FFJ CURATED DESTINATION
Brazil: Rio Marie Giant Peacock Bass
FFJ CURATED DESTINATION
Brazil: Rio Marie Giant Peacock Bass
DESTINATION OVERVIEW
- The Rio Marié is proven to hold the most remarkable average size of all peacock bass fisheries currently known to the angling world. The entire 500 miles of the number one peacock bass fishery in the world is managed as a catch and release only fishery and is one of the largest preserved fisheries in South America.
- The direct float plane access to the highly mobile and shallow drafting vessel, the Untamed Amazon, puts anglers on water that has seen very little angler pressure. Our strategy is to fish new water every day and after each week, reposition the vessel up or down river. Quick and easy access to the prized fishing grounds in a versatile mothership allows us complete access to the entire fishery. When pursuing the smartest fish in the jungle, the peacock bass, utilizing every advantage makes the difference.
- the Rio Marié has demonstrated an average size of speckled peacock bass at 10 pounds, with regular captures of 15-20 pound fish as well.
- The fishing season runs from late August through early February. This is the dry season for the upper Rio Negro Basin, the time when water is the lowest.
- In addition to Peacock Bass, anglers can check off additional species like Black Arowana, Trairas, Striped Surubi and monster Piraíba.
- The Untamed Amazon is a luxury floating lodge designed to put you in the heart of some of the best Peacock Bass fishing in the world. This vessel sacrifices nothing when it comes to comfort and the highest quality accommodations. Equipped with solar power, luxury suites with private baths, air-conditioning, satellite WIFI, two jacuzzies, a spacious living area and an outdoor lounge, you will return from a fantastic day of fishing to be spoiled with the finest cuisine and excellence in lodging.
EXPERTS ON THIS TRIP
A Fly Fishing Journeys Expert will accompany your group to share insights, assist with travel logistics and help make this a memorable trip of a lifetime. Additonally, you will be treated to the finest outfitters and guides in all of Patagonia.
ITINERARY
After breakfast at the hotel, the host will pick up the group at the agreed time (usually around 5:30 AM) for transfer to the local airport, and then the charter flights to Rio Marie. We use 2 planes for groups of 12 anglers:
- For 8 anglers, we take the amphibious Cessna Caravan float plane around 6:30 AM in Manaus and fly directly to the Rio Marié (an approximate 3:30 hour flight)
- For 12 anglers, we take a second flight (turbo prop wheel plane) at around 8:00 AM from Manaus to São Gabriel da Cachoeira (an approximate 2:30 hour flight) and then a 30 minute flight with the Caravan Float plane to the Rio Marié.
The floatplane leaves 8 guests on the Rio Marié at the Untamed Amazon vessel and picks up those 4 who will return to Manaus via São Gabriel. From the Rio Marié to the São Gabriel da Cachoeira airport, the floatplane takes an average of 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the location of the vessel on the Rio Marié.
When the floatplane arrives at the Sao Gabriel airport, the second plane (turbo prop wheel plane) should already be waiting or arriving. This stopover is easy and convenient. There’s an air-conditioned lounge where guests can relax and use the facilities while planes changeover during the stopover. Customers who are inbound to the Rio Marié take the Cessna Caravan float plane to the Untamed Amazon mothership while those headed back to Manaus take the turbo prop wheel plane.
Upon arrival at the Untamed Amazon vessel, you will be shown to your stateroom, and then greeted upstairs in the comfortable lounge where you will meet the guides and fishing team. You’ll have plenty of time to get situated in your suite. After a cold drink and lunch, you can relax and enjoy the amenities of the Untamed Amazon. It’s a good time for a siesta! According to the fishing plans the mothership will be moving upstream or downstream during the week.
Around 5:00 PM anglers will be presented to the entire Rio Marie crew and guides will give a brief explanation and orientation of the daily fishing plans, fishing strategies and schedule for the week. After dinner you can prepare your tackle for the next day's fishing with the assistance of the guides.
Each day teams of two anglers fish one of the beats in the Marié River (including tributaries and lagoons), with one professional English-speaking fly fishing guide and a local Indian guide, in brand new, specially designed fishing boats. These wide-bodied, 20-foot boats havetwo casting platforms (one at either end of the boat so both anglers can fish at the same time), a center console, and are powered by 90hp, 4-stroke motors, as well as remote-control electric motors.
Typical Day- 5:30am - Coffee is hot
- 7:00 am - Breakfast
- 8:00am - Head to fishing grounds
- 12 pm to 1pm - Anglers will have a picnic style lunch on the river.
- 1pm - After lunch, fishing will resume until late afternoon when the guides will deliver anglers back to the yacht around 5:30pm. Every day the yacht will be moved, and anchored in a different place
- 6:30 pm - Cocktails and appetizers on the covered patio top deck.
- 8:00 pm - Dinners will be served inside the Untamed Amazon’s air-conditioned dining room area
In the morning, the group will have a leisurely breakfast and a couple of hours to relax and finish packing while waiting for the arrival of the float planes which will drop off the incoming group and transfer you back to Manaus. The plane will usually stop in Tefé (about an hour’s and half flight) to refuel before continuing on to Manaus, arriving back in Manaus in the late afternoon.
