Overview
The Amazon Basin is the world's largest freshwater river system. It contains ten percent of the world's fresh water and is home to some of the world's toughest freshwater gamefish, including all three species of peacock bass. The region is also home to the new Royal Amazon Lodge, a unique operation situated on the banks of the Agua Boa River, a small, clear-water tributary of the Amazon. With over fifteen years of exploring the fishing in the Amazon, the operators of the lodge feel strongly that the Agua Boa is easily the best peacock bass fishery they have ever encountered. Due to its clear water and white sand bottom, it is also an ideal river for fly fishing. The water on the Agua Boa is so clear that almost every strike is visual! Many anglers come strictly for the sight fishing opportunities for bass in the one to twenty-five pound range. Arowana, pacu, and a host of other jungle species are also available in area waters. There are incredible wading opportunities on the Agua Boa, where the white sand flats remind many of the flats fishing throughout the Caribbean. This fishery is one of the few regions in the Amazon under permanent protection by the INPA (the Brazilian Environmental Institute) with an "Ecotourism Reserve" status. This means that sportfishing is allowed on a catch-and-release basis only, and all types of commercial fishing are absolutely prohibited.

Accommodations

The owner and operator, Dr. Jan Wilt, built the Royal Amazon Lodge in 2001. The lodge is a spacious facility with a large dining room, a living room, bar and game room. The game room has a snooker table, ping pong table, darts and an endless array of games from chess to backgammon. There is also an entertainment area with a DVD player, and satellite TV. The lodge also has a large porch with a dining area, hammocks, and a sitting area. Outside there is a 20-meter swimming pool, bar area, volleyball and soccer field. The Royal Amazon has the finest facility in the peacock bass world. Combine the accommodations with the small capacity at the lodge and you will not find a better buy in the Amazon. Clients stay in well-furnished air conditioned bungalows. Each bungalow has a large front and back porch, hammock and sitting area. Inside there is a 30 x 30-foot main room with two double beds, a reading area, frigobar, T.V., and table. The bathroom is large and well designed (a ten-inch shower head will let you know that you are in the land of water!) The bungalows have hot and cold running water, flushing toilets and enough storage for the fishermen that brings everything.


The Fishing

Clients will fish two to a boat with one guide. The guides at Royal Amazon have been trained extensively and have many years of experience guiding for peacock bass. While they are not bilingual, they are somewhat conversant in “fishing English” and will understand your needs. After breakfast, you are welcome to fish with your guide until 6 pm. Most clients are happy to be on the water at 8 am and off by 6 pm, and all clients are guaranteed a 10-hour fishing day. Unlike other Amazon outfitters, this is a very flexible fishing program that will cater to all of your fishing desires. The rivers and tributaries around the Royal Amazon Lodge are rich and diverse. Possible targets include all three species of peacocks: the butterfly (up to 10 pounds), the spotted (up to 20 pounds), and the temensis (up to 24 pounds although it is almost certain that a world-record fish is present in the system. The current record stands at 27 pounds). Peacock Bass are perhaps one of the toughest gamefish around. Their top water strike is often so ferocious that the entire fish will fly several feet of the water with the fly. Once hooked peacocks exhibit a savvy toughness unknown to trout and largemouth fisherman. A large peacock is unstoppable on its first few runs. Anglers can only hope that the fish stays well away from any type of structure. Most fish go aerial in a tarpon-like display, gills rattling as they fly end over end, only to submerge and run again. They are not a fish for the weak of heart. Everyone that fishes the Royal Amazon will return with stories of stripped reels, destroyed tackle and memories of giants that could not be stopped!


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