Up a small river to bird watch and piranha fishing! Charlie chose a
great spot and tied the skiff near the bank. In went the lines and
the feeding started! We caught some little silver dollar fish then a
piranha. Most I caught just had their jaws clamped to the bait as
they fall off. Sometimes even into the boat. Poor Charlie he was
very careful picking these little fish up out off the bottom of the
skiff. Very tentative and weary of those teeth.
We Jumped into the kayak and started paddling back. We should have had the current with us but this river had stopped running in the last 2 days. The skiff kept waiting ahead for us. But we said we’d keep paddling. The fresh water dolphins (pink and grey) occasionally surfaced near us. The water is so muddy that you cannot see them or anything else under the surface. It was a hot paddle back but very quiet and enjoyable. The crew were amazed we had paddled all the way (10kms)
Another surprise on
the bed.
Had another great
lunch then a sleep.
Visited a River village a very small community about 6 houses and learned a little about their life. They grow crops to dry for the wet season when the land is all underwater and half way up their stilt house. They also dry/salt fish and other meats for the wet season.
One of the houses had a pet owl
and a this special wigwam to
squeeze sugar cane!
Motored Spondias
back to the small tributary where we first explored and tied up to the
bank. Just after dusk back into the skiff for alligator (small)
hunting. We spotted a few and Charlie caught some for us. Leaning
over the front of the skiff to grab them. John at one point had to
grab his legs as he was going over the bow!! A very funny night. One
of the other crew jumped out to catch one which he did, then he found
some soft muck and went in to his knees….One thing that caught our attention here, is that Charlie had less regard handling 1m alligators, for the safety of his fingers, than he had this morning with 8cm long piranhas.
A fun evening all
told they caught 8 little ‘gaters. They were all the same breed,
they couldn’t find any of the other two that occupy the water ways
here.