The Rio Marié is known for its colossal, trophy-sized peacock bass. Situated entirely within indigenous land, its 600-mile stretch is so remote that neither outsiders nor locals inhabit its banks. This unparalleled level of protection, coupled with the river’s natural and geographic features, has cultivated the Amazon’s largest sanctuary for peacock bass. The river first captured the imaginations of fly anglers a decade ago, and it continues to yield awe-inspiring catches year after year. Prior to its discovery, Amazon fly fishing was largely a pursuit of smaller, yellow species.
Now, the Rio Marié has redefined the game, becoming a living legend where anglers pit themselves against some of the jungle’s most powerful and elusive fish—often exceeding 20 pounds and known colloquially as the ‘river gangsters’ or ‘bosses of the river.’ Dubbed the ‘Rio de Gigantes’ (River of Giants) by locals, the Rio Marié is a river of records. To date, it boasts twelve IGFA world records for fly rod catches, a tally that continues to rise each season. While other fishing locations might yield a few fish over 20 pounds in an entire season, the Rio Marié delivers such catches weekly.
With a decade under the careful stewardship of Untamed Angling, our meticulous planning and high-mobility fishing strategies have evolved the angling experience. Utilizing the Untamed Amazon mothership, which navigates to new fishing spots daily, along with the strategic use of float planes for swift insertions and extractions, we have managed to elevate the quality of catches season after season. Yet, whispers of legends and fables have reached us over these past ten years—stories of the remote and nearly inaccessible headwaters of the Rio Marié, conveyed by the few natives who have ventured that far.
The Untamed Amazon is powered by solar electricity and has state-of-the-art water treatment, fuel-efficient engines that comply with strict U.S. and international environmental standards. Our ship is a true feat of green engineering, guaranteeing our ecological footprint is kept to the minimum.
The main floor has 8 comfortable suites with 18 sq. meters each, for 16 passengers in total. Each suite raises the bar in space and amenities for a fishing vessel. It accommodates two people in super single beds. Additionally, they have a private bathroom with a hot water shower, outside sink cabinet, air conditioning, and good space for clothing storage.
Our guests will be delighted by wonderful cuisine – a blend of Amazonian ingredients with modern techniques. To accompany our meals, we offer fine wines, drinks, uniquely Brazilian caipirinhas and cold beers. Satellite internet connection, and daily laundry are provided for all our guests. In addition, we offer a complete fly shop with all you need for a fishing week with us.
Guests will relax on the top deck, which features ample amenities that include two jacuzzis, our spacious living and dining room, the exclusive open lounge, and an outdoor observation deck. You can also enjoy our massage sessions while navigating the Amazon.
They prey on other fish, eating a large variety of species including their own; they may also prey on shrimp, insects and other arthropods during their juvenile stage. The species of Cichla exploit the resources which are available to them in the environment, displaying opportunistic behavior that is characteristic of the feeding style they engage in as mature fish. Their activity is boosted during days with higher temperatures and higher light intensity, which are concentrated during the period between 9 AM and 3 PM.
Tales of fish so monumental they defy belief, setting new standards for what we thought possible. These accounts motivated us to explore this untapped paradise, where even our mothership and float planes struggle to reach. Finally able to scout and fish these virgin territories last season, we found narrow rivers with intimate bays, shallow lagoons, and pristine wading spots perfect for sight fishing.
The results were staggering and solidified our decision to open this area to a select group of dedicated anglers. Accessible only by our rapid skiffs, and featuring campsites on the river’s white sandbanks, the headwaters offer an intensified experience of the wilderness. We’re limiting access to just two weeks per season for groups of four anglers, offering a rustic yet comfortable tented camp experience.
Contributed By
Lucas De Zan
Lucas is a fly fishing guide in Argentina and Brazil, with more than 15 years of experience and with different species ranging from small golden dorado in spring streams to large ingots in Alto Paraná, passing through the Sea Trout of the Rio Grande on Tierra del Fuego for the species like payara and the beautiful giant peacock bass of the Amazon. He is also a great nature photographer.
