The Red Kaloi (Osphronemus septemfasciatus) is one of the rarest and most sought-after freshwater game fish in the world. Found only in remote rivers of Kalimantan, Indonesia, this spectacular red giant gourami has become one of the ultimate challenges for adventurous fly anglers. Sport Fishing Asia offers exclusive expeditions into these pristine jungle rivers with experienced local guides and carefully planned logistics.
Quick Facts
| Species | Red Kaloi |
| Scientific Name | Osphronemus septemfasciatus |
| Location | Kalimantan |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Fishing Style | Fly Fishing / Casting |
| Difficulty | 5/5 |
| Best Season | June–August (adjust as appropriate) |
| Average Size | 3–5 kg (7–11LB) |
| Trophy Size | 6–15 kg (13–33LB) |
| Habitat | Warm, slow, tropical jungle rivers |
| Target Method | Surface flies / Topwater |
What is the Red Kaloi?
The red kaloi is a species of fish belonging to the gourami (Osphronemidae) family which is native to Asia. The red kaloi is the largest of the giant gourami species and found only in the island of Borneo.
They have become so rare that in recent years specimens are only caught deep in the jungle rivers of Kalimantan, Indonesia.
A 70 cm red kaloi can weigh up to 9 kg. The biggest red kaloi netted by a local Dayak was estimated at 15 kg (33 lb).
Where Can You Catch Red Kaloi?
Even though the red kaloi is endemic to the island of Borneo, they seem to be only caught in Kalimantan these days.
The red kaloi live in jungle rivers deep in the rainforests. It prefers warm slow waters with a lot of structures where it hunts for food and wait under overhangs for fruits and insects to drop from trees.
They are able to live in low-oxygenated waters as gourami are obligate air-breather and can breathe air directly from the atmosphere.
Why is It One of the World’s Toughest Freshwater Fish?
The red kaloi is built tough and strong. It has rough scales, a wide profile body with large fins for power. Its cousin the giant gourami are already known to be a strong fish but the red kaloi is at another level.
To catch one, you will also need to get yourself into a very remote destination to even find where the red kaloi live. Two days of traveling is not uncommon involving flights, roads and boats.
The red kaloi are very alert to their environment. They can also be often close to the water’s surface which makes it easier for them to get spooked.
The environment they live in are also full of structures such as fallen logs, trees and rocks making it even more challenging getting a strong fish out into open water.
Best time to fish
The fishing season for red kaloi is from January through October.
The early part of the season is when trees fruit and fish frequently feed on fruits and insects that drop down to the surface.
The later part of the season has less probability of rain (drier part of the year).
Tropical rainforest river fishing is always susceptible to the effects of climate. Too much rain the rivers are flooded and water murky. Too dry the river levels may drop too much, temperatures may rise and water becomes too warm, water clarity may be too clear making fish very easily spooked, sections of rivers may even become too shallow for the boat to navigate thus lessening fishable water.
Fly Fishing for Red Kaloi
My personal recommendation is minimum any powerful 8-weight fly rods. Don’t be shy to go with 9 or 10-weight rods as they are commonly used too.
You need a powerful rod for these strong fish and given the chances that you’d hook one very close to sunken trees and such, you need all the help to keep the fish up.
Some say shorter jungle rods are suitable for this type of fishing. They probably would but I’ve not used a shorter rod yet to give my personal assessment on the difference a 8-foot fly rod would make versus a more common 9-foot fly rod.
Reel is not that important as it’s job is to hold line in this instance.
Fly line should match the type and size of fly you’re casting. And please practice before the trip to make sure you’re comfortable with the setup.
Leader for me is 40 LB tippet connected to 60 or 80 LB butt section if you’re making your own leader. Leader length between 7-feet to 9-feet long.
Flies are mainly hoppers for the red kaloi in size 2/0 or 1/0 hooks. Red kaloi has also been caught on poppers, and less common streamers and wriggle minnows. More often caught on hoppers could possibly be because that’s what we are throwing at them 99% of the time.
Presentation method is putting your flies mainly onto still water among structures. Leave it for a couple of seconds and a red kaloi will come check it out if one is there.
Hookset is usually not too much of a challenge as the red kaloi more often than not engulf your fly whole either like watching the whole action in slo-mo or a sudden explosion on the surface.
The key thing to remember is minimum slack line between you and the fly and be ready always. Easier said than done believe me after thousands of casts without a fish.
