Para, Brazil 2026

I am elated to announce dates for our upcoming Amazonian trip to target HUGE freshwater predators in one of the very last truly wild places on earth.

September 2026

Adventure into the Amazon Jungle with me in 2026! I have teamed up with Angling Frontiers and the Amazon Eden Lodge to assemble an 8 night, (6 days of fishing), expedition on the Rio Dos Sonhos in the state of Para, Brazil. This tributary of the Xingu River drainage has been closed to human presence and designated as a conservation unit for quite some time however, our partners recently obtained exclusive permitting for sport fishing – which means a healthy fishery loaded with voracious predators who never see pressure! This two hour flight into the heart of the jungle is designed to target Surubi (Tiger Striped Catfish), Trairao (Giant Wolf Fish), Peacock Bass, Pacu, Payara (Chachorra), Tucunare (Xingu Peacock Bass), and Matrinxa. 5-star lodging and dining is included, along with a hotel stay in Manaus on each side of the trip.

Where We’re Headed

We will be departing Miami and flying into Manaus (MAO) – a historic “boom town” of the region, touting a population of about 2.7 million people and a vast array of cultural implications. Dining in the region offers local dishes like Pirarucu fish and there are plenty of sights to take in. From Manaus, we will be flying to a private landing strip of the Amazon Eden Lodge. There we will be staying in a “tree house” style, newly constructed building with large mezzanine hoisted, outdoor walkways between structures. The lodge is placed directly on the river with fishing opportunities directly outside your window. Wildlife is abundant in the region and it’s very likely we’ll see much of it in the trees and open spaces surrounding the venue.

Time Zone

Altamira (PA) Time Zone (GMT-3). Brasilia Official Time. 

Climate

The climate of the region is typical of equatorial zones, with high temperatures and high humidity throughout the year. The rainy season extends from December to April, with heavy rains that ensure the river’s high water volume. During this period, the rains may be heavy, which causes the water level to rise, and consequently, flood the areas along the rivers margin. During the rest of the year, the rainfall is less intense, but there are still frequent episodes of precipitation. Normally by May, the heavy rains have ceased making the water levels drop, and the water clarity improves, making it more suitable for sight cast fly fishing.

Conservation Area

The Xingu River Basin, in the State of Para, Brazil. The lodge is in a specific area that is classified as a Conservation Unit, and originally meant for no use whatsoever. This means that our river and the surrounding jungle has been protected from any human activity and even lacks local settlements within its perimeter. Recently, together with our partners, we have been honored to receive the first ever sportfishing operation license given for a territory with this classification. The result is a fishery that has absolutely no human presence, leaving this entire river and the surrounding area only for our guests. This is a truly wild place, a haven where animals roam undisturbed and react as they have never seen a human before. The landscape is breath-taking, having some hills in the surrounding area, very tall primary jungle and a beautiful, rocky, clear running river. The setting is quite special for a legendary fishing adventure!

What We’re Targeting

Surubi (Tiger Striped Catfish)

Sometimes referred to as “Tiger Cats” or “Tigers,” Surubi are the fastest moving aquatic predator in the Amazon and are widespread. Their populations reach as far south as Argentina and Uruguay. Typically ranging in weight between 15-50lbs, these monsters are known for fast paced fishing and aggressive fights. In the headwaters we’ll be fishing, these critters will be easily seen from the shallow banks. Steel leaders and big streamers required! 

Payara (Cachorra)

Imagine a Piranha on steroids. This member of the dogtooth tetra family primarily feeds on smaller fish and regularly consumes prey in quantities up to 50% of its body weight. They can grow to be as heavy as 20lbs! We expect to find these fish in the faster rapids and back-eddy pools. Definitely going to need a steel leader for these devils!

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Trairao (Giant Wolf Fish)

This prehistoric, dinosaur-like predator can get as large as 30-35bls and resembles everything wild and dangerous about the jungle. A truly vicious megalith, the Wolf Fish hunts it’s prey by tucking against large boulders and remaining unwaveringly still until unsuspecting passing-by baitfish can be ambushed. These critters aren’t partial to any one particular food source, they’ll eat anything that moves.

Tucanare (Melaniae Peacock Bass)

This distinctive species of Peacock Bass is unique to the Xingu River Basin and they are particularly partial to structured areas, unless they are hunting in typically shallow or pocket water, where they wait in wooded or boulder-ridden corners to ambush prey. These brutes generally weigh 5-8lbs but can grow as large as 14lbs. True to their reputation, they will eat surface poppers or streamers.

Where We’re Staying

The Lodge

Our magnificently built treehouse-style 5 star lodge will impress even the most travelled destination angler. All the wood comes from beautifully treated local species of hardwoods in the area, and all other top tier building materials have been shipped to the site via water and air. Guests have 4 spacious air-conditioned double rooms furnished with a large cabinet to organize their belongings and each with their own private bathroom. Double beds are very comfortable and all pillows linens and towels, as well as the bathroom materials are high quality. All walkways are illuminated and overlooking the beautiful jungle and the river. The dining and leisure room is quite large and with spacious bathrooms. It is all air-conditioned, with tables and chairs on one side and couches and a large flat screen tv on the other. In front of the dining room, the outside front deck overlooks the home pool that is teeming with fish of various species. You can spot payara, peacocks and other fish easily from the deck while having breakfast!

