Rio Marie Liveaboard - Brazil
Liveaboard Peacock Bass Fishing Adventure
The Rio Marie, also known as the River of Giants, is the most remote river in the Brazilian Amazon. The headwaters of the Rio Marie lie more than 500 air miles northwest of Manaus in the rainforest between Brazil and Columbia.
Rio Marie - River of Giants from Meng Syn DDS on Vimeo.
Rio Marie - IGFA World Record Peacock Bass
A new IGFA All-Tackle Length World Record was set on the Rio Marie. On September 7, 2023, and one of his first catches of the week, Brent Van Niekerk set a world record with a 94-centimeter monster peacock bass. Since 2014, the Rio Marie has recorded 15 IGFA world records.
Fly Fishing the Rio Marie
The Rio Marie is a very remote river—more than 500 miles by floatplane from Manaus, Brazil. The Marie River begins on the northwest side of the Brazilian Amazon, near the Colombian border, and is a tributary of the upper Negro River. The river is contained inside an Indian territory of more than 494 million acres.The Rio Marie liveaboard adventure is the first official sportfishing operation inside Indian territory in Brazil. It is now the largest area in the world dedicated to fly-fishing-only and catch-and-release-only. There are over 425 miles of river, tributaries, and lagoons.
The Temensis peacock bass, the largest of all peacock bass, average 10 to 18 pounds in the more remote locations but have been known to reach 30 pounds. Butterfly peacock bass are abundant and smaller, reaching up to 13 pounds.
Fly Fishing Only Season: The Fly-Fishing-Only season runs from August to December—during the dry season when the water levels are at their lowest. Single hooks are mandatory.
Rio Marie Fishing Program:
Group size: Eight to 12 guests per week.
The Adventure begins in the uppermost stretches of the Rio Marie, with the liveaboard moving downstream at about 75 miles each week. They do not overfish any area. Anglers are greeted each day with new water, a constant and fresh trophy peacock bass fishing grounds.
Guides: Two anglers per professional English-speaking guide, plus a local Indian guide who drives the boat.
Boats: Wide-bodied 20-foot shallow draft boats with 90-HP 4-stroke motors and remote-control electric motors.
Center console boats have two casting platforms (one at either end of the boat so both anglers can fish at the same time).
Flies: Fishing is mostly done using baitfish imitations. Flies are available for sale at the yacht for $15 each, but be sure to show up with a good selection, as well.
Fishing Equipment: Fly-fishing outfits are provided to guests upon request (Thomas & Thomas rods, Nautilus Reels, and Scientific Anglers Lines). Flies are available for $10.00. A complete gear and tackle list is included in our confirmation packet.
Fishing License is included in the package.
2025 Lure Fishing: Lure fishing is allowed during the Extended Season in January and February. You may fish with artificial lures with single hooks. Extended Season (Lure Fishing) Rates do not include a roundtrip charter flight from Manaus to Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira, specific to this package. From Manaus, anglers will take a 90-minute charter flight to Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira and then a three-hour speed boat ride to the Lodge. No airfare is included in the Lure Fishing package.
Typical Fishing Day:
5:30 am - Coffee is hot.
7:00 am - Breakfast.
8:00 am - Head to fishing grounds.
Noon - Anglers will have a picnic-style lunch on the river.
1:00 pm - Fishing resumes until late afternoon
5:30 pm - Anglers return to the liveaboard. To the yacht will move everyday and anchor in a different area.
6:30 pm - Cocktails and appetizers on the covered patio top deck.
8:00 pm - Dinners are served in the liveaboard's air-conditioned dining room.
The Rio Marie liveaboard - The Untamed Amazon - is strategically positioned in the most productive areas of the reserve, allowing you to fish and explore the entire Rio Marié Reserve. This expansive area covers over 425 miles of the main river, its two major tributaries, as well as numerous lagoons and bays. The fishery rotates beats across five distinct river sectors: Upper Turi, Lower Turi, Upper Marié, headwaters of Marié, and Lower Marié, all within the protected Rio Marié Preserve. This rotation system enables minimizes environmental impact and enables sustainable fishing practices.
The Untamed Amazon has three levels. The lower floor is a restricted area for staff only and includes the inner workings of the vessel with twin 200-HP propulsion engines. The main floor has eight guest suites, accommodating up to 18 guests. The spacious living and dining room and an open lounge (beverages) are on the top floor. The Liveaboard has two large Jacuzzis.
Communications: Complimentary Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi internet.
A satellite phone is available for guests to use at $5.00 per minute.
Meals: On the third level, there is also a full-scale kitchen for chef-prepared four-course meals. American and regional favorites. You'll enjoy expertly prepared four-course dinners in the comfortable dining area. Exotic dishes of freshly caught fish, fresh-baked bread and pastries, chilled wines, ice-cold beer, spirits, and soft drinks await each guest throughout the week. With advanced notice, special diets can be accommodated.
