When I first laid eyes on the Amazon Blackwater Explorer, ABE, she was just a hollow hull resting against the shore of the small village of Janauaca , a village of about 200 people, 30 miles south east of the Amazon capital, Manaus, Brazil. This town of 200 has one road in and one road out, yet it sits on a river that could take you anywhere.

With few if any electric tools, the ABE took shape by hand one piece at a time day after day. After the hull was a float the two massive diesel tanks were laid inside. These two tanks would hold enough diesel to see to it that she would not have to return to port for an entire season. With the people of the village crawling all over her, the ABE begins to take shape as the first deck is laid out and the two huge tanks to never to see daylight again.

The many support beams rising from the hull support the subsequent decks and the floor plan for each is filled in. With two decks, a roof top open air shaded gathering area and 11 state rooms, she starts to look like the traditional Amazon Vessel she was designed to be. Finally with the paint dried, the crew boards for the first time and the ABE is pushed away from the shore and her 250 horse power Mercedes engine started. Born into the village of Janauaca, this hand made vessel is making way into the first day of her Amazon life and just as a vessel disappears into an ocean, the ABE will soon disappear into stained waters of the Amazon Jungle, an area larger than some oceans!

She was designed and built by Norberto Guedes one of five Guedes brothers, in the traditional lines found on boats from this region. While she may look like most Amazon cruisers with her huge sweeping deck concaving into the middle and her curved for and aft deck rails, she is in fact more American in nature with all of her comforts, than Brazilian. The Gedges brothers are perhaps the most respected watermen in the Amazon and they are by far the most successful operators of ships and mobile fishing camps and know that the needs of their largely American clientele differ from that of their own. Gone are the short bunks and hammocks as each of the eleven private rooms for two has its own individual air conditioner and private bathroom with shower. There is even an individual reading light above each bunk and you know that’s a first in the Amazon! Looks Brazilian, taste like an American, Sails like a Yacht, capirenias on the upper deck in fifteen minutes, be there.

Dave Caywood/ March 2008

The Amazon Blackwater Explorer:
Where Amazon Tradition meets American Style Comfort

As the earth’s weather patterns change so most those who are affected by this change and nowhere is this more pronounced than in the Amazon Jungle. The Amazon literally breathes, in and out, water as the rain fills what Amazon and her tributaries try to empty. High water has always been the enemy of the Amazon Angler. While good fishing can be enjoyed in high water conditions it does not compare to the lower, falling conditions and the spectacular results.

One of the ways we have learned to deal with high water is by being mobile. It may be high on one part of the river but it can’t as high up river and off we go in a shallow draft vessel needing only 46 inches of water to go anywhere it wants to. Or for that mater the boat can always proceed over night to a different river with better conditions. Fixed base lodges and barges can’t do that. You have what ever conditions exist right outside the front door and you fish the same water every day, day in and day out.

Each morning when you wake up aboard the Amazon Blackwater explorer you will be greeted with breakfast, coffee and the prospect of a great day fishing the Amazon tributaries. Your guide will meet you and your partner down stairs with the boat ready to go when ever you are. It is your schedule, not his. Your day will consist of throwing artificial baits, both top water and sub surface, the formidable Amazon Peacock Bass. As you are out fishing and making your way up or down river the mother ship is following along with you. You may have been gone four hours but she is never far away. When you tire and need a break, pull up under an overhanging tree and enjoy the shade with a cold beverage from the boats cooler or return to the Black Water Explorer for an air-conditioned mid day siesta and proceed back out later in the afternoon. Remember, it’s your schedule not ours.

Everyone returns to the ship at 17:30. When you arrive at the end of your day you will be greeted with a cold, traditional Capirenia. After a quick shower in your private bathroom everyone gravitates to the upper deck for the cold beverage of choice and a magnificent view of an Amazon sunset as your ship slowly cruises along. For many people this is the high light of the day, an Amazon sun set cruise with your beverage of choice.

If you are looking for an Amazon adventure in a civilized format you have found it in the Amazon Blackwater Explorer.

Amazon Blackwater Explorer Price 2008/09 Season

• $3550 per person, double occupancy, two to a boat,
• $4250 per person, single occupancy, two to a boat
• 9 days (including travel), 8 nights, 6 days fishing

Amazon Blackwater Explorer Required Deposit

Amazon Blackwater Explorer requires a $1000 per person within 10 days of making your reservation. Final payments are due 60 days prior to departure. A reservation is not confirmed until deposits are received.

Amazon Blackwater Explorer package Includes

• Round-trip charter flights via turbine powered plane to the ship.
• Accommodations and daily laundry service
• Meals and beverages aboard and while fishing
• 6+ days of guided fishing (two anglers per boat)
• Last night's accommodations in Manaus hotel (double occupancy)

Not Included on the Amazon Blackwater Explorer

Airfare to Manaus, Brazil; Gratuities to lodge staff and hotel porters; Fees to obtain Brazilian tourist visa; airport departure taxes; meals in Manaus the final evening; vaccinations and items of a personal nature.

Amazon Blackwater Explorer Capacity

The ship can accommodate up to 21 anglers per week but we rarely exceed 12 unless prior agreements have been arranged.

Amazon Blackwater Explorer fishing Season

August through April, timed to coincide with the dry season both north and south of the equator. The Brazilian Amazon offers two distinct fishing seasons, coinciding with the dry seasons north and south of the equator. On the Rio Negro and its tributaries north of Manaus, prime time is between December and April. From August through November, the camps migrate south to the Rio Madeira and its tributaries. Despite our best efforts to schedule anglers during optimal fishing conditions, unexpected "dry season" rains can play havoc with the fishery.

