The tenth season at Kendjam Lodge has officially begun — a milestone that feels less like a marker of time and more like a declaration of purpose. For ten years, this rare alliance between Untamed Angling and the Kayapó warriors has defended, explored, and revealed the wild mosaic of the Iriri River. And now, under the fierce sunlight of mid-June, the next chapter unfolds.
Our first group of the 10th season arrived hungry for adventure, and the Iriri River did not disappoint. Under clear skies, anglers chased everything from wolf fish to peacock bass, their lines dancing through sun-lit currents. Guides and anglers celebrated Kendjam’s decade in these waters. Each cast a reminder of why we’ve returned year after year. Laughter echoed from the boats as stories of early-morning strikes and epic battles intertwined, turning every drift into a cherished memory.
ANGLERS: 6 Guests
WATER CONDITIONS
• Water Color: Lightly stained green, offering contrast for sight fishing
• Water Level: Lower than usual for mid-June, concentrating fish in deep runs
WEATHER CONDITIONS
• Temperature: A steady 32 °C (89.6 °F) during the day and 20 °C (68 °F) at night.
• Skies: Bright sunshine each day, with warm mornings and golden afternoons
FISHING HIGHLIGHTS & SPECIES MIX
This was not a week for numbers alone — though we had them — it was a week that felt like a conversation between angler and river.
The matrinxã stole hearts again. Their speed, aggression, and elegance in the current made each hook-up feel earned. Many took dry flies — foam bugs delicately dropped near rock faces, only to vanish in a swirl of bronze and silver.
Pacu borracha and Pacu prata tested technical skills in strong, flowing water. These fish thrive in current, demanding perfect drifts, subtle presentations, and a sharp reading of complex water. When it came together, the reward was unforgettable.
Bicuda, sharp as spears, exploded onto streamers with no warning, their chrome bodies flashing under sunlight. And the wolf fish — brutal, prehistoric, and endlessly thrilling — made their presence known. The largest, at 81 cm (31.9 in), was a brute of a fish that tore into a streamer like it had a grudge.
WEEKLY STATS
Total Fish Landed: 167
Standout Catches:
- Wolf Fish – 81 cm
- Bicuda – 77 cm
- Peacock Bass – 57 cm
- Matrinxã – 51 cm
- Silver Pacu – 42 cm
- Rubber Pacu – 37 cm
UNFORGETTABLE MOMENT
But perhaps the most exhilarating visuals came from the peacock bass. Dozens were sight-fished in skinny water, cruising just beneath the surface, their shadows weaving through white sand and submerged structure. Watching them track, follow, and erupt on a properly placed streamer was jungle fly fishing at its purest form. No guesswork. No blind shots. Just eyes on fish, and heart in throat.
LOOKING AHEAD
With the river still settling into its seasonal rhythm, we expect visibility to improve and the fishing to become even more dynamic in the coming weeks. Conditions are shaping up beautifully for sight casting — a hallmark of Kendjam — and for exploring the full variety this fishery has to offer, from high-speed predators to current-loving omnivores.
This is only the beginning.
GUIDES & STAFF
Kendjam Lodge, 2025
CONTACT US
If you fancy doing battle with the hard fighting species of the Amazon basin, then Kendjam Lodge is a destination for you. If you’d also like any further information, you can contact our fly fishing specialist Peter Collingsworth on 01603 407596 or email at peter@sportquestholidays.com.
