Fishing for Peacock bass in the Amazon

By Corinne Doctor

Can you tell us about your recent trip - where did you go?

In September 2024, my husband Garrison and I had the amazing opportunity to go fish the Rio Marie off of the Untamed Amazon mothership in the Brazilian Amazon with a hosted group of anglers. 

What was the reason for going / what were you fishing for? The target species is the Temensis Peacock Bass, the largest peacock bass species in the world.  They grow to be over 90 cm in length and over 20 pounds.  There are butterfly peacock bass around as well that are super fun to play around with when the big fish aren't in the right mood.

Have you been on this trip, or one like this kind of trip before? I have fished in the Amazon in Bolivia for golden dorado a few times but this was my first time targeting peacock bass and even my first time ever going to Brazil for any kind of tourism.  I love fly fishing travel because it is an opportunity to see a new place in a completely new way.  It is such an intimate experience between the staff, guides and the fishing group because of the remote places we end up being and how much we all learn from each other. 

What is the gear you used? I was fishing a 9 weight the entire time because the flies we were throwing were big!  We needed a little more backbone to turn those big flies over.  I used the Spray 400 as a perfect pairing with the 9 weight.  Peacock bass hit flies really hard and go on a couple of runs during the fight.  The Spray drag was just the ticket to slow them down so we could land a couple of good ones.  My biggest fish was about 14 pounds and after 3 bursts of energy against the drag, we brought it to the boat.

Tips & tricks for peacock bass? For the big fish, the number one tip is to stay patient.  They get so big because there just are not a lot of them around.  You have to believe that each cast could be the big fish.  The water in Rio Marie is dark and colored with tannins, so you are typically not in a sight fishing scenario.  Using sink-tip lines and casting over and over believing the big one is down there is the best chance you have for a big one.

Highlight of the trip? The highlight this trip was not even related to a fish.  We were heading out on our morning run to fish this back lagoon off of the main river and we were the first boat heading up that way for the morning.  Around the bend we spotted a black jaguar on the bank.  I knew that there were quite a few jaguars, many of them black, in the area but like all cats, they are sneaky.  To get to see one in the wild was something I will never forget.  Also, the staff and guides were stellar.  They were so knowledgeable and the service was incredible.  I am always grateful for a group like that when you are in a new place!

Something you would do differently next time? The only piece for me would be to remind myself, like I said in my tip, that every cast could be a big one. It is sort of like any big fish hunt, you have to stay patient, vigilant and ready!  

Can you share a little about yourself and your fly fishing background? I have been fly fishing for about 18 years now and went on my first international fly fishing trip in 2017.  Since then I have fly fished in amazing places around the globe in addition to my favorite local spots here in Colorado and other states around the country.  My husband and I founded RepYourWater in 2011 and I have served on the board of the American Fly Fishing Trade Association since 2019 including as chair of the board for the last two years.  My current role is the Director of People, Process and Planet for North Point Brands which includes RepYourWater, RepYourWild, Cheeky Fishing and Wingo Outdoors.