Fishing:

Sport fishing calendar:

The sport fishing calendar in the Pantanal, that starts on March 1st and finishes on October 31st can be divided in four different periods:

• March to May;
• June and July;
• August and September;
• October.

March to May:

The Pantanal starts to decrease its water level during this period. The best option for fishing is the Pacu (Colossoma Mitrei), that is fished by two ways: by "batida", on the border of the river, with fishing rod of bamboo and baits of "tucum" (tropical nut), of genipap (tropical fruit) or of cake (mixture of cassava flour, wheat flour and artificial taste fruit juice); or yet, in deep waters with fishing rod and reel and baits of crab. To fish Pacu (Colossoma Mitrei) requires special fishing hook. In addition, there are other fishing options of leather fishes and scale fishes: Jau (Paulicea Luetkeni), Pintado (Pseudoplatystoma Corruscans), Cachara (Pseudoplatystoma), Dourado (Salminus Maxillosus), Barbado (Pinirampus Pirinampu) and several others. The way used to fish them is the "rodada" with the boat completely free, going down river following the current and baits of tuvira (small black fish) earthworms and white baits (small white fishes). During this period the Dourado (Salminus Maxillosus) is also a very appreciated fishing: using artificial baits or tuviras or white baits, and staying in the coriscos (flooded areas) the Dourado (Salminus Maxillosus) stays awaiting the ebb tide to catch small fishes.

During this period the temperature is very high, varying from 32 to 42 degrees Celsius, and the weather is very dry, without rain; Guests must use sun block. The fishing itinerary is limited to the area between Caceres City and the Ecologic Reserve of Taiama, since beyond the Reserve we face the "decoada" (ash, toxic garbage with rest of fertilizers and pesticides, and forest fire trash reach the river brought by rain water).

June and July:

The Paraguay River reaches a very low level and the fishing is in deep waters: Jau (Paulicea Luetkeni), Pintado (Pseudoplatystoma Corruscans), Caxara (Pseudoplatystoma), Dourado (Salminus Maxillosus), Barbado (Pinirampus Pirinampu), etc and the tuvira (small black fish) is the most used and preferred bait. The Pacu (Colossoma Mitrei) is also fished, in deep waters within the bays using fishing rod, reel and baits of crab. During this period the weather is still dry (no rain) and the temperature varies from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. But, some unpredicted and suddenly temperature change may occurs and the temperature may reaches 10 degrees Celsius. Guests are encouraged to have proper coats for this low temperature.

August and September:

The Paraguay River is very low and reaches its minimum level: people says that "the River is within the box", that is, in the river-bed. The fishing is like June and July with just one change: the batida fishing of Pacu (Colossoma Mitrei) with fishing rod of bamboo and baits of "tucum" (tropical nut), of genipap (tropical fruit) or of cake (mixture of cassava flour, wheat flour and artificial taste fruit juice). During this period the temperature starts to increase, varying from 32 and 42 degrees Celsius and the weather is still very dry (no rain).

October:

End of the fishing season, is characterized by fishing all fishes and all ways are used. Still is a very hot weather - temperature varying from 32 to 42 degrees Celsius - but some rain may occurs and the temperature may decrease, mostly during the night, varying from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. Guests are encouraged to have a long sleeve knitted cotton shirt. And starts the period of flood in the Pantanal.

Instructions to fishers:

• Fishing Pintado (Pseudoplatystoma Corruscans) / Cachara (Pseudoplatystoma)
  Rods: 15 to 30 lbs
  Lines: 0.50 to 0.80 mm
• Fishing Pacu (Colossoma Mitrei)
  Rods: 15 to 25 lbs
  Lines: 0.50 to 0.70 mm
• Fishing Dourado (Salminus Maxillosus)
  Artificial bait: artificial fish without spoon (spoon is prohibited)
  Rods: 15 to 25 lbs
  Lines: 0.50 to 0.80 mm
• Fishing Jau (Paulicea Luetkeni)
  Rods: 25 to 50 lbs
  Lines: 0.60 to 0.80 mm
• Fishing Piranha (Serrasalmus Scapularis)
  Rods: 12 to 25 lbs
  Lines: 0.35 to 0.50 mm
• Leaden Sinker: small (light weight) for "rodada" fishing, and medium and big (heavy weight) for deep water fishing.
• Remark: the fishing rods may be just two, one heavy (to Cachara, Jaú, Dourado and Pintado) and one light to small fishes.