• Southern Amazon Fishery (fall fishing season): August-November
• Northern Amazon Fishery (winter fishing season): December-April

Amazon Blackwater Explorer Fishing Program

Anglers fish two per boat, with Brazilian guide well versed in the nuances of casting, spin and fly fishing. He’s intimately familiar with the waters you’ll be fishing, and will excel at putting you into impressive numbers of big fish. You’ll be fishing out of 18-foot aluminum shallow draft boats with 40 h.p. outboards. These boats are designed to effectively run in very shallow water, accessing waters that larger boats with heavier motors and deeper drafts cannot reach.

Your captain will utilize the shallow draft features of the ship to proceed to the optimum fishing areas for the water levels of the day. The Amazon Blackwater Explorer has exclusive rights to many of the waters we fish. Each day as the ship moves along you will be fishing new water free from the pressure of other anglers.

With the Amazon Blackwater Explorer you will fly out to virgin water where large populations of giant peacocks remain unmolested. It is common for our guests to catch 20 to 40 peacocks per day, sized from the scrappy 3-6-pound ´butterfly´ peacocks to the 12 to 20-pound ´blue´ or ´spotted´ super lunkers. And there is always a chance for a real monster. The current I.G.F.A. all tackle 27-pound world record came form the Rio Negro region in 1994.

One of the most exciting aspects of fishing for peacock bass is their propensity for attacking surface lures. Peacock bass fishing is very similar to largemouth bass fishing in the states. Both species ambush prey from cover and structure. Cast top water plugs, jerk baits, flies or jigs to stumps, shoreline blow downs, rock piles, lagoons, creek mouths and sandbars. If you desire to fly fish, the most successful flies are larger profiled patterns - all tied on 3-0 and 4-0 quality saltwater hooks - such as Dahlberg-style divers, large profiles baitfish patterns, High-Tie, Clouser minnows or variations of Lefty's Deceivers. These should be tied in a diversity of colors. You will be sent a detailed packing list upon receipt of your deposit.

Travel Logistics to Amazon Blackwater Explorer

You must first leave your home city to access Miami. From Miami, you will fly to Manaus, Brazil on TAM departing around 17:00 local Miami time and overnight in Manaus. Early the next day you will be flown out to the ship and depending on were she is, fly aboard a turbine powered Cessna Caravan on floats or a similar turbine powered twin engine aircraft with conventional landing gear. You might begin fishing on the day of arrival depending upon charter flight schedules and weather conditions, but this is not guaranteed.

Availability for the Amazon Blackwater Explorer

As the booking calendar changes on almost a daily basis, please contact our office for current availability on your specific travel dates.

Predominant Language at Amazon Blackwater Explorer

Portuguese is the official language of Brazil. Some of the guides can converse in Portuguese and know a few basic English words, especially as they pertain to fishing. It is wise to learn a few Portuguese phrases before undertaking a trip of this nature. Anglers booking this trip will be sent a Complete Peacock Bass Anglers text, which will contain a basic English-Portuguese translator. An English-speaking host will always be available on the premises.

The Meals at Amazon Blackwater Explorer

Anglers will wake up each morning to fresh brewed coffee and a breakfast consisting of a variety of American and Brazilian dishes. You will enjoy plenty of fresh, tropical fruits. You will prepare you own box lunch each day from a variety of deli meats and this will be eaten on the water so as to not cut into valuable fishing time should you decide not to return to the ship at mid day. Dinner is a more elaborate affair, offering soups, salads and various beef, pasta, fish and poultry dishes. In the expansive dinning room you'll enjoy our chef’s meticulously prepared, 3 course meals with tropical fruits and daily baked bread and pastries.

Accommodations at Amazon Blackwater Explorer

Each individual room is equipped with two bunks, upper and lower, a cabinet for storing your personal effect, a private bathroom with sink, toilet and shower. Each room has its own air-conditioner with the compressor located on the upper deck making it virtually a noise free unit. There is a reading light with each birth as well as an electrical 110 volt US standard plug in. The ship is wired for all US plug ins.

Weather conditions at Amazon Blackwater Explorer

Temperatures typically range from 75 at night to as much as 95 degrees during the day. Anglers should be prepared to fish under the equatorial sun and consider long sleeve shirts and pants made of a tropical weight material. Wide brim hats are also beneficial. The use of sunscreen and lip balm is an absolute necessity. Although we fish during the dry season, downpours do occur, so don't forget to pack a lightweight rain suit.

Packing for the Amazon Blackwater Explorer

Upon receipt of deposits, you will receive packing lists, trip cancellation insurance application and a 56-page Complete Peacock Bass Anglers text that will help you with every aspect of this trip.

Amazon Blackwater Explorer Travel Itinerary

• Thursday - Fly from your home city to Miami, connecting with evening flight to Manaus, Brazil. Overnight
• Friday - Depart for the camp or tour Manaus for the day and overnight
• Saturday-Thursday - fish
• Friday: Fly back to Manaus
• Saturday: Flight to Miami. Connection to your home city.

Trip Cancellation and Travel Insurance Recommendation

Travel, especially foreign travel, unfortunately has some unusual aspects that need to be addressed. Issues such as lost baggage, missed flights and medical concerns are often over looked until an untimely event happens. You or your traveling partner may need protection from trip cancellation due to events at home such as illness of you or your travel companion, illness while away from home, as well as a host of other travel nightmares. Worldwide Angling strongly recommends all parties obtain trip insurance right after booking a trip abroad. We obtain our own travel insurance with Travelex, a well established, highly recommended, travel insurance company and we recommend it to all of our clients. Travelex specializes in insuring the foreign traveler to far away and remote places. Once a trip is booked with Worldwide Angling, you will receive from us an application for Travelex travel insurance. The cost is quite reasonable, less than $60 per $1000 in most cases. Please review your insurance needs to see if Travelex is for you