If trout fishing just isn't doing it for you anymore, you may need to add some adventure to your life by heading to the Amazon River in Peru for piranha fishing. Believe it or not these fearsome little fish are actually quite fun and easy to catch.
All you really need to catch a piranha is a knowledgeable guide who knows where these carnivorous fish hang out, some chunks of raw bloody meat, and a bamboo fishing pole. Make sure you do hire a guide however, as the Amazon can be dangerous for people unfamiliar with the area.
To find the piranhas, you may need to travel at least a half day from the main departure points. For people who have a few days, it might be nicer and more fun to take a cruise boat down the river which has skiffs for excursions. The journey to the fish is half the fun though and you are bound to see an amazing array of other wildlife like pink river dolphins, monkeys, and beautiful birds.
Once you reach the fish, you can just throw the bloody hunks of meat into the river and splash the surface of the water vigorously with a paddle or stick. Unlike other fish, piranhas are actually attracted to splashing as they think it's a delicious creature in distress - easy prey. Once you reel one in, be prepared for hissing, growling, and snapping. Make sure you keep your fingers away from their mouths.
Even though these fish are usually only 6 to 10 inches long, their teeth are razor sharp, tightly interlaced, and able to lock in order to shred flesh off the bones of their struggling victims. There are around 35 known species of piranha, and most of them live in the shallow waters of the Amazon River.
If you want to eat the piranha you caught, there are a few good recipes for this bony and tart fish. You first want to scale the piranha with a knife or brush, and then cut the meat from its side. Remove the innards, rinse it, and then soak the fish in vinegar and water. You can then either use it as an ingredient in a soup or stew, or pan fry it with some lemon, salt, and soy sauce.
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