Agua Boa Amazon Lodge

Located in northern Brazil, the Agua Boa River is remarkably clear, with white sand beaches more reminiscent of the Florida Keys than what most expect of the Amazon jungle. Overlooking the river is the Agua Boa Amazon Lodge, the world's first operation dedicated exclusively to pursuing peacock bass and other jungle species on the fly. Brazilian guides take anglers up and down the 77 miles of river in 18-foot Jon boats. The water is clear and, in many cases, allows anglers to sight fish for peacock bass, arowana, pacu, and a host of other jungle species.

The lodge provides anglers with a level of comfort unrivaled in the Amazon. Guests stay in private, air-conditioned bungalows with two queen beds, a sitting area, private bathroom, and a porch overlooking the river. Home to world-class bird watching and wildlife viewing, the lodge also features a swimming pool and additional amenities such as an entertainment room, satellite TV/DVD player, and an extensive movie library for those interested in other vacation activities. With over 100 miles of fishable water, this is a premier peacock bass destination for discerning fly fishers.

Brazilian guides take anglers up and down the 77 miles of river in 18-foot Jon boats powered by 40-horse Yamaha outboards with attached jet units. The boats are equipped with casting platforms on the front and middle areas as well as a poling platform for the guide. Each morning anglers will depart the lodge two anglers per boat, for their specified beat on the river. During the lunch break, the guides are happy to hang soft cotton hammocks under trees for guests to rest. It is a nice way to relax in the hottest part of the day. The fishing will not suffer as the mid-day heat generally makes the fish spooky and unreceptive. If guests would like to fish through the day without a break however, they should just ask their guide. Fishing is primarily done from the boat, but guests may walk and wade in the lagoons and from the sandy banks. Typically, anglers will fly fish until 5:00 PM-6:00 PM and then return to the lodge for a swim, drinks and dinner. Optional nighttime activities such as boat-based game viewing and spear fishing, or conventional fishing for giant red tailed catfish are available at an additional cost. By regulation and for conservation purposes, the Agua Boa is a well-managed fishery where catch and release and single barbless hooks are required.

Fishing at Agua Boa Amazon lodge is great for anglers of all skill levels, but guests should be aware that it can be hot especially during the middle part of the day.

The Agua Boa River and Fish:

The Agua Boa Amazon Lodge on the Agua Boa River is the Amazon's first fly fishing only peacock bass lodge. The fishery on the Agua Boa is well suited to fly fishing. The water is clear and in many cases allows fishermen to sight fish for bass, arowana, pacu and a host of other jungle species. Peacock bass come in a large variety of sizes and species. There are three species on the Agua Boa: the butterfly, spotted and temensis:

The Butterfly Peacock is the most numerous in the system. They range from two to eight pounds and are great fighters that often jump. The Spotted and Temensis Peacock are totally different beasts. These two species are the largest of the peacocks and can attain weights of 25 pounds. They are some of the most aggressive game fish on the planet. They can wander in schools of up to 40 fish and feed together working bait like jacks or bluefish.

The Arowana looks and acts a lot like a tarpon. They average six to ten pounds, have huge scales and due to their hard mouths are hard to hook and land. Pacu, also known as the silver dollar, are a fun fish. They can reach weights of ten pounds. They are shaped like permit and can be taken on trout patterns. Pirarucu, the giant tarpon of the Amazon, reach weights well in excess of 200 pounds.

The Agua Boa Amazon Lodge is located in one of the Amazon rainforest's last remaining tracts of uncut and uninhabited rainforest. The lodge provides fishermen with a level of comfort, friendly service, and sense of privacy in the rainforest that will at make anyone feel at home. Guests stay in private air-conditioned bungalows with two queen sized beds, a sitting area, private bathroom with oversized sunflower shower heads and a porch overlooking the Agua Boa River. The lodge itself features a swimming pool, entertainment room, dining room, outdoor eating area, bar and satellite TV/DVD player. The lodge has many international titles in their extensive movie library.

