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rob@bucketlistflyfishing.com
Rob Anderson
+1 (775) 742-1754
karim@bucketlistflyfishing.com
Karim Abu Bakr
Whatsapp: +55 (93) 99174-3780
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About the Program
Our brand new private Isolated Tributaries of the Rio Branco are spectacular. Our guests will have the opportunity to catch a wide variety of species of fish including huge Peacock Bass and monster Arapaima.
The three rivers and vast lake chains that encompass this area are loaded with fish. Rio Curiucu is the largest of the three and is the centerpiece of our operation here. Anglers will get a chance to add over 10 species of game fish to their list including Peacock Bass and best of all Arapaima. The tributaries are black water rivers that flow into the Rio Branco river. Acu Peacock Bass reach 20 pounds + in this area and 50-100 fish days are not uncommon. Arowana are abundant and add endless sight fishing opportunities and Red Tail Catfish (Pirarara) reaching over 100 pounds can be caught on a fly.
Rio Mata-Mata and Rio Carimau (Mau) are the latest additions of our preservation efforts in the jungle. Both of these two rivers are loaded with fish. They offer a safe breeding ground in the headwaters areas and are loaded with all kinds of bait fish making for a great place to call home.
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The wildlife here is amazing. Jungle animals like the Tapir, Capybara and Jaguar as well as several species of monkeys all roam the river banks and the bird life is crazy. Toucans, Parrots and Macaws are all abundant. This area gets its name from the several species of turtles (Tartarugas) that live here. Alongside the Brazilian government our fishing operation is helping to protect this area from illegal turtle hunting and the harvesting of eggs. The Mata-Mata river is named for one of the species of turtles here.
Fishing
Labirinto Da Tartaruga is a species rich environment. There are 4 sub species of Peacock Bass. Acu, Butterfly, Orinoco and Tua Peacock bass all live here. Anglers have a chance to catch more than 10 species of game fish on a fly including: Arapaima, Arowana, Pyara, Traira, Sardina, Matricia, Pirarara, Suribim, Jacunda, Bicuda and of course Peacock Bass or Tucunare.
Anglers will spend their day in our state of the art 18-foot Jungle skiffs. Two large casting platforms allow both anglers to fish simultaneously. An important part of fishing in the Amazon. The boats are equipped with an outboard motor and an electric trolling motor and a polling platform. Often the polling platforms are removed on the boats to navigate the maze of creeks and channels that connect the massive amount of lagoons.
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There are literally thousands of tributaries that are fishable in the Amazon Jungle. They range from small clear creeks to huge Lagoons. Over the last 20 years our team has fished and scouted the Amazon to come up with the very best fishing opportunities for our guests. We have taken into consideration all of the things necessary to make our fishing trips stand apart from the competition. There is no 2nd choice.
The importance of our floating cabins in this area allow us to navigate the shallow waters of the rio Branco during the dry season. This has allowed us to not only move back and forth between the rivers but to be able to fish this area when the conditions are at their best when the water is low, usually October and November.
More About the Operation
The floating cabins are plush complete with Air conditioning and a full bathroom including showers. They float in less than 8 inches of water and can be mobilized daily to ensure our anglers get to fish fresh water every day and are put in the best conditions to catch fish. The dining cabin is also air conditioned.
Our partner NG Tourismo has been working in the Peacock Bass industry for over 25 years Our staff consists of long-time guides including Neto Silva our head guide, our camp host speaks 5 languages and is well trained in flora and fauna. A Brazilian chef that has been cooking for fishing camps for over 20 years and our camp manager who has been guiding and managing fishing camps since he was a kid, and a full service wait staff. All in all, our staff is 2nd to none and are very excited to be a part of this operation.
The staff and guides almost all reside in the region and have years of experience and know the rivers inside and out. Their loyalty to our new operation has been a key component to giving us the start we need. They have taken us into their homes and helped us immensely in the building of this fantastic new company. We have a quality staff dedicated to our business.
Fishing for the world’s largest peacock bass in some of South America’s most remote/exclusive waters and enjoying evenings on white sandy beaches all while experiencing first class service is only the beginning of what we have to offer…
These are just a few reasons that there is no other choice to make
- Experience – We have been taking anglers fishing for Peacock Bass for over 20 years. We have seen it all.
- Guides – Our guides are the best in the business, most with over 10 years of experience and all with a willingness to go the extra mile for our anglers. Their knowledge of the surroundings and the ability to really fine tune a day of fishing is remarkable.
