Tag: peacock bass

River Plate Amazon Outfitters has been a pioneer in Peacock Bass fishing since 1992 and has evolved from fixed land based operations to Fly-in Floating Cabins. These changes have allowed anglers to access remote, unfished water while still receiving the best levels of services, facilities, comfort and safety. Currently, River Plate Anglers accesses 30 individual remote river fisheries, spanning a 400-mile radius and have exclusive entry permits for more than 12 Indian Reservations and Government Preserves on the Rio Negro, the Rio Maderia watersheds, major tributaries to the Amazon River.

River Plate offers both fly fishing and spin fishing / bait casting for Peacock’s in each of their remote fisheries. The reduced fishing pressure allows both higher numbers of total fish and larger Peacocks landed per boat than in more accessible fishing locations. Average catch rates with River Plate Anglers start at 20 Peacocks up to 10 lbs and 1.5 Peacocks between 10 – 16 lbs per boat per day with 1 Peacock over 17 lbs per boat, every other day. In addition to the four species of Peacock Bass (Speckled, Butterfly, Grey Bar’s and Royal), anglers will have the opportunity to target other Amazon species like pacu, Piranha, Aruana and more depending on your location.

FLY-IN FLOATING CABINS literally outdistance the competition

The Fly-In Floating Cabins are unique and highly mobile, deluxe, and air-conditioned cabins, limited to 8 anglers maximum. Due to the success of the concept, which was introduced in 1996, River Plate now operates six independent cabin facilities. The cabins only draw four inches of water, allowing guests to move on a daily basis to new water that’s inaccessible by other forms of navigation in comfort and style throughout these exclusive (privately leased) fishing grounds. The 12′ X 15′ cabins are fully carpeted, tastefully decorated, elegant and roomy, with a private full bathroom. Most importantly, the cabins allow mobility to seek better water levels and avoid over fished areas with the added benefit of overnighting along Caribbean-like beaches. Technical Details: Comfortable twin size beds; Fully ventilated walls; Interior curtains and decorative drop ceiling; Standard pressurized water; Heavy duty vinyl outside roof, walls and outside shades; 3″ ceiling insulation; Fully air conditioned cabins; Steel frame structure; Air conditioning (low noise); Eco-friendly septic tank; All fully welded aluminum carpeted floor

Each of the six Floating Cabin operations are managed by a Brazilian “co-owner”, who is not only a knowledgeable fisherman, but is also experienced at handling the logistics inherent to the Amazon fishing operations. The manager, together with a bilingual host, and a staff of 14, offer unique, personalized hands-on attention. Breakfast room service, laundry service and guest satellite phone are a few of the available amenities. The cabins are also accompanied by a 12′ x 23′ dinning/sitting lounge, where guests can enjoy 4-course meals prepared by the chef.

Typical Fishing Day

Each fishing day is scheduled to best suit guests’ personal preferences and each evening the manager will discuss the following days fishing. A staff member typically awakens guests by 6:30 AM. Breakfast will be served by 7:00 AM and the guides are ready to leave by 7:30 AM. River Plate guides utilize 20′ shallow draft bass boats powered by 40-HP engines in order to navigate the shallow water ways required to access these remote fishing areas. Each boat is outfitted with all the standard bass boat features, such as trolling motors and high swivel seats.

Guests staying on a Fly-In Cabin may start to fish in the adjoining lagoons while the cabins navigate to new waters. At midday guests may return for lunch and a “siesta” in an air-conditioned cabin, or take a packed lunch and continue fishing until late in the afternoon.

River Plate is the only outfitter in Brazil that has legally obtained fishing permits for Indian reserves, which restrict potentially damaging commercial fishing, greatly benefiting the Indian tribes by preserving land, water and wildlife in these delicate ecosystems. This also means that guests will not have to share the fishery with other outfitting companies. Especially with the floating cabins, guests fish in areas above natural barriers: shallow water, sandbars and rapids that prevent the passage of sport fishing yachts and commercial fishing boats.

