Fly-Fishing for Peacock Bass

Transcription

1 Fly-Fishing for Peacock Bass The Agua Boa Amazon Lodge Agua Boa River, Brazil Brazil s Agua Boa is a fine flyfishing river, and perhaps the best peacock bass stream in South America from October through April. The water is absolutely clear and you can use poppers on the surface, casting floating line to sighted fish, or fish deeper channels. To top it off, all the main species of peacock bass are resident in good number, including the largest, the temensis, which can weigh 25 lbs. The river is set aside exclusively for fly fishing, and the only anglers are those staying at the Agua Boa Amazon Lodge. The comfortable lodge was completely rebuilt for the 2003 season and has been continuously upgraded since. The owners and staff know what fly fishers need. The rooms are airconditioned, the guides have been trained to work with fly fishing clients (their English is limited though), and there is an English-speaking host on site to coordinate daily schedules. The Agua Boa River is an excellent birding destination in a diverse neotropical environment where toucans, macaws and parrots are common, and rarer birds like Harpy Eagles reside. Jaguars are sighted along the banks by anglers several times each fishing season, and these elusive big cats are active there year round. It has much to offer the amateur naturalist in addition to fly fishing and once you experience it, you will probably want to return. Getting there isn t difficult. There are several options for reaching Manaus including a direct flight from Miami on TAM. Most guests will arrive on Friday, requiring an overnight in Manaus. If this is the case, Orvis Travel will coordinate transfers and make a hotel reservation for you. You will check out of the hotel early Saturday and be taken to the domestic air terminal where you will board a charter flight, arriving at the lodge around 8:30 AM, in time to get in full day of fishing.

2 Season: Early October - April Land Cost $5500 Jan 1 Apr 16, 2011 $5300 Oct 15, 2011 Dec 31, 2011 $5500 Dec 31, 2011 Apr 14, 2012 $1400 Single room and boat supplement Prices are per person based on double occupancy, limited to 12 anglers per week. Included: 7 nights comfortable lodging in double rooms, all meals, transfers from international airport to hotel on Friday, transfer from hotel to domestic airport on first Saturday of trip and transfer from domestic airport to international airport or hotel on final Saturday of trip, charter flight Manaus-Agua Boa-Manaus, 6 ½ days fly fishing with expert guides, beer and wine, wireless Internet. Not included: international flights, tips, liquor, hotels and meals in Manaus, transfers from hotel to international airport on Sunday if staying in Manaus Saturday night, visas and/or airport taxes When you book this trip with Orvis Travel you pay the same price you would booking directly. You will also receive valuable trip planning assistance and Orvis merchandise discounts. "I fished at Agua Boa Amazon Lodge in late November, 2007, and it was excellent. The number and size of the fish was impressive and everyone at the lodge was successful. The staff was energetic and more than willing to adjust to our schedule. Every day we hit lots of different locations on the river, in back channels and even isolated lagoons that required that the guides clear a path through the forest with their machetes. On our best day we caught bunches of big peacock bass on floating line while raucous flocks of blue and yellow macaws darted through the forest canopy overhead." Dave Parker - Managing Director, Orvis Travel The Fish The butterfly peacock bass is the most common species in the Agua Boa. Butterflies savagely strike poppers and 3-4 inch streamers. Great fighters that jump often, they range between 2 and 5 pounds and provide plenty of action between shots at the spotted and temensis peacock bass. The spotted and temensis peacock bass are a totally different beast. The largest of the peacocks, weighing up to 25 pounds, they are some of the most aggressive gamefish on the planet. They wander in schools of up to 40 fish and feed together working bait like bluefish. It is difficult to describe a school of these large peacocks in full feeding frenzy. One pound baitfish are flying everywhere in a desperate attempt to escape. In many cases, the baitfish will jump on to dry land to get away. If you can get your fly into the action, the results are spectacular: a ferocious take, a blistering run, and a jump. Peacock bass are a prized food fish in Brazil, and commercial fishermen roam the other river systems netting them for the market in Manaus. Fortunately, the Agua Boa is a protected river where only sport fishing is allowed by law. The shallow water of the Rio Branco naturally keeps commercial fishermen away during the dry season, and the presence of the lodge helps ensure that the regulations are enforced.

