I am an angler. I’ve traveled near and far to find fish that live in wild places. Golden Trout, Giant Trevally, Sailfish, Musky, Permit, Peacock Bass, Arctic Grayling, Smallmouth, Pike, Giant Catfish, and all kinds of things in between. I live to find what lurks below. On the fly, spin gear, bait-casting, trolling, hand line - if there is water, let’s fish it. My hope is to share some of the stories and insights gained from pursuing a passion. My goal is to write about every fishing trip from November of 2021 on.
Email me @ buffaloroamer@yahoo.com to join the list for future fishing trips
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.
Great day. Fished with Pete today. Interesting guy. Retired layer who loves to fish.
Morning got off to a good start as I hooked into a nice 4-5lb peacock in an eddy off of some rocks.
Later in the afternoon I had two awesome battles on the 10wt. First was a sick eat from an 11lb peacock. Thing is STRONG. Ate the fly fight next to the boat, and immediately ran directly under the boat.
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.
I fought the thing another 15 minutes or so until we finally surfaced the beast and got him to shore. Monster! Easily 150lb plus. It took 3 of us full grown men to lift it up for a picture.
64 inches long.
I wish I would have measured it’s girth. Massive.
After a photo the fish was back in the water and swam away with what looked like full health and strength.
Epic.
The rest of the afternoon I caught more peacock including a 12lber. Finished the day with 12 peacock, 1 giant Piraiba catfish and a 13lb wolfish.
It’s been a rough spring, as far as fishing weather goes.
Some die-hards would say there is no bad weather. That fish have to eat. I’ve been that guy. But around here, when rivers rise drastically fish can turn off the chew. Lots of rain and wind can make it tough.
Regardless, I had had enough, so my buddy Matt and I planned to get out no matter the forecast.
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What a trip. One month ago today I was deep in the jungle of Northern Brazil.