Brazilian Peacock Bass

The Xeriuini River

The Xeriuini River:  Located in Roraima in the northern Brazilian Amazon, the Xeriuini has over 100 lagoons and more than 200 miles of river. The upper 150 miles are exclusive to Bucket List Fly Fishing. The Xeriuini is a blackwater river with crystal-clear springs and numerous tributaries.

Species:  The Rio Novo is loaded with four species of peacock bass. Butterfly and Orinoco peacocks (often known as cichla) reach over 10 pounds, and the largest peacock, the Acu (cichla temensis), reaches 20+ pounds. Sightfishing and topwater opportunities. Target other jungle species such as redtail and shovelnose catfish, arapaima, arowana, payara (vampire fish), jacunda, and wolffish, to name a few. It's possible for boats (two anglers) to catch over 200 peacocks in a day. During the week, each angler should catch a peacock over ten pounds.
"The Fish in this river will not have seen an angler in three years (2022). Before that, in 2019, our first season on the river, we only had 32 anglers see it for the first time ever." - Bucket List Fly Fishing

The Fishing Program:

8-Week Season:  These trips run for eight weeks during the dry season, peak fishing, with eight anglers per week. Only 64 anglers per year get to fish these pristine waters.
2027 Season:  January 3 - February 27, 2027.
2028 Season:  January 2 - February 27, 2028.
Guided Hours:  You'll get 8 to 10 hours of guided fishing each day.
Guides:  Rob Anderson and the head guides provide extensive yearly training in both fly fishing and conventional angling. The main camp host, who speaks five languages and has a degree in flora and fauna, teaches the guides English
Boats:  18-foot flat-bottom skiffs with 30-HP outboard motors, electric trolling motors, two casting platforms, and plenty of storage for extra gear. Two anglers per boat with a guide, and both anglers can fish at the same time.
Equipment:  No equipment is provided. It's possible to make over 500 casts per day, so 8- to 9-weight lightweight fast-action rods are recommended. Flies are $150 per dozen; we recommend three to four dozen for the week, and you will need to order before the trip. A comprehensive packing list is included in our confirmation packet.
A Fishing License is included in the package.

Brad Staples and Guide with Peacock Bass

Brad Staples with Arowana

Keith Findley with 2025 Hosted Week Trophy

Keith and Guide - 2025

Wildlife Viewing Opportunities

A Typical Fishing Day:
As the sun rises over the Amazon Rainforest, everything comes to life. Parrots and macaws fill the air with their distinctive chirps.
6:00 a.m. Hot coffee or tea.
6:30 a.m. Breakfast in the dining cabin. Then you'll pack what you want for lunch.
7:00-7:30 a.m. Head to the fishing grounds.
Noon:  Enjoy lunch on a beach with shade trees nearby. The guides can set up hammocks in the trees so you can rest and enjoy a cerveza.
2:00 p.m. After lunch, fishing until late afternoon.
5:00 p.m. You'll start heading back to Camp, where the Host greets you with Caipirinha cocktails (Brazil's national drink) and appetizers. With about an hour of daylight left, you'll have time to shower, swim in the river, toss a frisbee on the beach, or challenge the guides to a soccer game. Evening temperatures cool into the 70s.
7:00 p.m. Dinner inside the dining cabin or on the beach. After dinner, enjoy a glass of scotch and share stories from the day.

The Feisty and Aggressive Jacunda

Insects:  There are virtually no mosquitoes on the Xeriuini. Occasionally, there are no-see-ums, but they do not carry diseases.

Floating Cabins

Cabins:  Hard-walled, air-conditioned floating cabins with two twin beds with real mattresses, a bathroom with a toilet, a shower, and sink, multiple outlets for charging your devices (you will need an adapter), overhead lights, reading lights, ample storage for your gear, a desk, and a chair. The highly mobile cabins float in less than six inches of water and can be moved to new water as needed to maintain optimal fishing conditions.

Two Anglers per Cabin

Communications:  Free Starlink Wi-Fi is available at camp. WhatsApp is recommended for cell phones. With Wi-Fi, the app lets you make international calls and texts for free.

Air-Conditioned Dining Cabin

Meals:  Meals are served in the air-conditioned dining cabin and barbecues on the beach. The camp chef, who specializes in Brazilian cuisine, has been cooking for fishing operations for over 20 years. Dinners start with a soup of the day—Piraha soup is a favorite—followed by a main course of beef, chicken, or fish. The meal concludes with a dessert, such as flan or ice cream, accompanied by fresh-baked breads and cakes served with fresh fruit.
Alcohol:  Beer, vodka, gin, and rum. Wine is served with dinner.

Beverages at Camp

Floatplane Arrival

Getting to the Floating Cabins:

You'll arrive in Manaus, Brazil, late on Friday evening. A Lodge representative will greet you and drive you to a nice hotel in Manaus. The outfitter will make reservations for you, but the hotel night is not included in the package. You'll have Saturday to acclimate. You can participate in a city tour or relax at the hotel's swimming pool. On Saturday evening, you can meet with the group for dinner. Transportation is arranged. At about 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, you'll be driven to the local airport for the two-hour floatplane flight to the Xeriuni River. The floatplane has a 35-pound baggage weight limit, and soft-sided baggage is required. You'll arrive at the river late morning. Once you are settled in camp, you'll get your gear ready for the week. After lunch and a brief orientation, you'll take in an afternoon of guided fishing.
Day of Departure:  After breakfast on Sunday, you'll fly back to Manaus. You usually have enough time to get a day room at the hotel, so you have a place to relax and wait for your evening flights back home. A shopping mall is within walking distance. Guests often meet for dinner before heading to the airport.
Brazil eVisa Required:  As of April 2025, citizens of the United States, Canada, and Australia are required to obtain an electronic visa (eVisa) to enter Brazil. (The Brazil eVisa fee is $80.90 for US citizens.)
• Click here for the Brazil eVisa website.

2027 and 2028 USD Rate:

8-Week Season:  January - February.
7 nights / 6 days guided fishing
Two anglers per floating cabin and boat
$6,450 per person

The Package Includes:

• Airport reception in Manaus
• All necessary ground transfers in Manaus
• Roundtrip floatplane flight between Manaus and the Camp
• 7 nights cabin accommodations
• All meals at the Camp
• All beverages and alcohol at the Camp
• Starlink Wi-Fi
• Daily laundry service
• 6 days guided fishing
• A fishing license
• Our eBook Fly Fishing for Peacock Bass
  by Larry and Guy Schoenborn.

The Package Does Not Include:

• International Airfare to and from Manaus, Brazil
• A Brazilian eVisa, $80.90 per person
• Hotel nights and meals in Manaus
• Optional city tours in Manaus
• Fishing equipment and flies
  Flies cost $150 per dozen.
• Gratuities for guides and camp staff
• Global Rescue coverage
• Travel Insurance.