Thanksgiving week at the Rio Negro Lodge turned out to be one of those weeks
with lots of big Peacock bass for the size of our group. The anglers worked
hard and it was no thanksgiving dinner out there.
The count for the week was 1011 peacock bass total with 107 being 10 lbs. or
better and 9 of those being 20 lbs. or better.
Dr. Slobodski returned with his son Eugene and father Alex. Eugene fished
during the day, went tubing on the river in the afternoon with his father.
Dr Slobodski landed an 18-pounder, his son Eugene landed a 17-pounder and
his father Alex landed a 12-pounder for the week.
Ron and Renee are also returning anglers. This time Renee came with a
mission, to break her last trip’s record. With the water level as it is and
all the hard work she did by trekking though the jungle, she got her trophy
fish and landed the biggest peacock of the week with her 24-pounder and Ron
landed a 10-pounder.
Lynda and Jimmy came with their grandsons David and Tanner. On one of their
adventures into the jungle they were lucky that the grand sons were with
them to help push the boat into the perfect fishing lagoon, a little work
but well worth the adventure. Lynda landed her 17-pounder David also landed
a 17-pounder. Jimmy landed a 20-pounder and Tanner landed an 18-pounder.
Danny and Darla came for the first time, like many of our other first timers
not knowing what to expect they were surprised with their experience at the
Rio Negro Lodge. Darla took a day off to go visit the local villages thus
giving Danny a chance to catch up in fish count. Danny landed a 19-pounder
and Darla landed a 17-pounder.
Dr. Briggs and his wife Cheryl came with their two daughters Amy and
Melissa. Dr Briggs went out fishing while Cheryl and the girls relaxed, did
some fishing, visited the local villages and brought that special smile to
the local children. Dr. Briggs landed a 17-pounder and Cheryl landed a
13-pounder. Amy and Melissa also wanted to take advantage and get some good
rest before going back to the rush of the modern world.
Our father and son doctors Richard and Sean have been here before doing the
same services so they looked forward to this special reward of being able to
give a little back to the natives. Richard landed a 19-pounder and Sean
landed a 14-pounder for the week.
Stephen and Kristi came with their daughter Taylor and son Jackson. Stephan
and Jackson fished while Kristi and Taylor took some time off also. Kristi
and Taylor joined the group of girls to go and participate in the activities
at the villages but for Stephen and Jackson it was fishing the all day and
work together in search of big fish. Jackson also wanted to get a chance at
breaking the Small-fry world record. Jackson along with some of the other
young fishermen came close but just could not boat the record fish. Jackson
knew all about the peacock bass and became the talk among the guides as they
rooted for him. Jackson ended the week with a 20-pounder not to mention the
couple of monsters that may just have been the possible record breaker. Dad
gave him all the support and landed a 15-pounder.
Jim also came with his son Jake on his first trip to experience fishing for
peacock bass. Jake was the third one in line for the chance at a monster by
going into lost lagoons and crossing over sand bars. Jake landed a
15-pounder and his Dad landed a 17-pounder.
Now this being a little unbelievable I thought I’d leave it for last. As
they say the best part is always at the end of a story. Mike and Joanne have
fished with us before with different water conditions and never thought the
fishing would be this great at our current levels. This team landed a total
of 5 fish over 20lbs. Mike landed three over 20lbs with two 22-pounders but
Joanne landed the big 23-pounder for the week.
We thank the dentist and doctors who took some of their much needed rest
time to treat and check the locals of the Rio Negro at the Rio Negro
Foundation Facilities till late hours of the night. The team of dentist made
up of Dr. Sean Gore, Dr. Richard Gore, Dr. Jim Penny and Dr. Steve Slobodski
worked on filling, pulling teeth, cleaning, and check-ups. Dr. Tom Briggs
and his wife Cheryl Briggs attended patients with clinical with
consultations and check ups. They found patients with hernias, ear
infections, and many other complications which the patients had no idea they
had and especially by putting others at ease who had doubts about unknown
symptoms. Attending over 50 patients made up of children and adults. Also,
we want to give a special thank our students who came down, tough new games,
words, and even exchanged songs, the kids had a wonderful time with their
visit.
From my staff and I and the all locals you met, we thank God for this
wonderful trip, the families who came and wish our guest a safe journey home
full of memories of untold adventure. Thank you for fishing with us and my
staff will always be waiting for your return.
Sincerely,
Marc Cobos
Rio Negro Lodge
