Chasing Peacock Bass in Brazil

Mention an exotic excursion to Brazil—so I guess you are thinking Rio de Janeiro, right? Maybe your thoughts turn to the girl from Ipanema? Instead think the primitive wilderness of the Amazon jungle where the only mode of transportation in and out is by boat, because roads are practically non-existent.

The Amazon's finest riverboat, "The Otter."

The Otter's companion vessel towing the fishing boats.

Headed out to find the Peacock Bass.

There in the rivers lurks a multitude of colorful fish known as the “Peacock Bass.” They hide in the undergrowth just waiting to strike at colorful lures dropped in the water daring them to come out and play. Many of them weigh in excess of 20 pounds. I’m told that there may even be some that weigh in excess of thirty pounds. But, apparently, these always get away; I'm sure you've all heard that old fisherman's tale. It is a jewel in the crown of an accomplished sports fisherman to land one of these beauties, especially those in the 20 pound class.

Ron Speed Jr. touts his catch of the day.

The Brazilian guide is happy with this one!

The guide had to go underwater to untangle this one from the undergrowth.

So I went down to Brazil with Ron Speed, Jr, owner of Ron Speed’s Adventures (www.fishbrazilmexico.com), and 12 fanatic fishermen from across the United States to spend seven days chasing after a trophy catch. They did not go to sit on the beach or swim in the ocean—no, they went with one purpose in mind: to fish for the Peacock Bass in the rivers of the Amazon. These were some serious fishermen. They fished daylight to dark, taking time out only for a quick lunch each day. Me? I went along to take pictures. I will share some of them here with you.

Fly casting for the Peacock Bass.

Fine tuning the lure's propeller.

Casting in the early morning mist.

For those of you who would like more information on Ron Speed’s fishing expeditions, check out his website and then give him a call.

www.fishbrazilmexico.com

And now for some faces of the village people who live on the banks of the river. They are a very beautiful, primitive, and self-reliant people. They seem very happy and almost oblivious to the poverty in which they live. I will let the pictures speak for themselves. I may soon forget the fish and the men who caught them, but I will never forget these beautiful faces.