Brazil - River Plate Outfitters

Since Peacock Bass are territorial, their areas became rapidly over-fished. So, in 1998, realizing that daily mobility together with THE ABILITY TO BYPASS LOW WATER is the key to exceptional Peacock Bass fishing, we added a deluxe shallow drafting Fly-In Floating Cabin I. Due to its enormous success, up-to-date we have added Fly-in Floating Cabins II, III, IV, V and VI. Our highly mobile Fly-In Floating Cabins are 4-6 hours upriver (even in a super fast bass boat) from these fringe locations. Drawing only 4 inches of water, our Fly-In Floating Cabins navigate past shallow water natural barriers in comfort and style. Wake up every morning next to secluded unfished lagoons! Our cabins move daily to unfished river segments overnighting along Caribbean-like beaches. Walk-in at any time to comfort from the nearby secluded prehistoric-looking lagoons to your 10' X 15' elegant roomy cabin with private full bathroom. The Cabins are fully carpeted, tastefully decorated, and every detail has been carefully considered.

In Search of World Class Peacock Bass

Since Peacock Bass are territorial, their areas became rapidly over-fished. So, realizing that daily mobility together with THE ABILITY TO BYPASS LOW WATER is the key to exceptional Peacock Bass fishing, we have our deluxe shallow drafting Fly-In Floating Cabins.Typically set upon clean white beaches or clean grassy shores, each 12-foot by 15-foot barge accommodates two fishermen in surprising comfort.

The interiors are tastefully decorated and every detail from individual air-conditioners, linen sheets, writing tables, hot shaving water, built-in shelving for clothes and gear and reading lights has been carefully considered. Each unit has its own bathroom facility with full water pressure for shower, sink and toilet. Dining, cocktails and lounging take place in a large, air-conditioned central structure with patio area.

We introduced three state-of-the art turbo prop Cessna Caravan floatplanes to whisk our small 8-guest parties directly from Manaus Brazil airport to our daily moving Floating Cabins.

Pristine fishing locations are far (often hundreds of miles) from the overfished melee of competing lodges and houseboats-and lands right at their camp accommodations.

Each two-angler bedroom barge has a steel structure 8' X 15' room, fully carpeted wooden platforms, 4-ply insulated roof, fully screened walls and aluminum entry door, shower bathroom, standard sized beds, air conditioning, 220 volt electricity etc. The caravan consists of 9 barges: Five bedrooms, One 18' X 10' dining/sitting lounge, One host quarters, One kitchen and One staff bedroom.

In our 12' x 23' dinning/sitting lounge, you will dine on linen table cloths enjoying our chef's four course meals. An excellent variety of both continental and exciting regional dishes, make up the week's menu. Fresh breads and pastries are baked daily and chilled wines, ice-cold beer, soft drinks, and Brazilian-style margaritas flow freely throughout your fishing trip.

Fly-In Floating Cabins

We literally outdistance the competition

River Plate's six independent Fly-In Floating Cabins (I, II, III, IV, V, VI) are the ultimate solution for optimizing shallow drafting mobility, comfort and luxury.

On arrival from the US, you travel about 1 to 2 hours directly to one of our six Floating Cabins via a new state-of-the-art 8 passenger Cessna Caravan turbo prop float plane.

Our Cabins cruise the headwaters of small tributaries with fish-filled secluded lagoons, which are 3 - 5 hours on a fast bass boat from the melee of competing house boats and lodges on the Negro's river deep channel waterways.

The arrival day float plane flight, plus the daily shallow drafting Cabin cruising, effectively replaces daily 3-5 hour fast bass boat traveling, or expensive daily Fly-Outs, from the main waterways to the secluded lagoons which are protected by shallow water entry barriers.

Although many well established land based lodges, including our ex-Shufari and Tapera Lodges, are situated past these natural barriers, they have no mobility to seek better water levels. Plus, more importantly, their areas become rapidly overfished 2 to 3 hours upriver or downriver. Our cabins, however, move daily to unfished river segments overnighting along Caribbean-like beaches.

Walk-in at any time to comfort from the nearby secluded prehistoric-looking lagoons to your 10' X 15' elegant roomy cabin with private full bathroom. The Cabins are fully carpeted, tastefully decorated, and every detail has been carefully considered.

