Questions to Ask and Answers to Expect

Note: The following is a chapter excerpt from Peacock Bass & Other Fierce Exotics, Larry Larsen’s second book in the Peacock Bass Series. Larsen is the world’s foremost authority on peacock bass and a member of the Fishing Hall of Fame. The book is available from the Peacock Bass Association at www.peacockbassassociation.com or from www.larsenoutdoors.com.

Traveling to exotic destinations in search of exciting, unique sportfish is relatively common in today's world of fast jets and boats. South America is probably the closest region offering innumerable fishing waters and many great gamefish in sizes and varieties that most North Americans haven't experienced.

Planning a trip to encounter perhaps the angler's most exciting fish ever is a task not to be taken lightly. The preliminary decisions a traveling fisherman will have to make are where to go, when to go, and what species to focus on. There are over 15 exciting sportfish species in South America. Peacock bass and payara are found in Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and a few other countries, and more U.S. visitors fish for those two species than any other freshwater fish in South America.

Where to go may depend a lot on whether you want to experience the far reaches of civilization, where Indians rule the rivers and lakes and where you may stretch across a hammock each evening and drop mosquito netting to keep out the insects, or you want to have some comforts of home while catching your quarry. Other selection criteria will depend on the species pursued, the size available in waters/countries and the time of year available for the trip.

The timing of a successful trip is critical, and the consideration of such should be perhaps the most important parameter in the selection process. Many experiences have taught me that truly great fishing can be had somewhere in South America every single month of the year. It's THE place to be all year long, and the secret to fishing success is simply being in the right place at the right time.

Great locations are prime only during certain times or seasons of the year, so the traveling angler should have a fairly flexible vacation schedule to take advantage of the "seasonal opportunities" in the different regions of South America. Payara fishing is extremely seasonal, but peacock bass have a much longer angling "window." For example, the traveling sportsman can fish peacocks during the prime "dry season" almost year around because of various outfitter locations and their mobility.

Mobility seems to be the key to success. Many operations can move from one watershed to another in order to access the best possible fishing at that time. The ability to adjust to current water and weather conditions makes the difference between a productive or non-productive fishing venture.

The best possible conditions usually occur in the dry seasons, since the water is low and stable. This is when there is less rain, and when most fish are in places where you can catch them. In a river or in a lake, it is important to have stable water levels. These conditions occur at different times throughout the South America region.

For example, in the southernmost regions of Brazil's Amazonas, this dry season is in the months of May through October, generally. In the central part of Brazil's Amazon region, the dry fishing season is around the months of September through mid-December. In Northern Brazil and southern Venezuela, this season occurs from mid-November to mid-April, generally. Fishing seasons in man-made reservoirs located in these regions may vary because of power-pool drawdowns, but the wet season, dry season pattern will be roughly the same.

High water and "new" water are, however, specifically bad news for peacock bass fishermen! Frequently, the best or even the only good fishing in high water situations is at the mouth of a creek or lagoon just out of the current in the river. Late rains during the beginning of the "dry season" or "off-year" rains in the middle of the dry season can cause problems. The fish may either move into the mouth of the lagoon or creek staying close to the river, or scatter into the flooded jungle timber! Peacock bass are very difficult to catch in the latter situation.

In normal dry season conditions, large numbers of peacock bass will be off the river channel in the adjoining lagoons. In low water and minimal current conditions, they may be concentrated around huge rocks or in deep pools right in the river. Peacock bass normally prefer "black water" rivers and "black water" lagoons. If the lagoons have relatively clear, black-stained water and the rivers do not, usually the best peacock fishing will be in the lagoons.

I have caught good numbers of large peacocks in rivers and lagoons that did not have black water, but normally black water areas are best. Large, speckled peacock bass may be holding close to the current, but will not usually be right in it. Butterfly and Royal peacock species tend to be smaller and are often found near the current or around rock piles. Larger peacocks can also be found holding very close to huge rock boulders in the slack water out of the current.