The Full Experience

As a fly fishing guide and travel enthusiast, my primary focus, when assembling destination angling excursions, is in finding outfitters and experiences that push the boundaries of excitement and offer authentically wild, truly unique adventures like none other. This trip fits that profile profoundly as it is hosted in one of the most remote theaters in the world, and is focused on fishing a premium fishery, featuring virtually untouched, gigantic and predacious fish. 

Our dates are booked for September 6th-13th and we intend on flying out of Miami on Saturday the 5th. We will land in Manaus and the outfitter will meet us at the airport to shuttle our group to the hotel. We’ll enjoy some local dining and stay the night. In the morning, the outfit will pick us up for a shuttle to the airport and we will fly to the lodge. The first day at the lodge will be dedicated to gear set up and instruction. Monday through Saturday we’ll eat breakfast at 05:30 and head out on quads or by boat by 06:00. We’ll fish until 17:30 then, head back to the lodge for dinner. 

Sunday we’ll fly back to the airport in Manaus, stay in the hotel again, and prepare to fly back to Miami on Monday.

What’s Included? 

• 6 full days of guided fishing.
• 5 star lodge accommodations.
• 2 nights in a hotel in Manaus.
• All ground transfers to and from the hotel and airports.
• Private charter flight, roundtrip to the lodge from Manaus (2hrs flight each
• way).
• Professional lodge staff, kitchen staff and highly experienced local guides.
• International Multi-lingual manager and head guide at lodge, available to help
• and/or accompany any guests that require more technical help or specific
• guidance throughout the week.
• All meals, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and bottled water at the lodge.
• Daily laundry service.
• Satellite WIFI internet service.
• Air-conditioning throughout the night.
• Unlimited fuel for boats.

What’s Not Included? 

• International travel to Manaus.
• Extra transportation not associated with the trip logistics.
• Meals and beverages outside of fishing areas.
• Any local territory or park entry fees apart from the package costs. (USD 450 p/angler)
• Any extra hotel nights.
• Tips for staff (Suggested 10-15% of package price)
• Fishing equipment and flies
• Trip insurance and emergency medevac coverage.

Summary

In a nutshell, this trip is a profound opportunity for a very particular reason. Sure, the fishing will be fantastic and the accommodations will touch on the boundaries of what’s considered “luxury,” and the company will be incredible – with a handful of like-minded and good-souled people pursuing this adventure together…

However, what really makes this trip a once-in-a-lifetime experience is a culmination of its truly-wild nature – a theater so remote and untouched it’s very unlikely you will ever experience this type of seclusion again – and the fact that the future of this offering is uncertain. As mentioned already, this area has been a designated conservation region for almost 30 years and it only just opened for guided fishing operations (exclusively to my partners) within the last 2 years. At this time, the impact of industry is being assessed by managing agencies and there is absolutely no certainty that they will continue to rule in favor of our operation there. We are clear to work the 2026 season however, anything beyond that is at the mercy of governing bodies. 

All who know me, know that I believe life is about collecting memories, not materials. As a collector of experiences, this trip is the magnum opus of a lifetime of adventure. It truly has the potential to change the way we perceive wild places on this planet. I’m so absolutely excited for it and I hope you’ll join me. 

Below is a video that describes the trip in a bit more detail. Please enjoy.

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Author’s Note:

Thanks for reading! I hope you’ll consider joining me on the trip you just read about! As an avid sportsman and international destination angling host, I search diligently for theaters and outfitters which offer authentically wild experiences that can’t be matched by conventional, mass volume, corporate travel companies. As I build this business, I will have many more offerings for you to consider but, I can’t do it without you. I appreciate every one of you and I look forward to capturing memories in truly wild places in our coordinated future. When I write about these places, I hope you’ll indulge in the experience with me, and together we can deliver a story for all to enjoy. I’m absolutely stoked to create our next tall tale; meant to entertain the tired mind and best served on a clear evening, with a warm fire and a strong whiskey.

All the photos and content featured in my tall tales are my own, unless expressly cited otherwise, and the unauthorized use or reproduction of them is strictly prohibited. That’s all for now, my friends. If you enjoyed this content and would like to see more like it, I can be found on Instagram by searching “Authentically Wild Out West” and on YouTube by searching the same phrase. Until the next campfire, stay safe out there and look after each other.

All the photos and content featured in my tall tales are my own, unless expressly cited otherwise, and the unauthorized use or reproduction of them is strictly prohibited. That’s all for now, my friends. If you enjoyed this content and would like to see more like it, I can be found on Instagram by searching “Authentically Wild Out West” and on YouTube by searching the same phrase. Until the next campfire, stay safe out there and look after each other.

On another quick note: I’ve launched a new publication on Substack, specifically to showcase my serialized fiction and poetry! 

I hope you’ll join me there! Follow THIS LINK to have a look. 

Gear, Equipment and Organizations I Advocate For:

Come Fish & Hunt in Wyoming With Me!

If you’ve been reading my tall tales and outdoor articles for a while, you have probably recognized that much of my writings revolve around anecdotes. I live these stories, here in one of the last truly wild places on Earth and now as a full-time guide, I’d like to extend an invitation to you: 

Come experience this prestigious place with me. 

You can do this by reaching out to Wyoming Fishing Company and exploring the many options we have available to accommodate your next fishing, waterfowl, upland bird, small game, or predator hunting adventure. We can facilitate small & large groups alike or offer a one-on-one guided experience. Come make some memories this season! I’m already looking forward to adventuring with you.

If you’re coming out to fish or hunt, don’t forget your license and stamp!

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