General Information
River Plate’s guides are some of the very best in all of Brazil – carefully trained, hardcore fishermen intimately familiar with the complexities of Amazon angling. Many have guided for River Plate for over 15 years. With thousands of fish boated for clients, they know how to get anglers onto large numbers of fish – as well as some very large fish.

The majority of Amazonian gamefish belong to three main groups (families): the catfish, characins (freshwater dorado, for example), and cichlids (peacock bass). In addition to these three groups are several oddball families like the osteoglossidaoe (which includes the immense pirarucú), and groups with saltwater origins such as the sardinata/apapá (a shad/herring/tarpon-like fish) and the corvina, which is essentially a freshwater drum. The list of Amazonian freshwater gamefish is as extensive and exotic as the land itself. Depending upon the region, there are as many as twenty different species that will take a fly or lure – all with fantastic names to match their peculiar appearances.

Of all the incredible gamefish in the Amazon basin, the one that has received the most attention is the peacock bass. Their remarkably explosive topwater strikes, combined with an astonishing ability to break heavy leaders and straighten even stout saltwater hooks, makes them one of the most sought-after species in the Amazon basin. Peacock bass is not a true “bass” such as the largemouth and smallmouth bass found in North American waters, but instead, comprises a genus within the family Cichlidae (the cichlid). Although there are countless color variations throughout their range, there are only four currently recognized species of peacock bass: C. temensis, C. ocellaris, C. monoculus and C. nigrolineatus (there is a raging debate among ichthyologists and anglers on this topic). All species are commonly called tucunaré in Brazil and Peru, while other Spanish- speaking countries in South America use the term “pavón.” 

Boats and Equipment Required
The fishing boats utilized by River Plate are 20 feet long with 40 HP outboard motors with all standard bass boat features (trolling motor, high swivel seats, etc.). The best thing about these area-specific boats is that they are sufficiently light, allowing them to navigate past the shallow sandbars and other obstacles found throughout the Amazon. With regards to rods, reels, flies, and all terminal tackle, anglers will want to bring all of their own equipment.