3 The other jungle species are well worth pursuing. The arowana looks and acts a lot like a tarpon. They have huge scales, are spooky and wander through the river in schools in search of baitfish. Arowana are a surface oriented fish and provide exciting sight-casting. Their jaws are similar to tarpon, require a hard strike and average 6-10 pounds. Pacu, also known as the silver dollar, are a fun fish. Shaped like a permit, in the Agua Boa they can reach weights of 10 pounds. Pirarucu, the giant tarpon of the Amazon, reach weights in excess of 200 pounds, but are so smart that only a handful have been landed at the lodge. Fishing for peacock bass Peacock bass fishing is a complicated affair that requires some patience initially to catch and land the larger fish. Smaller fish are not nearly as difficult and will provide solace for those that seem to be losing their big fish. Below are a few fishing tips from the guides at the lodge. To understand peacock bass, you need to first consider their habitat. Most everything in the Amazon is being eaten, or is in the process of eating something else. As a general rule fish are built tough with razor sharp teeth or brutal strength. This makes for interesting fishing as some fish will cut you off and others will pull you straight into the structure and tangle you up. Peacock bass habits vary to a large degree. Small to mid-size peacocks tend to congregate around structure for both food and protection. Large peacocks tend to feel a little more comfortable in open water, where they roam in schools pursuing smaller baitfish. They will keep after their prey until it is either in their belly or on the shore. It is not uncommon to have large peacocks drive shoals of baitfish onto the shore or into a skiff. We have seen peacocks leap out of the water in unsuccessful attempts to get small birds. Dave Parker Managing Director, Orvis Travel When you have hooked a big peacock, don t try to muscle him or you will lose your fish, break your rod or tippet. Once hooked, let the fish run. Remember to let your drag do the work. With peacocks you will want to be sure to keep your fingers away from the reel handle on any run. If you forget, bruised knuckles will help you remember on future fish. Peacocks usually make short unstoppable runs.

4 Fish everything: structure, shoreline, middle of the lagoon, and shallows. Don t simply cast at the bank. Also, if your partner gets a strike, throw in the same area. Remember these fish are attracted to commotion. The most important tip we can give you is trust your guide s instincts. Our guides are experienced on the rivers we fish and will do their best to get you into fish. If you order them around, your fishing will probably suffer. That is not to say that if you are curious about an area, that suggestions aren t welcome. A good deal of the fishing on the Agua Boa is sight fishing. Stay alert and be ready to throw at likely targets. In the river in some cases you will be able to see the fish from a good distance. Remember that this is not traditional dry fly fishing. Just get it in there and get the fly moving. River fish can be spooky and certainly will see you if you false cast too much. If they are feeding, it is a different story. Peacocks on the feed are a sight to behold. They will run up onto shore and even bump into the boat in their pursuit of baitfish. The Lodge The Lodge is situated nearly 200 miles North of Manaus, deep in the heart of the Amazon jungle. The camp was built on a high river bank, some 30 feet above the Agua Boa itself. Built largely of local materials to very high standards, it boasts a superbly equipped Club House, complete with large dining room and lounge/living room, bar, games room (ping pong and pool tables are ready for use as well as a wide selection of card and board games and darts). The lounge room is also home to a large satellite TV. The fully air-conditioned and well-equipped chalets are excellently appointed in a row along the river bank with an uninterrupted view of the river and its wildlife. Each chalet has en-suite shower, individual toilet and dressing room. Wireless broadband internet connection is available. DETAILED ITINERARY : Friday: Leave USA TAM has direct flights from Miami to Manaus. You can also fly to Manaus via Sao Paulo, which takes longer, but there are many more flights. Regardless of you how you decide to get to Manaus, you should plan on arriving by Friday evening. Orvis Travel will arrange ground transfers and make a hotel reservation for you. The hotel in Manaus is not included in your package and can be paid with a credit card at checkout. The hotel has a restaurant or you can take a taxi to a variety of nearby traditional Brazilian restaurants. Meals in Manaus are not included in your package.