- Exclusiveness – Our new lease here is a reflection of our conservation efforts in the Amazon and is ever expanding. We are the sole operation licensed to fish this area.
- Comfort – Our Floating Cabins are air conditioned and very spacious. Real mattresses on the beds and a working toilet and shower.
- The fishery – Labirinto Da Tartaruga is a massive area consisting of three main rivers, countless lagoons and several even smaller tributaries. The fishing here is amazing with countless species of fish and a chance to catch an Arapaima on the fly.
- Service – Unparalleled in the industry. From our Bi-Lingual host, camp chef and our amazing guides we have put together an all-star team for you to spend your time with in the jungle.
- Logistics – Our ability to take so many moving parts and have them streamlined in the middle of the jungle is no easy feat. We take pride in delivering a polished camp with the utmost attention to detail.
Giving Back
Not only are you getting to go on one of the most exclusive fly-fishing trips in the world but you are also helping out jungle communities in the process. Every angler we take to Labirinto Da Tartaruga helps make the living situation for the villagers better. We are committed to these people and they of us and the heartwarming feeling you get from spending a week with them is hard to beat. Not to mention our new agreement with the Brazilian government has stopped any commercial fishing on our rivers and also halted deforestation and logging in a large part of the Amazon Jungle.
Fishing for the world’s largest peacock bass in some of South America’s most remote/exclusive waters and enjoying evenings on white sandy beaches all while experiencing first class service is only the beginning of what we have to offer…
The camp
While staying on the river you will be treated to what we like to call Jungle comfort. Our floating cabin program is state of the art. The entire camp can float in less than 8 inches of water. We can take it just about anywhere. The Living quarters, built for two guests, have two separate beds with real mattresses. A bathroom equipped with a shower and toilet. There is a wash area with a sink and running water. There is lighting throughout and multiple outlets for charging. (Brazilian Two-Pronged plug). The is ample storage for gear and clothes with a desk and chair and the best part it is fully air-conditioned.
The fully Airconditioned Dining Cabin has a large table for meals, a fully stocked bar, refrigerator with water and many other drink choices including beer and plenty of room to have meals and relax.
All of the floating pieces of the camp are easily separated and secured to the beautiful White sand beaches of the river. The advantage is that the living area of the camp is expanded onto the beach where tables and chairs and sun shades are placed to create outdoor living at its finest. Beach Barbeques are a hit with many of our clients. The swimming opportunities of the warm, mineral rich, rejuvenating waters of the river are amazing. Another advantage of our floating cabin program. It has a real jungle life feel.
The most amazing part of the entire operation is that the entire floating camp can be torn down and moved day or night but mostly while the anglers are out fishing. While the anglers and guides are out on the river, the camp, two to three times a week, like a mobile army camp, simply pick up and move. This gives us the opportunity to continue to fish fresh water every day and put our anglers in areas that are un-reachable by any other means. We fish water no one else can and the results are undeniable.
The Food
Our camp chef has over 30 years’ experience in Brazilian cuisine and has cooked for fishing operations for over 20 years. This is of utmost importance when you take into consideration, we are feeding 15+ people every day hundreds of miles from anywhere. Breads and cakes made fresh daily, tons of fresh fruits, beef, chicken, pork and fish are all parts of the daily fare. Dinners are outstanding with many courses usually started off with the soup of the day (Piranha Soup is a camp favorite) followed by the main course usually of Brazilian descent and finished off with dessert like fresh Tapioca flan, Cupuacu Ice Cream which is a local jungle fruit which means fruit of god.
Our guests come into this trip expecting more of a maintenance food approach due to the remoteness of the operation and walk away talking about the food and asking for recipes.
