● Fly fishing: Late August – Mid November
● Fly fishing & Conventional fishing: Mid November – January
In this area of the Amazon, the fishing season normally runs from mid-August through mid-November. This is the dry season for the upper Negro basin, the time when waters are typically at their lowest and most stable levels which allows for fishing throughout the entire river system, including its numerous tributaries and lagoons. The Negro Basin fisheries have variant conditions according to each year’s hydrologic cycles, but since Rio Marié is a headwaters system, combined with its geographical location and the immensity of its drainage, it is much more stable than other regional destinations.
The weather can be hot. Mid-day temperatures in the Amazon range from 85° - 95°F, or higher, with 80 - 90% humidity. Due to the intense sun (you are literally on the equator) and sweat-inspiring humidity during the day, you'll want to be mindful of dehydration and overexposure to the sun. At night the temperature drops to a comfortable 65° - 75°F. Although you will be fishing in the dry season, there are occasional rain showers (you are deep inside a rain forest), so you want to have light rain jackets and rain pants with you at all times. The jungle is surprisingly friendly due the high tannin concentration of its waters, and there are no mosquitoes here. There are, however, some no-see-ums and gnats, along with horseflies and bees. In low water conditions these pesky insects are usually pre-occupied and leave anglers alone entirely; but when the waters come up they search for salt, and find it on sweaty fishermen! We strongly recommend wearing long sleeve shirts and pants during your fishing week. Buff face masks are almost mandatory for sun and bugs. Covering up from head to toe in light-colored, lightweight clothing will protect you from the sun and the bees. We also strongly recommend bringing a head net. Most of the time you won't need it, but it is good to have in your boat bag if the bugs do come out to play. They are not biting insects so bug bites are very uncommon, but they can be annoying while flying about searching for salt.
Rio Marié High Water Policy:
Fishing for peacock bass in the Amazon jungle represents one of the last frontiers in the fly fishing world. As with any such hyper-remote destinations, there can be challenges associated with offering a first-class experience in the 'back of beyond'. In the Amazon, water level conditions will, on occasion, present such challenges. The Amazon River annual water level cycles are not a simple equation, even for the most experienced local experts. Normally, high and low water levels here follow a fairly predictable monthly cycle, but climate changes and the effects of stronger or weaker El Nino and La Nina cycles can directly and immediately affect those levels.
Specifically, these El Nino and La Nina events tend to impact the amount of rain in the headwaters of Amazon rivers, which in turn effects the entire Amazon basin. Water levels are important when fishing for peacock bass, and understanding how to work around them is a key component to success. Low water does not always result in the best fishing, just as high water is not always the worst thing. More important is to understand where and how to fish as the water fluctuates.
The Rio Marié system has more than 800 kilometers of rivers, tributaries and lagoons from its headwaters down to its merging with the Rio Negro. This unique and extensive water system allows for incomparable flexibility; the yacht and anglers can move up or downstream throughout the season - every week or even daily - to reach the best water levels in which to find trophy fish. This is useful when mitigating less than ideal water conditions. Though the Rio Marié season has been chosen to coincide with the best water conditions annually, it's difficult to predict water levels, and this is one of the risks associated with fishing the Amazon. If you are not comfortable with the risk of the river levels being too high or low during your trip, then it is probably not the trip for you. You will not be refunded for water conditions that may not meet your expectations. In the event the water is too high to fish on any given week, Rio Marié will re-schedule your week to a later time.
