The fish outfit
The favorable zones of the river to look for the coveted species on the Orinoco are the shallower zones, where the current accelerates. The approach that I had with the Orinoco reminds me of fishing in the Loire. It is a very visual fishing, in which it is necessary to know how to read the surface of the water, to guess what hides underneath, and the behaviour of the fishes which results from it.
The sardinatas are very close to the surface, we can observe their activity on the surface when they are present. While the payaras do not hold there systematically. They can stay there to hunt or to oxygenate themselves, otherwise, they stay deeper to rest. A good indicator to know if an area is suitable to take payaras, is the presence of piranhas, because they both appreciate the same environments.
Full flow
In shallow areas, subject to the strongest current, jerkbait minnow, sinking stick and blade lures work best. They allow you to fish these areas without being affected by the current.
Amortized and against the current
If the current is not so strong, in the baits and deeper areas, longbill minnow, swimbaits, spoons and especially soft lures mounted on lead heads allow you to explore the different water heights. Concerning soft lures, they are very effective on payaras, but are vulnerable to the teeth of payaras and piranhas, so you must have a large stock!
The background
Concerning the nature of the bottom on the places where we stop, there are two types. Sandy bottoms, which did not give me any results, and rocky bottoms, on which I found the fishing much better.
This day, rich in teachings, comes to an end and I find the city of Puerto Carreño.
I will meet and get to know the group of fishermen with whom I will spend the rest of my stay.
