More Gorgeous Cichlids

The snow here in the Yellowstone Country is rising as fast as the water in the Amazon. Three days in a row we’ve woken up to fresh snow. By afternoon it gets warm and my last two ski days were mediocre because I waited and the snow got sticky. Today, I headed out early and I’ve already done a five plus mile backcountry ski in the Big Hole Mountains of Teton Valley. It’s certainly not fishing in the Amazon but as far as backcountry skiing goes, it was epic.

As promised I’m going to keep writing about the many fish species you might catch while fly fishing in the Amazon. The last two days I separated the peacock bass species, the largest cichlids of South America. However, there are many other cichlids other than the peacock bass. In fact, the Amazon is full of cichlids. And although most are small and overshadowed by the peacock bass, there are a few that will definitely catch your eye.

The jacunda (Crenicichla sp.) is one that does not go unnoticed. This elongated cichlid will devour even the largest of peacock flies. They thrive in shallow sandy areas often times with the butterfly peacocks. They are spooky because of the shallow water but if your fly gets to them before they see you casting you’ll get a strike for sure. I’ve never seen them bigger than the pictures I’ve provided but they are known to reach 6lbs. What I like about them is their beauty. Even though I show two different colored ones, both are all the same species.

Another cichlid you will likely catch is the Oscar (Astronatus ocellatus). These fellas live in trout like spots. What I mean is anywhere there is shallow water next to a drop along the bank you find them. Usually several burst out after your fly but only the biggest one can fit it in his mouth.

There are numerous smaller aquarium size cichlids called cara’s. Every once in awhile you land one of these guys on a peacock fly but if you really want to have fun bring along a 5-weight and mess around with nymphs. While the guides and most anglers are having their afternoon siesta, I catch a lot of these little cichlids and have fun with other non game fish species as well. Many of these “other species” are the primary food of peacocks, so it never hurts to have a good look at them!

Obviously I’m missing the Amazon badly this week. But time flies and I’ll be there again before I know it.

Remember, I will be hosting the Amazon February 11-18, 2012. Next year will be above average because of the high water of 2011.

Contact me if you want to go!

Jeff Currier Global Flyfishing Web Site

Just One More Whitefish This Year Please

December 26, 2009

Normally, if you suggested floating the South Fork of the Snake River between Christmas and New Years I would respond with, “Ha! No thanks! Snow and ice covered boat ramps, brutal cold, no fun and no way.” I can’t stand when my guides freeze up every cast. However, when friend Rob Parkins, a well know fishing guide and fly tier here in Teton Valley, asked that I join he and another friend , Zack Dalton, of Rio Fly Lines, to fish the day after Christmas, I surprised myself when I answered cautiously, “Maybe.”

Robs offer to me came about a week or so ago. I said if it wasn’t unbearably cold I’d be interested. Assuming that it would be, I never gave much thought to the idea again. But on Christmas Eve Rob was visiting the house and was quick to let me know he and Zack were still going. Since my hunt to Minnesota and Iowa two weeks ago, I’ve spent most my time hunched over art projects waiting for a new excuse to get outdoors. I knew by now that temperatures for the day after Christmas were predicted to be about 12 degrees Fahrenheit along with sunny skies. Surprising to most, 12 degrees isn’t too bad around here as it’s generally a dry cold and with sunshine feels considerably warmer. With all that in mind, my response was, “I’m in.”

Despite being 5 below zero when I woke up this morning, Rob picked me up at 10am and one could already feel the suns warmth. When we met Zack who was arriving from Idaho Falls at the icy boat ramp at the Palisades Dam, it was already about 10 degrees and continuing to rise. While they did our short shuttle, Dam to Husky, I rigged my 6-weight Ross with 10 feet of straight 0X Rio Flouroflex Plus tippet and attached two flies. Usually my streamer rig is about 18 feet of 0X (Shockingly long to most), however, knowing my fly rod guides were going to freeze, the shorter leader would be easier to handle. When the boys returned I offered to row the drift boat across the river to so they could nymph below the dam.


There are huge rainbows and cutthroats taken with regularity directly below the dam on nymphs. If your wondering why I rigged up a streamer it’s because I’m not a big nympher. Despite many years of competing internationally and applying European nymphing tactics to my daily fishing, it’s not my favorite method. My heart is really in dry fly fishing and I’m known to enjoy chucking streamers. I knew Rob and Zack would cover the water well without my help and until it warmed up I’d be content popping some photos and giving moral support.

Fishing was slower than expected. Although Zack nailed a fantastic rainbow on his first drift with a mysis shrimp, they caught only one other trout and a handful of whitefish. Rather than waste a day there we floated down to another favorite run. I struggled to get more than three casts in a row without having to crack ice out of my guides during the drift. That diminished my fly in the water time and I realized my highlight of the day was going to be lunch.

Rob took charge of lunch putting four huge elk burger patties on the boat size charcoal grill. Both Zack and I felt as though we were on a guided trip and indulged on the delicious lunch. Between eating and cooking, they nymphed the run and I dredged, slowly stripping my two streamers. Zack landed a beautiful cutty but then followed with a hand full of whiteys along with Rob and me.

We floated the rest of the short float in an hour hap-hazardly fishing as we drifted along. I avoided a skunk by landing two nice rainbows and Rob nymphed up a good brown and a “mighty whitey”. While spending much of December working on art projects, preparing for the show circuit and gorging around the Holliday table, it was great to hit the river again. The thought of floating the last week of December will never again be considered a “not a chance” deal. In fact, I’ll just bet there will be another fishing report posted here shortly!

Jeff Currier Global Fly Fishing Web Site