I had the opportunity to once again fish for peacock bass in the Brazil Amazon. I had fished the Amazon for 20 straight years beginning in 1988. Due to high fishing pressure, I switched to golden dorado and Papua New Guinea bass, the true heavyweights of freshwater fishing. I booked a trip with Argentina friend, Javi Koller, to fish in the Rio Negro around Barcelos. I would be joined with 17 Argentina anglers.
We fished with the Amazon Branquinho boat. After a comfortable night's stay in Manaus we took 14 hour transfer boat ride to Barcelos. The boat was comfortable with good meals and video.
Upon arrive we were greeted by the Amazon Branquinho team and taken to our houseboat for 6 days of fishing. The water levels we ideal with many white sand breaches observed. The houseboat was adequate along with good meals and good guides. The fishing was off as only a few peacocks exceeding 10 lbs were landed.
I released a 13 lbs peacock which was the 2nd largest for the week ( the largest was 13.5 lbs). I only cast woodchoppers for peacocks as enjoy the topwater explosions. I used 1 lure for the trip! The Argentina anglers casted small minnow lures and landed many small butterfly peacocks. Despite the poor fishing, I still had an enjoyable trip especially again observing the sights and sounds of the Amazon. I saw lots of pink dolphins and macaws. Plus, I was fortune to wet a line with some old friends and with new friends. However, in my opinion, the "Good Ole days" of peacock bass fishing have gone and went. Back when I started in the late 1980s other anglers were not present. 50 to 100 peacocks with many exceeding 15 lbs were landed each session on topwater. Now, fishing pressure has drastic put a damper on numbers and size especially in easily accessible areas of Barcelos.
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