Peacocks on the Fly

Over the past few years, adventurous fly anglers have joined their plug casting brethren and are now flocking to South America in ever-increasing numbers to target hard fighting peacock bass. After experiencing peacock bass for the first time, many fly anglers claim that this is a freshwater species that might be one of the most challenging you will ever entice with the fly. 

If you have not yet tried to tempt these wonderful gamefish on a fly, we hope this section might pique your interest.

When conditions are favorable, a skilled fly angler will out-catch a plug angler. They key to successful fly-fishing for peacock bass is to travel to Brazil under falling, or low, water conditions. As discussed in other sections of this text, high (especially rising) water scatters the fish, making many of them inaccessible to the fly caster as they simply can roam around and reside within the protective confines of the flooded jungle. A plug caster (especially one casting noisy propeller baits) has the advantage over fly anglers during these conditions, as the noise and action of their gaudy baits can attract fish from a fair distance away and possibly out of cover. The quiet and delicate action of a fly, however, is not likely to call fish from the flooded forest.

Low water presents the fly angler with so many more opportunities than when faced with high water conditions. Low water exposes the shoreline and, potentially, positions fish on any cover associated with the shoreline, as well as on points, rockpiles and sandbars.  You can also spot and cast to cruising fish within shallow lagoons and along sandbars under low water conditions.

Fly-fishing for peacock bass is not a delicate or finesse affair. You’ll need to make 30 to 50 foot fairly accurate casts.  Even more significant, the retrieve you'll need to execute is typically rapid and aggressive. This style of fishing can be lots of work, but the first time you have a peacock bass turn on your fly, inhale it and then, uncontrollably, head for cover, you'll understand why so many fly rodders have become obsessed with this fish.

The prevailing theory that ‘big fish prefer big food items’ applies to peacock bass. The most castable, durable, and effective flies are made from synthetics in a variety of colors. As a general rule, they should range in length from four-to-seven inches and tied on a 3/0 or 4/0 saltwater hook. Keep in mind, however, that fishing days in the Amazon are nearly 10 hours long and casting these large flies for six days or so can be a grueling affair.  However, following a trip of this nature, you will have reached a new level in distance and accuracy with your fly-casting. Therefore, proper selection and balance of your tackle is essential for you to enjoy your trip.

GEAR FOR PEACOCK BASS

Rods

Peacock bass are extremely aggressive and powerful.  The fly rods that you select for peacock bass must take these factors into account.  To capitalize on the fish's aggressive nature, you must throw large, wind resistant flies and then work them in a tantalizing fashion. To stop the fish from running into flooded jungle and other underwater obstructions, where they're impossible to extricate, you have to apply substantial pressure. A stiff action, high modulus graphite rod is best suited to fit both bills. You need a rod with lots of backbone, capable of developing high line speed to deliver big flies long distances and the guts to stop freight-training fish. When fishing the Brazilian Amazon, where fish in excess of 18 lbs are encountered just about every day, a 9-weight is too light and an 11-weight is too heavy.  The 10-weight seems to be the perfect fit. You can always carry a 9-weight for the smaller flies and smaller fish, but, keep in mind, a four-pound butterfly peacock will still give you quite a tussle on a 10-weight. And, with a 10-weight outfit, the continuous casting will be easier, and you'll be ready when that fish of a lifetime takes your fly.

Rods should be 8-1/2 to 9 feet long and be constructed of high modulus graphite. It is important to remember that you'll be fishing for peacocks in very remote areas - often days from the nearest fly shop, so bring several back-up rods in the event that you break one of your primary rods. On what may be the trip of a lifetime, choosing not to invest in and bring at least one backup for each primary rod is risky, penny wise and pound-foolish.

Leaders

Peacocks are not leader shy and most of the fly anglers that fish the Amazon don't use tippets at all unless they are looking to set an IGFA world record.  Five feet of 40 or 50 lb monofilament straight to the fly is fine; saves a lot of rigging time and will survive a trip through the bushes now and then.  If you insist on an actual tippet, use 20 lb Mason's with a 50 lb shock. There really isn't any need for fluorocarbon. Peacocks don't have fangs, but they do have lots of abrasive teeth that chew through leaders with great ease.  If you don't believe that their abrasive, sand paper-like teeth are tough, try landing one over 5-pounds by grabbing its lower lip and see what's left of your thumb!

