WEST PAPUA, INDONESIA/ PAPUA NEW GUINEA BASS

 

Had the opportunity to once again fish for the strongest freshwater fish on earth, the Papuan Black Snapper aka the Papua New Guinea bass.  On January 14, 2026 I flew out of Chicago to Taiwan then to Bali, Indonesia on EVA Airlines.  I stayed in Bali for 2 nights at the Angkul Angkul Segara Beach Kuta which was very comfortable, cheap, near shopping malls, and close to the beach.  After enjoying Bali for 2 nights, I then flew to Sorong on Garuda Indonesia Airlines and stayed at the Swiss-Bel Hotel which was 5 star.  There is a great restaurant/ bar down by the marina.  Sorong is a very popular attraction for scuba diving.  I then flew to Kaimana on Lion Air where I met Luke and Ver Di of Rock Expeditions and friend Ross from Texas.  We would travel the night on Luke's newly purchased houseboat to various rivers where we would try to catch the elusive Papuan Black Snapper.

  The world record currently stands at 47 lbs 8 oz.  On a previous trip to the Gulf region in Papua New Guinea our group landed 5 bass over 40 lbs including a 46 lbs which stood as the all tackle record for a few years.  Bass are super strong and zoom back into wooden structure so the strongest of tackle is required.  We would fish for 10 days hitting numerous rivers.  The best fishing was near the river mouth where 3 bass over 40 lbs were landed. 

Down river casting into structure with either DUO Fangbait 14- or 8-inch plastic prawns the action was consistent.  For the 4 of us the results were as follows

72 bass up to 45 lbs

23 barramundi up to 22 lbs

8 Giant Trevally up to 35 lbs

Numerous Mangrove Jacks and Groupers

5 broken rods and countless snapped leaders

Best lures DUO Fangbait 140

8 inch plastic prawns available in Australia

Reel Shimano Curado 300 spooled with 100 lbs hollowcore Diamond Braid spliced with 40 yards of 130 lbs hollow core

Rod Daiwa Saltiga Travel Casting Rod in medium heavy action ( 3 piece) 7 ft

Leaders, 100 to 130 lbs Yo-Zuri fluorocarbon

In all the trip exceeded my expectations on the number of bass landed.  We developed a pattern on the last day where the 3 bass exceeding 40 lbs were landed.  I am sure bass reaching 60 lbs are present in these waters.  Catching them is story of another day!  However, I will be back again in October in search of these monsters.  The houseboat exceeded expectations. We fished 2 rods per native boat.  The wooden boats were about 28 ft long and had a casting platform.  Dual outboards powered the boats.  The guides were outstanding and knew the waters well.   The sleeping room consisted of 4 beds and A/C.  There is a shared bathroom with shower on board.  The meals were outstanding.  We dined on lobster, stone crabs, deer, and chicken during the stay.  I cannot wait to return to this land where time forgot.  The potential in endless and the majority of these rivers have never seen a lure.  Plus, the locals have a lucrative wooden plank business, so we did not see hardly any netting in the area and never saw another fisherman.  I highly recommend contacting Rock Expeditions for that "trip of a Lifetime". 

2025, A YEAR IN REVIEW

 

First, I hope everyone and their families had a Merry Christmas.  May God bless each of you in 2026.

2025 didn't begin well for me.  My mom passed away at the end of January.  I had a difficult time dealing with this.  I miss her so much. But, with the help of God, life goes on.

Toward the end of March, I went ice fishing for trophy sheefish in Kotzebue, Alaska under the guidance of Lew Pagel of www.arcticfishingadventures.com. 

It was a dream trip with many trophies landed.  This is a must trip for avid anglers.  

In April, I returned to Argentina, my home away from home.  I fished at Jurassic Lake Lodge on Lago Strobel in Patagonia for trophy rainbow trout.  Jurassic is second to none for giant rainbows.

In May, I fished for yellowfin tuna and other saltwater species out of Bahia Solano, Columbia.  The fishing was outstanding.

