Matt: “So, Rodrigo, if I want to catch a real monster, where should I go?”
Rodrigo: “Well, of course I am a little biased here, but our Untamed Angling fishery on the Rio Marié has produced significantly more 20-plus pound plus peacocks on fly than any other destination.”
Matt: “Why do you think Marié produces so many really big fish?”
Rodrigo: “The Rio Marié is one of those rivers perfectly suited to house giant peacock bass, protected from the mouth to the headwaters and lying entirely inside indigenous land – 800 miles of untouched jungle. Its main channel is deep, allowing baitfish to run upstream comfortably, as opposed to the other Rio Negro tributaries that get too shallow in the dry season. The natural features that bring lots of 
food to peacock bass combined with protected waters have created a unique fishery unlike any other in the Amazon. Not surprisingly, this ecosystem produces some of the best, and biggest world record peacock bass numbers in the world.”
Matt: “How should I tackle up for the big fish of the Marié?”
Rodrigo: “Well, over years of peacock bass fishing, I’ve learned that you should be prepared for all situations. For me, that means having three rods rigged and ready: one 9wt with a floating line with a clear tip intermediate (my rod for 70 percent of fishing); one 9wt with a floating line and a big popper to make noise and attract the big ones; and a 10wt with a 300-400-grain sinking tip for deeper pools and mouths of lagoons. All of your gear should be pre-tested for strength. A giant peacock can wreak havoc on even the heaviest of tackle, and any weak spots will be mercilessly exploited.”
Matt: “Why are big peacocks so notoriously difficult to land?”
Rodrigo: “As ambush predators, they lurk close to structures like fallen trees and vegetation. When hooked, the fish’s impulse is to run right back into the structure from where they came. A mistake with knots or gear can cost an angler the fish of a lifetime or even a world record. Even if your gear is absolutely bulletproof it can still happen.
