Mobility, and Remote Locations are the Keys to Locating Brazil's Trophy Peacocks

Luis Brown has been recognized as one of the early pioneers of introducing anglers from throughout the world to the Amazon's most unforgettable gamefish - the peacock bass. His specialty is providing his clients remote destinations offering trophy peacock bass fishing potential within Brazil's vast Amazon watershed without sacrificing comfort. Brown utilizes a state of the art amphibious plane and floating "Jungalows," (basically floating safari cabins) that can be relocated a moment's notice to take advantage of changing water conditions.

These camps concentrate on waters that can only be accessed via their Cessna Caravan amphibious planes - targeting seldom fished and, in some cases, previously unfished tributary rivers, located above natural boating barriers such as waterfalls and huge shallow river mouths. Thes five camps literally outdistances themselves from the competition.

The fishing crafts they use are specialized shallow-draft tunnel boats, which can freely traverse these varied rivers. The combination of the amphibious plane and the shallow-draft fishing boats eliminates competition from other people, whether they be sporting anglers or local natives. This mobility is the key to staying on top of the often nomadic peacock bass, a fantastic sportfish whose daily actions are predicated, in large part, on water levels.

As compared to many fixed based lodges and large luxury sportfishing yachts within Brazil's Amazon region, these safari camp can take you to pristine, secluded waters to find optimal water levels and fishing conditions to make your trip a success. Each day, after anglers have departed the temporary beaching area of the camp, the jungalows are interconnected and towed by a small mothership to new productive fishing areas. If the group has found an extremely productive area that they'd like to fish for a few days - no problem, the jungalows will stay securely beached and waiting for you upon your return from a hard day of fishing.

You will fish with some of the most experienced guides in the Amazon, each piloting shallow draft boats with outboards and trolling motors. These boats are designed to take you to locations that might be inaccessible to larger boats. Barge Camps offer the ultimate Amazon angling experience - fishing extremely remote areas with quality guides from the comforts of a deluxe safari-style camp. Amazon Barge Camps always has a "fall-back" Fly In Cabin Barge on stand-by in the next-best-fishery. In the middle of the week, if fishing is below standards, they will whisk their guests away by float plane as far as 300 miles to another watershed.

Amazon Barge Camps Fishing Package

9 days (including travel), 8 nights, 6 days fishing

Amazon Barge Camps Package Price 2007/8 Season

$3850 per person, double occupancy

Amazon Barge Camps Package Price 2007/08

Amazon Barge Camps Required Deposit

Amazon Barge Camps 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 Barge Camps package Includes

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

Not Included in the Amazon Barge Camps Package

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.

Amazon Barge Camps Camp Capacity

The Safari-style Jungalow camp can accommodate 8 anglers per week, keeping it at an intimate sized group that will enjoy excellent service and great angling opportunities without fishing all over each other.

Amazon Barge Camps 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-December

Northern Amazon Fishery (Winter fishing season): January-April

Amazon Barge Camps 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'lll 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.

Most of the fishing will take place in lagoons and backwater bays located within remote tributary rivers far from the crowded waters of the Rio Negro proper. It is not uncommon to see two or even three houseboats fishing in the same area during a week´s fishing on the larger, more accessible tributaries. That's a lot of fishing pressure on any fishery, even one as massive as this watershed.! Although houseboats and yachts offer the mobility needed to consistently find decent water levels, they can only reach the fringe of the really good fishing. The houseboats/yachts must stop where low water prevents passage, and this is where the great fishing starts! Amazon Barge Camps Fly-In Cabin Barges are 4-6 hours upriver (even in a super fast bass boat) from these fringe locations.

With Amazon Barge Camps you will fly into 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. alltackle 27-pound world record came form this 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 topwater plugs, jerkbaits, flies or jigs to stumps, shoreline blowdowns, rockpiles, 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, as well as an updated version of our "Complete Peacock Bass Angler" text.

