Frequently Asked Questions
About Fishing in the Amazon
and These Trips
When is the best time to go fishing?
Well, sometime between August and March; but the real answer isn't quite that simple. Seasons in the Amazon basin do not correspond to seasons in the temperate zones. Rivers in Amazonia all experience a cyclical period of high and low water each year. During the "rainy" season, Amazonian rivers can rise 12 meters or more, overflowing their banks and inundating huge areas of low-lying forest. This flooded forest (known as 'igapó' or “varzea” — depending on locale) offers superior forage and cover for many species of baitfish. Their predators, including peacock bass, follow them into the flooded vegetation where they become all but impossible to catch.
Where are the biggest fish?
The Rio Negro basin not only holds the world’s biggest peacock bass, but it is also the world’s biggest peacock bass fishery. In fact, the Rio Negro is the largest blackwater river in the world, and one of the world's ten largest rivers by volume. At 1400 miles in length, the Rio Negro is so big, that its western reaches have a different dry season than its eastern reaches. Correspondingly, our trips operate in the Rio Negro basin in two different seasons.
What about fly fishing?
Fly fishing for peacocks is very productive, but sometimes anglers enjoy a break from casting and rapidly stripping a heavy-weight fly rod. We provide complete spinning and bait casting outfits. Anglers are welcome to switch off to this gear to give themselves a break from time to time .
What documentation do I need?
You must have a currently valid passport and Visa in order to travel internationally and to enter Brazil. Please note that your passport expiration date must extend more than 6 months later than your departure date.
What immunizations are required?
No immunizations are required, either by CDC or Brazil for entry (unless your passport shows that you have visited a country that has yellow fever — Brazil does not have and does not want it!). Furthermore, our fisheries are free of mosquitos and located in essentially unpopulated areas, minimizing any health concerns. However, we strongly suggest that you consult with your personal doctor regarding inoculations (and anti-malarial pills). Based on the advice you receive from these qualified sources, arrange for any doctor visits, shots or pills you decide upon. Give yourself enough time before your trip so that any immunizations you choose to get can take effect.
What fishing tackle do I need?
Absolutely none. All operations provide high quality spinning and baitcasting rods, reels and lures for your use at no charge. All guides and boats are fully-equipped with the appropriate fish handling and fishing tools.
What personal items do I need to bring?
Our pre-trip information package will include our recommended check-list. Pack light. Most anglers bring too much clothing. All operations provide daily laundry service, so plan accordingly. And remember, you are provided with all of the conventional rods, reels, lines and lures you’ll need, on site and at no charge. A small carry-on, packed with your personal essentials, and a small, soft, rolling duffel bag (that you can handle in the airport) should hold everything you need. Travel light! All operations are remote and use charter airplanes to access the fisheries. They have specific baggage weight limitations. Finally, make sure you pack your phone or a good, weatherproof camera. No one is going to believe your tall tales unless you can back them up with pictures!
I REALLY want to bring my own fishing gear...
First off, if you insist on bringing your own rods, we recommend quality 3 piece pack rods such as those available from G. Loomis, Okuma, Temple Forks or St. Croix. They will fit right into your duffel bag. One piece rods require a long transport tube and are a pain in the neck to travel with on both international and charter flights. You really only need two rods to serve pretty much all purposes. With reels, quality is all-important. Bring something that will hold up under a week’s worth of abusive use. Stay as small and light as possible and select for fast retrieves.
When is the best time to go fishing?
Well, sometime between August and March; but the real answer isn't quite that simple. Seasons in the Amazon basin do not correspond to seasons in the temperate zones. Rivers in Amazonia all experience a cyclical period of high and low water each year. During the "rainy" season, Amazonian rivers can rise 12 meters or more, overflowing their banks and inundating huge areas of low-lying forest. This flooded forest (known as 'igapó' or “varzea” — depending on locale) offers superior forage and cover for many species of baitfish. Their predators, including peacock bass, follow them into the flooded vegetation where they become all but impossible to catch.
Where are the biggest fish?
The Rio Negro basin not only holds the world’s biggest peacock bass, but it is also the world’s biggest peacock bass fishery. In fact, the Rio Negro is the largest blackwater river in the world, and one of the world's ten largest rivers by volume. At 1400 miles in length, the Rio Negro is so big, that its western reaches have a different dry season than its eastern reaches. Correspondingly, our trips operate in the Rio Negro basin in two different seasons.
What about fly fishing?
Fly fishing for peacocks is very productive, but sometimes anglers enjoy a break from casting and rapidly stripping a heavy-weight fly rod. We provide complete spinning and bait casting outfits. Anglers are welcome to switch off to this gear to give themselves a break from time to time .
What documentation do I need?
You must have a currently valid passport and Visa in order to travel internationally and to enter Brazil. You can obtain your passport through the U.S. Passport agency and a Visa through iVisa.com. Please note that your passport expiration date must extend more than 6 months later than your departure date. Passport holders from the U.S., Canada, the E.U., Australia and Japan require no additional travel documentation. No visa is required.
What immunizations are required?
No immunizations are required, either by CDC or Brazil for entry (unless your passport shows that you have visited a country that has yellow fever — Brazil does not have and does not want it!). Furthermore, our fisheries are free of mosquitos and located in essentially unpopulated areas, minimizing any health concerns. However, we strongly suggest that you consult with your personal doctor regarding inoculations (and anti-malarial pills). Based on the advice you receive from these qualified sources, arrange for any doctor visits, shots or pills you decide upon. Give yourself enough time before your trip so that any immunizations you choose to get can take effect.
What fishing tackle do I need?
Absolutely none. All operations provide high quality spinning and baitcasting rods, reels and lures for your use at no charge. All guides and boats are fully-equipped with the appropriate fish handling and fishing tools.
What personal items do I need to bring?
Our pre-trip information package will include our recommended check-list. Pack light. Most anglers bring too much clothing. All operations provide daily laundry service, so plan accordingly. And remember, you are provided with all of the conventional rods, reels, lines and lures you’ll need, on site and at no charge. A small carry-on, packed with your personal essentials, and a small, soft, rolling duffel bag (that you can handle in the airport) should hold everything you need. Travel light! All operations are remote and use charter airplanes to access the fisheries. They have specific baggage weight limitations. Finally, make sure you pack your phone or a good, weatherproof camera. No one is going to believe your tall tales unless you can back them up with pictures!
What if I REALLY want to bring my own fishing gear?
First off, if you insist on bringing your own rods, we recommend quality 3 piece pack rods such as those available from G. Loomis, Okuma, Temple Forks or St. Croix. They will fit right into your duffel bag. One piece rods require a long transport tube and are a pain in the neck to travel with on both international and charter flights. You really only need two rods to serve pretty much all purposes. With reels, quality is all-important. Bring something that will hold up under a week’s worth of abusive use. Stay as small and light as possible and select for fast retrieves.
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