Once the fish comes tight the fight is going to be chaos and mayhem especially if it’s a big fish. This is evident from every red kaloi kaloi that I’ve personally seen get hooked. It’s just pure madness, everyone in the boat shouting and euphoria breaks out once the fish is in the net! You need to experience and see it yourself to really understand what I’m talking about.
Landing the red kaloi is all about staying tight, keeping the fish away from snags and hopefully nothing breaks. And talking about that, rods, lines, leaders and even hook breakage are not uncommon when it comes to fishing for the red kaloi.
Typical Expedition
A typical expedition is around 12-14 days including travels. It will take two to three days on both ends of the fishing days depending on where you come from.
Five full days with potentially two half days of fishing makes up most trips. Longer expeditions with more fishing days can also be accommodated.
Trips begin from the city of Balikpapan and from there a domestic flight to Melak followed by a 4×4 drive on jungle logging tracks to the village.
After a night in the village lodge we transfer by boat to the jungle camp. For those who prefer a little more comfort instead of roughing it out at the jungle camp, staying in the village lodge can be an option. The trade-off is less water is accessible from the village.
Anglers and crew head out to fish every morning, two anglers per boat going as far upriver as possible before starting the drift and fish back down. Lunch is had at the river.
Gallery
Video
Watch our past expedition video below (and more in our YouTube channel) to learn everything about the red kaloi expedition.
Conservation
The location where we fish are looked after by the local Dayak tribes who live in a small village near the rivers.
The next closest village is five hours away by boat. It is difficult to access the area without the knowledge of the locals.
All red kaloi caught are released and the locals have a community to work as guides. The red kaloi is also not a source of food for the locals.
Why Fish With Sport Fishing Asia?
At Sport Fishing Asia, we don’t just organise fishing trips—we personally explore, test and refine every destination we offer. Every expedition is built on first-hand experience so you know exactly what to expect before you arrive.
First-Hand Destination Knowledge
Our Red Kaloi expeditions are based on real exploration, not second-hand information. We’ve spent days navigating these remote jungle rivers, learning the seasonal conditions, understanding the fish’s behaviour and working alongside experienced local guides to maximise your chances of success.
Exclusive and Authentic Experiences
This is one destination that few anglers have had the opportunity to fish. Rather than crowded, heavily pressured waters, we take you to remote locations where adventure is as memorable as the fishing itself.
Small Groups, Personal Attention
Our trips are intentionally kept small to ensure every guest receives personal guidance and a better overall experience. Whether you’re an experienced fly angler or new to the challenge, we’re there to help throughout the journey.
Carefully Planned Logistics
Fishing in remote Kalimantan requires much more than simply arriving at the river. We coordinate the local transport, boats, accommodation, guides and daily logistics so you can focus on the fishing and the adventure.
Honest Expectations
We believe in setting realistic expectations. The Red Kaloi is one of the planet’s most challenging freshwater fish to catch. There are no guarantees—but that’s exactly what makes every encounter so rewarding. We’d rather promise an authentic adventure than unrealistic catch rates.
Conservation-Focused Angling
We promote responsible fishing practices that respect the fish, the habitat and the local communities. Protecting these remarkable fisheries is essential so future generations can experience them too.
More Than Just a Fishing Trip
A Red Kaloi expedition is an adventure into one of the world’s last great tropical rainforests. Towering jungle, wild rivers, incredible wildlife and the pursuit of one of the rarest freshwater game fish combine to create an experience that stays with you long after you’ve returned home.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable fishing adventure beyond the ordinary, we’d love to welcome you to Kalimantan.
Trip Dates and Pricing
We plan trips based on demand and dates are based on availability. Get in touch with us to find out if we have any dates in the planning with available rods to fill. Or organise your own group and let us know your preferred travel period.
Fishing season is from January through October.
What’s Included:
• An internal flight
• Ground transfers to and from camp
• Accommodation at village lodge
• All meals on location
• Camp gear (sleeping setup & bug net)
• Fishing guides
• Boats & boatmen
What’s Not Included:
• International flights
• Hotel accommodation in Balikpapan
• Alcoholic beverages
• Fishing tackle and consumables
• Tips/gratuities
Airport: Guests arrive and meet up in Balikpapan, Kalimantan
Length of trips: Duration of expedition are typically about 12 days
Rate: Starts from USD 2,500 per person depending on number of rods. Contact us for details