Your staff driver will deliver you to the International Airport after a nice Brazilian BBQ dinner or to the Hotel for a quick shower if you choose to rent a day room. If you do not feel like taking the red eye out of Manaus that night, another night’s stay at the boutique Hotel can be arranged; this would not be included in the package, and we will need to know as far in advance as possible if you will need this extra hotel night. Should this be the case, the transfer driver will pick you up the following day, according to your flight departure time, and deliver you to the International Airport.
BENEFITS OF TRAVELING WITH US
- Zoom Calls – We lead recorded Zoom calls (Minimum of 2) with you and the entire group to get you dialed in on all the necessary information, logistics, travel details, equipment, flies, and clothing needed. It’s also a great way to meet the group so from day one connections are made.
- Trip Checklist - You will receive a checklist of all the necessary items for the trip. This will include recommend rods, lines, and flies.
- Curated Travel – We travel all over the world and hand pick specific destinations to add our curated travel offerings. There are many factors that go into a destination making it on our curated travel list. Not only does the fishing have to be outstanding, but also the people, experience, the food, and the accommodations. We never take you somewhere we haven’t been so all trips are vetted to make sure every trip we offer will rise to the level of a world-class experience.
- Communication - Group members are kept informed with detailed emails. The team also interacts with each other via text and email messaging. We typically see great new friendships formed from out group trips.
- World Class Outfitters – With lots of outfitters to choose from, know your experience is in the hands of the best in the world. We have had the opportunity to fish with many outfitters around the world. We hand select only the finest to participate in these curated travel trips. We have selected them for their experience catching fish, professionalism with the clients, the quality accommodations, and the highest level of hospitality with our clients.
- Small Group – Our groups will usually run no more than 6-8 people.
WHAT TO EXPECT
- WEATHER: The weather can be hot. Mid-day temperatures in the Amazon range from 85o-95oF, or higher, with 80-90% humidity. Due to the intense sun (you are literally on the equator) and sweat-inspiring humidity during the day, you’ll want to be mindful of dehydration and overexposure to the sun. At night the temperature drops to a comfortable 65o-75oF. Although you will be fishing in the dry season, there are occasional rain showers (you are deep inside a rainforest), so you want to have light rain jackets and rain pants with you at all times. The jungle is surprisingly friendlydue the high tannin concentration of its waters, and there are no mosquitoes here. There are, however, some no-see-ums and gnats, along with horseflies.
- This jungle is surprisingly friendly due the high tannic acid concentration in its waters. Some nosee-ums and some mosquitoes may be present, but very few in our experience. As for the rest, we remind you that this is a virgin rainforest where all kinds of spiders and strange insects live. We recommend guests not go deep into the jungle, pass through dense vegetation or turn logs over, etc. We strongly recommend wearing long sleeve shirts and pants and Buff face masks during your fishing week.
- CURRENCY: The Brazilian Real is about 5 R$ per 1 U.S. dollar. Dollar bills in Brazil are only accepted in perfect condition, or new, without breaks or marks. Most places accept credit cards. We advise all anglers bringing in cash all tips, native fee and some extra money for small purchases.
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CREDIT CARDS / MONEY EXCHANGE: We strongly suggest you contact your Credit Card company and request a new CHIPPED card for your travel in Brazil and elsewhere around the world. More and more foreign countries are switching to chipped cards, which are far more secure and more difficult to steal info from. The old magnetic stripped cards are frequently declined or do not work, leaving travelers in a very tight spot.
Regardless of the type of credit card you have, be certain to call your credit card company (800 number on the back of the card) to notify them that you will be traveling outside the country. Once in Brazil, there are a couple of options to get Brazilian “Reals”: 1) there is an ATM machine close to the hotel, or 2) you can exchange $USD for Reals at the Hotel Concierge. Ask our hostess the best way to exchange to Brazilian Reals - Manaus is a modern, rapidly growing city (1.4 million habitants). It is one of the busiest ports in the Amazon where cargo ships distribute their goods throughout the Amazon basin. There are many interesting places to visit: The Amazonas Theater, The Palace "Río Negro", the Floating Port, the Municipal Market Adolpho Lisboa, the Forest of Science, the Museum of Natural Science, as well as the Aboriginal Fair, where you can buy items made by the Indians. We strongly recommend you consider visiting the Fish Market, no one that visits regrets it and most say it is the highlight of cultural experiences in Manaus.
TRIP PHOTOS
DATES & PRICES
Fly Fishing Journeys
Fly Fishing Journeys
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- All charter flights and boat transfers
- All necessary ground transfers in Manaus, Brazil
- 6 days fishing, fully guided.
- 7 night, all inclusive: lodging, meals, and beverage (including wine, beer and spirits)
- One overnight at a boutique hotel in double occupancy in Manaus on arrival day (Single occupancy upon request with additional cost)
- Guide-operated, 21’ fully-equipped shallow draft skiff per each two anglers
- Fishing licenses
- Daily laundry and maid service at fishing destinations.
- Untamed Angling provides Fly rods/reels outfits - Thomas & Thomas rods, Nautilus Reels and Scientific Anglers Lines, if anglers need at the lodges (upon request).
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- International air fare
- Commercial flight Manaus-San Gabriel- Manaus (only applies for the Extended Season in January and February)
- Tips and gratuities for camp staff and Guides - Recommended total of 10% of trip cost
- Food and beverages in Manaus and private city tours
- Airport departure tax
- Satellite phone calls ($5/minute)
- City tours in Manaus
- Flies (we have an extensive selection of best flies at vessel)