River Plate conducts their trips according to a “zero footprint” principle. Guests spend very little time in the actual rainforests, many of the products are biodegradable, and they carefully remove all garbage. River Plate does not over fish their fishing grounds. By moving to new water every few days and limiting groups to a maximum of 8 -12 anglers, guests have been able to double or even triple the numbers of fish caught by other outfitters.

Our Services are Free!
Contact us for Seasonal Discounts, Special Offers or Promotional Pricing

River Plate Anglers 2020 / 2021 Rates
Prices are based on 7-nights accommodations and 6 fishing days

Destination	Season	Max Number of Anglers	Rate
Exclusive Access Fisheries	Nov – Feb	8 anglers	$5,590 per person
Exclusive Access Fisheries	Nov – Feb	12 anglers	$4,990 per person
Premium Remote Fisheries	June – Aug; Oct – Nov	8 anglers	$5,990 per person
Premium Remote Fisheries	June – Aug; Oct – Nov	4 anglers (Single Occupancy)	$6,990  per person

Included: Guide –operated 21-foot fully equipped shallow drafting bass boat every two anglers; All meals at fishing destination, including wine, beer and hard liquor; Daily laundry and maid service at fishing destination; Fishing licenses; All necessary local transfers as per itinerary; One night hotel in Manaus, or River Plate´s House, on arrival; Use of TFO rods, Shimano reels plus all lures and terminal tackle while in camp (baitcasting).

Not Included: International airfare (abt. $1.000 Miami round trip to Manaus); Suggested voluntary tips to camp staff and fishing guides; Food and beverages in Manaus and private city tours; Special transfers and hotel reservations when not arriving and/or departing with the group; Airport departure tax; Satellite phone calls ($5/minute); Extra hotel nights; Customized transfer requirements: call Angler Adventures; Fly-fishing tackle (local streamers available to purchase at camp).

Agua Boa Amazon Lodge, located on 200 miles northwest of Manaus on the the Agua Boa River, in a largely uninhabited area of the Amazon Jungle, offers world class fly fishing for peacock bass and top shelf accommodations and service.

Agua Boa Lodge was voted as one of the top ten fly fishing lodges in the world by Forbes Magazine spring 2010. The number of guests who return year after year are testament to the fact that they also believe that Agua Boa Amazon Lodge is one of the world’s top fly fishing destinations.

The Agua Boa River is part of the immense Amazon River system, the largest river system in the world. Agua Boa is located approximately 200 miles north of Manaus, Brazil in a totally uninhabited part of the jungle. It drains into the Rio Branco which feeds the Rio Negro which in turn feeds the Amazon proper. Effectively out of range of the large river boat opertions plying the Rio Negro, Agua Boa enjoys further protection provided by recently passed legislation designating the river as “Fly Flishing Only”. The river is regularly patrolled by Amazon River Police to insure no unauthorized fishing or illegal netting takes place.

Unlike the Rio Negro (Black River) it ultimately feeds, the Agua Boa is normally crystal clear providing wonderful site fishing in low water for the hard fighting Peacock Bass, or Tucanaré as they are known in Brazil, as well as numerous other species. As in flats fishing for bonefish, tarpon or permit, many consider site casting to peacocks the ultimate fly rod experience.

While over 20 different species have been taken on the fly on the Agua Boa, Peacock bass comprise the prime target for anglers. Members of the cichlid family, there are actually 4 different species found in the Agua Boa which range from the beautiful Peacock Bass (cichla occelaris) which average 3 to 5 pounds to the true Tucanaré (cichla temensis) which can top the 20 pound mark. Some of the other species include the ancient Aruanã, the Marticha, the Characin Pike or Wolf Fish, Pirhanas, several species of catfish, occasionally Payara, and many more.

Anglers fish from 20 aluminum skiff equipped with poling platform and powered by either 2 stroke outboard or 4 stroke jet engine, depending on water levels and areas you will fish. If you opt to fish far afield that day, lunch may be taken in a cooler but most guests fish early morning, returning to the lodge for the noonday meal and a siesta out of the midday sun, and return to fish the later afternoon hours, returning to the lodge for dinner.

