Peacock Bass Trip Schedule

The Blackwater Explorer Peacock Route In 1540, Francisco de Orellana became the first European to begin exploring the Amazon. Almost 500 years later we begin our own Amazon journey, retracing a portion of Orellana's route. Once we leave the settled areas of Manaus and Borba we can quickly see that not a lot has changed in the Amazon's backcountry in nearly half a millennium. The biggest difference perhaps is in us. We're sitting in air-conditioned comfort, sipping a caipirinha (Brazil's national drink) in our yacht's lounge as it steams its way along the fantastic river systems of the Amazon.
     The Amazon basin makes its own weather. The rainforest's strange cycle of flood and dry weather circulates counterclockwise throughout the Amazon. The optimal season for peacock bass fishing follows directly behind. As the floods begin to withdraw from the southern part of the basin in July and August, the Rio Madeira drainage becomes transformed into the hottest fishery in South America during the months of September and October. And that's exactly where we're headed.
     We start our journey on the main bodies of the Amazon and the Madeira Rivers, the superhighways of the Amazon Basin. Here the waters are clouded with suspended particles washed out of the distant Andes Mountains. The rich sediment provides a fertile base for the region's flooded forests, the world's densest fish nursery. Pink "boto" dolphins can be seen cavorting in the coffee colored waters of these giant rivers, feeding on dense, silver schools of "piaba" (baitfish) or the always tasty piranha.
     As we leave the main rivers for the network of smaller tributaries, we enter a different, more primitive, world. Near the mouth of the Rio Preto, we enter a restricted access Indian reservation. Here we can access the clear black waters of the Rio Autaz Mirrim. This river's complex network of channels, oxbows and lagoons holds very big peacock bass. When water levels are right, we may probe this river for its lunkers and use the opportunity to fine-tune our gear and our fishing techniques for the giant fishery lying just beyond.

     Next, we reach the wide Rio Preto, offering a varied range of fishable water. It's many points, islands and lagoons hold peacocks of all sizes, while its rocky outcroppings offer the fly-fisherman wonderful action just an easy cast away. Small Mura Indian villages overlook some of the river's strategic travel points. A northern tributary, the Rio Tupana offers us fine fishing, with great numbers when water levels draw us here. As we proceed westward, the Rio Preto meets a major tributary, the Rio Matupiri.

Igapo Acu fishery

        At the mouth of the Matupiri, the Rio Preto widens into the strange, fish-laden Lago Tacuia. A vast 40 mile long flooded forest, Tacuia is a lake without real shorelines. It's convoluted flooded forest structure provides cover not only for peacock bass, but for a wide range of Amazonian aquatic species. "Tucuxi" and "boto" dolphins patrol its open waters, while the quiet flats hold manatee and the giant, prehistoric, air-breathing piraruccu (arapaima). Peacock bass of all sizes can be found in its shallow standing timber, along its deep points and in its serpentine feeder streams. Even when water levels elsewhere in the system are running high, this strange and mysterious place provides excellent access to great numbers of peacock bass. At its western end, the winding Rio Igapo Acu feeds its fish-laden waters into the lake.
     The Rio Matupiri is another target destination in this great fishery. Totally uninhabited, this gorgeous waterway offers anglers 100 miles of lagoon studded fishery. There's more structure and fish habitat here than you can cover in a lifetime. Closed to commercial fishing and the Brazilian public, the Blackwater Explorer has been given exclusive permission to fish this river's pristine waters by the Mura tribe. Giant, open water lagoas, narrow, creek-like igarapes, small sloughs, oxbows and flooded igapos offer an amazing variety of fishable water off of the main river, while on the river, lagoon mouths, steep barrancas and plentiful standing timber provide even more fish-holding structure.

Winding from the west, a big, wide feeder stream, "Igarape Acu", meanders right through pristine rainforest. This waterway has yielded many big peacocks during very low water. At the southern end of the region of lagoons, the Matupiri narrows, becoming a riverbank fishery. Parana Coari, (a cut caused by seasonal flooding) provides a rare bit of fast water and defines a long structure-laden island.
New sights, new experiences and new fishing water to explore, greet the peacock bass angler every day in this amazing place. At any given time, there are areas with perfect water levels here. The Explorer's great mobility, combined with the region's huge range of water types, allows us to probe this entire vast system, find the best conditions and concentrate our efforts where the fish are. Our anglers are assured of the greatest possible opportunity for success and fulfillment on their trip of a lifetime.

The beautiful Blackwater Explorer Built to fish - The new "Blackwater Explorer" is one of the most attractive yachts sailing the Amazon basin. Her classic and graceful "Amazonian Regional" design blends perfectly with the pristine blackwater habitat she calls home. But more importantly, she's been built to fish. Her broad beam maximizes her functional interior space while keeping her length manageably short. This gives her great maneuverability, letting her safely and easily penetrate into inaccessible, meandering headwaters streams. The yacht's impressively low draft (she displaces only 1.2 meters) allows her to readily pass shallow sandbars and obstructions that would keep less efficiently designed boats back in port.
peacock bass trip - meals

Designed for fishermen - The Blackwater Explorer was designed for fishermen. Her well-organized debarkation deck lets a full group of anglers get started on their fishing day quickly, without crowding, fuss or confusion. The debarkation deck's waterline exit lets you walk right onto your fishing boat, with no ladders to climb. All of your fishing gear and take-along items can remain right at hand and be ready to go when you are. We've done our homework and we've designed the best purpose-built sportfishing vessel in the Amazon.

Luxurious and Comfortable - The Explorer is a fishing mothership of the highest caliber. The list of her luxurious features is long. Here are just a few.

1. Private bathrooms w/sink, toilet and shower in each cabin.
2. Roomy cabins with plenty of storage space.
3. Two meter high ceilings. Gone are the days when six-footers have to duck.
4. Huge (6 and 1/2 x 7 meter) common area. Spacious dining room and lots of walk-around space.
5. Big, wide, non-slip stairwells.
6. Cabin doors open directly to outside spaces.
7. Shallow draft for improved access - almost 1/2 meter less than typical Amazon yachts. The Explorer can fish areas we've never accessed before.
8. Wider beam - Perfect stability.
9. Smoke-free cabins and indoor areas.
10. Open-air bar and lounge area on upper deck.

The best Value in the Amazon. Come and enjoy it with us.

You'll love the lifestyle efficiency of our new boat's design, and the roominess and comfort it provides. With big, individually air-conditioned cabins, private bathrooms, hot showers and spacious group areas, the "Blackwater Explorer" is one of the finest yachts in the Amazon. Her shallow draft and wide beam allow us to traverse sandbars and fast water to access regions others just can't reach.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call us, toll-free or E-mail us.
Thanks for fishing with Acute Angling!
Paul Reiss: - (866) 832-2987 - E-Mail Paul Reiss
Garry Reiss - (866) 431-1668 - E-Mail Garry Reiss

We are pleased to be able to arrange trips to the right place at the right time, anywhere in the world, with the most reputable, professional outfitters. References are available upon request.