Advice From Jeremy Wade of River Monsters

I recently emailed Jeremy Wade of the TV show River Monsters on Animal Planet to ask his advice on certain factors when trekking in the Amazon. Jeremy is an accomplished angler and biologist with much experience in the Brazilian Amazon.
My questions were as follows:
- Do you ever use a water purification pump for drinking when in the Amazon?
- How you deal with waterborne diseases such as trichomoniasis, leishmaniasis, etc?
I am a huge fan of River Monsters and its host, Jeremy, and highly value his input. I promptly recieved this email in response, despite the fact he was on location filming the next season of River Monster’s coming on in 2010:
Water filter of some kind a good idea, various different ones on the market, but to be honest most of the time (except when on film trips) I’ve just drunk straight from the river. But I do have a fairly cast-iron constitution, possibly a result of getting quite ill in the past and then getting over it.
On a cycle trip, though, where you don’t want to be laid up at all by illness, water quality very important. Incidentally you should be able to get bottled mineral water in quite a few places, if that’s OK. As for general illnesses, it’s just the basic thing of washing hands before eating (there are some good hospital-style spray-on soaps which evaporate after application, which are very good) and keeping fingernails short. You can’t really do much about stuff in the water, or insect borne (apart from anti-malarials and repellents and a lightweight mosquito net) — except get checked out when you get home.
Make sure you treat small wounds (you probably know this) as in the tropics they can get worse if not attended to.
Definitely a good idea to learn as much Portuguese as possible too….
Boa sorte
Jeremy





















i am totally fascinated by this show! i have learned things i never new before. i cannot wait until the new season. i think jeremy is handsome & funny! i tape every show. keep it up!
by kelli w. gill
on 07. Sep, 2009
I watch program “River monsters” on Discovery channel & I like it very match. Jeremy is a hot guy, also without shirt! He fishing me up on his hock:) Anna, Kyiv, Ukraine
by Anna
on 24. Feb, 2010
I am in Vietnam, I like the program Discovery Channel, I like the Jeremy Wade’s programes about RIVER MONSTERS in AMAZON. Jeremy Wade is the courageous man, I admired him. The first I don’t know his name exactly then I found on the internet and I got his name and his website,I happy about this. I love him because he courageous man
by nguyentrang
on 17. Mar, 2010
great show, a must watch.
by mike
on 25. Apr, 2010
Do you have a schedule of how people can meet you?
by margie
on 20. May, 2010
Hello. I am supposing you mean to direct this at Jeremy Wade? I found his contact info on his website.
by Doug
on 01. Jun, 2010
hi jeremy wade i wach your show a lot i was just wondering if you ever tryed to cach the big catfish in the lacks in the us i hear a lot of storeys of ginet ones live in them and you need to find out if there true ro not soposto be big enuf to eat a man i hear iv never seen one but if thay do get that big how do i cach one
by jason
on 26. Jun, 2010
Hi Jeremy,
My name is Ethan Rogers I’m 7 years old and my passion in life is to be a fisherman.I fish every day and when I’m not fishing I watch River Monsters Every day. I have all the shows recorded and know everything you say and catch.
Thank you for River monsters.I hope one day you can come to Georgia and we could go fishing in my lake.There is a huge Catfish in my lake.
I need a jeremy Wade fishing pole to catch this Monster.
He keeps breaking my line.
Sincerly, Ethan Rogers Temple, Ga
by Ethan Rogers
on 15. Aug, 2010
I love your program and would go to great lengths to meet you.
by SonjaAndersen
on 04. Jan, 2011
I find your show very interesting. This is the only fishing show I’ve ever found interesting. Last summer they found a shark swimming in the Ohio River between Ohio and Kentucky. I’m not sure how many there are, but I still would enjoy you filming here. TV Communications was my major in college, I would gladly enjoy the opportunity to help out for free. I also find you super intelligent and would love to talk to you. If you wish please contact me I will send a picture/info through this website’s info area if so. Would like to meet you and your crew if the opportunity arises. Thanks, looking forward to your new shows for 2011.
