How to Fly Fish for Piraputanga - The Trout of the Tropcis

Trout is undisputedly the most targeted fish family among fly anglers worldwide. Besides being widely available globally, it is the fact that they will feed on surface insects, put-on a good fight and inhabit pristine and scenic water bodies that attracts the attention of most fly anglers.

Now, if trout are fun for their topwater action, acrobatic jumps and escape-artist skills; what would you think if they also had sharp teeth and forced you to up your game by setting the hook at the most precise moment, at the cost of having your fluorocarbon leader cut in the blink of an eye, and the fish lost?

Piraputanga sharp teeth

Piraputanga sharp teeth

Piraputanga sharp teeth

This is my preamble to the Piraputanga (Brycon Hilarii); one of the most under-rated, under-targeted fish species in the fly fishing world. Of course, part of that is due to its limited global availability (they are mostly found in South American countries such as Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina and Paraguay), but another part of that is that people just don't talk about them at all - it's almost like the people who know them want to keep a good secret all to themselves. And, as an angler, that I can understand.

The good news is that Piraputangas (aka Pera, in Brazil), can be often found in the same waters fished for Golden Dorados. While the latter is a very challenging target, with a growing reputation worldwide, and a top-rank on the so-called "bucket-list" of any serious multi-species angler; the former remain pretty anonymous.

Fly Fishing for Piraputanga

A client with a nice Piraputanga

I personally think that going to a river with Piraputangas and not dedicating time to catch them is a trip being partially wasted. At the same time, I understand that the Golden Dorados can demand lots of your time and attention, so it is a matter of your own time management choices - and personality. Think Golden Dorados for competitive fishing; and "Peras" for good-times and relaxation.

River with a school of Piraputanga

School of Piraputanga

Normally, the Piraputanga will stay away from the Dorados. But there will be cases when  you can strike a Piraputanga, only to see a Golden Dorado come out of nowhere, break your line and take your fish from you, in a fraction of a second. in a way, the Piraputanga is to Trout what a Golden Dorado is to Salmon. They share similar characteristics and in the waters they share, they are prey and predator, respectively.

Why is Piraputanga so much fun?

• First, they have a fun size! This is particularly important to those anglers that do not care much about river monsters and long hard fights. In general, the Piraputangas will be below two pounds, but trophy-size 7-pounders are out there as well.

• Secondly, they love jumping out of the water to feed; they are known for reaching out to overhanging branches for little fruits or topwater for terrestrials. Oftentimes, they will take your fly on the drop, but they also enjoy a little dead-drifting. In general, these fish love current seams, in particular under the shades of the overhanging bushes by the bank. Riffles are also a good feeding area for them.  If the wind has blown, leaves will be carried by the current and Peras will be looking for the food that fell with the wind onto the river's surface.  Having said that, these fish  can also appreciate chasing a streamer. See the resemblance with trout?

• Thirdly, the jumping goes on and on during most of your fight. Many times, it ends with the fish out of the hook and back in the water. If you get a little slack on your line, then the fish will cut your leader and take your precious fly with it.

• Finally,  in normal conditions, you will fish them with light tackle (5-7wt fly rods), floating line and light (but strong) leaders (10 lb fluorocarbon) - and light-tackle is always fun!  If you are dead-drifting a terrestrial, casting it over and over again, with nice open loops over the water, will have a therapeutical effect on you. Believe me.

On top of that, the Piraputanga is a beautiful fish, with a silvery-gold body;  bright orange pelvic and pectoral fins; the tail fin is red with a distinct, prominent black stripe; and an upturn mouth full of sharp teeth.

This is a new species for most fly anglers, and although we can pull some tricks to catch them, there are still lots of techniques yet to be explored. Perhaps dry-droppers or nymphing. Heck! Tenkara; who knows!

Come fish for them with us in Brazil and we promise, "you'll get hooked"!