout the fishery. But one of the most interesting stories developed around tambaqui, as several anglers became increasingly drawn to their strength, size, and demanding fights on fly.

Fishing Stats

Total fish landed: 141

Arapaima: 27
Tambaqui: 42
Arowana: 72

Biggest arapaima: 2.15 meters

Highlights of the Week

A 2.15-Meter Arapaima

Among the 27 arapaima landed, one fish reached an impressive 2.15 meters.

A fish of this scale brings together everything that makes fly fishing for arapaima so distinctive: immense size, explosive power, and a prehistoric presence that becomes even more striking at close range.

For a group of highly experienced anglers, it was the kind of encounter that immediately became one of the defining moments of their time at Pirarucú.

Tambaqui Take the Spotlight

One of the most compelling stories of the week came from a species that is still relatively unfamiliar to many international fly anglers.

The group landed 42 tambaqui, and several guests became so impressed by their size and fighting strength that they chose to spend more time specifically targeting them.

Large tambaqui deliver long, demanding battles and a completely different challenge from arapaima or arowana. For anglers who have traveled extensively in pursuit of world-class sport fish, discovering just how powerful this Amazon species can be became one of the most rewarding parts of the week.

Good Friends, Three Different Challenges

Fishing alongside longtime friends gave the week its own atmosphere, with shared experiences extending from boat to boat throughout the stay.

Across three fishing days, the group encountered three very different sides of the fishery. Arapaima delivered scale and raw power, arowana kept the action visual and active, and tambaqui emerged as a serious target in their own right.

That diversity helped make the week about far more than one defining fish or one species.

Looking Ahead

As the 2026 season continues, Pirarucú keeps showing just how much variety exists within this fishery. Giant arapaima remain at the center of the experience, while increasingly impressive tambaqui continue to earn more attention from anglers discovering their strength for the first time.

Week 7 brought together a 2.15-meter arapaima, strong tambaqui fishing, and 141 fish across three species, another reminder that every group can find a different story on these waters.