Additional Species, Comparisons and Trade-offs
South American jungles are known as exotic, unknown territory with many types of native species virtually unknown to man. This is also the case with the fish found in this huge continent. Many times I have caught fish that I have never seen before, and that our native guides had never seen caught on an artificial lure. In some way or another, many of the lesser known fish species are living examples of prehistoric times.

Numerous warmwater species in South America's fresh water attract the attention of U.S. sportsmen. In fact, many of the world's most sporting gamefish live in South American waters. Among them are the widespread, exciting peacock bass, the saber-fanged payara, the golden dorado, the lightning-fast sardinata, and several species of very sporting catfish of the family called "Zungaro." The catfish include the Doncella Zungaro and the striped El Tigre Zungaro, also called "Surubim" in Brazil. Toothsome piranha, the prehistoric, armored trieda (or amara), the silvery, snake-like arawana that twists skyward like a rocket and other interesting species add to the variety a typical angler confronts in many of the warm water areas.

Many adventurous anglers travel to fish interesting, remote areas and care less about gourmet food and an exquisite atmosphere. In fact, much of the very best fishing action are in locations that are difficult to access and where great lodges or fixed accommodations are non-existent. Often new areas that are undeveloped commercially open up to great fishing with a spartan camp setup. The demand for such wilderness experiences, even those sporting a hefty price tag, is often tremendous.

Some booking agents offer "exploratories" which mean exactly that. Little is known about the fishing, although the areas do show great promise, and the accommodations can be very minimal or even rough. I've been on a few exploring trips where the fishing was very rewarding and a few where it was terrible. It's always a gamble, but knowing that you're the first sportfisherman to wet a line in a little-known tributary can be exciting.

Who has the best trip? No single trip will meet everyone's needs. Some booking agents have just one or two trips and will try to sell you on such, but it may not be the right one for you. They may not meet your time needs, facility needs or species preference. A good operation will not just try to conform everyone to the same mold.

If it does meet your needs, I would advise you to fish in one of the remote rivers rather than in a reservoir, because your fishing will be consistently better. I would advise you to fish out of a mobile camp or houseboat, rather than a fixed camp or lodge. In your evaluation of the various options, it would be wise to develop a Trip Option Summary chart with the basic information on all opportunities you come across. Study the market so that you can make an informed decision.

Finding the Booking Agents
It is best to book with a specialized fishing travel agency that can best handle the specific details of such a trip. Inquiries from each fishing excursion you come across should result in a wealth of information. Leads can be generated from word of mouth, advertisements in fishing/outdoor magazines, some tackle shops, some travel agencies, sports shows, articles in magazines and newspapers, record keeping agencies (IGFA and Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame), and local outdoor writers. Once you have the literature, brochures, newsletters, etc., study them thoroughly.

In a few cases, you may be able to book directly with a South American fishing tour operator, but I should warn "caveat emptor" or "let the buyer beware." This is not a wise option. What little you save by not going through a U.S. booking agent will not be worth the headaches with which you'll most probably be faced.
Most booking agents prefer clients with groups but will take individual reservations for a trip. Some operators offer "hosted" trips in which a knowledgeable English-speaking representative of the U.S. booking agent will travel with the group. But, will the host be a fishing expert and chaperone or someone along with other motives, such as to go fishing every day all day long? That's a good question to ask.

Other host-type considerations are determining how an operator's "camp manager" fits in. The top booking agents offer trips with English-speaking, fishing experts. For those considering taking along a non-fishing spouse, the host aspects take on an increasing importance. Fishing guides are normally discouraged from fishing so they can devote their energies to taking care of the fishermen, but they are only hosts during the day on the water.

How to Determine Outfitter Reliability
Booking agents in this country can provide areas with the absolute best fishing, the worst, or something in between, depending on a lot of factors. The best booking agents will postpone a trip for good cause rather than send clients on a very questionable and costly experience. No one consciously offers bad trips, but some outfitters let marketing zealousness overrule their abilities to produce every time they book a group. Quite a few agents will book trips without intimate knowledge of the best timing for the particular trip and in some cases without any first-hand experience with the fishery or the camp/boat.