Travel Logistics to Amazon Barge Camps

You must first leave your home city to access Miami. From Miami, you will take an overnight flight to Manaus, Brazil on TAM. At first light, you will be flown to the remote jungle camp via Cessna Caravan float plane. You might begin fishing on the day of arrival depending upon charter flight schedules and weather conditions, but this is not guaranteed.

Availability at Amazon Barge Camps

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 Barge Camps

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 Barge Camps

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. Dinner is a more elaborate affair, offering soups, salads and various beef, pasta, fish and poultry dishes. In the 19' x 10' lounge barge you'll dine on linen table cloths enjoying our chef's meticulously prepared, 3 course meals with a multifarious display of tropical fruits and daily baked bread and pastries.

Accommodations at Amazon Barge Camps

Two angers will be accommodated in aroomy and comfortable Jungalow -- basically a large, airy safari style framed cabin resting on a flat, stabile barge. They are fully carpeted, with a 3-ply insulated roof, fully-screened walls and door. The interiors of the barges are tastefully decorated, and every detail from comfortable twin beds with linen sheets, down to the sitting area have been carefully considered. Each cabin has its own separate full bathroom facility complete with a pressurized water system. The barges can be moved daily, but will usually remain close to the river´s most productive lagoons. The Jungalows are securely beached each evening, while the daytime hours call for them to be towed to a new productive fishing area. Daily laundry service is provided. The cabin barges are the perfect compromise between mobility, comfort and luxury. Drawing only 4 inches of water, the barges are a break-through for navigating over shallow-water barriers a way from all fishing pressure in high living standards.

Weather conditions at Amazon Barge Camps

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 rainsuit.

Packing for the Amazon Barge Camps

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 Barge Camps Travel Itinerary

Thursday: Fly from your home city to Miami, connecting with enening flight to Manaus, Brazil. Overnight

Friday: Depart for the camp or tour Manaus for the day and overnight

Saturday:Fly out to camp/fish

Saturday- Friday: Fish all day

Saturday: Charter back to Manaus,Flight to Miami. Connection to your home city.

Field Notes/Lodge review

Clearing customs in Manaus continues to be a work in progress. After an on time departure flight on Lloyd Aero Boliviano from Miami we arrived in Manaus as scheduled. It is my observation that while the flight from MIA-MAO goes on to Bolivia, most of the passengers get off in Manaus. Immigrations in Manaus uses two lines, one for locals, the shorter of the two, and one for everybody else. Because the locals clear immigration faster they arrive with their bags to clear customs first.

What I saw was the local Brazilian's luggage being searched by hand and this took what seemed like forever. Those of us going fishing were forced to wait while the group of locals, who got there first, slowly went through the gauntlet. By the time the anglers got to customs, we were just waived through. Total time waiting in line, two hours.

Brahma, the Amazon Barge Camps representative was waiting for us outside the customs door and we were all sorted into groups per destination. After some initial confusion as to what group would be flown out first we were taken over to the charter terminal and loaded on a twin-engine commuter style aircraft for the one and a half hour flight to Barcelos, deep in the Amazon jungle.

We waited for about 30 minutes in Barcelos for the Cessna Caravan anfib (float plane capable of landing on land) to pick us up for the thirty-minute flight to the Preto River. After landing on the river next to the camp we quickly unloaded and five minutes later we were in the camp unpacking.

The camp is in fact a caravan of pontoon boats. Each room, four in all, is in itself an independent vessel, less a power plant. The dinning room is a larger vessel, the kitchen as big again and a seventh tent for the staff. A shallow draft boat with a large Cummins diesel engine is the power plant that pulls the caravan of floats wherever the camp owner decides the fishing to be the best.