5 Saturday: Fly to Agua Boa Amazon Lodge A representative will meet you at the hotel and take you to the domestic air terminal where you will catch your charter flight to the lodge, which takes off at around 6:00 AM. The flight to the lodge takes you over some of Brazil s most pristine rainforest before arriving in time for breakfast. The Agua Boa Amazon Lodge is located in Roraima State, just north of the equator. The Agua Boa flows into the Rio Branco. To locate it on a map, look for the town of Boa Vista, almost on the Venezuelan border. Upon arrival at the lodge there will be a short tour of the facilities and a Champagne reception and full breakfast. You will unpack and have the morning to relax and get settled in. You will begin fishing after lunch. Sunday Friday: Fly-fishing! You will have full days fishing river channels, inland lakes, and lagoons from one of the lodge s skiffs. The sun comes up at six a.m. and sets at six p.m. year round on the Equator, so the guides will get you out early on most days so that you can enjoy the day on the water. Even though temperatures can get hot at mid-day, it s usually comfortable on the water, so you can fish the full day if you like. Lunch can be taken on the river or you may return to the lodge. Either way you may want to take a break in the middle of the day. If you stay out on the river, the guides will hang soft cotton hammocks under trees for you to siesta. In the evening you will return to the lodge. Saturday: Return to Manaus After breakfast you will prepare for the private charter flight back to Manaus. The charter flight from the lodge will deliver you to Manaus at approximately 11:00 AM. If you book a flight leaving Manaus after 2:00 PM you should have time to make the connection. Orvis Travel will coordinate transfers from the domestic terminal to the international terminal or make a hotel reservation for you at the Hotel Tropical if you prefer to stay in Manaus for the night. Agua Boa Amazon Lodge Thanksgiving Week Special $4000 per angler, double occupancy A savings of almost 25% Offer good for new bookings only, and subject to change at any time. Take advantage of this special offer by contacting Orvis Travel at

6 Reserving your space is easy. The deposit is 25% of the trip cost unless otherwise stated in the itinerary. Sign up online at Once you have completed the reservation form you can call us with your credit card deposit. If we are unable to confirm space, your card will not be charged. 15% discount on Orvis merchandise when you arrange your trip through Orvis Travel. You will receive a VIP customer card for booking a trip through Orvis Travel and it entitles you to a 15% discount on Orvis merchandise from the time you book until long after your trip is over. Orvis has been outfitting travelers since 1856 and you can find all the specialty clothing, luggage and gear you need in our catalogs, stores and website. When you book though Orvis Travel you will never pay a booking fee and will save on every purchase. We also supply you with a detailed packing list so you know exactly what to take.

