ROYAL AMAZON

Royal Amazon Lodge River and Fish:
The Royal Amazon Lodge on the Agua Boa River is the Amazon's first flyfishing only Peacock Bass lodge. 
 
The fishery on the Agua Boa is well suited to flyfishing.  The water is clear and in many cases allows fishermen to sightfish for bass, arowana, pacu and a host of other jungle species.   Peacock Bass come in a large variety of sizes and species. 

There are three species on the Agua Boa:  the butterfly, spotted and temensis.  The Butterfly Peacock is the most numerous in the system.  They range from 2 lbs to 8 lbs and are great fighters that often jump.  The Spotted and Temensis Peacock are a totally different beast.  These two species are the largest of the peacocks and can attain weights of 25 lbs.   They are some of the most aggressive gamefish on the planet.   They can wander in schools of up to 40 fish and feed together working bait like jacks or bluefish.  The Arowana looks and acts a lot like a tarpon.  They average 6 lbs to 10 lbs, have huge scales, and due to their hard mouths are hard to hook and land.  Pacu, also known as the silver dollar, are a fun fish.  They can reach weights of 10 lbs. They are shaped like permit and can be taken on trout patterns.  Pirarucu, the giant tarpon of the Amazon, reach weights well in excess of 200 lbs.  These fish look and act a lot like tarpon, but are so smart that at the lodge they have not landed more than a handful of them.  It is tough to describe the excitement of seeing them and trying to manage a cast to one.

Royal Amazon Lodge Guide Staff and Fishing Program:
The Brazilian guide staff takes anglers up and down the 77 miles of private water in 18 ft John boats powered by 40 horse Yamaha's with attached jet units.  The boats are equipped with casting platforms on the front and middle areas as well as a poling a platform for the guide.  Each morning you will depart the lodge for your specified beat of the river.  During the lunch break the guides will be happy to hang soft cotton hammocks under trees for you to rest in.  It is a nice way to rest in the hottest part of the day.  Your fishing will not suffer as the mid-day heat generally makes the fish spooky and unreceptive however if you want to fish through the day without a break, just ask your guide.  Typically anglers will fish until 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. and then return to the lodge for a swim, drinks and dinner.  Optional night time activities such as boat based game viewing and spear fishing or conventional fishing for giant red tailed catfish are available at an additional cost.  
 
 
Royal Amazon Lodge Accommodation:
The Royal Amazon Lodge is located in one of the Amazon Rainforest's last remaining tracts of uncut and uninhabited rainforest.  The lodge provides fishermen with a level of comfort, friendly service, and sense of privacy in the rainforest that will at make anyone feel at home.  Of course, one look out the window at Rex, the 18-foot black caiman waiting on the white sand beach in front of camp, and you will know immediately that you are someplace far from home.  Guests stay in private air-conditioned bungalows with two queen sized beds, a sitting area, private bathroom with oversized sunflower shower heads and a porch overlooking the Agua Boa River.  The lodge itself features a swimming pool, entertainment room, dining room, outdoor eating area, bar, and satellite phone.

Royal Amazon Lodge Water:
Each room has a refrigerator well stocked with bottled water, soda and beer.  The filtered tap water is fine for showering and tooth brushing but we recommend that that clients stick to the bottle water for drinking.

Royal Amazon Lodge Climate:
Temperatures range from the mid 80's to the mid 90's. Humidity varies and can be high especially after rain showers which can and do occur throughout the season.  Insects are not a big issue and repellent is not often needed but white socks can be annoying during the last 45 minutes of light in the evening around the pool.
 
Royal Amazon Lodge Clothing:
Long sleeved, collard quick dry and cotton shirts as well as quick dry shorts and pants, sun-gloves, wide brimmed hat with ear protection, lightweight rain gear and a swimsuit.  We recommend bringing several pairs of socks along as they are great to wear when fishing from the boat as you can tell when you are stepping on your line and you are getting some protection from the sun.  Flat boots or wading sandals are also recommended for wade fishing and the hikes from the main river to isolated jungle lakes.
 
Royal Amazon Lodge Currency:
US dollars are all that is needed but no checks or credit cards are accepted.
 
Royal Amazon Lodge Gratuities:
We suggest a tip of $300-$500 per person per week.  This is left to the discretion of the angler, and is only a rough guideline for planning purposes.  The lodge manager will collect the tips at the end of the week and distribute them to the entire staff appropriately. 
 
Royal Amazon Power and Communications:
The rooms have 110 outlets and the lodge has 220 outlets.  The lodge also has a satellite phone (outgoing calls only) that will be charged at a rate of $4 per minute.

Royal Amazon Lodge Travel:
To get to the Royal Amazon Lodge you will need to make travel arrangements to and from Manaus, Brazil.  The lodge week runs from Saturday to Saturday.  You should plan on flying to Miami, Fl on Friday and then taking the 8:50 p.m. flight to Manaus that will have you arriving very early Saturday morning.  Please ensure that you arrive Miami at least three hours before you 8:50 p.m. flight.  You will be met outside of customs by a member of the Royal Amazon team who will help you catch your charter flight to the lodge.  The following Saturday you will take a charter flight back to Manaus and stay at the Tropical Hotel (arranged by the outfitter but not included in the price of the trip).  You should plan on departing Manaus on Sunday at noon. Your flights home should be scheduled for 8:00 p.m. or later.
 
Please Note:  We highly recommend that all anglers call Christine at Tweedsmuir Travel (800-515-8998 or 250-799-5638) to make their travel arrangements.  Please mention that you will be heading to the Agua Boa with Sweetwater Travel and Fly Water Travel.
 
Royal Amazon Lodge Documentation:
You must have a valid Visa to enter Brazil. 
 
We recommend that you use G3 Visas for this process.  To apply simply go to www.g3visas.com and follow the instructions.  If you have any questions during this process please call G3 directly at 888-883-8472.

Note:  You must enter Brazil within 90 days of the issue date on your visa so please
 
Inoculations:
While there are no mandatory inoculations for the trip it is always a good idea to be current with tetanus and hepatitis.  While some anglers opt for anti-malarial meds, Jeff Vermillion, who co-owns the camp and spends more than two months there annually, does not get any shots before departure.  For a conservative opinion please check out www.cdc.gov.  Note: malaria has not been an issue in this specific region of Brazil.

Included:
Lodging at the Royal Amazon, optional houseboat, beer, wine, and in-country transfers.

Not Included:
Gratuities, international airfare, Brazilian visa, satellite telephone calls, flies, liquor, or airport taxes.

This information is deemed reliable but has not been verified by Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters.