Greetings Peacock Fans and welcome back to the Agua Boa Amazon Lodge Fishing Report. We’ve just completed an unusual week here at the lodge. Due to an eleventh-hour group cancellation, we hosted only one guest for the entire week of fishing. Have you ever imagined what it would be like to be the only fisherman on the water for a day on a world-class fishery? How about seven days with the river entirely to yourself? Last week, Calgary, Alberta-based international fly angler, Derek Martin enjoyed this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and he made the most of it.
Fishing was quite good each day last week, despite midweek rain that has the river back on the rise again as of this writing.
Derek quickly mastered the basics of the fishery and landed plenty of fish every day on the water. Here’s one, a beautiful paca landed within sight of the guide quarters and under the encouragement (and catcalls) of all the day-off guides on the cliff.
Here on the Agua Boa, every day out is unique: our experienced guides each work in specific zones of the river and establish a rhythm with the fishing therein as the conditions change throughout the season. After a week here, anglers have experienced every zone and every guide on the staff, each with his own unique personality and fishing style.
As the most experienced fly fishing guide staff in the Amazon, these guys take full ownership of making every day on the river a special event. Here’s veteran black belt guide, Caboclo demonstrating a perfect photo hold with a beautiful tucunare asu peacock.
As we continue to experience unusually (for this time of year) wet weather, and the river level and clarity remains in flux, the best fishing success has been with Intermediate lines. The best all-around choice is still the Rio Tropical Outbound Short Intermediate (WF8 F/I), as this allows you to fish both shallow and deep depending on the situation. If you had to choose one line to fish here, this is the one.
And regarding leaders, remember that peacock bass will test the limits of your equipment with their power and abrasive mouth plates. Choose your leader material based on thickness and abrasion resistance more than on breaking strength alone. We suggest hard monofilament leader .027” or thicker. With higher water this year, tippet shyness is not an issue. Bring the big stuff.
Thanks for checking in with the Agua Boa Amazon Lodge Fishing Report. We look forward to seeing you here at the lodge.
