Rewa Eco-Lodge, Arapaima in Guyana

Rewa Eco-lodge is one of only a few places anglers can fly fish for world’s largest and rarest freshwater game fish, the arapaima gigas. If you’re ready to challenge the Amazon jungle for the chance to fight 400lb of living dinosaur, you might just have what it takes to fish in Guyana.

A thrilling opportunity to target a rare species

Arapaima are not your only fishing options, but they’re certainly the largest, toughest and best-fighting fish you’ll encounter not just in Guyana, but anywhere in freshwater. You will want a 12 # fly rod; we advise taking two or more, in case one (or more) loses the game of tug-of-war with these massive, powerful fish.

Fishing is conducted from 18ft aluminium boats, with the rides to the various fishing areas relatively short. Each day includes a short walk from the river, on well kept jungle trails, to the ponds where the fishing takes place. The majority of the fishing is done in these ponds or oxbow lakes that have been cut off from the main river and anglers will fish a new pond each day. Peacock bass are a common by-catch in the ponds and these plentiful fish can be targeted in a variety of ways including surface flies and poppers.

The entire Rewa River system holds a variety of other species with payara, bicuda, arowana, haimara and surubi all on offer. We’d suggest packing 8 & 5 # rods just to keep things interesting.

“It’s like hunting dinosaurs, they are the biggest and baddest fish that swims.” O.W., USA

Relax and share your fish stories

The lodge is situated on the banks of the Rewa River and is run entirely by the local community. The community has been on the forefront of conservation and sustainable sport fishing since the lodge was established in 2005. Together with Indifly the lodge has been protecting the fishery through fish research programmess. Because the lodge is run by the community there is real incentive to keep the fishery and its surroundings healthy for future generations. There is an abundance of wildlife at Rewa. Guests can experience incredible animal encounters such as giant river otters, jaguars and anacondas. The birdlife is also noteworthy with 193 species to be seen around the lodge and river.

The lodge offers rustic but comfortable accommodation. Anglers have individual rooms with en-suite bathrooms. The lodge runs on solar power and is entirely self-sufficient. Laundry and turn-down service is included. Three hearty meals are included each day. The Laughing Arapaima Bar will cater for all your drinking needs with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic refreshments. There is also a limited satellite internet service available during office hours.

A remote, Guyanese jungle village

Rewa, in British Guyana, is a remote village in the middle of the rain forest which is one of the things that makes it so special. The village is home to roughly 250 indigenous Guyanese, predominantly of the Makushi tribe, but there are also indigenous Waipishana and Warao.  Visiting anglers access the lodge from one of three boat pick up points which are reached by either charter or scheduled airline flights.