by Judy LeClair
on 19. Jan, 2011
Hi,
How do U get to e-mail or talk w/Jeremy personally?…There are so many women that would like to know that…and are/is U/he involved w/anyone?..Just like to know…Kim, Columbia, SC…LOVE River Monsters…great show..very informative and love watching Jeremy do his thing…
by Kim Jones
on 07. Feb, 2011
That is one great pic and I’m not talking about the River Monster….LOL
by Kim Jones
on 07. Feb, 2011
I would soooooo tap that
by Reily
on 01. Mar, 2011
I would like to know where you get the stuff you need for making your own steel leders. I watch your show, and love it. keep it going, oh and find out about the ginte catfish I have herd stroys too.
by Richard Snellenberger
on 14. Apr, 2011
This is surprising. I want to say again:
THIS IS NOT JEREMY WADE’S BLOG! He does not read these posts, he will not see them. Asking him questions here will not get them answered.
That being said, feel free to post about him nonetheless.
by Doug
on 14. Apr, 2011
Hello Jeremy,
I watch your show all the time. I would love to meet you but don’t know how to go about it. I admire what you do. So courageness. My dream is to meet you..
by Lauren Goodman
on 21. May, 2011
This is not his site. He will never see your comment.
by Doug
on 26. May, 2011
Clueless people do not read your comments, Doug. LOL!!!
by Danielle
on 22. Jul, 2011
hey jeremy i really enjoy watching your show anyway i got a river monster for you on the ohio river in aliquippa pa my dad and i met some guys that catch catfish 5 to 8 feet long so contact me soon
by Ian
on 27. Aug, 2011
i am truly fascinated with yyour show,i live in huntington,WV and have so many wild tales ive heard since i was a kid,youve just inspired me to look more into them.the fact that you get to fish and search for the mysterious things in this beautiful and unknown world is amazing,thanks so much
by gina anderson
on 02. Oct, 2011
Jeremy, i am your biggest fan and i have watched all of the river monsters episodes,my favorite episode is when you catch the welsh catfish. i would like to catch a monster catfish,but could you give me some advice. i am 12 years old and a girl do you think the catfish could be bigger than me?
by Leah Galford
on 17. Oct, 2011
doug shut up!!!
by cassy blurry
on 17. Oct, 2011
I’m amazed at all the people who really expect Mr. Wade to contact them! These must be the same ones who believe that Sarah Palin can see Russia from across the street from where she lives….
by JoEllen Hamilton
on 19. Dec, 2011
Hey Jeremy do you know how to have a person on your show,I mean i would like to go to the places you go and learn how to catch a giant bullshark or aripimas.
by Troy Gelhar
on 23. Dec, 2011
Jeremy seems awesome, still down to earth. I LOVE the comments where people must think this is his blog or something hahaha good on you Doug, I’d email Jeremy myself but all of require from him is a date so I doubt I’d get a reply of any sort!
by Julia
on 23. Dec, 2011
jetremy is my hero i admire him he is insane im 10 years old and love his show its vantastic
by rhylan
on 02. Feb, 2012
jeremy is my hero i admire him he is insane im 10 years old and love his show its vantastic
by rhylan
on 02. Feb, 2012
jeremy is my hero i admire him he is insane im 10 years old and love his show its fantastic
by rhylan
on 02. Feb, 2012
Great article, Doug — thank you! Suffice it to say, you have uncovered a motherload of Jeremy’s fan’s! It is really nice that he wrote you back — good luck on your trip!
by Kathy
on 04. Feb, 2012
Jeremy. I live in the far reaches of Michigans’ Upper Peninsula on a bay of the vast fresh water Sea; Lake Superior.
I have talked to many old local anglers about the man sized northern pike and bigger that live in these waters.
I know where to go to catch them. But what should I use for bait.
I saw a GIANT swimming in the shallows last year. The fish was half as long as my 18ft canoe. It was nearly as big around as the boat is wide. 55inches. I need to know what to use for bait and how to rig.
Keep catchin and livin. Peace,tight lines,RIVER MONSTERS ON FOR L I F E!!!
by JONNY THUNDER
on 14. Apr, 2012