Rates Information

Amazon Fishing Trip Destinations - Download Chart

RATE includes (as per itinerary):

• All charter flights
• All necessary ground transfers
• One overnight at Hotel Cesar Park in Manaus on arrival
• Guided-operated 21 foot fully equipped shallow drafting bass boat per two anglers
• Fishing licenses
• All meals at fishing destination, including wine, beer and hard liquor
• Daily laundry and maid service at fishing destinations
• 2 pro rods with corresponding reels and fishing line are available at camp for every angler

NOT included:

• International air fare (~$1000 Miami round trip to Manaus)
• Brazilian visa
• Suggested voluntary tips to camp staff (~ $200) and fishing guides (~ $200)
• Jigs at camp for sale: $5 each. We provide $1 refund for returned used jigs.
• Food and beverages in Manaus and private city tours
• Special transfers and hotel reservations when not arriving/departing with the party
• Airport departure tax
• Satellite phone calls ($5/minute)
• Extra hotel overnights
• *Float Plane extra cost $800 p.p. Compulsory for the upper Itapará 8 pax-program. Optional for all other programs min 8 pax.

Travel Information

Manaus was founded in 1669 by the Portuguese as a small fishermen's village. Its name is of Indian origin and its literal translation is "Mother of God".

Situated just 3 degrees below the equator and over 1000 miles inland, it is one of the busiest ports in the region for cargo ships distribute their goods throughout the Amazon basin. With the discovery of rubber trees in the area in the 1850's, Manaus flourished for a period of about 20 years, from 1890 - 1910, and was know as "Paris of the Jungle".

During this time, wealthy plantation owners flocked to Manaus and a "belle epoque" splendor prevailed. Today, the glamor of this period is reflected in the ornate Opera House, which was built in 1892 with distinct European influence, both in style and materials. Today Manaus is a duty-free zone and center for ecotourism in the Amazon.

Passport and Visa considerations

A valid U.S. passport is required for entrance into all South American countries. Make sure your passport is valid and does not expire before or during the time you will be outside the United States. It takes up to a month to process a new passport, so please plan accordingly.

To obtain a visa, your valid passport must be sent to the nearest Brazilian Consulate General (your passport cannot expire within three months of entrance into Brazil).

Flight Information

Plan to travel to Miami on Thursday, to connect with the flight to Manaus around 8:30 pm. (The flight sometimes leaves 7:20 pm). We suggest you arrange your flight to Miami to arrive with enough time to make the connecting flight to Manaus.

On the return trip, connecting flights home should be planned no sooner than 2 hours after arriving in Miami. Most likely, your flights home will not be available until the next morning, in which case you should plan to overnight in Miami.

Our US Agents carefully arrange air travel from home cities to Manaus. Working in conjunction with their travel agent partners and directly with the senior sales departments of the major international carriers, they block-off plenty of seats before our fishing season starts, providing efficient schedules and ticketing, and in many cases with prices significantly below published discount fares.

We strongly suggest you check your luggage from your home city to Miami, claim it there, and re-check it on international carrier to Manaus.

Weather

Mid-day temperatures in the Amazon range from 85° - 95°F. Generally there is some wind and intense sun during the day, so please be mindful of dehydration and overexposure to the sun. At night the temperature drops to 65° - 75°F. Although you will be fishing in the dry season, there are occasional rain showers (you are in the rain forest).

Don't forget to drink plenty of fluids, even if you do not feel thirsty. Water is best. Beer and soda can actually dehydrate you (alcohol and caffeine are diuretics), so drink these liquids in moderation until you become acclimated. For safety reasons; we limit the beer to 8 cans per angler, per day.

Baggage Packing

There is a strictly-enforced 36-pound weight restriction for the 8 passenger Turbo-prop Caravan float-plane flights and we request that all anglers pack in one duffel bag. Please do not bring coolers or hard luggage. The camp has daily laundry service, so bringing a lot of clothing is not necessary.

We recommend wearing loose fitting, lightweight, light-colored cottons or synthetics (Tarpon Wear, Patagonia, etc.). Some fabrics allow passage of UV rays, so don't just bring any old shirt - we've seen people severely sunburned right through their clothes! Long pants and sleeves are best to protect from sunburn.

Health / Insects

It's truly a blessing that the rivers we fish have a high tannin concentration due to the forest's leaf decay, and do not encourage the growth of insect eggs and larvae. Although we have never had an angler with a tropical illness, there are occasional encounters with bugs. We suggest you contact your doctor regarding his or her recommendations, or you can call the IAMAT (International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers) at (716) 754.4883

Equipment

We furnish, free-of-charge, quality baitcasting rods and reels with braided line.

Fresh Food

Incredible selection of food!!! You will forget that you are 300+ miles from a major city!