Mar 12, 2022 - Rio Magdalena, Colombia
Around 60% of species in Rio Magdalena are endemic. With a 13-hour stopover, it was just enough time to drive 3.5h from Bogota to the closest access on the Rio Madgalena to catch two endemic catfish species. Fishing might be more productive if the water wasn't high, swift and turbid with visibility of less than 6 inches.
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Species 1035
Pimelodus yuma (No common name)
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Species 1036
Pimelodus grosskopsii (No common name)
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Mar 13, 2022 - Rio Parana, Encarnacion, Paraguay
The last visit to Paraguay (in March 2020) was the shortest trip ever - 3 days in the country, including travel time, before COVID-induced national curfews and international border closures forced a premature flight home. Fingers crossed that another disaster would not strike and I can actually stay for more than 72 hours this time around. An afternoon session produced 2 wish-list species, plus a rare Catfish that Fernando just learned of its existence.
Species 1037
Hoplias mbigua (No common name)
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Species 1038
Acestrorhynchus pantaneiro (No common name)
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Species 1039
Auchenipterus nuchalis (No common name)
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Mar 14, 2022 - Rio Parana, Cerrito, Paraguay
Paraguay is in the midst of a multi-year drought and many of the wetlands turned into grasslands. However, the few remaining small rivers did offer easy fishing for Hoplias misionera. Stopping at road-side chiperas for fresh chipas was a nice break to stretch legs after sitting for hours cramped under the kayaks inside Fernando's van.
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Species 1040
Hoplias misionera (No common name)
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Species 1041
Pimelodus maculatus Spotted Pim
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Species 1042
Platydoras armatulus Southern Striped Raphael
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Mar 15, 2022 - Rio Parana, Cerrito, Paraguay
Our first full day in Cerrito, the plan was to focus on the main objective - a Golden Dorado. A strenuous 3km upstream paddle against the strong current for 2 hours, the reward was only a couple of chases for me and Golden Dorado broken off for Fernando. Due to the drought, the fishing was extremely poor. The decision was to return mid-afternoon in favour of some bottom fishing and securing Piranha or Catfish for dinner.
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Species 1043
Astyanax lacustris (No common name)
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Mar 16, 2022 - Rio Parana, Cerrito, Paraguay
A boat wake bounced one of Fernando's rod into the water, never to be seen again despite a couple of hours dredging the depth with a weighted treble hook. A Golden Dorado hit at my feet, crumpled the leader but missed the front hook. A double-header of Golden Dorado on bait resulting in one quick jump-and-spit for Fernando, and the another shook the hook just 6 inches from the net for me. Losses were the theme of the day, including plenty of livebait chopped up by endless Piranhas. A piscivorous Catfish and the livebait species ended up salvaging the day. Instead of Golden Dorado fillets, we feasted on Spotted Pim and drank our sorrows away.
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Species 1044
Psalilodon rutilus (No common name)
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Species 1045
Odontostilbe pequira (No common name)
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Species 1046
Hemisorubim platyrhynchos Porthole Shovelnose Catfish
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Mar 17, 2022 - Rio Parana, Encarnacion, Paraguay
Cerrito's sleepy and rustic charm is preserved by its unforgiving sandy access roads. A series of protest and road blocks against high fuel prices ushered a hasty retreat back to Encarnacion, only to be delayed when well-intentioned anglers, who tried to pull out a stuck sedan, were swallowed by the sandy traps as well. An evening of micro fishing within the city revealed a few more lifer gems.
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Species 1047
Crenicichla taikyra (No common name)
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Species 1048
Triportheus nematurus (No common name)
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Species 1049
Psalilodon eigenmanniorum (No common name)
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Mar 18, 2022 - Rio Parana, Encarnacion, Paraguay
An early morning of fishing was pretty uneventful until a fiery sky signaled the start of three consecutive Motoro Ray. While the morning remained calm, a quick kayak paddle led to a crystal clear aquarium where it was possible to sightfish for multiple species. A creek just outside of town offered the opportunity for another lifer. On the last evening in Paraguay, we celebrated a successful trip with fancy empanadas.
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Species 1050
Potamotrygon motoro South American Freshwater Stingray
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Species 1051
Hyphessobrycon eques Jewel Tetra
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Species 1052
Bryconamericus agna (No common name)
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Mar 20, 2022 - Represea Billings, Sao Paulo, Brazil
A 6-hour stopover turned into an extra morning of fishing, thanks to the airline granting an early departure time so it was possible to overnight in Sao Paulo. The forecast threatened torrential rainfall but, trusting the radar imagery rather than the posted forecast, the gamble on favourable weather was won. The fish were not bothered by the 10C temperature drop or the on-and-off misty drizzle. Special thanks to Leo for sharing his childhood fishing spot.
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Species 1053
Crenicichla britskii (No common name)
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Species 1054
Coptodon rendalli Redbreast Tilapia
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Species 1055
Geophagus brasiliensis Pearl Cichlid
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Species 1056
Psalilodon fasciatus Banded Astyanax
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Species 1057
Poecilia vivipara (No common name)
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