The Royal Amazon Lodge

The Royal Amazon Lodge on the Agua Boa River is the Amazon’s first flyfishing Peacock Bass lodge. The Royal Amazon is located in one of the Amazon Rainforest’s last remaining tracts of uncut and uninhabited rainforest on a clear water Peacock Bass fishery. The lodge provides fishermen with a level of comfort, friendly service, and sense of privacy in the rainforest that will at make anyone feel at home. Of course one look out the window at Rex, the 18-foot black caiman waiting on the white sand beach in front of camp, and you will know immediately that you are someplace far from home.

The fishery on the Agua Boa is well suited to flyfishing. The water is clear and in many cases allows fishermen to sightfish for bass ranging from 1-25 pounds, arowana, pacu and a host of other jungle species. Peacock Bass come in a large variety of sizes and species. There are three species on the Agua Boa: the butterfly, spotted and temensis.

The Butterfly Peacock is the most numerous in the system. Butterflies are aggressive takers on poppers and 3-4 inch streamers. They are great fighters and jump often. They range between 2 and 8 pounds with approximately a 3 pound average in the system. Butterfly Peacocks provide plenty of action between shots at larger fish.

The Spotted and Temensis Peacock Bass are a totally different beast. These two species are the largest of the peacocks and can attain weights of 25 pounds. These Peacocks 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. Needless to say that 1 pound baitfish are flying everywhere in a desperate attempt to escape. In many cases the baitfish will jump onto to dry land to escape. If you can get your fly into the action, the results are spectacular: a ferocious take, a blistering run, a jump, a run into structure are just a few of the obstacles you might be confronted with.

The other jungle species are well worth pursuing. The Arowana looks and acts a lot like a tarpon. They have huge scales, are air breathers, spooky and wander through the river in schools in search of baitfish. Arowana are a surface oriented fish. They are very visible and provide exciting sightcasting. Beware they are spooky and difficult to hook and land. Their jaws are similar to tarpon and require a hard strike. They are an aerial fighter and good runner. Arowana average 6-10 lbs.

Pacu, also known as the silver dollar, are a fun fish and can be taken on trout patterns. They are shaped like a permit. In the Agua Boa they reach weights of 10 pounds.

Pirarucu, the giant tarpon of the Amazon, reach weights well in excess of 200 pounds.

These fish look and act a lot like tarpon, but are so smart that at the lodge they have not landed more than a handful of them. It is tough to describe the excitement of seeing them and trying to manage a cast to one.

Sample Itinerary

Saturday: Depart late evening on Varig Airlines from Miami to Manaus, Brazil.

Sunday: Arrive Manaus early morning. In Manaus you will be met at the airport by a representative of the Royal Amazon Lodge for a transfer to the domestic terminal and your private charter to the lodge. The flight is one and a half-hours over some of the Amazon’s most pristine rainforest. The plane will land at the lodge where the fun begins.

After a brief look at the lodge, the guides will help you with your bags to your accommodations. Once you have unpacked, and prepared your fishing gear, a light lunch will be served. The camp host will give a brief orientation and introduce everyone to their guide. After the orientation, the fishing begins.

Clients will fish two to a boat. If you would like to fish alone in a boat, please let us know well in advance. At the Royal Amazon you can spend the entire day on the river with a picnic lunch or return to the lodge for a lunch prepared by the chef. Either way you will 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 rest in. It is a nice way to rest in the hottest part of the day. Your fishing will not suffer as the mid-day heat generally makes the fish spooky and unreceptive. If you want to fish through the day without a break, that is not a problem. In the evening you will return to the lodge for drinks, dinner and the nights accommodation.

Monday: Full day fishing river channel, inland lakes and lagoons. Lunch on the river or at the lodge. Overnight at the lodge.

Tuesday: Optional transfer to fish from the houseboat on the Upper or Lower River. Full day of fishing en route to the houseboat. The houseboat is air-conditioned and just as comfortable as the lodge. It is an optional package offered by the Royal Amazon Lodge to give clients the opportunity to see another stretch of river. There is plenty of fishing around the main lodge, but this is an adventure past clients have truly enjoyed. Overnight at the houseboat.