Breakfasts are simple with eggs and cereals served with bread and jams. Lunches are made by the guests to their liking and then wrapped and packed by a staff member into a watertight container to go in the cooler for the day. Dinners are simple and hearty with soups and salads served before a buffet style meal service. In the Brazilian tradition meals are heavy on fish and meat with wines served at each dinner. Brazilian beers, soft drinks, and filtered and bottled water are available in a self-service cooler in the dining room. Guests are encouraged to bring a refillable water bottle to use throughout the week as a filtered water cooler is available in the dining room.

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrive at Agua Boa Amazon Lodge.

Day 2-7 (Sunday - Friday): Full days of guided fishing.

Day 8 (Saturday): Depart lodge.

2024-25 Rates: Per person based on double occupancy

• October - December 2024: 7 night/6½ day package: $6,950
• Thanksgiving (November 23-30 and November 30 - December 7) and Christmas (December 21-28): 7 night/6½ day package: $6,000
• December 28, 2024 - March 22, 2025: 7 night/6½ day package: $8,050

Included: Accommodations, meals and beverages including beer and wine at the lodge, airport transfers to hotel and charter in Manaus, private charter to and from the lodge from Manaus, guided fishing.

Not Included: Round trip airfare, hotel and meals in Manaus, staff & guide gratuities, satellite telephone calls, flies, equipment rental, imported alcohol, airport taxes, Global Rescue membership.

Note: All guests must have Global Rescue or some equivalent form of medical evacuation insurance in the event of an emergency.

Species: Three species of peacock bass, ten additional jungle species

Season: October to March

Capacity: 12 anglers

Who is best suited to this destination? The lodge is fantastic for a wide variety of skill levels and ages. Beginner to expert anglers will all have success at Agua Boa Amazon Lodge.

Where is the lodge? Agua Boa Amazon Lodge is located along the Agua Boa River in a remote region of the state of Roraima in northern Brazil. The lodge is situated in one of the most unspoiled natural environments in the world and enjoys permanent protection from illegal commercial fishing, hunting, and deforestation.

How do I get there? To get to Agua Boa Amazon Lodge you will need to fly to Manaus, Brazil (MAO) and then take a charter flight to the lodge. You are met in Manaus and then transferred on a 2-hour charter flight to the lodge. To alleviate the stress of tight connections, lost luggage, and long travel days some guests choose to arrive in Manaus a day early. It is important that there are no tight connections while traveling to the lodge for a couple of reasons. First, lost luggage does happen, and the lodge can outfit you with clothes and fishing equipment, but they cannot get your medication or important health items. Please transport any critical medicines or important equipment such as a CPAP machine in your carry-on luggage. Second, if the charter in Manaus is missed a private charter to the lodge is $1600 minimum.

When should I go? The season runs from October to the end of March. October is the higher water season with lower clarity. This is a great time for beginners with more blind casting to structure than sight fishing. Lower water is typical from January through March with more sight fishing and less blind casting. This is a great time for intermediate and expert anglers to visit, although beginners will still do well. The holiday season (mid to late November and mid to late December) is a great time to be at the lodge in terms of water level and a sizeable holiday rate discount.

How will I fish? The river is divided into six zones and each guide only works in their zone, so they know it intimately. Throughout the week guests will rotate guides and zones. Usually guests will fish the same zone on the first and last day. The fishing is done from jet or prop powered john boats that are custom designed and built for the Agua Boa system. The narrow, long boats are stable for fly casting and have a poling platform above the motor on the stern. Fishing is done mostly with baitfish imitations either sight fishing or blind casting at structure. In some cases, the fishing is done with a deep sinking tip line to dredge the bottom of holes for trophy peacock bass.

Is there wade fishing? There can be as much or as little wade fishing as the guests want. The white sand beaches in the river are perfect for wade fishing if the guest is interested.

Where will I fish? Anglers will fish 70 miles of the Agua Boa River, including the lagoons and lakes in the system.

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? The longest runs from the lodge are zones 1 and 6. Both runs take about an hour and a half each way. Zones 2 and 4 are both 20 to 30-minute runs and the run to zone 3 is under ten minutes. You will rotate through all the zones so everyone in the lodge has roughly the same amount of travel time through the week.

What type(s) of fish will I catch? Agua Boa Amazon Lodge is primarily a peacock bass destination, but there are arowana, pacu and other jungle species in the system.

