Machaca is also commonly known as jerky chew or beef jerky chew. A staple of Northern Mexican cookingincluding the states of Sonora, Sinaloa, and Nuevo LenMachaca is a non-perishable provision that has been consumed for hundreds of years. It comes from the Spanish word machacar, to smash or crush. To spice things up even more, the rivers are also inhabited with rainbow bass, or guapote lagunero, and Pacific snook, so throw a few small streamers in your bag and you should be good to go. Machaca is spiced and dehydrated beef that's shredded to a light and airy consistency. We will also have plenty of large wooden or cork fruit flies to get the fish really eager to eat. Flies generally match whats in season, and we recommend panfish and largemouth poppers in green, yellow, orange, and red for the various types of fruiting and flowering trees with a few extras in black and white to mimic the machacaвЂ™s favorite treat вЂ“ bird poop.

Most machaca weigh around 2-4 lbs, but there are many larger fish in the river and youвЂ™ll be happy to have a little extra rod if you connect with one of these powerful 5+ lbers. We recommend 6-8 weight rods to help reduce arm fatigue from throwing large poppers throughout the day. The fishing is from a whitewater raft or river panga (depending on the river) operated driftboat style and suitable for 2 anglers. Its great sport, and in our opinion one of the most underestimated fish for fly out there.В If South AmericaвЂ™s pacu is the вЂњriver permitвЂќ then its only appropriate that the machaca is the вЂњriver bonefishвЂќ.

Once hooked, the fish are as aerial as miniВ tarponВ and as strong as any other riverВ fish, doggedly pulling into roots and snags in an effort to break free. Machaca are extremely aggressive, and throwing poppers behind overhanging branches along the bank often triggers several fish to attack from below.

Machacha fish