Immerse
Labirinto da Tartaruga literally translates as “Turtle’s Maze”. We explore 3-5 tributaries of the Branco River during the week, the main of them being Curiucu, Mata-Mata and Carimau rivers. Branco River itself is a maze of sandbars already – in the dry season it is unnavigable and the only boats you see are those of rare riverine families brave enough to inhabit these rough parts of the Amazon. The reason why Rio Branco banks are barely populated is that they have almost no “Terra Firme” – land that doesn’t get flooded. Combined with remoteness and indigenous areas surrounding the River, there’s not much you can do unless you love isolation. However, the Lower Rio Branco used to attract numerous commercial fishermen and turtle hunters. That’s right, Rio Branco is home to the Giant Amazon River Turtle, the largest neotropical freshwater turtle, as well as over a dozen other species. Illegal trade of turtle meat and eggs is still a reality in the Amazon, so, Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources – IBAMA, set up a conservation corridor of 80 miles of the Lower Rio Branco. Nesting beaches are guarded by armed military but, in spite of that our sport fishing presence in the area became an important guarantee of preservation of turtle fauna. Not only our team supports monitoring activities, but many of the former turtle hunters are now part of our fishing operations. As a result, they don’t need income from illegal and dangerous activities anymore.
One of the turtle species is our highlight, though – the strange looking Mata-Mata, which gave the name to the longest of the tributaries we explore on this program. Mata-Mata is an incredible river itself, it is a long boat ride to its headwaters will reward you with intense peacock bass, arowana and arapaima action, and also provides beautiful views of flooded lowland forests and a fantastic bird watching experience. Nature lovers can get overwhelmed: several species of macaws, toucans, anteaters, monkeys, parrots, hummingbirds, jacamars added to both, pink and grey river dolphins, giant river otters and even a jaguar can be spotted in a matter of a week. A typical day would be represented by arapaimas surfacing for air and caimans near the boat while the trees on the banks are covered with birds and animals. It truly makes you wonder whether you should cast or take photos and very often it means one visit is not enough!
Another beautiful extra to your trip is a chance to get to know and visit a few riverine families. Many of them help us monitor the rivers and prevent commercial fishermen from invading our exclusively licensed tributaries. Living in isolation they make their lives as sustainable as possible: collecting wild fruit, seeds and honey, planting manioc and making farinha, making their own chocolate from cupuaçu and cocoa seeds, making juice from wild and planted palm fruits, making their own fishing nets, boats from itauba wood, paddles and, of course, houses.
All in a Day
As light starts to break in the Amazon Rainforest, everything comes to life. Parrots and macaws start their daily routines and light up the sky with their distinct chirping sounds. Ah yes, it is morning again. Anglers awake from their night sleep and head for the main dining cabin for a cup of coffee or tea and breakfast that will help them kick start their action-packed day. Discussions of which rods to rig up and what flies to put on first are main conversation points.
The starting of outboard engines can be heard and the anglers pack their lunch and head back to their cabins for some last-minute prepping for another day on the water. Eager guides load the boats with gear as the anglers do their last-minute checks to make sure they have their sunblock and fly bags. The fishing boats get up to speed and anglers make preparations for the day’s fishing.
LABIRINTO DA TARTARUGA
CALENDAR
Preservation Pays Off
Having the boss on the river and in camp with you is so cool. All the rules are bent when Rob is around. The feeling you get sharing your journey and picking the brain of a guy who has more experience fishing for Peacock Bass than just about anyone on the planet is priceless.
Fishing with Rob Anderson
Pyramid is known for it’s “Ladder Fishing,” what is still sort of a secret is the phenomenal fishing out in the lake in early fall and late spring. Our team has this down to a science and it is the best time to catch a monster.
call or e-mail NOW
+1 (775) 742-1754
ROB@BUCKETLISTFLYFISHING.COM
Trip Description
DAY 1
Travel to Manaus Brazil
This portion of the trip can take two days depending if you have a layover somewhere and where you start from. If you need to overnight in Miami there is a hotel in the airport that is super convenient. Once you reach Manaus you will be taken to your hotel by one of our Staff.
Note: Our Itinerary has you arriving in Manaus a day early. You can relax by the pool and get used to the weather and the time change if any. This also give you a buffer day in case of delays with airlines. We can also arrange a city tour and or transportation to and from restaurants.
DAY 2
Transfer from Manaus hotel to the fishing operation
We usually leave the hotel pretty early so be ready! You will be informed the day before when your group is leaving the hotel. You normally arrive at the river in the late morning. Once in camp you will have time to get settled in, meet the staff and get your gear ready for the week. After lunch and a de briefing by the camp host you will spend the afternoon fishing and getting warmed up for the week ahead.
DAY 3 to 8
6 full days fishing
Each day guests will start the day in the dining cabin having coffee and a buffet style breakfast. Eggs, breads, meats, fruit and juice are always available. During breakfast a lunch selection will be made available for anglers to pack themselves in a tupperware. This way guests can pack food according to their taste and diet.
