We awoke to another overcast day. Everyone was hopeful last night that the sky would open up and the rain would come and bring some relief to the dangerously low river. The peacock bass wait until the water is high to feed and spawn. When the water is high and flood the forest on the banks, the falling fruit feeds the fish. The happy fish then spawn, and when the water recedes, the fisherman come for the catch while the bass are still in the area.
The water level is very low, and the El Nino, does not portend a wet year. The rain storm of the night before that chased us off the river while we were fishing, lasted less than 20 minutes and was very localized. Our guides felt bad that we had not caught any fish, so this morning we are going out again, not only to fish, but to see the flooded forest area where the bass like to spawn when the water is high.
Alcides changes tactics today, hoping we will catch rainbow bass. He attaches lures to three poles, and Russ, Archie and I are given the poles with instructions. Archie doesn't really need to be instructed but Russ and I do. We will not be casting out and reeling in, but trolling at a first fast pace with the lures 20-30 metes trailing behind the boat.
We troll for 10 minutes, and I am the first one to get a hit. I reel it in and have caught a large piranha.
Russ is the next one to catch a piranha.
Alcides decides the lure that Archie is using is not attracting hits, so he and I trade poles, and Alcides attaches a different lure for me. Soon Archie gets a hit, and he too has caught a piranha.
Tres piranhas. Yeah! I thought we were fishing for bass today? Luis says that that we will be having piranha soup for lunch. Doesn't sound good to me, but Arch is ready for the soup.
Russ is the next one to catch a piranha.
Alcides decides the lure that Archie is using is not attracting hits, so he and I trade poles, and Alcides attaches a different lure for me. Soon Archie gets a hit, and he too has caught a piranha.
Tres piranhas. Yeah! I thought we were fishing for bass today? Luis says that that we will be having piranha soup for lunch. Doesn't sound good to me, but Arch is ready for the soup.
We each take pictures with our fish and are happy not to be in the jaws of these vicious little fish. Piranhas are caught and eaten. Most of the bass that are caught are catch and release. It would have been fun to catch a bass, but we are not disappointed with our fishing experience. We proceed to the spawning ground where the trees are still in the middle of the lake When the water is high only the green leaves are above the water and the trunks are not visible. Now, the trunks are visible. Some straight, some angled.
The quiet water provides us with great opportunities for reflective photography and glimpses of wildlife. Too soon it is time to turn around to the lodge and to get the piranha cooking. Our friends from the bar barge wave to us as we pass by.
When we return, Alcides cleans and prepares the fish for cooking. He saves and cleans the teeth for us as souveniers. Maysa is napping in a hammock.
Marta takes over to make the soup. Fortunately for me, this is only a side dish to the lunch she has already started for us.
When we return, Alcides cleans and prepares the fish for cooking. He saves and cleans the teeth for us as souveniers. Maysa is napping in a hammock.
Marta takes over to make the soup. Fortunately for me, this is only a side dish to the lunch she has already started for us.
There are two other men at the lodge with another guide for a day trip to the river for fishing. They have great photos of a bass they caught and released. Thank goodness there are digital cameras to support the fish stories. While we wait for lunch, we get our bags packed, drink beer, and relax. As we have now grown to expect, Marta has prepared yet another wonderful lunch.
I try a bit of the piranha. It's not fishy but very dry, almost like a sword fish, and it is very boney. Russ and Archie seem to be enjoying the big chunks they have served themselves. I am content with the braised beef, potatoes, and spaghetti.
I try a bit of the piranha. It's not fishy but very dry, almost like a sword fish, and it is very boney. Russ and Archie seem to be enjoying the big chunks they have served themselves. I am content with the braised beef, potatoes, and spaghetti.
By 2:00 pm we say our goodbyes to Marta and Maysa (Myeeza),
climb in the boat and head up river from where we started. We arrive back at the market where Luis has parked the car at 3:30, give our thanks to Alcides for his hospitality and terrific river and fish guidance, and head home. It will be another couple of hours before we arrive in Manaus. Our jungle lodge experience has been terrific.
climb in the boat and head up river from where we started. We arrive back at the market where Luis has parked the car at 3:30, give our thanks to Alcides for his hospitality and terrific river and fish guidance, and head home. It will be another couple of hours before we arrive in Manaus. Our jungle lodge experience has been terrific.
Tomorrow, we will be boarding another boat to head out to where the waters of Amazon and the Rio Negro meet. The time has gone by so fast, it is hard to believe that we will now be leaving Brasil in a few days for the next leg of our trip. Archie will be heading back to California.
All is Well with the Worrall Travel R's in Amazonia.
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