7 TERMS AND CONDITIONS Reservations, Deposits & Payments The deposit is 25% of the trip price unless stated differently in the itinerary. Deposits may be made by check or credit card: Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Card. The balance of the trip cost is due 90 days before departure, except where specified differently on individual itineraries. A signed reservation form and release are required prior to departure. All prices must be paid in U.S. dollars. Deposits are not transferable from one trip to another. Prices quoted are based on foreign exchange values and tariffs currently in effect and prices are subject to change. Orvis Travel reserves the right to adjust prices accordingly until the time of departure. Planning information When your reservation is confirmed, you will receive planning information to guide you through trip preparations. Details about arrival and departure, clothing and equipment, trip cancellation insurance, preand post- trip extensions, visas and documents and activities are included in the planning information. Cancellation and Refund Policy If you must cancel your reservation, the following fees apply: days prior to trip fee + 90 days $300 per person days 80% of land cost 59 days or less 100% of land cost Cancellation fees cannot be waived for any reason, including health, business or personal emergencies, or weather. We strongly urge you to purchase trip cancellation insurance. No refunds will be made for unused portions of a trip, including late arrival or early departure. Guide fees and hotel costs are not refundable if unused as outlined in the itinerary. Orvis reserves the right to modify an itinerary due to circumstances beyond our control. In the unlikely event that Orvis must cancel a tour, all payments received to date will be refunded, which constitutes a full settlement. Orvis is not responsible for expenses incurred in preparation of any canceled trip, including airline tickets and visas fees. Cancellation Insurance Your planning information includes an application for travel insurance covering cancellation for medical reasons, trip delay, medical expenses, lost baggage and medical evacuation. We urge you to obtain this coverage. Share policies Trip prices are based on double occupancy. Single rooms & cabins are limited. If you request a single room, a single supplement will apply as noted in the itinerary. We will confirm the single room as early as possible, but in some cases it may not be earlier than 30 days prior to the trip. If you request a roommate, we can usually pair you with another guest of the same gender, and no single supplement will apply. If you request a roommate, and one is not available, we will only charge you the single supplement if required by the lodge or facility used in the trip. Children under 18 must share a room with a parent or other family member. In some cases this may be waived. Passports and documents International trips require a passport. Check your passport early and make sure it has six months validity at the time of travel. A visa is needed in some countries and we will send you complete details and instructions. Arrival and Departure Group transfers from a central location such as an airport are described in the itinerary, and are included in the land cost.. Transfers are not included in the land cost if you arrive early or leave after the scheduled departure day. Equipment & clothing You will receive a detailed list of appropriate gear with your trip planning information. Airline reservations The land cost of your trip does not include airfare. Limitation of liability This section defines Orvis Travel s responsibility with regard to all travel arrangements made by Orvis Travel, including individual travel and pre- and post- trip extensions. Please read it carefully. Upon sending your deposit to Orvis Travel, you acknowledge that you have read and understand all the terms and conditions outlined here, and agree to be bound by them. All trips that involve outdoor sporting activities such as shooting or fishing, or travel through remote places by vehicle, boat, small plane or on foot, put you at risk for accidents and serious injuries in the normal course of the activity. That is the nature of travel to such destinations and you acknowledge that you accept these hazards as a condition of participation. 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8 Agua Boa Amazon Lodge Terms and Conditions and Waiver of Liability IMPORTANT NOTICES: 1) DEPOSIT/CANCELLATION/REFUND: You have accepted the deposit and cancellation terms set forth by Orvis Travel when you booked the trip. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment for the trip is acknowledgment that the registrant has read and accepts cancellation/refund and responsibility clauses. 2) RESPONSIBILITY CLAUSE: Visiting our camps requires flying a private charter fixed wing aircraft. Passengers must understand and accept the risks which are inherent in and associated with such means of conveyance. Travel schedules in Brazil can change due to adverse weather, strikes, or other factors beyond the control of the organisers of this trip. This can cause delay and even missed international connections. Such delays could impose additional cost to you in hotels or in changing airline tickets for which we cannot be responsible. Voluntary Participation. I acknowledge that I have voluntarily applied to participate in an expedition ( the Expedition ) to the Amazon region, specifically at the Agua Boa Amazon Lodge and/or affiliated Houseboat. I am voluntarily participating in the Expedition with knowledge of the hazards involved. I am aware that the Expedition involves hazardous activities with risk of illness, injury or death which may be caused by forces of nature, or by any act or omission (whether or not negligent) by Ecotur Turismo Limitada, Orvis Travel, The Amazon Agency Corp, their affiliated agencies, their employees, owners or other agencies known or unknown. I am also aware that medical services or facilities may not be readily available or accessible during some or all of the time while I am participating in the Expedition. In order to participate in the Expedition, I am willing to accept the risks and uncertainty involved as being an integral part of my experience at the Agua Boa Amazon Lodge camp and affiliated houseboat and premises in Manaus. I hereby accept and assume full responsibility for any and all risks of illness, injury, or death due to any act or omission (whether or not negligent) by Ecotur Turismo Limitada, Orvis Travel, The Amazon Agency Corp, their affiliated agencies, their employees, owners or other agencies known or unknown. Release and Covenant Not To Sue. As consideration for being permitted to take part in the Expedition, I hereby agree that neither I, nor any of my heirs, personal or legal representatives, or family members will bring suit or make any claim whatsoever in respect of any illness, injury or death that I may suffer resulting directly or indirectly from any act or omission (whether or not negligent) by Ecotur Turismo Limitada, Orvis Travel, The Amazon Agency Corp, their affiliated agencies, their officers and employees, owners, and the supplier of the facilities and equipment I will use during my participation in the Expedition to the Agua Boa Amazon Lodge. As further consideration for being allowed to take part in the Expedition, I hereby release, and hold harmless, Ecotur Turismo Limitada, Orvis Travel, The Amazon Agency Corp, their affiliated agencies, their employees, owners, and the supplier of the facilities and equipment I will use during my participation in the Expedition, from and against any and all liability arising out of, or in any way connected with, my participation in the Expedition including any liability for negligence. Controlling Law. I hereby confirm that any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the performance hereunder, including without limitation any claim related to my illness, injury or death, shall be governed by Brazilian law. Any lawsuit filed as a result of my participation in the Expedition shall be filed in Manaus, Brazil. Knowing and Voluntary Execution. I have carefully read this agreement and understand its contents. I am aware that this is a release of liability and a contract between myself and Ecotur Turismo Limitada, Orvis Travel, The Amazon Agency Corp, their affiliated agencies, their employees, and the supplier of the facilities and equipment I will use during my participation in the Expedition Date: Signature of the Releasor Printed Name of the Releasor......Date: Signature of the Witness Printed Name of Witness This release must be signed and witnessed before Orvis Travel can confirm your booking. Please fax the completed release to Orvis Travel at or mail it to us at: Orvis Travel, 178 Conservation Way, Sunderland, VT 05250