Wednesday: Full day fishing from the houseboat. Return to the houseboat or lodge for drinks, dinner and overnight.

Thursday: Full day fishing en route to the main lodge. Lunch on the river. Drinks, dinner and overnight at main lodge.

Friday: Full day fishing from the main lodge. Lunch on the river or at the lodge. Overnight at main lodge.

Saturday: Full day fishing from the main lodge. Lunch on the river or at the lodge. Drinks, and a farewell Brazilian barbecue. Overnight at the main lodge.

Sunday: After breakfast, transfer to Manaus by private charter. Transfer to the International terminal and your return flight to the United States. Arrive Miami 3:30 pm.

This schedule is subject to change in airline itineraries.

High Water Policy:

At the Royal Amazon we focus on providing our clients with the best fishing for peacock bass in the entire Amazon Basin.

If the river is too high, we will rebook you at a later time. The reality of fishing the Amazon is that water conditions are the most critical factor. We want your trip to be both a pleasure and a success.

Other outfitters in the Amazon will often fish you in flooded conditions. In the Amazon where water levels can vary as much as 35 feet in a year, water level is the single most important factor that will affect your fishing. When the water is too high, fish push up into the forest and feed. They are impossible to catch in these circumstances.

Please be sure to inquire into the high water policy of any outfitter you should choose to book. This will be one of the biggest decisions you will make on any trip to fish the Amazon. We know you will find few that offer a policy as fair as ours.

Season: January 1-April, 2003

January 4-12

January 11-19

January 18-26

January 25-February 2

February 1-9

February 8-16

February 15-23

February 22-March 2

March 1-March 9

March 8-16

March 15-23

March 22-30

Peacock Bass Fishing:

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. Here are a few fishing tips that we think will help you on your trip.

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 in the Amazon 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 do not have the razor sharp teeth, but there is not a fish that is tougher in fresh water. Peacock habits vary to a large degree depending on the size of the fish. 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 not getting eaten by predators. Over time they become bullies and roam the lagoons and river channels in packs. Peacock bass are are a pursuit predator which means that 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. Believe it or not, we have seen peacocks fly out of the water in unsuccessful attempts to get small birds. Certainly it sounds ridiculous. After your trip, our guess is that you will believe it.

Fighting tips:

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, be sure to let large and small peacocks 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 unstoppable runs. When they stop, apply heavy pressure. When a peacock takes off, you must let him run. Don’t worry about the fish getting wrapped up in cover. If you think you can keep him away from it by applying pressure late in the fight that is fine. Once they get into cover, give the fish slack and let your guide help get the fish out with the boat. Many times the fish will swim back in the direction it came and get you untangled. In a worst case scenario, your guide may swim down to untangle the fish.

Fishing tips:

Fish everything…structure, shoreline, middle of the lagoon etc.. Don’t get keyed into just casting at the bank. Also if you 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 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.

As a general rule, I would rig two rods- -one with a sinking line and a big fish fly and a second with a floating line with a smaller deceiver.

Strip in long steady strips and focus less on the speed of the strip than on keeping the slack out of the line between strips. Strip at a comfortable yet rapid pace until you feel the fish. Hit them hard…hang on tight…and enjoy!!!

Line choice:

A floating line is effective and for most fishermen is the line of choice. There is no question that in deeper lagoons, a sinking line can make a difference. On the other hand they are not nearly as pleasant to cast and they produce only slightly better results in the clear waters of the Agua Boa.

Suggested Packing List:

· Pliers

· Hook sharpener.

· Fishing hat, make sure it has good sun protection

· Sturdy rod case (preferably one that you can carry on)

· Line nipper

· Bug repellant

· Flashlight

· Sunscreen & chapstick

· Stripping glove or sleeve

Clothing:

· Fishing shoes

· Shoes for camp

· Shorts

· Swimsuit

· Shirts, long sleeve for fishing, short for the lodge

· Tropical Travel Clothes

· Raincoat

· Rainpants

· Waterproof bag for the boat

· Camera gear(film, batteries, filters etc.)

