Agua Boa Lodge
Agua Boa River • Amazon Jungle, Brazil

Many fly fishermen  consider bass fishing a still water sport that in no way compares to trout, steelhead, or salmon fishing.

However, Peacock Bass are not a bass at all. In fact, they are a cichlid and not at all similar to their stout American counterpart, the Largemouth bass. They undoubtedly have a large mouth, but this is the only similarity. Imagine, if you will, casting to a pack of six, 10-18 pound peacocks bright green in color, with stripes, red eyes and orange gills, all while moving at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour up the shallow end of a white sand beach, driving one-pound baitfish onto the dry land! You can see these brutes from 50 yards away on the Agua Boa. In fact, it often seems more like flats fishing, except your quarry are not a gentle crab-eating bonefish or permit, but a rod breaking predator with a strike that can break the heaviest of tippets. These fish are bad-ass!

Agua Boa Lodge is situated high on a bank overlooking the Agua Boa River with the Amazon Rainforest on one bank and a natural savannah on the other. The lodge is very comfortable, with a Brazilian atmosphere, and utterly enchanting. The lodge has every amenity imaginable including phone/fax line, satellite TV, well furnished library, 24-hour electricity, game room, swimming pool, full bar, and a wonderful indoor and outdoor dinning room. Guest rooms are air-conditioned and well appointed with views of the adjacent white beach where you can easily catch a glimpse of the eighteen-foot long pet black caiman, Rex, awaiting a meal of piranha thrown to him by the guides. What a sight it is! The lodge accommodates eight guests and allows fly fishermen immediate access to over 100 miles of the Agua Boa River and lagoons. Because the Agua Boa is an ecotourism preserve, only one licensed sport-fishing operator is allowed on the entire watershed. Absolutely no commercial fishing is allowed or has been allowed for the last 10 years.

On the Agua Boa, the fishery revolves around the lagoons, inland lakes and river channel. The lagoons and inland lakes offer solid fishing for butterfly peacocks (the smallest of the peacock family) up to 8 pounds. Butterfly peacocks are numerous and take poppers and streamers greedily. These fish fight hard and jump often. The problem is, after you have witnessed the power of the spotted peacock or the Temensis peacock, the enjoyable security of catching twenty to thirty 8-pound butterflies on poppers, will be ditched to chase these larger varieties of peacocks. Truly large peacock bass are one of the toughest freshwater, or saltwater, game fish in the world. The fishing in the river channel is the greatest surprise of all. Typically, the river fishing is done by poling down through the shallow stretches of the river and sight casting to peacocks, aruwana, and other jungle species. The fly-fishing for aruwana is remarkably similar to Florida Key's tarpon. The aruwana are a spooky fish that move in schools throughout the river, working edges and currents. Fly presentation is key. A head-on shot with a tarpon fly, worked in short strips, works best. The fish average 6-10 pounds and fight hard. The peacock bass in the river are a different story all together. Smaller peacocks are in the shallow water and respond well to any quickly stripped baitfish pattern. The Temensis and Spotted peacocks roam throughout the river in search of food. If they are actively eating (there is rarely any question as the water is exploding with colorful baitfish), any cast will do. In other cases, 10-20 pound singles or doubles are spooky and require good casts. These are exciting shots, as in most cases; you can see the fish coming from a long way off.

The food at the lodge is prepared by a professional Brazilian chef and is delectable. The lodge's owner, Dr. Jan Wilt, has developed a very diverse fishing program where anglers can fish both the upper and lower reaches of the river while staying in two well built and furnished, air-conditioned houseboats. The houseboats are well furnished with air conditioning, comfortable cabins, a living room and eating area.

The Agua Boa Lodge package includes nearly seven full action-packed days of fishing. It includes everything except the round trip flight from Miami to Manaus, Brazil. Built into the package are the turbo-prop, 10 passenger aircraft that will take you from Manaus to the camp, the shallow-draft skiffs that transport anglers above commercial angling, along with every Coke, beer, and bottle of water. Cost of the eight-day trip is $5,500 DBL. OCC.. Space is very limited (8 total anglers).The floatplane reduces travel time by half a day coming and going, adding a full day of fishing! A great value!

Additionally, the Agua Boa is the perfect place for anyone to experience the Amazon. The wildlife and bird life is abundant. You'll have a chance to see tapir, giant Amazon River otter, howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, soldier storks, macaws, parrots, toucans, etc. This is a spectacular jungle experience - the river itself is an aquarium. You will see huge catfish, piranhas and pacu daily. It is truly a wild trip that none should miss.

Rates for 2011:

7 - day fishing packages.

October - December : $5,300

January - April: $5,500

Species of Fish:  multiple species of Peacock Bass.

Lodging:  Double Occupancy Cabins with separate shower house.

Travel Arrangements:  
Friday arrival into Manaus: In response to popular demand and in view of the fact that the majority of clients for the Lodge will arrive on a Friday, we will revert to the previous practice of arrival in Manaus on Friday (for Saturday departure to the lodge) The ‘departing’ guests in each case being brought back out to Manaus from the Lodge/Houseboat by midday on Saturday. There are flights out of Miami and Atlanta. You can check with Alicia at Holdy Tours (1-800-446-1111) for the schedule that will best suit your trip. You will be met by a Agua Boa Amazon Lodge representative holding a sign and transported to your hotel or the charter plane for the flight to the lodge.

Charter flight to the lodge and houseboat:
•  departure from Manaus (Saturday) at 6.00 a.m. – arrival at the lodge at 8.30 a.m.
•  departure from the lodge (Saturday) at 9.00 a.m. – arrival at Manaus at 11.00 a.m.

Saturday: After a brief look at the lodge, the guides will help you with your bags to your accommodations. Once you have unpacked, you can prepare your gear for tomorrow’s fishing. Clients will fish two to a boat. If you would like to fish alone in a boat, please let us know well in advance of arrival. At the Agua Boa 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 night’s accommodation.

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

Monday-Friday: Full days fishing from the main lodge. Lunch on the river or at the lodge. Overnight at main lodge.

Saturday: Transfer to Manaus at 9:00 AM (Arrive Manaus 11:00 AM) by charter flight.

This schedule is subject to change in airline itineraries beyond our control. Please keep in mind that Brazil is a third world country where life moves to a slower beat.

Length of Stay:  Saturday to Saturday

Season:  November through March

Occupancy:  8 anglers maximum.

Inclusions:  The rate includes: Your angling package with Agua Boa Lodge includes: meet and greet at the Manaus airport & breakfast; round trip charter flights between Manaus to fishery; accommodations at fishing area (the main lodge and the houseboats, as an option); all meals at lodge, including soft drinks, wine, and beer; fishing permits, and guide-operated fishing boat per two fishermen.

Non-Inclusions:  The rate does not include: Brazilian Visa; international air fare; tips to camp staff and guides; personal items; fishing equipment/tackle; airport departure tax.

Deposit:  A 50 percent deposit is due to secure a reservation.

Booking Your Trip:  Reserving your spot at any of our wonderful locations is easily done. You can call us on our dime at: 800-669-3474 or by sending us an email at: info@flyfishingtravel.com.