The Rio Marié is the first river in the Amazon Basin in which the Brazilian Government has collaborated with the local Native Communities to develop an ambitious project designed to protect the 800 km wildlife preserve while promoting catch-and-release fly fishing, and providing exclusive access rights.

Through the cooperation of the Native Communities, the Brazilian Government, and Untamed Angling (the same South American outfitters who introduced the world to La Zona in Argentina and Tsimane in Bolivia), Rio Marié is now the very first - and only - truly and legally exclusive fly fishing area of the entire Amazon Negro Basin. This protected area encompasses more than 400 miles of virgin waters, boasting a healthy population of giant peacock bass. The Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) has conducted numerous biological studies in the region. This research has demonstrated impressive results: Rio Marié holds at least twice the quantity of trophy-sized peacock bass compared with any other sport fishing destination in the Rio Negro basin. For anglers, this translates into very real opportunities to consistently hook and release the largest peacock bass on Earth, in fly fishing only water, with no pressure from conventional anglers as is found elsewhere.

The waters of the Rio Marié and its tributaries are scientifically proven - after several biological studies by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) and Untamed Angling - to be the home of the largest peacock bass in the entire Amazon basin. This is a fishery where fly anglers really can pursue and conquer the dream of reaching a world record on the fly.

The results of these studies and our experience in the first two seasons were remarkable: the average size of speckled peacock bass here is over 10 pounds and the amount of fish recorded at over 15 pounds is shocking. If that’s not good enough, there are more fish measuring over 20 pounds than anywhere else in the entire Amazon Basin, or the world. Studies have shown that the Rio Marié literally has double the population of big fish when compared to other, previously studied rivers such as Itapara, Agua Boa, Marmelos, and others.

Keep in mind that targeting these true trophy peacock bass is not a numbers game, and not everyone will land a fish-of-a-lifetime. That said, in our 2015 season, on average over half of the anglers at Marié did manage to land fish over 20 pounds, and more 20+ pound fish were landed on that river in an average week than most other destinations in the Amazon did in their entire season. The fish are there, and every single cast made on this river brings about the potential for a world record fish.

In addition to the giant speckled peacock bass, the river also has healthy populations of smaller butterfly peacocks, which average 2-6 pounds. These beautiful, brightly-colored, aggressive strain of peacock bass hit hard and often take to the air when hooked, and help keep anglers enthralled and engaged while searching for their even larger cousins.

Rio Marié is entirely located inside an extensive Indian Territory, an area of more than 2 million hectares. This untouched environment has more than 800 kms of rivers, 180 known creeks, 60 lakes, and three major tributaries inside the new operation area. It is the first exclusive fly-fishing only project allowed and supported by the Brazilian Government Official Environmental and Indian Institutes, who worked together with the Indian Association to create the very first official sport fishing operation in Brazil inside an Indian Territory. This brings a new level of commitment inside the current peacock bass fishing scene in the Amazon region.

NEW 2016 CHARTER FLIGHT to the RIO MARIE’

For the 2016 season, Untamed Angling will be chartering Cessna Caravans fitted with amphibious floats to directly transport guests from Manaus to the Untamed Amazon mothership, more than 500 miles from Manaus. The total flight time is a little over 3 hours each way, and the plane will usually stop in Sao Gabriel to refuel on the return trip. Each aircraft will accommodate six anglers with plenty of room for their fishing gear. The turboprop aircraft are comfortable and deliver anglers directly to the heart of the fishery and the waiting mothership, avoiding the wheel-plane and boat transfer combination.

The first two seasons (2014 and 2015) were conducted under strict guidelines imposed by IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) and they have now endorsed (allowed) an expanded fishing zone for the 2016 season which includes the entire river and all of the Marié tributaries. This actively-mobile fishing model, with the mothership positioned in the most productive areas of the reserve, will allow us to fish and explore the entire Rio Marié Reserve - more than 680 kilometers (425 miles) of the main river, its two major tributaries, and the dozens of lagoons and back bays. It also allows us to manage the fishery by rotating between 5 river sectors - Upper Turi, Lower Turi, Upper Marié, headwaters of Marié, and Lower Marié, all within the protected 650 kilometers of the Rio Marié Preserve.

The use of the two float planes with direct access to the most productive fishing areas and the mobility of the shallow-draft Untamed Amazon will put anglers on some fantastic water that has only been explored in the past and never included in the itinerary. Quick and easy access to the fishing grounds and utilization of the entire fishery is the name of the game for 2017.

In this area of the Amazon, the fishing season normally runs from August to late December. 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 hydrological 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.

