Amazon Fly Fishing Film | Rio de Gigantes – Peacock Bass in the Brazilian Amazon
Rio de Gigantes documents Todd Moen’s journey deep into the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest in search of the world’s largest peacock bass on the fly. Filmed in the remote Rio Marié, a pristine tributary of the Rio Negro Basin, this Amazon fly fishing film captures one of the most protected and productive fisheries on the planet.
The Rio Marié is the first river in the Amazon Basin jointly protected by the Brazilian government, the Baré and Tukano Indigenous tribes, and Untamed Angling. This 800-kilometer wildlife preserve is strictly catch-and-release fly fishing only, safeguarding more than 400 miles of untouched water. Known to hold at least twice the number of trophy-class peacock bass compared to other Rio Negro destinations, the river offers anglers a rare opportunity to hook truly giant fish in a virgin ecosystem. For filmmaker Todd Moen, the Rio Marié presented an extraordinary chance to document epic-sized peacock bass in their natural jungle habitat. Operating from Untamed Angling’s floating mothership, Moen was strategically positioned in prime fishing zones alongside his wingman and legendary angler Brian O’Keefe. The team was joined by Rodrigo Salles, who introduced them to the local Indigenous communities and to Charlie, Untamed Angling’s first native guide, who shared traditional jungle techniques for fly fishing peacock bass.
Filming conditions were extreme—100-degree heat, 90% humidity, massive swarming bumblebees, aggressive piranhas, and constant threats to sensitive camera and drone equipment. Despite these challenges, Moen captured the raw adventure, cultural history, and true spirit of fly fishing in the Amazon Rainforest. Rio de Gigantes is more than a fishing film, it’s a story of conservation, Indigenous partnership, and the relentless pursuit of wild fish in one of the most demanding environments on Earth.
With support from Untamed Angling, The Fly Shop, R.L. Winston Rod Company, and Eddie Bauer, this film showcases why the Rio Marié stands as the ultimate destination for trophy peacock bass fly fishing.
For anglers seeking the adventure of a lifetime, the Rio Marié represents the pinnacle of Amazon fly fishing—and this film offers a rare, immersive look into that world.