Alcohol: Wine, beer, and regular spirits are included in the package.
Cabin Suites have extra-long twin beds. Two single-occupancy suites are available. Each room has a private bathroom with hot water, air conditioning, 24-hour solar-powered electricity, a ceiling-to-floor picture window, and space for storage.
Dr. Meng Syn's Trip Recap - Blog, Videos...
Our client Meng Syn does a phenomenal job of his trips recaps. Read his blog and see his outstanding videos listed below.
Dr. Meng Syn's Vimeo Videos:
Butterflies - Butterfly Madness
Flies for the Rio Marie
Dr. Meng Syn's Blog:
The Rio Marie River of Giants
Dr. Meng Syn's Flickr Albums:
Rio Marie
More of the Rio Marie
Getting to the Liveaboard:
This guideline is for the Fly-Fishing-Only Packages.
Please request an information packet for complete details.
1.) It is best to arrive in Manaus a day early (on Friday night) rather than late on Saturday night. At the international airport in Manaus, you'll be greeted by an English-speaking representative. He'll arrange for transfers to a boutique hotel in Manaus. You and another angler will share a double occupancy room included in the package.
2.) After an early breakfast at the hotel, the driver will pick up your group between 5:30 and 6:30 am and head to the local airport. You'll take a 3.5-hour Cessna Caravan floatplane flight to where the liveaboard is anchored and waiting for you. (The ground transfers, the first hotel night in Manaus, and the roundtrip floatplane flight between Manaus and the liveaboard are included in the package.)
3.) On the liveaboard, you'll have a light lunch followed by a short orientation. There is no fishing on the day of arrival. You'll have a chance to get situated and prepare tackle.
Departure Day: After breakfast, you'll have a few hours to relax before the return floatplane flight to Manaus. (The plane will usually stop in Tefé to refuel on the return trip.) Depending on your departure time, you can fly home on the same day or spend another night in Manaus. (The final hotel night is not included in the package.)
RATES & PACKAGES
2024 USD Rates:
Our advice is free.
We never charge more than the Lodges we represent.
FLY-FISHING-ONLY packages:
Include roundtrip floatplane flights between Manaus and the mothership.
8-nights and 6-days guided fishing
August to December:
Two anglers per room and skiff:
$7,600 + $700 Native Comm Fee = $8,300.00 per person
One angler per room and 2 per skiff:
$8,400 + $700 Native Comm Fee = $9,100.00 per person
One angler per room and skiff:
$12,540 + $700 Native Comm Fee = $13,240.00 per person
Non-angler companion:
$5,150 + $490 Native Comm Fee = $5,640.00 per person
EXTENDED SEASON - Lure or Fly Fishing Weeks
You may fish with artificial lures with single hooks.
January and February of 2024 ONLY.
The Extended Season packages do not include any flights.
An additional fee applies for the charter flight from Manaus to Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira.
Two anglers per room and skiff:
$5,700 + $550 Native Comm. Fee = $6,250.00 per person
One angler per room and skiff:
$9,405 + $550 Native Comm. Fee = $9,955.00 per person
One angler per room and two per skiff:
$6,540 + $550 Native Comm. Fee = $7,090.00 per person
Non-angler companion:
$4,357 + $400 Native Comm. Fee = 4,757.00 per person
2025 USD Rates:
Our advice is free.
We never charge more than the Lodges we represent.
FLY-FISHING-ONLY packages:
Include roundtrip floatplane flights between Manaus and the mothership.
8-nights and 6-days guided fishing
August to December:
Two anglers per room and skiff:
$8,220 + $730 Native Comm Fee = $8,950.00 per person
One angler per room and 2 per skiff:
$8,220 + $865 + $730 Native Comm Fee = $9,815.00 per person
One angler per room and skiff:
$13,560 + $730 Native Comm Fee = $14,290.00 per person
Non-angler companion:
$5,570 + $530 Native Comm Fee = $6,100.00 per person
Extended Season - Fly or Lure Fishing
You may fish with artificial lures with single hooks.
January and February of 2025 ONLY.
The Extended Season packages do not include any flights.
An additional fee applies for the charter flight from Manaus to Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira.