· Sun gloves

Personal items:

· Passport

· Copy of passport

· Toiletries

· Reading glasses

· Airline tickets

· Proof of med-evac insurance

Fly Fishing:

Rod: A 9 weight rod is your best bet for peacocks. While a 10 weight is handy for the fight of a large peacock bass, most anglers will not be interested in fishing such a large rod for the duration of their trip.

Reel: Large Arbor Reel with a great drag.

Assorted Fly Gear:

· 20 and 30 pound tippet spools

· 9 foot leaders 20-30lb

· Dry line(Tarpon or Bonefish Lines work best in the heat or a weight forward Bass taper)

· 300 grain sink tip

Flies

We sell flies at the camp that are specifically designed for the Agua Boa so you may want to consider having us provide your flies. If you want to order a package prior to your trip, please call us for an order. Bring roughly 4 dozen total flies, one dozen should be topwater flies like the banger, 1 dozen of the big baitfish patterns similar to the Puglisi Mackerel or Keliher Herring, 2 dozen should be of the cheaper variety.

While peacocks are not that selective, bring a number of the well tied larger patterns. They seem to take more than their share of big fish.

· Deceivers 2/0, 3/0(on another similar baitfish pattern 4 & 6 inches in length. Colors: Tan/white, Red/white, Red/yellow, Orange/white

· Conehead the Barbarian 3/0 (brown/white, chartreuse/white, red/yellow/white)

· Peacock bass deceivers 1/0 and 3/0 (yellow/white, brown/white)

· Mega prism diver 3/0

· Puglisi Tinker Mackerel 3/0

· Keliher Herring 3/0

· Popovic’s Banger 4/0 (Silver, Orange, Chartreuse)

Land Cost: $3800 per person based on double occupancy

Single supplement: $1000 for single boat and/or accommodations.

Included: Lodging at the Royal Amazon, optional houseboat trip, beer, wine, and in-country transfers.

Not included: Gratuities, international airfare, Brazilian visa, satellite telephone calls, flies, liquor, or airport taxes.

Gratuities: We suggest a tip of $100-150 per person for the guide, and $100-150 for the lodge staff. This is left to the discretion of the angler, and is only a rough guideline for planning purposes. The lodge manager will collect the tips.

Insects:

There are relatively few insects on the Agua Boa due to its acidic waters, but there are a few hours in the day when you will want to make sure you are extra cautious. In the evening and early morning, the no see ums will be a problem. You won’t feel them bite, but if you don’t wear pants or insect repellant you will get bitten. If you take care during these hours of the day, you will not have problems.

Recommended Vaccinations Etc.

Please check with the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta for up to date recommendations on vaccinations and medicines needed for the Brazilian Amazon.

C.D.C.
1600 Clifton Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30333
U.S.A
(404) 639-3311

Deposit/cancellation/refund policy:

A 50% deposit is required within 10 days of making reservation to secure a fishing confirmation. Deposit/payment is non-refundable unless space is subsequently booked. Final payment due 90 days prior to trip. There is no refund for any unused portion of the land package. Trip cancellation insurance is recommended. Receipt of deposit/and or final payment is acknowledgement that registrant has read and accepts cancellation/refund and responsibility clauses.

In the event of high water, the Royal Amazon Lodge will notify clients and give them the option for a raincheck for openings in the season or the following year or the option to fish a river with suitable water conditions.

Responsibility and release of Liability, Please Read Carefully:

The client understands that fishing is dangerous and that it includes risks of injury from, but not limited to : wading, boating, wild animals, walking on the uneven terrain, lack of immediate medical help, etc. The client acknowledges that their stay at the The Royal Amazon Lodge may result in serious injury or death from these and other risks and accepts such risks. In consideration for each and every day from arrival to departure at Manaus the client hereby releases, holds harmless, and agrees to indemnify the Royal Amazon Lodge, and its employees and agents from any and all liability for damage or personal injury resulting from these risks described herein.