Peacock Bass Association

www.peacockbassassociation.com Executive Director: Larry Larsen Contact Us!

The World of Peacock Bass
July 2008
Official Newsletter/eZine of the Peacock Bass Association
www.peacockbassassociation.com
© Larry Larsen, Executive Director

In This Issue:   

1. Pasimoni Swan Song?
2. Brazil Approval for Amazon Visitors
3. Special Weeks/Airfares on Amazon Santana
4. TAM Offers Electronic Tickets & More
5. Peacock Exploratories for Hardy Souls
6. New Lure Offerings from Hook-M-Up
7. Special Pricing on Mothership Operation
8. $100.00 Mexico Bass Savings
9. We Get Mail (Amazon Blackwater Explorer Modifications, Five Bar Peacock in Florida, Venezuela Catch-and-Release Interest)
10. CLUB CONCIERGE
11. Member Comment/Reprint Policies

Brazil Approval for Amazon Visitors? -  Editor's Note: Believing that they might find it of interest, I forwarded the following news item link to most Supporting Members a couple of months ago. "Subject: Brazil wants approval for all foreigners heading to Amazon ".  PBA long time Supporting Member Kdu Magalhaes responded to it with the following email.

"Dear Larry and PBA friends, You (may not) have (an) idea, of the problems that foreign non-governmental organizations (simulating to help Indians and save the rain forest) are actually causing to us Brazilians concerned with the Amazon Area. I do not think that fishermen like you and PBA members will be affected by this. We know very well who the troublemakers are. And do not forget that this proposal of law needs to be approved by the two houses that are very sensitive to local interests. I need not to say that a general law like the one proposed would finish tourism in the Amazon. The NGO and the missionaries are completely out control and (Brazil) needs to put an end on it. Some months ago, a friend tried to go fishing near the Brazil/Peru border and was not allowed to, even when he showed his Ibama license, because some German Priests said so. Last year, a client of mine asked me to guide him on the Xingu River in a Kalapalo Indian Reserve. I told him that the area was off limits to non-Indians. One month later, he went there after paying an American NGO $5,000 to spend one week fishing with the Indians. This is totally against the Brazilian law. We are deeply worried (that) some missionaries would infiltrate the Indians tribes under of the excuse of helping them, and would then try to create a new Kosovo in Brazil. (We know of evidence) about a conspiracy (in place) with the Yanomani Indians in the border area between Brazil, Venezuela and Peru. We are very afraid the same thing will happen, if the Brazilian government approves the new Raposa Dourada Reservation, a continuous land that when added to the other Indian reserves in the Amapa State would make the areas larger than the country of Belgium! Take care my friend, and do not worry. I am sure we will keep fishing together next year."  Kdu Magalhaes, Sportfishing in Brazil.

Special Weeks/Airfares On Amazon Santana - Several weeks aboard the luxury yacht operation offer special pricing, according to PBA Supporting Member and Wet-A-Line Tours President Amelia Schair. They include "special weeks" of September 5-14, October 31-November 9, and January 16-25 and February 6-15 in 2009. "We have secured some amazing new fishing areas in the Madeira River for our early season (September through mid-October)," she says. "The areas haven't been fished for several years." Other developments: This year's guests will be fishing brand new Daiwa rods and reels, and after many years of hard work and dedication, Careca has been promoted to Head Guide. Also, after much work, Wet-A-Line has revised their international airfare program with TAM Airlines. Customers will now receive extra $ savings in addition to the already deeply discounted group airfare from Miami to Manaus. For more information, contact Amelia at 1-888-295-HOOK (4665) or e-mail her at info@wetaline.com.

TAM Offers Electronic Tickets & More - "Larry, We are now able to ticket TAM electronically in our Amadeus Electronic Ticketing system. Customers benefit from the flexibility and convenience of traveling on TAM without a paper ticket. Due to fuel increases, TAM also increased their fuel surcharge for all fares originating in USA and Canada to Brazil by USD 31.00. Most importantly TAM also restructured their Bulk Fares in coach and business class on June 23 by raising them and only allowing the lower fares during the following dates: 11 Jan through 26 Jun, or 5 Aug through 9 Dec., on the first international sector. Group discounts if requested early enough may still receive the bulk discount only during the permitted dates. Group discounts will not be given during between June 27 and August 4 and again from 10 December to 10 January. So fishing tour airfare will be high from 10 December through 10 January. The fares had to change because of the price of fuel, and it should be noted that they have not had a price increase in the past 2 years. There is also talk of a larger aircraft being added in the Miami – Manaus market, so this would help during the busy times. As always, book early and save." Kevin Martin, Martin Travel Services, www.flightstobrazil.net

Peacock Exploratories For Hardy Souls - If you're looking to test new waters for peacock bass and maybe payara, FishQuest will be running several exploratory-level trips in Brazil and Colombia, according to Managing Director Scott Swanson. "All of the rivers have already proved to hold trophy-class peacocks," he explains. "In Brazil, rising fuel costs have limited the range of floatplane and charter flight operations. So, next season we'll be leaving the crowds behind to access a few of River Plate Angler's most remote big-bass fisheries via less-than-conventional means. We'll use commercial flights and boat transfers to these northern Rio Negro fisheries, then fish with local community people and have a mobile tent camp that follows us downstream." Scott acknowledges that these "rice-and-beans" trips are definitely not for everyone, and that river access fees mean there's no big price break for roughing it. Cost is $3,950 plus airfare to Manaus. In Colombia, FishQuest is planning exploratory trips on the Bita River, which was among the first trophy peacock waters fished by Americans back in the 1970s and '80s. "In addition to pavon ranging up to 20 pounds, we'll go after two world-class sportfish: payara and sardinata," says Scott. "Fishing is from 16-foot aluminum runabouts and 14-foot Carolina skiffs. The comfortable river lodge has 2-room cabins accommodating up to eight anglers. While we will be working with established Colombian outfitters who assure us that security risks have abated in recent years, these exploratory trips are not for timid souls." The Colombia trips are scheduled for late January and early February, subject to water conditions and other operational factors and cost is $2,995, plus airfare to Bogota. PBA members should call Scott at (888) 891-3474 for information on dates and availability.

New Lure Offerings from Hook-M-Up - PBA Supporting Member Heidi Stock of Hook-M-Up has announced that their company now has available a complete inventory of all three models of the new Caribe Pavon Props. Made from soft "peacock pine" wood, they are stronger and lighter than other wood baits, and don't soak up much water or split easily, according to Heidi. "They sit positioned high in the water (10-15 degrees ) with the back more than half out off the water," she says. "The line tie eye is also above the water line, and the 304 Stainless Steel props are completely submerged. These lures can be 'speed ripped' with little retrieve effort, in the very fast rip-crank, rip-crank, cadence. With a 6 1/2 foot, fast action, medium heavy rod, one can practically spool a Curado." A hard but not brittle, two part polymer coating is featured on the Pavon Props plugs made by Supporting Member Charlie Hammontree, and they are offered in 7 colors. All models have 4X VMC Hooks and heavy ( #5 & #6 ) split rings. Both 4.25" and 6.00" lures have 2 treble hooks, while the 7.00' has 3 trebles. Lure weights are 3/4 oz. for the 4.25", 1 oz. for the 6.00", & 1.5 oz. for the 7.00". For more information, contact Heidi at www.hookmupworldwide.com.

Special Pricing on Mothership Operation - PBA received news of special pricing on the one-year old Amazon Black Water Explorer from two of PBA's Supporting Members, Bruce Comrie of Amazon Peacock Adventure and Dave Caywood of Amazon Angling. Each of the agents have heavily discounted prices for the week of October 8 through 17 when they will be fishing on the Igapo Acu Region in the Southern Madeira Basin Fishery. "The area we will be fishing has not been accessed for past two years, so numbers and size should be fantastic," says Bruce.  Dave also has a special for the week of December 5-14 aboard the Amazon Blackwater Explorer and both of his specials are only available through July 15. For specific booking information and the discount pricing with each agent, you'll need to contact both. Call Bruce Comrie of Amazon Peacock Adventure at (904) 491-8185 or email him at brcomrie@hotmail.com. Call Dave Caywood of Amazon Angling at (800) 521-0072 or email him at info@amazonangling.com.

