Thursday 22 August 2013

The Amazon

 

At 4,080 miles, the Amazon is the largest river system in the world with a drainage area of over two and a half million square miles. Although the Nile in Africa is the world’s longest river, for the sheer volume of water the Amazon is certainly and without any doubt, the greatest. More than 1000 tributaries lead into this mighty stream. Some of the ‘feeder’ rivers are over 1000 miles long.
During the rainy season the Amazon spews 28 billion gallons of water into the Atlantic, the equivalent of twelve Mississippi rivers. This fresh water dilutes the salinity of the sea for more than 100 miles off-shore. Twenty-five per cent of the world’s freshwater emanates from the Amazon.
The Amazon starts its amazing journey high in the Andes in Peru less than 100 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Many little streamlets combine to form, first the Ucayali and then the Maranon Rivers. It is also joined by the mighty Urabamba River which flows through the secret valley of the Incas near Cuzco not far from the ruins of Machu Picchu



THE AGUA BOA RIVER
The Agua Boa Amazon Lodge is located on the Agua Boa river which is one of the 1000 plus tributaries that feeds the mighty Amazon river. Situated almost 200 miles north west of the Brazilian city of Manaus in deep jungle, the Agua Boa river can be found flowing from its source high in the Mocidade mountains through a stunning landscape of almost uninhabited rain forest and savannah. The beautiful clear waters of the Agua Boa flow through one of the best protected areas of the Amazon region before entering into the larger river, Rio Branco, which in turn joins the Rio Negro. At Manaus, the Rio Negro joins the Rio Solimoes to form the Amazon River.
From its source to the Rio Branco, the Agua Boa river is approximately 150 miles in length. There are many lagoons and ox bow lakes located along the Agua Boa, varying in size from one to ten hectares. When the water levels are at their most optimal, sandbanks create additional pools in which it is possible to sight cast to the fish. During these periods of low water conditions many of the lagoons become disconnected with the main river, which provides fantastic fishing opportunities as those huge Peacock Bass cruise around in search of potential quarry. When the water is slightly higher, our guides will pole the boat through the shallow creeks that lead off the main river into the connecting lakes. When the waters are lower, a short walk of no more than a quarter of a mile may be required to reach the fishing


We exercise a strict policy of catch and release to preserve our fish stocks, and only allow the use of single barbless hooks. This has led to a large population of top quality fish. Agua Boa Amazon Lodge caters exclusively to fly fishermen and the Guides have years of training on the river. Two guests share a boat, unless they have booked a single occupancy chalet, and are accompanied by our fully trained and knowledgeable Guides. Subject to availability, guests may request to fish alone, at additional cost. As a result of the efforts of the lodge owner, Lance Ranger, the Agua Boa is the only river in the Amazon which is single hook, barbless, fly fishing only. Spin fishermen are welcome on the river, but they must use single barbless flies under a float with their fishing rod.

Nature Reserve

The Agua Boa Amazon Lodge is situated in one of the most unspoiled natural environments in the world. Located between an ecological park and a national park, the Agua Boa river and its surroundings have an Ecotourism Reserve Status, and enjoys permanent protection from the Chico Mendes Institute and IBAMA. This protects the entire area from illegal commercial fishing, hunting, and deforestation. The whole area being a protected nature reserve also creates a ‘buffer region’ for the protection and ultimate preservation of the elusive Yanomami tribes-people. The environment of the nature reserve is home to countless species that live in the Amazon, many of which are endangered, and allows them to thrive and live almost undisturbed.
We are committed to work in conjunction with the Chico Mendes Institute and IBAMA to maintain, and where possible to improve, the rich and wonderful environment of the Amazon rain forest so it can be enjoyed for many decades to come.



The region consists of thick rainforest and savannah and is home to the Jaguar, Tapir, Sloth, freshwater (pink) Dolphin, giant Amazon Otter, Capybara and a myriad of other animals, many of which are endangered. The birdlife is tremendous, with many species vying with each other in the bank-side vegetation. It remains a veritable paradise for bird watchers and provides fantastic photographic opportunities as our guests travel the river.
In any typical square mile botanists have discovered an incredible 3000 different plant species, and any 4 square mile area can yield up to 1,500 flowers, 750 species of tree around 400 different bird types, somewhere in the region of 150 different species of butterflies and moths, and approximately 160 kinds of reptiles and amphibians.
Finally, it is possible, within any particular square mile, to find 125 different mammals, and as for insects, other than the butterflies, there would be too many to calculate when you consider that so far in the Amazon rainforest over 1,100,000 insect types have been identified and named. Entomologists reckon that this is only the tip of a very large iceberg.
It is thought that about 70% of the world’s medicines, used as potential cures for many of today’s serious ailments, are synthesized from plants found in the rain forests of the world.

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