The season kicked off with dynamic conditions as two significant storms and consistent nighttime rain kept the river rising, creating promising setups for Payara fishing.
Weather Recap
Daytime temperatures hovered between 30-32ºC, cooling off to 26-28ºC at night—a range that kept both the anglers and fish active and primed for the hunt.
Fishing Conditions
The rainfall triggered substantial ant and fly hatches, drawing pacus to the surface and delivering topwater action that kept anglers on their toes. The peacock bass bite followed the shifting water levels, peaking in the morning and late afternoon as anglers targeted these aggressive fighters with poppers and sliders for thrilling strikes.
Wolffish, however, proved elusive with rising water affecting their usual ambush spots. Despite the challenging conditions, a few determined anglers managed to land some of these wary predators.
Payara fishing demanded a strategic approach. With lower water levels early on, Payaras were hanging in deeper holes, requiring fast-sinking lines and double-hook flies for success. As the river levels rose, the action shifted, with fish becoming more active higher in the water column. By week’s end, we were rewarded with explosive topwater strikes on poppers, and we’re anticipating even better conditions for next week!
Gear Recommendations
For Payara, we recommend 10 weight rods paired with fast-sinking lines. Our guides favor a Scientific Angling Jungle custom 462-grain sinking tip for its control and effectiveness. Dark-colored flies and peacock bass-inspired patterns with trailer hooks remain the top producers—don’t leave home without a few poppers in the mix!
For other species like Matrinxas, Pacus, Peacock Bass, and even Wolffish, a 7-weight rod is versatile enough to tackle the variety and keep things exciting throughout the day.
FISHING STATS
Total fish landed: 120
Total Payaras landed: 25
Biggest Fish of the Week
Vampire Fish (Payara): 85 cm
Peacock Bass: 55 cm
Matrinxã: 30 cm
Silver Pacu: 20 cm
Bicuda: 35 cm
Highlights
The Xingu served up memorable moments this week, including a team effort from guests Kyle & Tyson and guides Christian, Bri, and Jami to land a massive Red-tail Catfish on the fly—a rare and wild achievement! Meanwhile, guests Mike & Darrin, guided by Ezequiel, Bri, and Jami, had a last session to remember, landing five Payaras on poppers in one session. Teamwork at its best!
But the Xingu experience goes beyond the water. This week, our Kayapo partners shared fresh camera trap photos capturing a jaguar just five minutes from the lodge, a vivid reminder of the untamed nature that defines this region.
Xingu Lodge Team
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