Day 7 - Our Last Day of Fly Fishing in Brazil

February 15, 2013

The sun was gone and I was feeling like crap again to start the day.  This trip has been a physical challenge.  Nonetheless, fishing has been excellent and everyone is having a great time.  And it should be noted that everyone has caught a peacock of 10lbs or better.

Today I fished with Tim Brune.  Tim is a fellow Victor Idahoan and longtime pal.  We’ve been hanging out and planning this trip for months so it’s great we got to fish.  Like everyone’s, Tim’s hands are falling apart.  We all have line burns from the shear power of retreating peacocks.  I tell you, their power is far beyond “impressive”.  Tim wisely has his hands taped up.

Our cloudy day turned on us.  By the time we made our first fishing stop a light rain began.  We fished without our raingear but that would be the one and only.  By the time we reached our next spot rain went from light to moderate to eventually heavy. 

Fishing was fantastic.  Hymundo was our guide and has already proven this week, he hunts the big boys.  Although we were catching nearly all colorful butterflies, they were above average in size.  There’s no doubt that before noon Tim and I racked up at least fifty fish and ten were larger than 6lbs.

When the rain was at its absolute heaviest Tim hooked into a beast.  We were certain he had a big temensis.  The line ripped off a piece of the tape around his trigger finger then crackled off his reel.  There was no stopping the fish.  In an attempt to help, Hymundo started the motor and reversed the boat from a nearby log.  Had Tim’s fish turned to the right he’d of been safely into the trees.  But like peacocks often do, this one expended himself just inches before reaching his sanctuary and Tim brought him to the boat. 

This humongous butterfly would be the biggest of the year from the upper Xeriuni River.  Butterflies rarely grow larger than 8lbs but this one tipped the Boga Grip to an exact 10lbs.  As we admired Tim’s catch it was raining almost as hard as last night.  It was a risky endeavor to take out my camera for this photo – but a 10lb butterfly – it’s worth the risk.

At 5 PM Tim and I reeled it in.  It was the end of my fourth trip to the Brazilian Amazon.  All have been incredible adventures.  We celebrated our week with many beers and some excellent Portuguese wine.  Tomorrow we begin the long journey home.

Blog writing and blog photography wise this trip has been a challenge due to the rain and being dragged down by whatever plague that has struck me.  As always, once I have a day at home I’ll edit some pics and post more.  There were many great fish and fun moments that were not posted.  Be patient however because the minute I get home I pack and head for CA for ten day speaking tour in Fresno, Pleasanton and North San Francisco.

Jeff Currier Global Fly Fishing