Luxury Afloat
	NEWS . . .

Not only is the Amazon Castaway the perfect home base for your rainforest experience, but our unmatched staff will strive to make your vacation an enjoyable and memorable one.

• Our on-board manager, also an experienced and trained naturalist, will help you plan your day's fishing or exploring, act as a translator, give fishing tips/instructions, serve as host and "cruise director", and otherwise try his level best to ensure your trip is a safe, successful and unforgettable one.
• The Captain and marine crew, all of whom have several years experience aboard this vessel in the Amazon region, will safely navigate your "home away from home" to the best fishing grounds available regardless of the time of year, often covering several hundred miles in search of optimal fishing during your week's stay aboard.  You may even visit the Captain on the bridge while the boat is underway and take a turn at the wheel if you like (closely supervised, of course).
• The chef, with his kitchen and service staff, will work to create exciting, delicious and visually appealing meals and appetizers of exotic international and regional cuisine, especially tailored for the American palate.  Your table fare will include tropical fruits (some of the almost 300 fruits native to the Amazon), fresh baked breads, exotic Amazon fish (such as the fruit eating Tambaqui and the prehistoric relic -ancient, but delicious - Pirarucu), tender and delicious cuts of excellent Brazilian beef, and delicious regional and international desserts tempting even to dieters.

• Rick Schair with Peacock in the Amazon

  The native guide staff will amaze you with their abilities and service on a daily basis.  These guys not only know how to find fish, but will do whatever it takes to make your experience as comfortable and effortless as possible.  They will rig your gear, net your fish, help you handle it for photos, release your fish safely, untangle "bird's nests" in your reel, climb trees to retrieve snagged lures, and even dive in the water to retrieve your fish, a plug or dropped piece of gear.  Their knowledge of the region is unmatched, many having begun to learn the rivers and lagoons paddling dug out canoes soon after they could walk.  For the people who live on its banks, the river is life and our guides have an intimate knowledge and relationship with it.

This hand picked team is second to none in the Amazon and they work together (more like a big family as several guests have noted) to make every trip the best it can be. You will be infected by their characteristically Brazilian friendliness and happy upbeat outlook on life (The Brazilian staff have said that even the expatriate American on-board manager is now more Brazilian than he is American.) and leave the Amazon Castaway wanting to return for more, the sooner the better.

Fishing Boats Designed to Tame the Amazon

New Tracker Boats Lunch Time on the Amazon

Castaway anglers will enjoy 2001 model Tracker Pro Team 175 bass boats from which to fish.  Designed for fly fishermen, they feature a large clear deck with front and rear casting platforms that are equally suitable for bait casters.  These 17-1/2 foot all welded aluminum hulls have a "Revolution Hull" design that makes for a smooth ride and a stable fishing platform, as well as the durability to tackle the often dense jungle growth encountered getting to those "secret lagoons".  Equipped with comfortable three-across seating and removable front and rear fishing chairs, the Trackers have many amenities to make your fishing safe, pleasant and comfortable.  Storage lockers are many and well designed.  Lowrance electronics, electric trolling motors, dual batteries, and quiet, clean Mercury 50 HP four-stroke outboards round out these

well equipped fishing boats.  Each boat is supplied with life jackets, first aid kits, hand-held spot lights, two-way radios, emergency flares, large capture nets, scales and basic tool kits for your convenience and safety.  These boats also make for excellent platforms for bird/animal watching, or photography, and their quiet four stroke motors allow you to get closer to wildlife without "spooking" them.  Each day your guide will fill an ice chest with an assortment of beverages, fruits and gourmet sandwiches, so that you can fish all day without returning to the "mother ship", if you desire.

Tucunaré Tops the List

Tucunaré (too-coon-a-ray), as Peacock Bass are locally known, is only one of a long list of species which you can catch in the Amazon Basin.  The tucunaré is known as Brazil's freshwater ambassador, because it's fierce top water strikes and tackle busting power has attracted adventurous fishermen from all over the world.  Reaching sizes over three feet long and upwards of 25 pounds, the beautiful Peacock Bass makes for a formidable adversary.  They regularly break 30-lb mono and super braids of 50-lb and greater strength, in addition to destroying lures, straightening hooks and split rings, even breaking rods and exploding reels.  Many consider it to be the ultimate fresh water sport fish.  The tucunaré (Peacock Bass) is not really a bass, as the English name implies, but a cichlid.  In the Amazon region, local scientists have identified a total of 14 different species of tucunaré.  A more commonly known cichlid is the aquarium fish, Oscar, which like the Peacock is known for its aggressive behavior.

However, tucunaré are far from the only sport fish which you will be able to catch.  The Amazon is home to over 2000 species of fish (some scientists say closer to 3000) many of which are not yet catalogued.  About a third of these are Amazon catfish, which merited the number one rating in In-Fisherman magazine's survey of the world's toughest freshwater sports fish.  Amazon catfish include the giant Piraibas, beautiful Pirararas (Red Tailed Catfish), large migratory Jaús and top water lure striking Surabims (spotted, striped and tiger varieties).  (Learn more about these here.) 

In addition to catfish, you will have the opportunity to catch piranhas, a variety of other cichlids (peacock bass cousins), aruanas (another prehistoric hold out), traira (like walleye with teeth and an attitude), cachorras (Brazilian name for the fanged Payara) and many other species.  Some anglers in the 2000/2001 season caught upwards of 15 different species in a single day of fishing.  In order to increase the enjoyment and success of your dream fishing trip, we will provide you will a tackle list optimized for conquering the Peacock Bass and other Amazon exotics.

Perhaps some in your party came along for the amazingAmazon eco tour.

Available Dates

At present we are accepting reservations for Peacock Bass Fishing on the Amazon as well as Ecotourism for the period beginning October 1, 2001 through March 31, 2002 Call Check For Open Dates.

Remember, there are only 16 spaces available per week. Weeks are booked Sat to Sun, so do not wait. There is no upcharge for a single. Call now to make your reservations. 1-541-687-6685 or email exotictrek1@yahoo.com.

Payments and Rates

The price for the 7 night/5 full days of fishing and the 1 day in Manaus at the fabulous Tropical Hotel is $3,500.00.  This price is all inclusive with the exception of boat tips and airfare.  A deposit of $1,500.00 is required to hold a space with the balance due 60 days prior to departure.

You may book your trip alone or as a group. All accommodations are double occupancy.

Package includes:

Airport transfers in Manaus
Accommodations on the Amazon Castaway
Meals and beverages on ship
Guided fishing for peacock bass (two anglers per boat)
Beer and soft drinks while fishing
Last night's accommodations in Manaus hotel (double occupancy)

NOT INCLUDED: Visa fees, meals in Manaus, airport departure tax, fishing tackle, tips, gifts or items of a personal nature.

Most Modern Live-Aboard Vessel on the Amazon - Amazon Castaway!