Minimum size for capture:

Sport Fishing Excursions:

Sport Fishing Itinerary:

Departure from the Port of Caceres Saturday early morning. The first point to be reached will be the mouth of Jauru River, then the Port of Simao Nunes and the Barranco Vermelho Farm, very old and that keeps the same original estructure of the past: jerked beef manufacture.

Then we will see few hotels built in the area of the Pantanal and will reach a well known region that is Morro Pelado : a very appropriated site to fish Dourado (Salminus Maxillosus), Pintado (Pseudoplatystoma Corruscans) and Cachara (Pseudoplatystoma).

Following we will arrive at the Descalvados Farm, important commercial warehouse in old days, when the only way to reach the rest of the country was through the Paraguay River. Then we will reach the Jatoba Farm.

The last point will be the northern entrance of the Ecologic Reserve of Taiama, where to fish and to hunt is prohibited by law, but it deserves a visit since it is a totally preserved area and is possible to observe all the exuberance and the beauty of the fauna and the flora of the region.

Just after the departure of the Hotel Boat IEIE from the Port of Caceres the Guests that want to fish or to visit the border of the river may leave the Hotel Boat in the small aluminum boats with the pilot. This may be done during the whole time of navigation that takes about 12 hours.

Remind that each Group of two Guests will have available all the time one Pilot and Fish Guide to assist them, although we do not recommend fishing during the night due to safety reason.

Remarks:

• This itinerary may be changed for the convenience of the Guests and according to the Group interest, if one specific place shows an excellent potential to fishing;
• During the navigation of the Hotel Boat IEIE the small aluminum boats will be available to allow Guests to have close view of the border of Paraguay River and visit to the following points:
  • Bay of Eguas;
  • Barranco Vermelho Farm;
  • Morro Pelado Region;
  • Descalvados Farm;
  • Jatobá Farm;
  • Sucuri Region;
  • Ecologic Reserve of Taiama.

Available Excursion:

The HOTEL BOAT IEIE offers 2 (two) kinds of sport fishing excursions:

• Complete sport fishing excursion during 6 days;
• Complete sport fishing excursion during 5 days.

Complete: all the items and services are included (hotel boat, crew team, diesel oil and gas, meals, snacks, appetizers, desserts, mineral water, soft drink, beverages, aluminum boats, outboard motors, pilots, baits, bed linen and bath and face towels) so the Guests just need to bring their personal belongs and their fishing stuffs.

Sport Fishing Excursions are not fixed: we are able to change them (like changing/excluding some items and services provided and increasing/decreasing total number of days) in order to meet specific desires of the Group. In these excursions we provide almost all items and services, so the Guests must bring just their personal belongs and their fishing stuffs.

Excursion Details - 6 (six) days and 7 (Seven) nights:

• Departure: On Saturday at 08:00am;
• Return: On Friday at 2:00pm.

Items and Services Provided:

• Full crew (commander, sailor, steward, cook and in charge of machinery)
  
• 8 boats from 6 meters with the cooler, life jackets and chairs;
  
• 9 outboards (01 reserve);
  
• 8 fishing guides authorized by the local agency river;
  
• Live bait (unlimited use);
  
• Petrol (unlimited use);
  
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, desserts and snack;
  
• Beer, soft drinks and mineral water (unlimited use);
  
• 04 bottles of vodka;
  
• 02 bottles of campari;
  
• 01 bottle of rum;
  
• Linen and bath.

Remarks:

• For the items marked with (*), the quantities stated are for Groups of 16 (sixteen) Guests; for smaller Groups these quantities will be proportionally decreased;
• The fishing season for the Paraguay River: from March 1st to October 31st
• We are able to negotiate the total number of days and items and services provided.

Excursion Details - 6 (six) days and 7 (seven) nights:

• Departure: On Saturday at 08:00 am;
• Return: On Friday at 12:00 am.

Items and Services Provided:

• Complete crew team : captain, sailor, cabin boy, cook, and mechanic;
• Diesel fuel for motors and generators;
• 06 liters of Sugar Cane Liquor (regional drink with tropical root flavor);
• Bed linen and bath and face towels.