Each two anglers will share a guide and head out for the day of fishing. Our boats are sweet and have plenty of room for both anglers to fish at the same time. It is a big day of fishing. Lunch will be on the river in a shady area and hammocks will be available for a short rest. After lunch the anglers and their guide pick right back up where they left off with a new sense of energy and excitement.
A typical fishing day:
6:00am – Coffee is hot
6:30am – Breakfast
7:00-7:30am – Head to fishing grounds
12:00pm ish Lunch on the water
2:00pm – After lunch, fishing until late afternoon
5:00pm – Back to the lodge
Arrival until 7:00pm– Cocktails and appetizers and time to relax
7:00 pm – Dinner inside the dining cabin or on the beach
Please Read: “All in A Day” (click here)
DAY 9
Transfer back to Manaus Brazil
After breakfast guests will travel 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 and frequently guests meet for a last supper so to speak before traveling to the airport for departure.
DAY 10
See you soon!
You should be getting back home to brag about your trip!
Included
- Reception at Manaus Airport
- All Necessary ground transfers in Manaus
- Ground and air transfers from Manaus to the River
- 7 nights Accommodations in our luxury floating cabins
- All meals and beverages (including alcohol)
- 6 to 6 ½ days guided fishing
- Fishing license
Not Included
- International Airfare
- Any hotel stays before and after the fishing week
- Meals in Manaus and private city tours
- Travel Insurance
- Tips and Gratuities to Camp staff and guides
- Anything not mentioned in inclusions
Bucket List Fly Fishing has been booking international travel for over 15 years. We do not charge any additional fees to our clients for any trip. We also help our anglers with all other travel needs including airline bookings, extra hotel nights, Travel Insurance, Passports, Visas, tours etc. There are no add on fees that will not be discussed with any client in advance of the trip.
$5750 (per person)
This rate is for a 6-7 days fishing double occupancy. All our weeks are for 8 anglers maximum with accommodations in our fully airconditioned floating Cabins.
Seasons: Standard packages
Xeriuini River/Rio Novo – January into February each year. *
Rio Branco Tributaries – October into November each year. *
Travel Information
International Airfare
International Airfare for this trip from the USA is usually done through American Airlines. American is the only Airline currently running a nonstop flight from the U.S. It flies from Miami FL. INT. to our destination, Manaus Brazil. (5-hour flight time) There are other options out there but usually have long layovers and much longer travel time.
Our Travel Partner, Martin Travel has been booking flights with us for over 15 years. They have vast experience booking these flights and have our itineraries. We highly recommend booking your flights with Martin Travel. They can access frequent flyer miles, deal with the occasional schedule change with the airlines and in many cases get preferred seating.
Phone – 954-748-6881
Email – kmartin@martintravelservices.com
Passport - Tourist Visa - Currency
Brazil requires a valid Passport with at least 6 months available time before expiration date upon arrival to Brazil.
Brazil Tourist Visa – (The Visa requirement has been suspended as of June 2019 and is no longer necessary for traveling to Brazil)
Currency and Credit Cards – Reals is the standard currency of Brazil. The exchange rate can vary from 3.5 – 5 to 1 There are places in Manaus to exchange currency and the rate will be much better than in the U.S. Most Major Credit Cards can be used as well. Tips and Gratuities can be done in U.S. dollars.
Manaus Brazil
Manaus is a modern, rapidly growing City (1.8 Million People) It is a Port city where Rio Solomoines and Rio Negro form to make the Amazon River. There are many interesting places to visit:, The Palace “Rio Negro”, The museum of Natural Science, the Aboriginal Fair, and some have to see places: The Fish Market, The Amazon Theatre, The Meeting of the Waters and the Arapaima Farm. City Tours are available through our staff in Manaus.
Weather and Insects
Manaus is the Capital City of the Amazon. You will experience Rainforest climate your entire trip. Average air temperatures range from 65* at night to as much as 95* during the day. It is important to drink lots of water and electrolytes during your visit and wear tropical clothing and wear sunscreen.
There are virtually no mosquitoes on the Xeriuini and Rio Novo. Occasionally you may run into No-Se-ums (Piuns) but they carry no diseases. However, we do recommend you carry bug spray with you on the trip. Our camps are very clean and we seldom see any bug life while staying on the river or while fishing. This is a virgin rainforest and many insects live there so don’t go deep into the jungle or pass through dense vegetation.
