It took a long time to get here, and a fair amount of planning and resources, but now that I’m here….so awesome.

Woke up early. First one up. Later I learned that my clock was an hour fast. I was up at 4:30am rather than 5:30. No problem - couple cups of coffee by the river while I waited for others to get up.

Tough day on the water today. Phil and I went up river from camp. Not much luck. I picked up one 3lb peacock and two nice bicuda. Phil…..only piranha.

The main events of the day were both in the evening.

As I lay in bed and write, the familiar sound of a heavy downpour on my tents rainfly greets me. It’s an oddly comforting sound. Knowing the rain is falling but I am safe and dry in my tent.

Great day today. I fished with Tom Drendel, whose family settled/ started Naperville, IL.

We fished for peacocks all morning with no luck. Just as I was starting to get down I hooked into my 1st ever and 1st of the trip peacock bass. The 4lber hit right behind the back side of a rock, in an eddy.

Wild to think I've been in the jungle for five days now. Trip is winding down and I have a few goals I would still like to accomplish.

For whatever reason I’ve told myself I want these fish on the fly...why? I love to fish tackle.

Let’s do it. Last two days, tackle only.

Tough fishing day. In the first hour I hooked and lost 3 nice fish. Was kicking myself. After that….nothing.

Started off tossing the whopper plopper on a small baitcaster. Based off my Boundary Waters and Illinois fishing, I had confidence in the plopper and was rewarded right away with an 11lb peacock exploding on the top water. First thing. My biggest peacock of the trip.