What makes fishing so great ? Nature, the fish, the waters, maybe the tackle but also the people you met. A whole fishing trip can be changed with the enthusiasm, dedication and generosity of your organizer or guide. The smily Ian-Arthur de Sulocki is one of those magicians : fun, commited, multilingual and excellent fisherman (many IGFA records !).

Tall with long light hair, Ian has the look of its slavic ancestors, a lord who compel respect. Put him a mustache,  give him a horse and a sword, you will have a perfect image of fearless and brave cossack (even if everyone yells at him that he is Travolta’s ringer!). Certainly it needs courage to live the chaotic and violent city of Manaus which is also the fishing capital of the peacock bass, a fish for which Ian has dedicated much of his life, now within the organization Kalua Pesca.

How did you discover the Amazon?

In the 90s in Rio de Janeiro, I was interested in fishing tourism. We created the first groups in 1996 that explored a river that no one knew then: the Sucunduri. Five years after everyone wanted to fish the Sucunduri !

Under what circumstances did you start your guiding and fishing trip business ?

In 1993 I created Universidade da Pesca in Rio de Janeiro. I organized groups to go sea fishing. And since 1995 we have started to bring those groups in the Pantanal and the Amazon.

Since when you fly fishing? What does it mean to you?

I have discovered fly fishing in 2002 after a fishing fair in San Mateo, California. There I bought the whole equipment and since then I am fascinating and still learned.

What are the fish that a fisherman can hope to fly in the Amazon?

Peacock bass of course but also the cachorro (dog fish), trahiras, small Bicudas …

What would be the best time to fly fish here?

From early September to early March normally.

As you travel “special fly” or groups of fly fishermen who call upon you to go fishing?

Yes. We have already organized “fly” trips but the majority of our fly fishermen customers come within a group of lure fishermen.

What vision did you sport fishing in Brazil? how do you see its evolution?

Sport fishing is increasingly popular through the media, magazines and television programs, but there is still much to see and do, change in attitudes among the other catch and release.

Tell me about this  Fishing University you have created ?

The Fishing University (Universidade da Pesca) was created in Rio de Janeiro to teach surfcasting, fly and lure fishing. Then we start bringing students fishing in other parts of Brazil.