Medical requirements
Currently there are no Medical requirements or vaccinations needed to enter Brazil.
Consult with Your Local Travel Medicine Expert for Personalized Recommendations! All vaccination recommendations and other health-related information provided on this website are general in nature. Your exact immunization and medication needs will vary depending on a variety of factors including your personal medical history, vaccination history, current outbreaks and other health risks in your destination country, and the particulars of your travel itinerary. The information on these pages is not intended to replace a visit with a licensed Travel Medicine Specialist. We do our best to provide up to date information regarding any changes in medical requirements but in no way is it meant to replace correct medical advice from a licensed travel specialist.
Equipment
The equipment you choose to take with you on any trip can change your experience. Having the right flies, fly lines and leaders can really make a difference. Rods and reels are also a key part of this trip. In some cases, you may already have many things that you need to take with you but in most cases, anglers will make some important decisions on new gear to add to their arsenal for this trip.
Due to the remoteness of our camp, it is important to make sure you have everything you need. There is nowhere to replace a broken fly rod or purchase an extra tube of sunscreen once you get there. Taking the time to make a list of the things you will need and planning for this trip in advance is very important, and can be a lot of fun, not only to catch plenty of fish but also to be comfortable and enjoy your time in the Amazon.
8-10 Weight Rod for casting poppers and streamers
Lightweight reel with good drag to handle large taper fly line
Peacock Bass fishing is fast and furious. It is possible to make over 500 casts in one day. The average cast only needs to be 30-60 feet but it is important to be accurate and get your flies close to your target. The flies are large and have some wind resistance to them and the fly lines have very aggressive tapers. This also makes it a benefit to have a newer, lightweight, fast action rod like the Sage Salt HD or an Orvis Helios.
The 2 most important things about a fly reel for Peacock Bass are lightweight and a good drag. You will be fishing in freshwater so a saltwater proof reel is not that important. More info in our Pre-Trip Planner
Heavy Taper Floating line with Tropical Core for 9-10 weight rods
Tropical Intermediate line for 8-10 weight rods
A floating line is the obvious choice for casting poppers and topwater flies. It is also possible that you will need to fish unweighted streamers with a floating line in very shallow water around tree stumps and other types of structure that will make it necessary to stay right on the surface.
An intermediate sink line or better yet an intermediate tip with a floating running line should be your go-to fly line. An intermediate line sinks very slow and should allow you to fish in 1-6 feet of water very effectively with an unweighted fly. More info in our Pre-Trip Planner
Big Poppers in sizes 2/0 – 4/0 4-5 inches in length
Streamers in sizes 1/0 – 4/0 3 – 6 inches in length
40lb – 50lb Monofilament leaders for Poppers
30lb – 40lb Fluorocarbon leaders for streamers
Poppers are a lot of fun but very hard to cast for lengths of time. 4-10 are enough for a week depending on the angler. See on our store
Unweighted streamers are the #1 fly for this trip. 3 to 4 dozen are recommended. Fishing these flies right under the surface in the crystal-clear water will allow you to see most of your grabs like fishing top water. We have the best selection of Peacock Bass flies on our store and More info in our Pre-Trip Planner
Leaders can be a simple straight piece of 30lb – 50lb Fluorocarbon or Monofilament depending on the situation. 6ft. sections for streamers and 8 ft. for poppers.
Being comfortable on any fishing trip allows you to enjoy your fishing experience so much more. Most of the time it will be pretty hot and humid. Quick-dry clothing with high SPF ratings are a must. This type of clothing will be cooler in warmer climates and allow your clothes to dry quickly and breathe better. A lightweight packable rain jacket is also needed.
One of the great things is there is daily laundry service so you do not have to bring many clothes with you.
There are a bunch of other accessories to consider wearing as well. A hat for sure. Buff to cover your face and sun gloves for your hands. We make packing a breeze in our Pre-Trip Planner.
The toughest part of packing for this trip is the weight restriction on our float plane (35lb). This requires some planning. Start with two lightweight duffle bags, soft sided and waterproof. A larger one, big enough to pack most everything in as a check-in bag at the airport. A smaller one that is versatile. Backpack straps are good. This bag can be a carry-on at the airport with camera gear and medications and a change of clothes and that can be converted to a boat bag on the trip to keep all your days needs while out fishing. A lot more information on this in our Pre-Trip Planner