FLY FISHING ON THE UNINI RIVER

The newest excitement in Peacock Bass fishing is the interest of  fly fishing anglers in the sport.  Over the past three years, we have had an increasing number of clients who want to fish for the Peacock Bass using a fly rod and flies that they have designed and tied.  The results have been phenomenal.

Not only do the fly anglers often catch a greater number of fish each trip, but the size of the fish equals the size of the Peacock Bass caught by anglers using the huge top water propeller baits.  In the toughest of seasons last year – with all of the high water – the fly anglers consistently produced better numbers of fish than the bait-casters.  One week, one fly angler caught more fish than 6 bait-casters combined.  Both types of fishing are exciting, but for those who enjoy the fly, don't miss this opportunity to face the challenge offered by the Peacock Bass.

Since fly fishing is becoming a very popular activity on our trips, I wanted to provide a few tips to prepare you for this newest Amazon Fishing Adventure.

BEST TIMES TO FISH:

Fly fishing is best in falling and low water conditions.  These conditions normally occur during the months of October – January on the Unini River.  During low water (December and January), many sandbars are exposed and sight fishing for the Peacocks is a blast.  However, during the falling water conditions (October and November), the fly fishing angler will have a great time fishing the edges of the hidden lagoons that are accessible only during the earlier part of the season.  Pick the schedule that is best for you, and come be a part of an Amazon Fishing Adventure on the Unini River.

RODS:

The best rods for Peacock Bass fishing need to be designed for aggressive and powerful fish. These fish will strike a fly with a vengeance and then head for the jungle and trees or to an underwater obstruction from which they are difficult to land. The rods need to be able to cast large flies and handle the pressure of the Peacock’s long runs and their tendency to find cover. A stiff action, high modulus graphite rod is recognized as being best for these challenges. The rod must have lots of backbone, capable of developing high line speed to deliver big flies long distances and the strength to stop the vicious runs of these fish. Most fly fishing anglers who come to our camp will bring a 9-weight rod. It is heavy enough to handle these fish, but light enough to be used all day. If you find very large fish holding on a sandbar or an accessible point, it is often good to switch to a 10-weight rod for the limited time you are pursuing these monster peacocks. Those who wish to set a fly-fishing record may want to bring a variety of leader material corresponding to the leader class record you are pursuing.  Remember to finish off the leader setup with a bite tippet of at least 20 pounds. When selecting a fly rod, consider the weight limitations of the charter flights to our camps. Be sure to bring spare rods in case one is broken during the trip. A quality 3 or 4 piece fly rod travels better than the 2 piece, and you will have no problem carrying it on the plane with you for your domestic and international flights.

REELS:

As with fly rods, the choice of fly reels is very personal. Any good quality fly reel designed for salt-water use will work on the Peacock Bass.  It is very important for the reel to have a very smooth drag action.  Any problem with a drag when a monster peacock makes an aggressive run will surely result in a broken rod or line.  You should include fly reels with interchangeable spools for the different lines you will be using.  Again, I recommend that you include your fly reel in your carry-on baggage, not your checked baggage.

LINES:

The line of choice for most fly anglers fishing for Peacock Bass is a monocore slow sinking line. Since it is transparent, it is ideal for the bright, sunny days of the Amazon. Monocore is extremely durable and relatively hard and stiff – making it ideal for the tropical fishing conditions you will encounter. It is advisable also to bring a fast sinking line like a Teeny 300 or 400 grain line for those times you might be fishing a deep pool within a lagoon.  A sinktip line is also a good bet and will cast easier than a full sinking line.  For surface poppers, of course, the best line is a floating line; however, the subsurface lures seem to be the most productive of the flies. Each line should be spooled on a separate interchangeable spool for your reels.

LEADERS:

Leaders are not a big problem when fishing for Peacock Bass. The Peacock shows little tendency to be leader shy, so prepare your leaders to hold the fish.  A good place to begin is to simply use about 5 or 6 feet of 50# monofilament from the fly line to the fly.  Remember to follow IGFA rules for leader construction if you a interested in pursuing a line class record.   Fluorocarbon leaders are useful from the standpoint of being somewhat more abrasion resistant than mono and have the added advantage of being almost invisible in the water.  Be sure to secure any leader transition knots securely.  Another leader that works well is for any 8/9/10 weight fly rod is a 6 or 7 feet of Mason Hard leader in 20# test from the flyline to the fly, a bite tippet is not necessary.  This relatively stiff leader will turn over most flies and casts accurately.  Most fly anglers who fish the Amazon do not use bite  tippets. Remember to check your leader after each fish to see if the rough mouth of the Peacock has abraded the leader; if so, clip off the damaged leader segment and retie the fly.

FLIES:

The colors of the flies don't seem to be as important as the shading of the color. For light days, use the lighter colored flies and on darker days, use the dark colored flies. Fly profile is very important. The streamers should be about 5" - 6" long (2/0 – 4/0 hook) and all of the flies should have a wide profile. If a Peacock Bass sees something that will fit in his mouth and that resembles his normal source of food, he will eat it. It is worthwhile to experiment with changing fly size as well, sometimes smaller flies will produce better than larger patterns and vice versa.  If you’re fishing good water with no results, changing size and color may improve your odds significantly.

The colors of the flies don't seem to be as important as the shading of the color.  For light days, use the lighter colored flies and on darker days, use the dark colored flies.  Fly profile is very important.  The streamers should be about 5" - 6" long (2/0 – 4/0 hook) and all of the flies should have a wide profile.  If a Peacock Bass sees something that will fit in his mouth and that resembles his normal source of food, he will eat it.

Sometimes, the peacocks will be holding deep.  A weighted hook (utilizing something like a brass weight with nickel coating) on the fly will help get the fly down to the level were the fish are.  It is difficult to cast such a fly, but on some occasions it is necessary.

 

Many fly anglers tie their own flies.  I recommend that for an Amazon fishing adventure.  Bring plenty of flies, plus materials to tie new flies at the camp when you discover what is working best.  For the rest, buy an adequate supply of flies (at least 15 streamers and 8 poppers).  The most important thing to do is sharpen the hooks on your flies.  The jaw of the Peacock Bass is tough and you need sharp hooks to assure a good hook-up that will maximize your changes of putting the fish in the boat.

 

When casting your flies, if you are not getting bites, you probably are not at the right place.  Be patient, our guides will ease you into the areas that are holding fish, and when you find one fish, work the area carefully because there will be more fish to be caught.  Keep moving until you find fish, then SLOW DOWN and fish the area thoroughly.

 

PARTNERS: 

When you come to one of our Amazon Fishing Adventures, it is important that you be paired with another fly fisherman.  It is very difficult for a fly fisherman and a bait-caster to fish the same areas.  If  you do not have a fly fishing partner, we will try to arrange a combination for you that will work.  Also, we have certain guides that have been specially trained to work with fly fishermen.  These guides will be assigned to the fly fishing boats for the entire week, rather than using a rotation system as we do for the other anglers.

Don't overlook this tremendous opportunity to test your fly fishing skills against the beast of the Amazon.   Sometimes you will win and boat a beautiful specimen, but other times the fish will win, and you will be challenged to return another day or another season to do battle with the Amazon's Peacock Bass.  At Amazon Fishing Adventures, we seek to provide your "Fly Fishing Trip of a lifetime."  Let us show you how.