Fortunately, a few agents will not send anyone to an area that they have not personally checked out. That diligent investigation is what separates the good booking agents from the rest. Some travel throughout the year extensively on "check-out" trips to verify camp owner's claims about their facility or operation "offering the very best fishing over the course of many months."

Some have researched the peacock bass exhaustively and can tell you which 22 tributaries of the western Amazon are "white water rivers" with poor fishing and which 45 are the much better "black water" tributaries. The top booking agents can generally tell you where the rainy season has affected a fishery and where it has not, based on their knowledge of runoffs and time of the year. Fishing a tributary just 100 miles north of Manaus, Brazil, may be great in January, but another fishery that was far better just two months earlier may provide lousy fishing at this time.

Most booking agents will present the highlights of their offering, and a few could even be termed "promoters." They will give you the strengths of the particular trip and avoid any mention of weaknesses. You'll have to ask in some cases, but a professional will take the time to explain any concerns. The most reliable booking agent will try to determine your interests and goals and match you with the optimal trip that minimizes the potential problem areas. He certainly doesn't want you to have unrealistic expectations and a reason to complain and not re-book, or worse yet, scare others away with tales of horror.

It has been my experience that the most efficient and reliable outfitters in South America have an American owner-operator who lives in South America and who is involved in the day-to-day operation of his camp or lodge. The most efficient operations have guides who are natives of the areas you will be fishing.
Native guides usually know where to look for fish, but their actually fishing knowledge may be based on catching fish with a handline. At most South American operations, guides will work hard to get you into the fish. Generally speaking, however, most are not able to recommend which type of lure to use until they have guided for a few seasons.

Questions to Ask Before You Send the Deposit
It is wise to obtain thorough answers to all your specific questions prior to booking the trip. Prepare a list of precise questions before you call. You have a lot to do with the success of your trip, and it all starts with good and necessary communications. When it's decision time, the traveling angler has to decide what he wants to do and how much money he is prepared to spend.

1. Where are the best places/camps to fish and who are the best outfitters?
   
2. What are the living facilities at the camp/lodge/houseboat like, and do they have showers, flush toilets, shared or private baths, beds, air-conditioning, overhead fans, provisions for electrical appliances and laundry service?
   
3. Is the food and water safe and included in the pricing?
   
4. Will they have plenty of ice, bottled water and soft drinks for the boat coolers and meals?
   
5. What is the maximum camp capacity and are there other lodges or locals that increase fishing pressure by fishing the same waters?
   
6. How are the fishing boats equipped (swivel seats, trolling motors, outboard size) and are the guides experienced?
   
7. Are the guides, transfer agents and camp managers bilingual and can they provide expert advice?
   
8. When is the best time of year to fish, and are the fishing seasons different from country to country?
   
9. What are the wet/dry seasons; how does weather effect fishing?
   
10. How many fish can I expect to catch, how big and what species?
    
11. What can I expect to see in terms of birds, wildlife, topography, water size?
    
12. What is the policy on keeping trophy fish; is catch and release enforced?
    
13. What are the best gamefish in South America?
    
14. Are there other things to do besides fishing?
    
15. Are the facilities feasible for the handicapped, elderly, women, children or those with special health conditions?
    
16. How much does it cost and what are the cancellation, refund, deposit policies and expected additional costs?
    
17. Is a single-supplement available at an extra cost, and what is the latest that I can book the trip?
    
18. Can a shorter stay be booked or a "combo" fishing trip or other options be added?
    
19. What would you look for in a camp, outfitter, booking agent?
    
20. What is the length and itinerary of the trips and how do you get there; any charter flights?
    
21. What are the dangers/hazards, such as piranha bites, mosquitoes, insects, snakes, and political situations?
    
22. Are safety precautions taken (life vests, fire extinguishers, first aid kit, etc.)?
    
23. Are emergency communications and/or medical care available?
    
24. What is required to travel (passport, visa, tourist card, immunization, special customs and immigrations requirements)?
    