In August, I caught huge arapaima in the jungles of Bolivia with many friends from Argentina.

September had me return to Jurassic Lake Lodge.  Fishing is always outstanding.

November had me return to the Amazon jungle, casting woodchoppers for huge peacock bass.

2026 will be  another exciting year.  I am blessed to continue my dream and am extremely fortune to have great friends.

MAY GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU!

BARCELOS BRAZIL NOV 14 TO 21, 2025

 I had the opportunity to once again fish for peacock bass in the Brazil Amazon.  I had fished the Amazon for 20 straight years beginning in 1988.  Due to high fishing pressure, I switched to golden dorado and Papua New Guinea bass, the true heavyweights of freshwater fishing.  I booked a trip with Argentina friend, Javi Koller, to fish in the Rio Negro around Barcelos.  I would be joined with 17 Argentina anglers. 

We fished with the Amazon Branquinho boat.  After a comfortable night's stay in Manaus we took 14 hour transfer boat ride to Barcelos.  The boat was comfortable with good meals and video. 

Upon arrive we were greeted by the Amazon Branquinho team and taken to our houseboat for 6 days of fishing.  The water levels we ideal with many white sand breaches observed. The houseboat was adequate along with good meals and good guides.  The fishing was off as only a few peacocks exceeding 10 lbs were landed.

  I released a 13 lbs peacock which was the 2nd largest for the week ( the largest was 13.5 lbs). I only cast woodchoppers for peacocks as enjoy the topwater explosions. I used 1 lure for the trip!   The Argentina anglers casted small minnow lures and landed many small butterfly peacocks. Despite the poor fishing, I still had an enjoyable trip especially again observing the sights and sounds of the Amazon.  I saw lots of pink dolphins and macaws. Plus, I was fortune to wet a line with some old friends and with new friends. However, in my opinion, the "Good Ole days" of peacock bass fishing have gone and went.  Back when I started in the late 1980s other anglers were not present.  50 to 100 peacocks with many exceeding 15 lbs were landed each session on topwater. Now, fishing pressure has drastic put a damper on numbers and size especially in easily accessible areas of Barcelos.  

DAIWA 2025 SALTIGA TRAVEL JIGGING RODS

 

Quality travel fishing rods are a must for the International angler. Long 1 piece rods often are not allowed on International flights or small domestic charter flights.  Or, airlines charge a small fortune for oversize baggage.   However, these are often very difficult to come by.  In 2025, Daiwa has introduced the Saltiga Travel jigging rods.  These are 3 piece rods in either spinning or casting.  Both come in either medium or medium heavy action.  These rods are constructed of HVF nanoplus graphite blanks which are extremely light in weight yet packing incredible power.  I recently purchased the 6ft 6in casting model in medium heavy.  The rod is extremely light.  It reminds me of a slow pitch jigging rod.  I plan on using the rod in my upcoming trip to West Papua/ Indonesia casting for Papua New Guinea bass and barramundi.

EL CALAFATE, ARGENTINA

 

During my fishing adventure travels, I often spend a few extra days visiting friends and sites.  I always spend a few days in El Calafate on my way to Jurassic Lake Lodge.  Calafate is the jump off town to places like Glacier National Park, El Chalten, and even tours to the South Pole.  Calafate is about a           3 1/2 hr flight from Buenos Aires.  It sits on the southern border of Lago Argentino, Argentina's largest lake. 

The town is near the edge of the Southern Patagonian Ice Fields located in the Santa Cruz Provenance.  In 2022, Calafate says said to have 23, 000 residents.  Most work in the tourist industry.  During my stay I always take a walk in the Laguna Nimez which boosts having over 100 different species of waterfowl.

  Here, numerous pink flamingos can normally be seen.  It takes around 2 hours to walk the trails.  There is a small fee which goes toward the research of these birds.  There is also a boardwalk around the Southern Lagoon of Lago Argentino where numerous waterfowl can also be observed.  The walk can take over 3 hours.  This September, the lagoon was void of water so not many flamingos were seen. 