Two anglers per room and skiff:
Two anglers per room and skiff:
$5,870 + $565 Native Comm. Fee = $6,435.00 per person
One angler per room and skiff:
$9,690 + $565 Native Comm. Fee = $10,255.00 per person
One angler per room and two per skiff:
$5,870 + 865 + $565 Native Comm. Fee = $7,300.00 per person
Non-angler companion:
$4,490 + $410 Native Comm. Fee = 4,900.00 per person
The Packages Include:
• One night (double occupancy) at a hotel in Manaus upon arrival
• All necessary ground transfers in Manaus
• Roundtrip floatplane flight between Manaus and the liveaboard
(Does Not Apply for Lure Fishing Extended Season)
• Boat transfers
• All meals on the liveaboard
• Wine, beer, and spirits on the liveaboard
• Daily laundry and maid service
• Wi-Fi on the Liveaboard
• 6-days guided fishing
• Fishing license
• Use of fly fishing outfits upon request
• Our eBook Fly Fishing for Peacock Bass
by Larry and Guy Schoenborn.
The Packages Do Not Include:
• International airfare
• Native Community Fee paid in cash upon arrival to Brazil
• Gratuities for guides and staff
(Recommended total of 10% of trip cost)
• Fishing equipment
• Flies, $15.00 each
• Premium spirits on the liveaboard
• Food and beverages in Manaus
• City tours in Manaus
• Satellite phone calls, $5.00 per minute
• Extra hotel nights
• Airport departure tax (if not included in airfare)
• Global Rescue
• Mandatory Trip Cancellation Insurance
• A Brazilian eVisa is required as of 04/10/2025.
• For Extended Season Package: The roundtrip charter flight between Manaus and Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.
• As of December 10, 2020, Fishing with Larry adds a 2.5% convenience fee to all credit card transactions.
The Native Community Fee:
This Project was based as a long-term social Project which supports the preservation of the Indian Culture and improving their quality of life. The Rio Marie River has formed an association (ACIBRN) and board to protect their interests moving forward. This Association includes representatives from all 14 Indian Communities. The Project has a significant user fee on all visiting anglers. The funds from the fee will primarily be used for social projects, infrastructure development, transportation, and medical and education projects. The tax is payable in cash (USD) to the representative upon your arrival in Manaus and goes directly to the Indian Association Account. Anglers receive a receipt from the Association. The fee represents an important step in the continuing effort to protect their ability to share this amazing and unique part of the world.
Rio Marie POLICIES:
A Signed Indemnity Release is Required: The Lodge requires that all guests sign a KNOWLEDGE LETTER.
All activities require the client to sign an indemnity and responsibility terms once on location.
Rio Marie’s Deposit Policy: Reservations will be held for 10 days. They require a 50% deposit to confirm the booking. Final payment is to be made 90 days before arrival.
Rio Marie’s Cancellation Policy: The Deposit required to confirm your reservation is NON-REFUNDABLE unless the customer is replaced. A 10% trip fee shall be levied if the reservation is moved to an alternative date within the same season. All cancellations, changes, and provisional bookings must be confirmed by email.
Mandatory Trip Cancellation Insurance: The Rio Marie requires that guests take out travel insurance that covers part or full cancellation of a trip due to flight delays, health, weather, force majeure, or any other reason.
Medical Evacuation Insurance: The Rio Marie strongly recommends that all clients also obtain a “From Scene of Accident Medvac Insurance” before arrival. The Rio Marie is not responsible for Medical Evacuation costs.
Fishing with Larry recommends Global Rescue medical evacuation coverage. Click here for our Travel Insurance page.
Rio Marie’s Water Levels Policy:
Rio Marie’s Water Levels Policy: Fishing for peacock bass in the Amazon jungle represents one of the last frontiers in the fly fishing world. As with any such hyper-remote destinations, there can be challenges associated with offering a first-class experience in the ‘back of beyond’. In the Amazon, water level conditions will, on occasion, present such challenges. The Amazon River annual water level cycles are not a simple equation, even for the most experienced local experts. Normally, high and low water levels here follow a fairly predictable monthly cycle, but climate changes and the effects of stronger or weaker El Nino and La Nina cycles can directly and immediately affect those levels.
Specifically, these El Nino and La Nina events tend to impact the amount of rain in the headwaters of Amazon rivers, which in turn affects the entire Amazon basin. Water levels are important when fishing for peacock bass, and understanding how to work around them is a key component to success. Low water does not always result in the best fishing, just as high water is not always the worst thing. More important is to understand where and how to fish as the water fluctuates.
The Rio Marié system has more than 650 kilometers of rivers, tributaries, and lagoons from its headwaters down to its merging with the Rio Negro. This unique and extensive water system allows for incomparable flexibility; the yacht and anglers can move up or downstream throughout the season - every week or even daily - to reach the best water levels in which to find trophy fish. This is useful when mitigating less than ideal water conditions. Though the Rio Marie season has been chosen to coincide with the best water conditions annually, it’s difficult to predict water levels, and this is one of the risks associated with fishing the Amazon.
If you are not comfortable with the risk of the river levels being too high or low during your trip, then it is probably not the trip for you. You will not be refunded for water conditions that may not meet your expectations.
