Rodrigo Salas | How to Stay Healthy on Remote Fishing Trips | Tom Rowland Podcast Ep. 548

Rodrigo Salas is a guide and host with Untamed Angling, a company offering guided fishing expeditions to remote locations including the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. He regularly hosts American anglers at jungle lodges where he's developed expertise in helping visitors navigate the unique health, safety, and logistical challenges of fishing in one of the world's most remote environments. In this How 2 Tuesday episode, Rodrigo reveals the surprising truth about bugs in the Amazon, the one ant bite that left him in agony, and the environmental conditions that can lead to hypothermia in 100-degree weather. If you're planning a remote fishing trip anywhere in the world, these lessons could save your entire adventure.

The Vaccinations, Medicines, and Physical Prep You Can't Skip

When you're planning a trip to fish the Amazon, you're heading to places that are truly remote—far from the nearest town, pharmacy, or hospital. Rodrigo emphasizes that preparation starts long before you board the plane. Getting your vaccinations in order is the first step, but it goes deeper than that. You need to bring everything from basic medications to all your prescription medicines, plus backups. There's no running to the closest pharmacy when you're in the middle of the jungle. The physical demands are also real: you'll be casting all day in 100-degree Fahrenheit heat with 100 percent humidity. Rodrigo compares it to preparing for a competition—you need to get your body ready for the challenge. His full breakdown of preparation essentials starts at 2:48.

The Truth About Bugs in the Amazon (It's Not What You Think)

Most people assume the Amazon is a nightmare of biting insects that will make your life miserable. Rodrigo drops a truth bomb that surprises everyone: most parts of the Amazon where they fish are actually really friendly in terms of bugs. In fact, he says they have way fewer bugs than Alaska on their fishing trips. Yes, there are some bugs, especially in the morning and late afternoon, and you should wear protective clothing and use bug spray during those times. But the horror stories people imagine? They're overblown. The real danger comes from a different source—one that Rodrigo learned about firsthand through an excruciating personal experience involving a single insect. The bug reality check and his painful story start at 6:18.

The Bullet Ant Story and Why You Should Never Touch Anything

If you're walking through jungle tracks or exploring areas with your guide, Rodrigo has one critical rule: don't try to be the real discover guide and touch everything. You're in the middle of the jungle, and you never know what's lurking. It could be a spider, a snake, or an insect hiding where you're about to put your hand. Rodrigo learned this lesson the hardest way possible when a bullet ant bit his forefinger. He describes it as one of the worst things that ever happened to him, and the pain stuck with him. This isn't theoretical advice—this is wisdom earned through painful experience. The jungle demands respect, and curiosity can come with a serious cost. The full bullet ant story and jungle safety rules start at 7:06.

How You Can Get Hypothermic in 100-Degree Weather

Here's a scenario that sounds impossible: you're fishing in the Amazon rainforest where it's 100 degrees Fahrenheit with 100 percent humidity, and you end up cold and potentially hypothermic. Rodrigo explains exactly how this happens, and it's a danger that catches people completely off guard. You're in hot weather, it starts to rain heavily, you're running in a skiff getting pelted with rain, your body gets wet and cold from the combination of rain and wind. Suddenly you're in one of the worst situations for getting dangerously cold. That's why Rodrigo insists on proper rain gear—not just for staying dry, but for preventing a legitimate medical emergency. It's also why he recommends modern filtered water systems at the lodges instead of plastic bottles, ensuring safe hydration all day. The hypothermia risk explanation and gear recommendations start at 8:48.

Final Thoughts from Tom

I've taken people on trips all over the world, and I can tell you firsthand that staying healthy on a remote fishing trip can make or break the entire experience. When Rodrigo talks about getting sick and not being able to fish on the days you traveled thousands of miles to be there, that's not hypothetical—I've seen it ruin what should have been the trip of a lifetime.

What I appreciate about Rodrigo's approach is that it's based on real experience hosting American anglers in one of the most challenging environments on the planet. The bullet ant story alone is worth hearing, but more importantly, his advice about physical conditioning, proper gear, and preparation could literally save your trip. The hypothermia risk in hot weather is something most people would never think about until it's too late.

If you're planning any kind of remote fishing adventure—whether it's the Amazon or anywhere else off the beaten path—this episode is packed with practical wisdom that goes way beyond the basics. Listen to the whole thing and take notes. These aren't tips you want to learn the hard way.