Numerous restaurants and hotels exist in town.  The main street is full of tour booking agents.  I always head to the Patagonia Brewery to quench my thirst and walking around Lago Argentino.  The favorite meal here is Patagonian Lamb which is delicious. So, on your next visit to Argentina, make sure to fly down to the town of El Calafate.  Also, on your next fishing adventure make sure to spend some extra days in local towns and see the sites as there is more than just fishing!  

PARQUE NATIONAL LOS GLACIARES

 

During my recent trip to Argentina, I spent a few days in the town of El Calafate.  Here, I took a bus tour to the Parque National Los Glaciares to observe the Puerto Moreno Glacier.  The National Park is 45 miles from Calafate and sits southwest of Santa Cruz in the Patagonia Region.  The Park was created in 1937 and sits in an area of rugged towering mountains and numerous glacial lakes including Lago Argentino which is Argentina's largest lake.  The Puerto Moreno Glacier is the most famous of the 48 glaciers fed by the southern Patagonian ice field and I believe the 3rd largest in the park.  This is the 3rd largest continental ice field on the planet today.  An entry fee is required to enter the park which can be purchased on-line or in person at the park entrance. 

There are 3 colored grated trails in the park to observe the Moreno Glacier.  In the last year the Moreno glaciers has receded somewhat due to higher-than-normal temperatures and lack of precipitation.  The Moreno Glacier is longer than the entire city of Buenos Aires. 

There are a restaurant and a cafe on the grounds.  If one gets lucky, they will see part of the glacier break off and fall into the water.  There is a boat option to get very close to the glacier.  I have visited this glacier numerous times and am still in awe by God's beautiful creation.  So, the next time you visit Argentina, make sure to visit the Parque National Los Glaciares as it is much better than the glaciers in Alaska in my opinion. 

JURASSIC LAKE LODGE, ARGENTINA PATAGONIA

 Had the opportunity to fish for monster rainbow trout at Jurassic Lake Lodge during September 20 to 27, 2025.  Jurassic Lake, a.k.a. Lago Strobel is without a doubt the greatest rainbow trout fishery on earth.  Here, 20 lbs rainbows are caught on a weekly basis.  Lago Strobel is about a 5 hour drive from the town of El Calafate.  Jurassic Lake Lodge sits next to the Rio Barrancoso which is the only inlet in Lago Strobel.  Here, tens of thousands of rainbows make the push for spawning in September. 

September is the beginning of season while May is the end of the season.  Strobel is known for strong winds which can make fly casting a challenge.  Spinning and or casting gear is allowed in the lake.  The best places are on either side of the river mouth. 

The fishing during the week was good but the numbers are not what I have experienced in the past.  This was in my opinion due to the weather being too nice, no winds and high sun.  The best fishing was very early in the morning before the sun came up.  I would skip breakfast and head to the mouth wearing a headlamp.  The best fly was a white mop using an 8 wt, while casting a 5/8oz moonshine casting spoon in red bloody glow is without a doubt the best lure one can use on Strobel.  I probably have fished here over 20 times and have had numerous days exceeding 100 rainbows.  My best session on this trip was 42 rainbows during the morning with the majority landed before 8am.  The largest weighed rainbow was caught by friend, Jim, which pushed the Boga to a tad over 20 lbs.  My largest pushed the measuring tape to 36 inches.  

The water levels were low but came up the last day of the trip.  There were thousands of rainbows in the Barrancoso, but we did not fish in the river.  As you might know, last January the river got blown out with massive amounts of water rushing through.  The famous "aquarium" hole is now a pile of rocks and dirt.  The river flow changed thus pushing it's mouth down to the right about 50 yards.  

In all, the trip was fantastic.  The average rainbow in my opinion was 11 to 12 lbs.  There is no place on earth where one can constantly caught this size of rainbow trout wading with a fly rod in an isolated, pristine setting.  I will again return in May to catch the giant chrome rainbows which is the favorite time at Jurassic Lake Lodge.