LOCATION
Rio Negro Region - Manaus, Brazil

SEASON
September through March

CAPACITY
Maximum of 8 anglers for the floating cabin camps, and 14 for the Blackwater Explorer houseboat

SPECIES
Three species of peacock bass (temensis, spotted and butterfly), aruana, pirahna, payara, pirarucu, and more

GENERAL INFORMATION
River Plate Outfitters operates with “zero footprint” philosopy — spending very little actual time in the rainforest (guests are either in the fishing boats or eating and resting in the floating cabanas), and by using many biodegradable products and carefully removing all garbage and signs of passing.

LENGTH OF STAY
Standard package is a seven day / eight night package (Friday to Friday) leaving from and returning to Manaus, Brazil.

THE FISHING
River Plate’s guides are some of the very best in all of Brazil. Most Amazon outfitters employ poorly-trained, unenthusiastic "boat drivers". River Plate's carefully trained guides are hard-core fishermen who are 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 you on to large numbers of fish - as well as very large fish.

From an evolutionary standpoint, Amazonian fish species come from an ancient line of groups that were already established nearly 60 million years ago (they have changed little since that time). The most commonly accepted theory regarding the existence of most Amazon species is that their precursors evolved during a period when what is now South America, Africa, southern Asia and Australia were a single continent called Gondwanaland. Upon the separation of these continents, these mutual ancestors then evolved independently. Today, although the remnant of this relationship between the Amazonian, African and Australian fish remains evident, their modern descendents have speciated into thousands of endemic varieties. 

The majority of Amazonian gamefish belong to three main groups (families): the catfish, characins (freshwater dorado for example) and the cichlids (peacock bass). In addition to these three groups are several other odd-ball families like the osteoglossidae (which includes the immense pirarucú), and groups with salt-water 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.

Peacock Bass
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 are not a true bass such as the largemouth and smallmouth bass found in North American waters, but instead comprise a genus within the family Cichlidae. Cichlids are a diverse family of tropical fish found primarily throughout Africa, South America and southern Asia. Although all peacock bass species are highly temperature-sensitive fish, some have been successfully introduced in tropical areas from Panama to Hawaii. (The latest transplants (C. ocellaris and C. monoculus) are happily swimming in many of the major freshwater irrigation channels in Dade County, Florida.) No permanent populations of the giant species, C. temensis have ever been successfully transplanted outside of the Amazon basin and Lake Guri. 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 South American countries use the term pavón. 

BOATS AND EQUIPMENT OFFERED
With a 12-year learning curve on how to overcome the Amazon's shallow sand bars in order to reach remote unfished areas, the operators of River Plate have gone from the attractive but ineffective U.S. 120HP high-speed bass boats to today's "in-house" designed, built and field tested all-aluminum welded shallow drafting tunnel boat. These jungle boats are 20 feet long with a 40 HP outboard and all the standard bass boat features (trolling motor, high swivel seats, etc.) The best thing about these new boats is that they are sufficiently light to navigate past the shallow sandbars and other obstacles found throughout the Amazon.

THE LODGING
River Plate’s six independent Fly-In Floating Cabins (I, II, III, IV, V, VI) are the ultimate solution for optimizing shallow drafting mobility, comfort and luxury. On arrival from the US, you travel about 1 to 2 hours directly to one of six Floating Cabin Camps via a new state-of-the-art, 8 passenger Cessna Caravan turbo prop float plane. These mobile cabin camps cruise the headwaters of small tributaries and fish-filled secluded lagoons, which are normally a 3 – 5 hour run in a fast bass boat from the areas where most of the competing houseboats and lodges are operating.

The float plane trasnfer on your arrival day, plus the daily shallow drafting cabin-cruising, effectively replaces daily 3-5 hour boat traveling or expensive daily fly-outs from the main waterways to the secluded lagoons which are protected by shallow water entry barriers. Although there are a few well-established land-based lodges situated past these natural barriers, they have little mobility to seek better water levels when conditions change. More importantly, their areas become rapidly overfished 2 to 3 hours upriver and downriver from their fixed locations. The River Plate mobile cabins, however, move daily to fresh, unfished river segments. Each night you are then overnighting along new and different Caribbean-like beaches. Also, this feature allows you to walk-in at any time to comfort from the nearby secluded prehistoric-looking lagoons to your 10’ X 15’ elegant roomy cabin with private full bathroom. These cabins are fully carpeted, tastefully decorated, and every detail has been carefully considered.

RATES & DETAILS 2009

WHAT’S INCLUDED
All charter flights, all necessary ground transfers, six full fishing days of guided fishing, one hotel day-room on arrival and one hotel night on departure in Manaus, fishing licenses, all meals at fishing destination, including wine, beer and hard liquor, daily laundry and maid service at fishing destination.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
International airfare from original destination to Manaus, Brazilian visa, gratuities and tips to camp staff and fishing guides, overweight luggage charges (weight limit:  36 lbs. per person is allowed on the float plane,) food and beverages in Manaus and private city tours, special transfers and hotel reservations when not arriving/ departing with the party, airport departure tax, satellite phone calls ($ 5/minute)  and extra hotel overnights.

DEPOSIT INFORMATION
A 50% deposit (per angler) of the total package cost for each trip is due to us within 10 days of booking to secure the reservation. Guides and dates cannot be held or reserved without a deposit. YDFA reserves the right to charge a handling fee of $100 per person for date changes after the initial reservation has been made. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure.

On your departure day, you will leave the lodge via private air charter at approximately 5:00 PM (after a full day of fishing) arriving back in Manaus at 6:30 PM. You will overnight in Manaus, and depart for the U.S. and your return flight to Miami at 3:10 PM the following afternoon (arriving in Miami at 8:20 PM).

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
A valid passport is required for U.S. citizens traveling to Brazil, as well as a valid Brazilian tourist visa. Passengers are responsible for obtaining passports and visas, although Yellow Dog will assist with the visa application process. A certificate of yellow fever vaccination is also required for all travelers to Brazil. For additional information on travel health advisories check with your physician or consult the Travelers’ Health website of the Center for Disease Control.

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