Tackle choices generally range from 8 to 10 weight fly rods. It’s best to bring back up as large tucanaré are notorious rod busters! Most fishing is with floating line but it’s a good idea to have a 200 – 300 grain sink tip in your kit in case of high water. Large streamer patterns, like 4 – 6 inch deceivers, whistlers and Clousers are most effective. Peacocks and many other species love surface poppers. Be sure to bring some outsized poppers like the Big Boy Trevally Popper. If you plan to do a lot of popper fishing, you should consider a 10 weight rod to better carry these big wind resistant flies to your target.

As this is all catch & release fishing, we suggest you leave your IGFA class/shock tippet leaders at home. Straight 40 pound hard, clear mono (like Mason or Rio Salt Water) or 50 pound fluorocarbon level leaders as the way to go. And the lodge has a well stocked fly shop on the premises should you require additional tackle during your week.

Set in landscaped gardens on the banks of the Agua Boa River, the Lodge House is comfortably furnished and equipped with all modern facilities, including television with English channels, a bar and a games room. Wireless internet access is available, at no additional cost, in both the Lodge House and the individual chalets. Both the Lodge House and the chalets are constructed from local materials and are finished to a high standard. Set right on the banks of the river, a 20 meter swimming pool and pool bar, provide a perfect place to relax after a days fishing.

The six chalets are arranged in a row along the river bank, each with an uninterrupted view of the river and its wildlife, the chalets are all excellently well appointed. Each of the well furnished air conditioned chalets have two queen beds, a large bathroom with en-suite solar heated shower, dressing room and separate toilet. All chalets are equipped with frigobar, wireless internet access, and have plenty of storage room for even the best packed fishermen. Outside there is a large porch area with a table and chairs.

Electric supply is through standard US sockets and is 110 volt. Chalets are normally shared by two guests, but single occupancy can be booked at additional cost if required. A daily laundry service is provided, at no additional cost, for those guests who prefer to travel light.

Breakfast is buffet style, with a choice of hot and cold dishes, breads, pastries, cold meat, fresh fruit and cereals. In addition, fresh fruit juices and coffee are freely available. Lunch may be taken either at the Lodge, where our chef will provide a cooked meal, or a packed lunch can be prepared in the morning for those who prefer to stay on the River all day.

For those taking lunch on the River, all our boats have a cooler on board to keep food fresh, and our guides will ensure that plentiful supplies of cool drinks are available throughout the day. A three course dinner, with wine, is served in the dining room each evening. The main course is a buffet, with a choice of several meat and fish dishes, all freshly prepared by our chef. Throughout the day and evening, snacks and hot and cold drinks are always available.

Both a passport and a visa is required for travel to Brazil from the US. There are direct flights from both Miami and Atlanta to Manaus, Brazil. The camp week runs Saturday to Saturday . Guests need to arrive in Manaus on Friday, the day before scheduled to fly into camp. The charter flight into camp is early Saturday morning, and a half day of fishing is included Saturday afternoon. Guest are met and transferred to a local hotel, and picked up the following morning for the charter flight into the lodge. After your week at camp, your AB Lodge rep will meet your charter flight return to Manaus and arrange your transfer to your international departure or to your reserved hotel.

Our Services are Free!
Contact us for Seasonal Discounts, Special Offers or Promotional Pricing

Agua Boa Amazon Lodge 2025 RATES

The rate at Agua Boa is $8,050 per person based on double occupancy accommodations and a shared boat / guide daily.  Please call or email for single occupancy rates.

Included: (in Manaus) transfer from international arrival to hotel, transfer to charter flight, return transfer to international departure or hotel; round trip charter flight from Manaus to the lodge; (at the Lodge) all meals, soft drinks, beer, wine and local liquors; 7-nights accommodations in a double occupancy chalet; 6½ days guided fishing, 2 anglers per skiff/guide; daily laundry service; Wi-Fi internet access (including use of the lodge computer).

Not Included: international airfare, visa or other travel costs to Manaus, (in Manaus) hotel accommodations, meals or drinks in Manaus, additional transfers/tours in Manaus; (at the Lodge) Imported liquors; fly shop purchases or rentals, gratuities, items of a personal nature.