Looking at a map of South America, it is easy to see why Brazil offers some of the most exciting sport fishing opportunities in the world.

As the continent's largest country, it spans an extraordinary range of climactic zones and eco systems.

In the south, in the temperate landscapes of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, there is trout and excellent saltwater fishing.

In the vast equatorial wilderness of Amazonia with its mouth watering variety of sporting fish, reside some of the most powerful predators in the world and giant catfish.

The Pantanal, straddling the states of Matto Gross and Matto Grosso do Sul, one of the great wetland areas of the planet, boasts over 200 species of fish, including the magnificent Dorado, or Golden Salmon.

The islands off the coast of the state of Sao Paulo offer great inshore saltwater sport, while the ocean off the states of Espirito Santo and Bahia is one of the least known and best bluewater destinations in the world.

This wealth of choice has, of course, one downside: where do I start, and how do I do it? This is where we come in.

To put the size of this region into context, Brazil is the size of the USA. Amazonia encompasses 40% of Brazil’s land area covering no less than 772,000 square miles.

While flying over the area, you will be quite overwhelmed by the sheer scale of this wilderness. There are, to this day, vast areas that have never been charted or explored.

Anthropologists know of several tribes of indigenous Indians, that, at the beginning of the 21st century, still have never seen a white man.

This vast wetland roughly the size of mainland Britain - spreads over much of the states of Matto Grosso and Matto Grosso do Sul.  It runs along the northern reaches of the Paraguay River and spills into Bolivia and Paraguay.  The Pantanal is almost entirely flooded from November to January.  The waters then recede and the landscape changes from a lush green veined with rivers, streams and lakes, to a brown savannah.

This is where the Golden Dorados have taken up residence in Brazil. Not only is the fishing exceptional, the landscape is simply stunning. Being far more open than Amazonia, spotting wildlife is a daylong experience.

A fishing trip to the Pantanal is ideal for non fishing partners or families. Horseriding through this area offers extraordinary opportunities for observing the mammal and bird life.