Season
Ideal for
Accommodations
Species
Fly Fishing For Trophy Peacock Bass
Rio Marie is the leading Amazon destination for anglers seeking a trophy-sized peacock bass fishing trip. Recent biological studies suggest the river has more double-digit peacocks and a higher percentage of trophy peacocks than any other river in the Amazon drainage. This destination is relatively new on the map and exclusive to fly anglers only. Rio Marie is located within Indian territory and fished solely by 12 fly anglers per week for a 3-month season. The operation covers an incredibly vast and expansive fishery, offering over 2 million hectares of an untouched environment with more than 800 kilometers of water. This is truly a one-of-a-kind fly-fishing operation; the program is a collaborative effort between the Brazilian government and Indian institutes linking conservation, biological studies, and fly fishing.
Accommodation Details
Lodging Details
Anglers stay aboard a fully furnished and air-conditioned shallow draft yacht. Recently built in 2015 specifically for the Rio Marie, the impressive mothership is nicely laid out and extremely comfortable. The yacht offers spacious double occupancy staterooms with private full baths. Each room has two full beds, comfortable bedding with two separate closets for maximum storage and organization. The main dining room is located on the upper level and is surrounded by glass windows, offering excellent light and incredible views of the Rio Marie and surrounding rainforest jungle. The main dining room, with a full bar and a central table surrounded by leather couches and coffee tables, is ideal for enjoying drinks and appetizers. Separate from the dining room is a large open-air common and social area with comfortable seating and two large hot tubs for lounging, offering optimal views of the jungle. The yacht is impressive and well-suited for anglers seeking finer accommodations than what is generally offered throughout the Amazon.
Food and Beverages
Breakfast and dinner are served in the main dining room. Breakfast is served each morning by 7:00 AM and consists of made-to-order eggs served with a buffet of yogurt, granola, fruits, coffee, water, tea, and juices.
At midday, you may return for lunch in the dining room and enjoy a “siesta” in your air-conditioned cabin, though most anglers choose to pack a lunch in the boat for a riverside picnic. Each angler builds their own lunches each morning from a buffet of lunch meat, pastas, salad, fruits, and vegetables. Once a week, a special shore lunch is offered of freshly-caught fish cooked over an open fire.
Upon returning from your fishing day at around 5 or 6 PM, you’ll enjoy appetizers and cocktails in the main dining and lounge room. Dinner is served each evening at around 7:30. A typical meal includes traditional Argentine dishes paired with fine Argentine wines.
Typical Length of Stay
A standard package is eight (8) nights / six (6) fishing days (Wednesday to Thursday), departing from and returning to Manaus, Brazil (MAO).
Non-Angling Activities and Options
Non-angling activities with Rio Marie are limited, as this is primarily a trip that focuses on fishing. There are a number of non-angling sights and tours available in Manaus.
Internet / Communications
Wi-Fi is available at all hotels in Manaus, as well as on the mothership. There is a satellite phone on the boat for emergency calls; guests are welcome to use the phone for $5.00 per minute.
Travel Details
How to Get There
Depart from Miami International (MIA) on a Tuesday (2 nights in Manaus) or Wednesday (1 night in Manaus) on TAM or American Airlines to Manaus, Brazil (MAO), arriving in Manaus in the evening. After you pass through customs in Manaus, you will be met at the airport by a representative of Rio Marie for a transfer to the Caesar Business Hotel (included in package rate for Wednesday night) where you will spend the night. The following morning you will board one of two Cessna Caravans fitted with amphibious floats for a 3-hour flight direct to the Rio Marie houseboat. On your departure day, the following Thursday, you will arrive back in Manaus in the afternoon around 4:00 PM. You can catch a direct flight back to the U.S. that evening, or choose to overnight once again in Manaus and depart for the U.S. the following day.
Arrival and Departure Details / Times
Most flights into Manaus, Brazil (MAO) from the U.S. arrive late at night. Since you will be overnighting in Manaus on your first night, you can arrive at any time of the day before your trip actually begins. On departure day, most flights depart very late at night, allowing you to arrive back in Manaus and then catch an international flight later that night.
Documents Required
U.S. citizens will need to carry a valid U.S. passport. In June of 2019, Brazil waived tourist visas for US citizens! You no longer need a tourist visa to enter Brazil.
Travel Arrangements
If you’d like assistance with airline tickets, hotel reservations, transfers, and all travel logistics, Yellow Dog recommends working with our preferred South American travel specialist, Alicia Regueiro of Holdy Tours. Email: [email protected] or call: (925)-927-6617
Fishing
General Information
If a fishery could be perfectly designed for the pursuit of the largest peacock bass in the Amazon, it would look like the Rio Marie. This incredible fishery offers over 180 creeks, 60 lakes, and three rivers across an area of more than two million hectares. But make no mistake, while the territory is expansive, Rio Marie is a fishery that is quality over quantity focused. Anglers should expect to put in multiple, long days in search of the reward that makes this area so special. Cichla Temensis, the largest of the peacock bass species, can reach up to 35 pounds in the upper Rio Negro and are an entirely new league in the world of peacock bass fishing. And we can assure you, connecting to one of these incredible, aggressive fish on the fly is well worth the time and effort you will invest.
Boats and Equipment Required
Anglers will fish from comfortable and modern flat skiffs powered with 60 HP Yamaha outboards.
Rates
Package Rates
Remember that Yellow Dog’s services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge or outfitter. All prices listed below are per person, based on double occupancy, and quoted in U.S. dollars. Prices below are based upon an eight (8) nights / (6) fishing days package (Wednesday to Thursday).
(8) nights / (6) days of guided fishing (based on double occupancy) is $7,325.00 per person.
What’s Included:
- Round-trip charter flights in the country
- All necessary ground transfers
- One overnight at Intercity Hotel
- Guide-operated, 21-foot, fully-equipped shallow drafting bass boat
- Brazilian fishing licenses
- All meals at the fishing destination
- All wine and beer
- Daily laundry and maid service
What’s Not Included:
- International airfare from original destination to Manaus, Brazil (MAO)
- Brazilian visa
- Gratuities and tips to staff and fishing guides
- Food and beverages in Manaus
- Private city tours, special transfers when not arriving/ departing with the party
- Indian Territory entry tax: $670.00 USD per angler
- Satellite phone calls ($5.00/minute)
- Rods, flies, and all terminal tackle
