Amazon Peacock Bass and Arapaima
Labarinto Da Tartaruga - The Turtle's Maze
For this Amazon peacock bass and arapaima adventure, you'll take a two-hour flight from Manaus, Brazil, to the trip start, fly fish three tributaries of the Rio Branco for up to 14 species, and stay on floating air-conditioned cabins.
Bucket List Fly Fishing: Over the last two decades, the Bucket List Fly Fishing team has scouted the Amazon, creating unique exploratory fishing packages. With the help of a drone, they have been able to locate landlocked lakes that have never been seen or fished before and are loaded with fish. They have exclusive leases on the areas you'll be fishing.
The Turtle's Maze
Labirinto da Tartaruga translated means the Turtle's Maze. During the dry season, (the peak fishing months), the Rio Branco is a maze of sandbars and unnavigable. The banks are scarely populated because there is almost no firm land that doesn't get flooded. The lower Rio Branco is home to the protected Giant Amazon River turtle. Eighty miles of the lower river is protected by an armed military, but Bucket List's sportfishing presence helps guarantee the preservation of turtle fauna.
Three Rivers: You'll fish the blackwater tributaries of the Rio Blanco. The Rio Curiucu is the largest of the three tributaries and the centerpiece of the operation. The Rio Mata-Mata and the Rio Carimau (Mau) are two jungle rivers in the headwaters and are loaded with all kinds of baitfish.
Species: Target up to 14 gamefish species. Peacock bass reach over 20 pounds in this area, and 50 to 100 fish days are not uncommon. Endless sightfishing opportunities for arowana, over 100-pound arapaima, redtail catfish, and more.
Fishing Facts
Season: October and November.
Boats: 18-foot jungle skiffs have an outboard motor, an electric trolling motor, a polling platform, two large casting platforms, so two anglers can fish at the same time, and plenty of storage for extra gear. Often the polling platforms are removed on the boats to navigate the maze of creeks and channels that connect the massive amount of lagoons. Two anglers per boat and guide.
Guides: Local guides have more than ten years of guiding experience, with an intimate knowledge of the area. The guides take part in an ongoing language school and speak no less than fishing-English. You'll get in 8 to 10 hours of guided fishing each day.
Equipment: No equipment is provided. It's possible to make over 500 casts per day, so 8-9 weight lightweight fast-action rods are recommended. Flies are $120.00 per dozen—three to four dozen are recommended for the week. A detailed packing list is included in our confirmation packet.
A Fishing License is included in the package.
Arapaima reach over 100 pounds here. The toughest part is setting the hook. You’ll need to get a firm hook set and keep continual pressure before they explode into aerial displays and headshakes.
A Typical Fishing Day:
Awaken to the sounds of the Amazon Rainforest. Bird and wildlife abounds here.
6:00 a.m. - The coffee is hot.
6:30 a.m. - Breakfast.
7:00 to 7:30 a.m. - Head to the fishing grounds.
Noon - Lunchtime. Relax and enjoy a cerveza in a tree-shaded hammock while the guides prepare fresh fish and vegetables over an open fire on the beach.
2:00 p.m. - Back to fish until late afternoon.
5:00 p.m. - You’ll head back to the Camp. Upon arrival, cocktails and appetizers are served.
7:00 p.m. - Dinner is served in the dining cabin or on the beach. After dinner, enjoy a glass of scotch and share stories from the day.
Floating Cabins
The Floating Cabin train moves to new water up to three times per week. The highly mobile cabins float in less than eight inches of water. The Camp accommodates up to eight anglers per week.
Communications: Free Wi-Fi access is available at camps, although somewhat slow and spotty. WhatsApp is recommended for cell phones.
Cabin Interior
Two anglers per air-conditioned floating cabin. Each cabin has two twins beds, ample storage, a small desk, and a private bathroom with a toilet, a shower, and a sink. Daily laundry service is provided.
Power: The cabins have 220-volt electricity, lighting, and outlets for charging. If you’re a US resident, you’ll need a power plug adapter and a voltage adapter.
Beverages Back at Camp
Dining Cabin
You'll enjoy your meals in the air-conditioned dining cabin.
Meals: A Brazilian chef has 20 years of experience cooking for fishing camps. Three-course dinners begin with a soup. (Piranha soup is a camp favorite.) The main course entree of beef, chicken, pork, or fish. Breads and cakes are baked fresh daily.
Alcohol: The package includes alcohol such as beer, wine, vodka, gin, and rum at Camp.
Floatplanes or Wheel-Based Planes
Getting to the Floating Cabins:
You’ll fly to Manaus, Brazil. You’ll need to arrive in Manaus the day before your scheduled trip date. You’ll be greeted by a Bucket List staff member and driven to the Millennium Hotel. The next morning, you’ll be driven to the airport for the two-hour floatplane flight to the fly-in cabins. A strict baggage weight limit of 35-pounds is enforced. Soft-sided baggage is required. (The package includes the roundtrip flight from Manaus to the Camp. The Hotel night in Manaus is not included.)
Monday - Saturday, you'll get in six full days of guided fishing.
Day of Departure: After breakfast on Sunday, you'll fly back to Manaus. There is usually enough time to get a day room at the hotel to have a place to relax and wait for the evening flights back home. There is a shopping mall within walking distance. Guests often meet for dinner before heading to the airport.
2024 Rate:
October through November
7-nights and 6-full days guided fishing
$5,950.00 per person
2025 Rate:
$6,200.00 per person Request a Rio NovoInformation Packet.
The Package Includes:
• Airport reception in Manaus
• Ground transfers to the hotel and domestic airport
• Roundtrip floatplane flight
between Manaus and the Camp
• Floating cabin accommodations
• All meals and beverages (including alcohol) at the Camp
• Daily laundry service
• 6-days guided fishing
• A fishing license
• Our eBook Fly Fishing for Peacock Bass
by Larry and Guy Schoenborn.
The Package Does Not Include:
• International Airfare
• Hotel nights and meals in Manaus
• Optional city tours in Manaus
• Fishing equipment and flies
Flies cost approximately $120.00 per dozen
• Gratuities for guides and camp staff
• A Brazilian eVisa is required as of 04/10/2025.
• Global Rescue
• Travel insurance
• Anything not covered under inclusions.