Amazon Barge Camps are a study in management. Luis Brown runs the organization. It is made up of five mobile barge camps and the vessel, The Angle. Each camp, as well as the Angle holds 8 anglers, the max load of the Cessna Caravan, and each camp is independently owned with the owner always staying in/on the camp/boat. In addition to the owner, each camp has a camp host whole speaks English and is an employee of Luis Brown. It is just about perfect. Luis concerns himself with the logistics of getting people to and from the camps/boat and not the actual camp operation itself. Who best to look after the camp/boat and its staff than the owner? Who best to look after the anglers, than the host who reports directly to Luis?

Because we were in a mobile camp, the camp moved 5 to 15 miles up river every day while we were off fishing. Each night was spent on a new spotless sandbar, free of mosquitoes and long on the dramatic Amazon sunset. The food was more than we expected and no one showed any sign of digestive issues. One recommendation about the food. The box lunch has never been a culinary delight in the Amazon. Non-chocolate snacks make a welcome addition to a 10-hour day on the water. Bring plenty.

The fishing the first day was slow. Part of that was having to acclimate some anglers to bait casting equipment, use of the woodchopper and Zera Spook. As time went by all became proficient and as went up river further and further each day the size and number caught grew to the delights of the first timers as well as the veterans of previous trips to the Amazon.

Each angler caught two to three fish a day that weighed over 15 pounds and many more over 10 pounds in conditions that were less than optimal. Parts of the Amazon had received a lot of unseasonable rain and as a result the water level had risen substantially. Groups we had met on the plane ride down who were going to fixed based lodges and were in for an awakening. Unable to escape the water levels outside the lodge door, they were having to endure water levels they could not escape from. Mobility saved our group.

In all we traveled 60 miles up river during the week and never spent two nights on the same sand bar in a row. The result was better fishing each day and without a doubt our ability to move made all the difference. Without it we would have been screwed, for lack of a better word.

Every trip has a story and getting out of the Amazon back to Manaus will always be remembered. We were scheduled to fly to Manaus on Thursday, overnight at the Hotel Tropical and catch the 12:00 LAB flight back to Manaus on Friday. A very civilized schedule might I add!

Didn't quite go off like that. On Thursday, thunderstorms over Barcelos caused the commuter airplane to have to turn back to Manaus and the floatplane to stay in Barcelos. Instead of dinner at El Toro in Manaus, we were stuck in camp for one additional night. Over the satellite telephone we were told that everything was backed up with many more groups like us trying to make the noon LAB flight to Miami on Friday morning.

At 10:00, the time we were required to be at check in for LAB, we were still sitting on the beech in the middle of the Amazon when the float plan arrived. If we miss the LAB flight, the next flight to Miami would be two days later. At 10:05 we lifted off the river and the 30-minute flight out turned into a 60 minutes flight back to Barcelos. Waiting for us in Barcelos was a twin-engine turbine powered aircraft specifically waiting to take us to Manaus.

When we arrived in Barcelos, we jumped out of the floatplane and into the awaiting twin engine. (Remember this aircraft is waiting for us, not the other way around.) Yes it looked like a Chinese fire drill mainly due to the fact that half my party was of Chinese decent. Eight people and bags, change of airplanes, landing to take off, 6 minutes. The LAB scheduled departure time was 12:00 and we landed in Manaus at 12:03. As luck would have it, LAB, an airline not known for running on time, was in fact late, three hours late.

Did they give our seats away? Brahma met us as we sprinted from the airplane to the charter terminal and the Chinese fire drill jumped into the bus. We made it. LAB still had our seats thanks largely in part to Brahma's connections with LAB staff in Manaus. Because of Luis Brown being in Manaus, and not in the jungle, he was able to oversee the whole operation. The weather was not his fault but the responsibility of getting us on that flight was and he did everything in his power to make it happen and he did.

In talking to the people we flew down with, the River Plate Anglers groups did far better than just about anybody else. People I have come to know from the many trips down to Manaus were in awe at my checking in at 13:00 for a LAB scheduled 12:00 departure. What could be more ludicrous in South America!

Dave Caywood
February 2005

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.