25. What is the best method of fishing (Baitcasting, fly-fishing, spinning, live bait, trolling) and the best tackle to take?
    
26. Can I use American dollars, or should I exchange currency?
    
27. How much should I tip, when and to whom?
    
28. What kind of clothing and luggage should I take and how much?
    
29. Can I check my luggage through; what should I carry aboard?
    
30. Can you provide a list of references of paying guests for me to call?
    

Planning The Trip
Some booking agents book the domestic (U.S) connecting flights as well as those from the U.S. city of international departure. It is often wise to let them do so. More than once, I've seen anglers miss their South American flight out of Miami because they had personally booked their own airline with minimal connecting time at the international airport.

Most agents in the know recommend a layover of at least 3 1/2 hours between the domestic flight arrival and the international departure. Someone on a moderately late flight or a passenger on a canceled domestic flight requiring some re-routing may be able to make the Miami connection with such built-in connection time.
Remember that many flights to the angling areas of South America only happen once or twice a week. If you miss the international flight down, you often cannot re-route in order to catch up with your group. Too, many operations depend on the entire group arriving at the same time for ground transfer, wheel and float plane charter connections and/or riverboat transportation logistics.

Missing customers just cannot be accommodated in the outreaches of South America several hours or days later. Most agents will provide a detailed itinerary along with their Rates & Responsibilities. You'll have this well ahead of your trip so that you also can make any logistics plans on the connecting travel accordingly.
Acts of nature or political turmoil may take a toll on your fishing excursion, regardless of how well you plan the trip. I learned early on that flexibility is a valuable commodity on any trip to South America.
Most reputable agents will provide you with a "Pre-trip Information" handout for the specific trip that you book. This information varies, depending on your destination.

Tackle and Reading Recommendations
Take the right tackle, or your trip will be less than successful. Fishing for many South American species will be "foreign" to many - pun intended. Very little similar North American experiences can prepare you for some of the thrills of the southernmost America. Most good booking agents offer a listing of tackle recommendations for a particular species with precise information on lure/fly name or model, type, size, color, manufacturer, and even suggested quantity.

With such insight, the traveling angler can put together a tackle box containing the most appropriate selection of lures for the trip. The detailed lists will also cover all types rods, reels and other equipment that are best suited for the venture. The most appropriate action or weight and the best suited line in terms of strength, type (monofilament, braid) and even manufacturer will be noted. The professional booking agent will also be able to recommend the best places to obtain the right stuff. He'll have contact phone and address for the ordering sources.

A good booking agent may also offer information on modifications that will make the lure even better for the intended fish. Replacing standard hooks with heavy-duty 3X saltwater hooks is one such move that will enhance the catch rate on some of the more aggressive species. Also, you may need to change out smaller split rings, propellers, or other hardware on some plugs.

Some agents offer written advice on specific strategies for the fish you are after. A discussion of "seasons" and "situations" will aid in your trip planning. Many peacock bass agents even provide a free copy of one of my books on Peacock Bass, which is full of information on the fish. Many operators and retailers have claimed that "no one goes to South America without a copy of one of my books!"

Basic Information/Special Conditions
You can call the Atlanta-based Center for Disease Control at (404) 332-4565 or 332-4559 for a fax report on vaccination recommendations for different countries and appropriate drugs to prevent malaria, etc. Two other sources of information on facilities with similar knowledge are the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM) in Atlanta and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in Newton, MA. International Travel Health services in most major cities can fix you up with the shots/prescriptions if your family doctor can't.

The Department of State has a pamphlet entitled "A Safe Trip Abroad," and it's available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Also available from the same source is the Department of State publication, "Tips for Travelers to Central and South America."

Notify the booking agent of basic information that he should be aware of such as Name, Home Address, Passport No., Telephone (home and business) and Fax Number. Give him an emergency contact/phone number and the name of your roommate (if accommodations are based on double occupancy). Specify any special dietary requirements, special health considerations or medical condition, mobility problems relative to accessing boats or vehicles, and/or any special travel arrangements to be made in conjunction with the trip.

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