Headwaters Fishing Club, Lake Guri

The Amazon Basin and Brazil may get more publicity for its Peacock Bass fishing, but Lake Guri in Venezuela must be the only body of water to boast in our opinion the best combined Peacock Bass and Payara fishing in the world, with fish averaging 10-15lb.

While the camp and lake record Peacock Bass is still held at an unofficial 26lb (2011), the world record Payara of nearly 40lb was caught at a camp on the Paragua River that flows into Lake Guri.

Lake Guri, in the State of Bolivar in South East Venezuela, holds FOUR MILLION acres of water when full to the brim. There’s an almost endless variety of different fishing opportunities on Lake Guri’s fishing grounds, with areas from 1ft to 50ft deep, holding beautifully marked, power packed predators, all in tannin-stained, clear water.

The Peacock Bass of Lake Guri are all Speckled or Three-barred Cichla temensis and Steve Townson believes them to be by far the strongest fighting Peacock Bass in the world. They have evolved over the years with more teeth, a larger body mass for their length and much more stamina due to the abundance of smaller baitfish within their fast water habitats when the rivers are running.

The fish lurk under and around the rocky riprap and boulders that are common in Lake Guri and off any points, around trees and any submerged structure. Plus the colours on these Peacock Bass are so varied due to the different depths and structure they are caught in.

With four large bass boats, the Headwaters Fishing Club has a capacity for two anglers per boat with a total of eight anglers at a time.

We use 20-foot boats with casting decks back and front (with American-style swivel seats if needed), rear electric trolling motors and 75hp engines. Each boat is equipped with radio for constant contact between the camp and the other fishing boats.

Two anglers per boat will be taken fishing by an experienced and local guide who knows the fishing areas intimately. You will fish the numerous points, flooded forests, rocky shorelines, rivers and quiet bays.

Headwaters Fishing Club at Curichapo Lodge is situated on a peninsular at the confluence of the Paragua and Caroni rivers and is owned and run by Mr Steve 'El Ombro' Shoulders from Texas.

Two generators provide a steady 24/7 110-volt power supply to provide all electric power to the camp. All rooms comfortably handle 2-3 people. Three comfortable ‘charuatas’ or thatched cabins accommodate 3 + 3 +2 anglers with en-suite shower and bathroom.

Food at the Headwaters Fishing Club is as good as it gets. Breakfast consists of eggs, bacon, home-made bread, fruit, juice, tea and coffee.

Lunch is usually back at camp with fish, hamburgers, spaghetti, salads… the works. As the fishing tends to slack off until about 3pm, we suggest anglers take a siesta for an hour after lunch in preparation for a full afternoon’s outing.

The evening meals here are legendary. You will have American and local Venezuelan meals, including steak, the biggest pork chops in the world, chicken, fresh fish and salads. All finished off with home-made ice cream and sweets.

The great thing about this destination is that because it’s a lake, the fishing is all year round. This camp is so family-orientated, that loads of kids and wives have learnt how to catch their first huge fish here.

The normal weather seasons in Lake Guri are quite predictable. Rainy season normally begins the last two weeks of May and run through early December. Dry season then begins in December and runs through May.

With most types of freshwater fishing, the action is much better when the water is rising. Yet with Peacock Bass, the lower surface water temperatures brought on by the rains cause the fish to seek refuge in deeper water, where they will find a more comfortable water temperature.

On Lake Guri, on the full moon at the end of February or the beginning of March, big Peacock Bass will normally move onto their spawning beds, which means from the beginning of February to the end of March they would normally be in shallower water.

After they spawn, the bigger fish tend to retreat to the deeper channels to recuperate from their mating ritual and sometime around mid-April they will return to the shallows to feed heavily. Topwater action is good from December to April, and then again from August to December.

During the initial phase of the rainy season, the rivers near the camp will be running swiftly and there will be numerous rapids formed by this fast water going over the abundant rocks and laydowns along the shoreline of the rivers.

During this time, there is a tremendous amount of food being swept downriver by the fast water and the big fish, both Peacock Bass and Payara, will congregate close to the rapids to feed. Topwater action is sporadic during this period, but those fishermen using mid-water to deeper diving baits will be rewarded with fantastic fishing action and catches of 25 fish or more over 10lb per day, both Payara and Peacocks.

See our Kit Page for a PACKING LIST with advice on suggested FISHING KIT

Day 1: From Europe – you will fly to Caracas, clear customs and then check onto a national flight to Puerto Ordaz. You will need to spend the night at a hotel near the airport (flights and hotel are not included but we can organise these for you).
 
Day 2: Depart Puerto Ordaz early in the morning by car to the mining town of El Manteco on the edge of Lake Guri. A boat from Headwaters Fishing Club lodge will be waiting to take you to the camp arriving at about 11am. After lunch you will set up your gear and go for a few hours’ fishing.
 
Day 3-6: Four full fishing days. Enjoy!
 
Day 7: You will be transported by boat back to El Manteco, taken by car to Puerto Ordaz , then you will fly back to Caracas and to your onward journey back home in the evening.

Lake Guri pricing for season 2011/2012 for 4+ days fishing and five nights. Package based on double occupancy.

$2000 / £1,200 / €1,350 per angler *
(based on two anglers)
 
* Any extra days fishing requested will be charged at $400 per day.

A 50% deposit is required to reserve places when booking. The remaining payment is due 90 days before actual trip starts.

Included: Four + days of fishing; five nights at the lodge, double occupancy; excellent meals; open bar; land transport; fishing licenses, guided fishing (2 anglers/ boat);

Not included: International and national air transportation round trip Caracas and Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela; hotel stays other than at the lodge; porters, staff and guides tipping; lures; visas (Citizens of the EEC do NOT need visas for Venezuela); airport departure taxes; meals in Caracas or Puerto Ordaz; costs associated with medical advice and medications for your trip;

* Prices are stated as a guide and may be subject to currency and seasonal variations. Please enquire for exact prices for the dates you are interested in.

Through our travel agent partners we are able to secure excellent rates for all your international and domestic flights and travel insurance that are not included in our packages.
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