Marié uses as accommodation, the Untamed Amazon, our own brand new vessel specially designed for the Marié project.

The Untamed Amazon is the very first vessel of its kind in Amazonia that uses 100% solar power generation for all electricity use. The system has 96 state-of-the-art German solar panel generators and 3 tons of Hitachi Solar Batteries – the most advanced Japanese battery system for solar power generation. The Untamed Amazon is an aggressive project that brings a unique concept to boat design that changes the game in live-aboard fishing vessel standards. The Untamed Amazon was designed to offer a unique and remarkable experience.

The Untamed Amazon has 3 floors. Lower Floor is the area for staff, where located in the heart of the boat - a twin 200hp propulsion engines. It’s also has the laundry, staff rooms, water filtration systems and sewage treatment plant.

Main floor has 8 suites, where 6 of them are available for Marié guests (5 double and one single suite). Each Suite has a new standard in space and amenities for a fishing veseel. Each suite accommodates two person, in super single beds. Besides, it has a private bathroom and air conditioning and good space for clothes storage.

The upper floor is the place for relaxes after your long fishing day. We offer a spacious living and dinning room, and on the rear an open lounge where we serve the drinks and appetizers with two big Jacuzzi’s for up to 10 people.

The 3rd floor also counts with the chef’s cuisine and the command control of the vessel.

Accommodations and Cabins: 8 suites measuring 18 square meters. All outside-facing with floor to ceiling panoramic windows. All air conditioned.

Unique Features and Amenities: Amazon river facing panoramic windows; air conditioning; twin beds that convert to a California king-sized bed, bathroom with shower, toilet, sink, cabinet, hot water around the clock and a basket of toiletries.

ON SITE AMENITIES AND ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:
Wi-Fi/internet access

Lounge, Dining Room, Oustide Lounge

Fly Shop

River and Jungle-Facing Panoramic Windows

Air Conditioning

Outdoor Jacuzzi

Gourmet Food

The week at Rio Marié is from Thursday to Thursday. Most US guests will reserve flights to Manaus out of either Miami (American Airlines) or Panama City (Copa Airlines). Upon arrival in Manaus, you will pass through immigrations and customs. Do not lose your entrance card to Brazil!!! This is a small white piece of paper. You will need it for your return.

Arrive at Manaus International Airport. Guests will greeted by our English speaking representative/transfer driver. They will arrange for transfers to the Blue Tree or Cesar Business Hotel. You and another angler will be put up in a Double Occupancy room at the Tropical for the night (included in the trip package). The transfer staff will let you know when they will pick you up at the hotel the next morning, to take you to the charter airport. They will also collect the Native Community Fee ($670) from you at this time.

Rates September- mid December

7 nights/6 days fishing, double occupancy: Rate: US $7,325 per angler

Single Angler / Single Skiff and Room: Rate US $11,680 per person

Single Room (upon availability): US $8,025 per person

Non-Angler US $4,980 per person

Included: One night at 5 star hotel in Manaus, ground transfers in Manaus upon arrival, hydroplane charter flights – Manaus – Untamed Amazon – Manaus, 6 full days fishing with one pro guide and two local guides per two anglers, 7 nights at Untamed Amazon, and all inclusive meals, beverages and spirits at the lodge. We also have a special list of premium liquor and wines at additional cost. Winston Fly Fishing Rods to use.

Not included: International Flights, Meals and Beverages in Manaus Hotel, fly fishing leaders, wire and flies, tips and gratuities, and trip insurance, Airport taxes and US $670 Indian Communities Fee per person. Non-Angler Indian Communities Fee US $490 per person.

Additional options: Private charter flight Cessna Caravan hydroplane: Manaus – Untamed Amazon mothership – Manaus – US $6950 per plane (up to 8 person).

NATIVE COMMUNITY FEE: This Project was based as a long term social project which supports the preservation of the Indian Culture by improving their quality of life. The Rio Marié River has formed an association (ACIBRN) and board to protect their interests moving forward. This Association includes representatives from all 14 Indian Communities. The project has a significant user fee on all visiting anglers. The funds from the fee will primarily be used for social projects, infrastructure development, transportation, and medical and education projects.

The fee will be $670 per person for the trip. The tax will be payable in (Cash $USD or Brazilian Reals) to our representative at your arrival in Manaus and goes directly to the Indian Association account and anglers will receive a receipt from the association. This fee represents an important step in the continuing effort to protect our ability to continue to share this amazing and unique part of the world.

RIO MARIE’ 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 650 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 Marie 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 Marie will re-schedule your week to a later time, but will not refund your trip payment.

Prices are in USD and subject to change prior to booking.