We've got a little surprise for you... 🎁

Welcome to the latest edition of The Acute Angler! 🎣 In this month's issue, we're thrilled to bring you an exciting lineup of updates and opportunities.

First off, as a special thank you to our loyal subscribers, we’re giving away an awesome Orvis backpack! More on that below.

Then dive into our detailed look at Amazon River classifications and learn what sets these waters apart.

Plus, we’re introducing new rental options for our multi-species location to enhance your fishing experience. Lastly, act fast to snag the available spots for our August multi-species trip. ⬇️

Zach & The Acute Angling Team

BACKPACK GIVEAWAY!

As a thank you to our newsletter subscribers, we're giving away this awesome Orvis backpack! It’s perfect for your next Amazon fishing trip. 😉 

HOW DO I JOIN:

If you’re reading this - you’re already entered into the drawing. 😎

WHEN WILL THE WINNER BE SELECTED:

• The winner will be drawn on June 25^th . 

• Winner must respond and accept within 48 hours or a new winner will be drawn.

• Cutoff for entry is June 24^th at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time

Good luck!

AMAZON RIVER CLASSIFICATIONS:
Black, Blue, and White

The Amazon Basin is a vast waterway system. No two rivers are the same, but rivers are generally classified into three major buckets due to their color. Let’s look at these classifications and what causes the color variations. 

BLACK WATER RIVERS:

The most visited type of river by anglers due to it being the home of the largest species of peacock bass the Cichla, Temensis. Blackwater rivers are often described as a tea coloration.

A common question is what causes the tea coloration? To answer this question please see the explanation from the book The Amazon: What Everyone Needs to Know.

Blackwater rivers represent a freshwater tea created when plant matter that has fallen or washed into the river fails to completely decompose. The sandy soils surrounding blackwater rivers support few microorganisms that would otherwise decompose the leaf litter remnants, and the high concentrations of tannins and other plant compounds remain suspended in these rivers, giving them their characteristics color and making them highly acidic.¹ 

Another valuable explanation comes from the book. Floods of Fortune: Ecology & Economy Along the Amazon.

Blackwater rivers, which are free of heavy sediment but dark in color. They owe their special character to the millions of years of erosion that have ground down the Brazilian and Guiana highlands into sands that now fill the Amazon Basin. Because millions of years of weathering, the sandy soils are very poor in nutrients. The streams that are born on them are among the most chemically pure on Earth. Why, then, the blackness?

It turns out that the sandy soils are too poor in microorganisms (especially fungi, bacteria, and invertebrates) to easily decompose organic matter. Organic chemicals, moreover, that would easily bind to clay sediments have no affinity for sand. The organic overload thus seeps through the soil and is carried into streams and rivers, rendering some as dark as tea. Blackwater rivers are highly acidic, with a pH usually below 4.0.²

To clarify, this doesn’t mean that Blackwater rivers are low in aquatic life. Peacock bass must have a stable and abundant food source to grow to the size that they do.

The lower Rio Negro harbors the most diverse fish fauna of any freshwater river in the world, having twice as many species (700) as all the rivers of western Europe combined. Most of these species are relatively small in size.” ¹

BLUE (OR CLEAR) WATER RIVERS:

Blue water rivers are often clear and beautiful.

Rivers and streams that drain uplands to the east of the Andes are usually clear or almost so. These waterways arise in the old, worn-away mountains of the Brazilian Highlands to the south and the Guiana Highlands to the north. Chemically these clear water rivers range from acidic to nearly alkaline, but in general they are relatively nutrient-poor. The three largest clearwater rivers are the Rio Tapajos, Rio Xingu, and Rio Tocantins. All drain the Brazilian Highlands and enter the Amazon River from the south. ²

Just as Rocky Mountain streams are effected by annual snow melt runoff, peak times during the rainy season can make these clear water streams temporarily off colored. For that reason, we generally do not fish during peak flows.

At the multi-species destination, the Rio Aripuanã, the river is clear and anglers can often spot fish while floating down the river. This makes for visual and exciting sport fishing opportunities.  

WHITE WATER RIVERS

These White Water Rivers are not referring to rivers for paddle sports. These rivers have a high sediment load and are often a milky, coffee color. The Rio Solimoes which by many is considered the beginning of the Amazon River is a White Water River.

Amazonian whitewater rivers-despite the name-are more of a café-au-lait muddy brown than white. The color is due to sediments derived from the Andes.

These muddy rivers begin as clearwater streams in the Eastern Andes, where they start their descent into the Amazonian lowlands, gathering sediment along the way. As such, in the words of Michael Goulding, “the Andes are the main nutrient bank for the Amazon.” And the main body of the mighty Amazon-called the Rio Solimoes in Brazil-is a whitewater river. ¹   

If you would like to see a map of the Amazon Basin distinguishing the major rivers by their river type, then please see the link below and scroll to the 4^th page:

Resources:

1. The Amazon: What Everyone Needs to Know. Mark J. Plotkin. Page 38,39.

2. Flood of Fortune. Ecology & Economy Along The Amazon. Michael Guilding, Nigel J.H. Smith, and Dennis J. Mahar. Page 5, 6,7

3. A Classification of Major Naturally-Occuring Amazonian Lowland Wetlands. Multiple Authors. See page 3 for map.

6 Weight fly fishing rentals for Pacu, Matrinxã, and Jatuarana

At the multi-species location anglers will now be able to rent 6 weight fly rods, lines, reels, and flies.

One of the joys of fishing at the Aripuanã is floating down the smaller tributaries casting berry and large hopper fly patterns for Pacu, Matrinxã, and Jatuarana.

We understand this specialized gear is difficult to find, and thus why we have made the decision to have it accessible to those who wish to rent it.

Fly fishing equipment is generally more expensive than conventional tackle, and it is challenging to find and purchase in Brazil. Nonetheless, we believe this program will provide anglers with an exciting opportunity to experience a different form of fishing. We appreciate your understanding and support regarding the new rental fee structure!

The rental fee will be as follows:

Please let us know prior to your trip if you want to rent 6 weight fly rods for the species above. Cash payments can be made directly at the lodge or you can pay prior to your trip.

To Clarify:

1. This is only available at the Multi-Species location

2. This is only for 6 weight fly rods. Anglers will still need to bring an 8 or 9 weight if they wish to fly fish for Peacock Bass, Payara, and Bicuda.

3. If you are new to fly fishing we recommend getting some casting lessons and practicing catching panfish, bass, or other local fish prior to your Amazon trip.

4. You do not have to participate in fly fishing. There are still plenty of species (including the three species above) that can be caught on conventional gear. 

THE MULTI-SPECIES TRIP

With two tributaries, two lakes, and access to the Aripuanã, you'll find diverse aquatic habitats, including creek mouths, rapids, eddies, and boulders, perfect for a variety of fish species.

We have purchased brand new fishing gear for the Multi-Species trip, and the upriver satellite camp has been renovated for the 2024 guests. Also, Zach will be there for the weeks listed below and he would love to see you there!

UPCOMING AVAILABILITY

That’s a wrap for this edition of The Acute Angler!

Don’t let the excitement end here - stay connected with us on social media for more fishing adventures, tips, and updates.

We can’t wait to see you on our next fishing expedition!