The Amazon, an endless network of rivers, streams, and lakes, is one of the most captivating destinations on the planet for sport fishing. Teeming with biodiversity, it offers not only the thrill of trophy catches but a profound connection to the wild heart of the rainforest. Read along as Pedro Hartmann takes us through his story of targeting Cichla Pinima on the fly!
During a conversation with Rubens de Almeida Prado, better known as Rubinho, a legendary figure in Brazilian sport fishing and one of the country’s earliest advocates of fly fishing and catch-and-release, I learned about his long-standing operation on the Acari River. Rubinho, who trained under fly casting icon Mel Krieger in the 1990s, has spent over 30 years navigating and protecting this remote, pristine stretch of the Amazon. The Acari, a 300-kilometer tributary of the Canumã River in the state of Amazonas, winds through flooded forests, hidden lakes, and narrow channels. Rubinho knows every bend, eddy, and pool.
Fishing on the left bank of the Amazon River meant targeting the formidable Cichla pinima, a species of peacock bass that can reach up to 22 pounds and over 30 inches in length. Alongside them, we would also encounter Cichla monoculus, a smaller cousin found throughout much of Brazil, and countless other species that thrive in these fertile waters.
Our expedition would last two weeks aboard the Doutores das Águas, a floating lodge now dedicated to delivering medical aid to underserved Amazonian communities. (You can learn more HERE). The day of departure arrived, and with it came the nerves. We boarded a floatplane, my first time flying in one, and as it lifted into the sky, the immensity of the Amazon unfurled below us: a living, breathing mosaic of greens, broken only by winding rivers and scattered clearings. The closer we got to the forest, the more immense it felt. Towering trees reached up as if to greet us, and a quiet tension filled the cabin. Sweat beaded on my brow as we descended, but the landing on a mirror-still stretch of river was smoother than many I’ve experienced on tarmac.
Awaiting us on the water was the vessel that would be our home. The skiffs were already en route to shuttle us to our new basecamp. For the next 14 days, life would revolve around one thing: chasing the legendary pinima. Much of the fishing took place in tucked-away oxbow lakes, flooded jungle backwaters, and tight, overgrown creeks. Getting there often required muscle, cutting through branches, dragging boats, and bushwhacking into areas untouched by other anglers. We fished with 8- and 9-weight rods, using floating lines for poppers and intermediate lines for Clousers and streamers.
The days blurred together in the best way. The action was nonstop, with double-digit mornings and fish between 7 and 15 pounds being common. We bent hooks, snapped leaders, and lost count of the strikes. And while not every fish made it to the boat, the sheer energy of each encounter kept us coming back for more.
But the Amazon is more than just fish. It’s the golden light of dawn reflecting off the water. It’s the cry of howler monkeys in the trees, the flash of macaws overhead, and the surreal beauty of a world that feels almost untouched by time. The fish are the bonus. Two weeks passed in what felt like hours. And I know this for certain. I’ll be back. Huge thanks to Rubinho, Mauro, and the team at Doutores das Águas for one of the most immersive, awe-inspiring experiences I’ve ever had in the greatest rainforest on Earth.
Angler Story of the Week from Pedro Hartmann, be sure to follow him on Instagram at @pedro_hartmann_fishing
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