“Sorry for the delay.  I got home from the Amazon sick as a dog.  Then had computer problems.  Then I went to FL and delivered a weekend of presentations.  Of course I stayed for a little fishing.  FL blogs coming soon”

Man how time flies on these expeditions.  Seems like me, Rodrigo, Joe and Ross were just putting this trip to the Amazon together.  But that was back in February.  Then the planning all year long.  And now its dang near over.  Today was our last day.  Photo by Marcos Hlace Untamed Angling

But its been a dandy.  Our fishing here at Untamed Anglings Xingu Lodge has been outstanding.  Hands down, this is some of the best payara fishing in the Amazon.  And to top that all off, the company has been a pleasure to be with.  Not just my fellow anglers, but the guides and Rodrigo’s staff at the lodge.  We’ve had a ton of fun.  Photo by Marcos Hlace Untamed Angling

I spent the last morning fishing with Rodrigo and guide Ezequiel.  We headed upstream to chase payara to kick things off.  We do this each day because early morning is primetime for payara.  They were eating but neither Rodrigo nor I could connect.  Photo by Marcos Hlace Untamed Angling

We wore out our first spot unsuccessfully and the same at the next two.  The problem was, I was hooking and losing fish like I can’t remember.  I don’t exactly keep count at how many times I miss fish in a row but I’ll guess that it may have been about twelve.  I missed twelve fish in row!

Because the payara were hitting we kept trying different payara spots.  Finally I broke my bad streak and landed a payara.  Rodrigo, who hadn’t been getting many hits at all, at the same time landed the corvina that I have been hoping to catch all week.  Regardless of who caught what, we ended up with a very nice double trouble photo.

I caught another payara and I kid you not, Rodrigo landed another corvina.  What technique was I doing that repelled the corvina?  I caught payara while Ross caught corvina a few days ago and it was happening again.  I can’t tell you how bad I want to catch one of these cool species.  Ezequiel suggested I put on a smaller white fly and strip slow.  It wasn’t by any means automatic, but after about 30 minutes of working hard for a corvina, I got one.  At last!

This corvina (Plagioscion squamosissimus), also known as the South American silver croaker, is the most common and widespread croaker species in the Amazon.  I’m surprised its taken me ten trips to finally get one, but its on the list now and is my fifth new species of the week.  Nothing like a little last day magic.  Whew!  Photo by Marcos Hlace Untamed Angling

After the excellent morning we had one of our usual bigtime lunches then we closed down the trip starting with some catfishing.  I said this the other day when we dunked piranha heads, even though you may be a hardcore fly angler, take an afternoon and check out the crazy catfish of the Amazon.  I kicked us off by handlining in this baby redtail catfish.  I’ve caught some big boys in past years.  They are one of the most beautiful fish in these rivers.

I was fishing with Ross and unfortunately he doesn’t have much catfish luck.  Joe on the other hand, their boat parked right next to us and he hooked up to a good one.  This fish put some torque on a very heavy rod.

It was a strong battle.  This fish stole a lot of line.  Then it attempted to break Joe off in the rocks.  Amazon cats don’t give in easily.  After a fantastic fight, Joe brought a hefty Jau catfish to the boat.

We had to end this payara trip payara fishing.  Around 4:30 we reeled in the bait rods and headed for the payara runs.  It was a gorgeous evening.  There wasn’t an ounce of wind and the clouds dawdled over the jungle.

Things were by no means fast and furious with action like the morning session.  There was no way we weren’t giving it our all however and in our persistence Ross stuck and landed his last payara of the trip.  He actually reeled it in right after releasing this fish and kicked back.

I kept going as the boys rooted me on.  Ezequiel picked up Ross’s rod and joined me.  It was me who came tight next.  It wasn’t the common payara but rather the slender and odd looking machete payara.  Good enough for me.  I reeled it in too and we headed down river to call it a trip.

Its been an absolutely phenomenal adventure.  Everything about this trip has been outstanding – the fishing, the company, the food – everything.  Tomorrow we’ll begin our long journey home.  It will be 72 hours before I walk in the door in Hayward to be exact.  To make the travel extra fun, I’m sick as a dog.  Hopefully I can sleep all the way.

That’s it for Untamed Angling’s amazing Xingu Payara Lodge here in the Amazon of Brazil.  Normally I’d give a travel home report but instead I’m going to be getting ready for a quick turnaround.  On Friday I’ll head to Florida to speak to The Backcountry Fly Fishing Club and then of course I’ll stick around for a couple days of fishing.

No rest for the wicked.

Stay tuned!

If this is a trip you want to do (and you are crazy if you don’t!) you can Contact me, Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures or Untamed Angling.

 For more pics from trips check out my Instagram page @jeffcurrier65

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And be sure to keep track of my upcoming travels at the 2025 fly fishing shows and fishing around the world!

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