PEACOCK BASS IN THE AMAZON – ROB ANDERSON

In complete contrast to the subtleties of trout fishing on the Truckee, April takes us into the dramatic and scenic world of huge peacock bass in Brazil’s Amazon River. Ferocious strikes on topwater flies, followed by acrobatic, heart-stopping jumps make this a true bucket list destination. Reno guide and outfitter Rob Anderson has put together a show that has it all, travel tips, gear choice, Nat Geo scenery, exotic cuisine and local color. Centerpiece is the Rio Novo or New River located on the Xeruini River Preserve, where the most exclusive Peacock Bass Fly Fishing program in the world exists today. There Rob has created a fleet of floating cabins that can be relocated to suit changes in river conditions, along with a crew of experienced local guides. Guests experience “glamping” surrounded by exotic birds, howler monkeys and a surprising lack of biting insects.

 Better known as a Reno based Lake Pyramid guide, in the summer of 2002 Rob received an email from a Peacock Bass outfitter in the Brazilian Amazon. They were looking for someone to help evolve a fly-fishing program. As a kid Rob had seen these amazing fish on fishing T.V. shows and growing up a bass fisherman, this idea was already on Rob’s radar and his personal “Bucket List” (It was not until 2008 when the Movie - The Bucket List - came out did Rob know he even had a list). In December of 2002 Rob, Chris Evison and Andy Burk made their first trip to Brazil and the Amazon jungle to see this Peacock Bass operation and to have the chance to catch these awesome fish. It was a trip of a lifetime for these young enthusiastic fly fishermen and as they say, “the rest is history”.

In 2010 Rob built a new website for local guiding for himself and his guide partners called www.renoflyflyfishingoutfitters.com This site would help grow the local guide business on waters like the Truckee River, East Walker River, Davis Lake and of course Pyramid Lake and the Pyramid lake website.

 In 2016 Rob would get an offer to start a new Peacock Bass Operation with a group of friends who had years of experience and access to some never before fished water. Rob and Brazilian Guide, Neto Silvawould spend the better part of the next three years building the program which would include a plan to help jungle communities, eliminate unlawful commercial fishing as well as deforestation and logging in a large portion of the Amazon Jungle. It was in January of 2018 when Rob met his current partner in the Amazon Natan Guedes of NG Turismo. Not only did Natan have the equipment and logistics needed but also a desire to work with Rob and to help with the conservation program. This partnership has been a huge success and defines what is now one of the most exclusive and unique tourism and fishing programs in South America. In 2019 the two would finally get the operation into an area called Rio Novo or New River located on the Xeruini River Preserve, where the most exclusive Peacock Bass Fly Fishing program in the world exists today.

Currently Rob is still running his local guide service in the Reno-Tahoe area with the help of some of the area's top local guides. Rob also hosts and runs an annual charity event in Reno called the Pyramid Lake Celebration supporting Kids with disabilities, tribal communities and Brazilian indigenous people. Rob is still married and has a son, Tanner Anderson (6) who is a fishing machine. Rob’s travel business, Bucket List Fly Fishing is growing and expanding fast and providing jobs for many and helping to protect the environment. Rio Novo and newly acquired, Labirinto da Tartaruga are the centerpiece of the business. Rob’s plans for the future are to continue to build a very unique adventure fishing and Eco-Tour company offering trip of a lifetime type opportunities while continuing to support the company's ideals in conservation and charity through their programs Care & Share and Rain Forest Expansion.