Peacock Bass, Rio Negro, Brazil

I travelled to the Amazon region of Brazil from February 4-11, 2010 for my first Peacock Bass fishing trip! I stayed aboard the Blackwater Explorer, a classic Amazonian river boat, as we travelled along the Rio Negro from Santa Isabel do Rio Negro to Barcelos. My agent was J.W. Smith of Rod & Gun Resources, Inc. , Kerrville, TX(rodgunresources.com) and my outfitter was River Plate Amazon Outfitters(riverplateoutfitters.com). In total, I caught 372 fish, the largest was an 18 pound three-barred peacock bass (tucanare acu). This area is remote, with a few small villages scattered along the shore of the river. Wildlife abounds, and visitors will see many birds, parrots, river dolphin and caimen crocodile. The water of the Rio Negro is called "blackwater" and looks much like strong tea with some clarity. The color results from organic compounds and tannic acid leached from the Guyana Shield soils and vegetation.

Fishing in the jungle is a special experience, regardless of how many fish you catch. The sights, sounds and remoteness of the area make this a unique destination worthy of many return trips.