$100.00 Mexico Bass Savings - PBA Supporting Member David Fields is offering clients a $100 Off Coupon for use in booking his Trophy Bass Lodge in Mexico. "Those booking a trip to our lodge on Lake Huites save a cool $100 bucks," he says. "It's easy. Simply book and confirm your trip with me to Trophy Bass Lodge. Pay by credit card and I'll deduct $100 bucks from the total charge. Or, send me a check for your payment in full and for $100 bucks less than the invoiced amount. You must submit this coupon to receive the $100 bucks off. Limit one per angler per individual booking. The offer expires 12/31/08 and you must use it by then." To get the coupon or for more information, call David Fields toll free at (877) 755-4950 or email him at david@fishinexpeditions.com.

We Get Mail

Here are some of the short emails and news releases we have received with topics that might be of interest to all members. I always encourage PBA Members to email brief comments or news to us.

Amazon Blackwater Explorer Modifications - "Hi Larry, Now in its second year, this handmade work of maritime art is back and better than ever. The upper deck has been reworked with a bar, canopy, better chairs, tables and a bartender to make the daily sunset cruise all the more enjoyable. The Amazon Blackwater Explorer will offer trips from October through March 2009. Guests depart Miami every Wednesday and return to Miami the following Friday. I will be personally hosting the 9-day itinerary, 6+ fishing day trips on the yacht during the weeks of October 8-17, December 5-14, and January 28– February 6, 2009. Pricing varies (see related article above). PBA members can contact me at (800) 521-0072 for more details." Dave Caywood, Amazon Angling.com

Five Bar Peacock in Florida - "Hi Larry, here is an interesting looking 5 bar peacock bass that was caught on April 19, 2008 in the C-100 Canal. My client caught this butterfly peacock bass on a # 1  Daiichi Bleeding Bait hook with a small shiner. I have found that much of my client's success is due to the Bleeding Bait hook. I believe the color of the hook helps to attract the fish. This peacock bass was released for the next angler to Catch." Capt. Frank Carbone, Hawghunter Guide Service

Venezuela Catch-and-Release Interest - "Hello mates, I have been fishing in the Apure state in Venezuela since I was a kid. I'm 19 years old now and I study at the Universidad Metropolitana in Caracas. I would like to congratulate you for your association and the wonderful web pages that you guys have created. (They are) very useful to all the peacock bass fishing lovers here in Venezuela and around the world. To get to the point, a group of students at my university have been doing research about the peacock in the National Park Cinaruco-Capanaparo, and combined with some personal experiences and comparisons from earlier fishing, the situation has turned very depressing. Each year in the Cinaruco River, El Canio la Pica and other common places, the population of this species of cichla had been decreasing to a point where you may only catch a couple of small peacock in a day. Ten years ago, you could get more than 40 fish averaging 6 or 7 pounds each. The problem has resulted from many inexperienced people visiting the fragile ecosystems on January, Carnival and Easter, who just get from the river as much as they can. They kill all the fish without practicing the healthy gamefish releasing after landing them. This problem has gotten bad, and considering you guys as an ally that supports 'catch and release', we would very much appreciate any help that you could give us. We don't want to stop the angling tourism, but we want to educate all the inexperienced anglers to make them throw the fish back. This will eventually make the peacock population get back to normal and reestablish the balance on this ecosystem. We are developing some stylized stickers for the 4x4 vehicles that usually travel there, and we are thinking about putting some large posters in three strategic places on the way to these rivers (which is just one way) so the tourists could see an alarming information about the problem to stop this from happening or eventually to stop the extinction of the peacock on this beautiful natural places. We need all the scientific information that we can get and would appreciate any advice, data or information about the life, reproduction, maturity, diet and anything information that you could give us. Also, we would like to ask for permission to use the information that is already displayed on the PBA webpages, of course (with proper credits) to the Peacock Bass Association. The members of this research team formed this social school project because of our passion for fishing and we would like to take actions to solve this problem. Thanks for you time,"  Miguel P. 

"Hi Miguel, We at PBA do stress Catch and Release fishing. I am happy to give you permission to use what is on our website www.peacockbassassociation.com with the credit to Peacock Bass Association. That information is pretty much all we have on the biology and life of the peacock. Our forum is only open to paid members to post and reply to messages, but I will put part of your email in our next newsletter/eZine to members so they see your desire to promote catch and release. Fewer Americans now visit Venezuela due to the political climate, and I wish you luck in establishing the 'catch and release' philosophy there and in getting your fisheries back to good status." Larry