How many fish will I catch? Depending on the angler, one can easily spend the day catching dozens of smaller (1-4 pound) butterfly peacock bass or you can decide to only target trophy Tucunarés (the larger peacock bass). It is not uncommon to have one fish a day of eight pounds or larger and it is a fair bet that several fish 10 pounds can be caught throughout the week. A fair expectation each day is 15-20 butterflies, one or two peacocks over eight pounds and shots at other jungle species such as arowana or pacu.

Will I see other anglers? You might see a single subsistence angler on the lowest zone and other anglers from the lodge while traveling to and from your fishing zone, but you will not see other anglers in your zone for the day.

What are the guides like? The guides are experienced, calm, and happy with good fishing English. The head guide has been guiding the Agua Boa River for over 20 years and the average guide experience is 10 years on the system.

What are the physical demands? It is hot! It is very hot in the middle of the day. Be ready for the heat and make sure to hydrate. 30- to 50-foot casts are needed and it is a very active physical fishery. Sometimes the fishing can be hard work.

Are there any special skills required? Not really, but it is always a good idea to go into a trip like this with a willingness to learn and especially a willingness to listen to the guides.

Does the lodge provide equipment? The lodge has loaner equipment if necessary, but it is best to bring your own. The lodge does not provide flies. There is a small very basic fly shop on site for tippet material, lines, and a small selection of flies.

What is your favorite setup for the trip? A fast action 9-foot, 8-weight is essential for peacock bass fishing. It is also nice to have a 9-weight rigged with a sink tip line for fishing deep holes in the lagoons and lakes. Fly Water Travel’s Favorite Setup

• Rod: 8’ 9 8-weight Sage PAYLOAD (889-4)
• Reel: Sage Enforcer 7/8
• Line 1: RIO Products Elite Warm Water Predator WF8F/H/I
• Line 2: RIO Products Elite Warm Water Predator WF8F
• Line 3: RIO Products Elite Warm Water Predator WF8F/S5/S7
• Leader/Tippet Material: RIO Products Saltwater Mono and RIO Products Saltwater Fluoroflex, 40- to 60-pound

What are the top flies? Super mushy, deceiver, whistler, mushmouth, and half and half Clouser minnow.

What are the options if water conditions become challenging? The guides can usually find fishable water, but if there is a bad storm guests will have to wait it out at the lodge.

What is a typical day like?
6:00 AM: Coffee is served.
6:30 AM – 7:30 AM: Breakfast
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Morning fishing session.
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch on the river and lounging in the shade. Possibly a nap in a hammock or on the boat.
1:30-4:00: Afternoon fishing session.
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Lounging in the pool or around the lodge before dinner.
7:00 PM: Dinner

What is the general vibe, atmosphere, and style of the lodge? It is a laid-back, happy, comfortable, fishing lodge with great rooms and it is utterly un-pretentious.

Is there an on-site owner, manager, or other point-person at the lodge? There is an onsite lodge manager and an angling host at the lodge.

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like? Meals are simple, filling and thoughtfully prepared but not fancy. The meals are lite on fresh fruits and vegetables and heavy on chicken, fish, and beef. Rice and beans are served with every dinner. Wine is served with dinner every night. Breakfast and dinner are served buffet style. Lunch is made on your own and a lodge staff member will pack your lunch into a waterproof container for the boat.

What is the alcohol policy? Wine and beer are provided. If guests would like liquor, they will need to bring it with them.

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? The lodge is located on a high bank of the Rio Agua Boa. There are six well-appointed cabins. The lodge has a maximum occupancy of 12 anglers. Single occupancy rates are available for an upcharge.

Is there internet and/or cell service? There is no cell service and internet service is somewhat spotty. The Wi-Fi slows down when everyone uses it, so it is best to use WhatsApp or, if sending photos, resize them as small as possible. This is a great opportunity to unplug and enjoy the jungle environment without interruption.

Are there other activities? A few other activities are available at the lodge including birding, iguana and nature watching and swimming in their pool. This is first and foremost a fishing camp.

Are there any other expenses? Evacuation insurance is required to visit Agua Boa Amazon Lodge. We recommend Global Rescue. Gratuities and expenses while in Manaus are not included.

Do I need a visa? No. Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan are not required to have a visa for stays under 90 days. Guests of other countries should consult their local consulate.