Reels

Any good-quality cork, draw bar drag saltwater reel will work for peacock bass.  A very smooth drag action is preferable.  Any glitch or freeze in the drag when a 20-lb class peacock makes one of their powerful runs can result in a broken rod or line. Tibor and Abel fly reels have stood up to the rigors of peacock bass fishing for many years and are highly recommended.  You need at least 100 yards of backing, but no more.  Peacocks don't make scorching runs like many fish.  They come out of structure, nail the fly and head right back into the structure once they feel the sting of the hook.  Remember, the lighter the outfit the easier it will be to cast for eight hours a day. There’s no need for a big, heavy reel, but be sure you bring spares. 

Flies

Peacocks are generally not too finicky or discriminating when it comes to chasing down a fly. However, like most gamefish, they will sometimes gravitate towards certain sizes and colors while ignoring other offerings. Large Dalberg Diver style flies work very well, but they can often be difficult to cast.  Traditional Lefty Deceivers with bucktail and feathers work fine, but they are usually destroyed after one fish. However, a baitfish pattern made of super hair or bozo hair with plenty of flashabou will last much longer.  Flies seem to produce better when eyes are added. You can epoxy the heads for effect and durability. Bring some flies with lead eyes just in case the fish are holding deep, but the lead eye flies can be difficult to cast. If a peacock sees something he can fit in his mouth, odds are he'll eat it!  The key is patience and persistent long, accurate casting.  If you're not getting bites, you probably just haven't reached the right spot yet. Be patient.  Where there's one fish there are usually more and you can efficiently work an area, covering lots of water with a fly rod.

Tie or buy your peacock flies so that they have a fairly wide profile and be between four and seven inches. They don't really have to be massive in size as long if they have a nice profile, give off flash and be very visible in the water. The problem is that if you tie the fly too thick or too heavy, it will be very hard to cast, even with a 10-weight.  Pick a light but stiff rod that allows you to consistently throw your flies 60 feet with the least amount of effort. Without question, subsurface streamers will outfish a surface popper. If a popper is big enough to attract a double digit peacock, it will be difficult to cast.  Nevertheless, if you enjoy poppers, bring a weight forward floating line to cast them with. They will usually attract a trophy fish.

Attach the fly to the bite tippet using knots such as the Homer Rhode loop knot or the Duncan loop. These loops give the fly more freedom to dip and dart when retrieved.

Line

As for lines, there are a few to consider. For surface and shallow subsurface presentations anglers have had very good success using the 10-wt. Jim Teeny Flip Pallot floating; sinking tip line or intermediate sinking line. Other anglers really like the monocore slow sinking line. Monocore is transparent, making it the perfect choice for bright skies, clear water and cautious fish. Most effective at depths from 2' to 6', Monocore is extremely durable and relatively hard and stiff, making it best suited for tropical fishing conditions. Consider bringing a fast sinking line, like a Jim Teeny 300, in case you find fish holding in the deeper pools.

Techniques for Catching Peacocks on the Fly

Most of the time, you will be casting to visible and subsurface cover, like blowdowns along the shore, points, standing timber and humps, but throughout the day you will have opportunities to cast to cruising fish in relatively clear, shallow water. You don’t want to spook the fish by casting the line over his body, but you definitely want to cast slightly ahead of him in the direction he is swimming and have him see the flash and movement of the fly. Plug casters typically cast lures that emit flash or make noise or tremendous vibration. You’ve got to zip the fly within the field of vision of a cruising peacock with an enticing stripping retrieve and coax him into thinking the fly is a fleeing baitfish. In certain instances, the fish may not be hungry, but if he does not spook and you keep casting the fly in front of him, eventually you’ll get him to strike. You’ve got to vary the speed and length of the strip, until the fish let you know which one they prefer. Different fish react differently depending on what type of cover they are holding on, their feeding behavior, the speed of the current and the prevailing light, so don’t be afraid to try different retrieves until the fish tell you what they want.

A well placed fly into the melee of peacock bass decimating baitfish at the surface is about as close to a guaranteed strike as you’ll get. You can also cast the fly to a fry pod, but you need to make a long, accurate cast so as to not encroach too closely on the fry pod and make them scurry to deeper water. 

One more important tip is to try to make sure that you pair up with another fly angler during your trip to South America for peacock bass.  If one person is throwing plugs and the other a fly, there's going to be problems - especially if the two have been paired by the outfitter for this particular trip and have not fished together previously.  Most boats in the Amazon are 17' to 19' in length and two can fly fish effectively even though the angler in the stern is casting "over" the boat.  A plug angler however has far more range and will not want to stay within 60 feet of the shoreline, but rather launch long casts to structure much further than 60 feet, the typical range for a good fly caster.

 Even if you are a devoted fly angler, don't hesitate to pick up a plug rod now and then. There are times when plugs will simply out produce flies and one should let the fish tell you what they prefer.

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