| Fishing on the Zambezi River for the novice or | | | | current all day long and are extremely fit, their |
| experienced angler is possibly as close as one can | | | | fight is unsurpassed by any other fish so catching |
| get to absolute perfection. But what can one | | | | them on normal tackle is exciting in itself but to |
| expect to catch and how? What are the best | | | | catch one on a fly rod is beyond belief. |
| times of year and what are the potential dangers | | | | When to catch it |
| if any? | | | | Tigers Fish and Nembwe are targeted all year |
| As all fishermen know it is not only about the | | | | round, but are particularly prolific from late May |
| catch but it's about being at one with nature and | | | | through to December. |
| your surroundings. Well what better place can you | | | | The rains generally start around the end of |
| do this than on the Mighty Zambezi River? | | | | November, with the rain comes muddy water and |
| It is ever changing through the seasons so one | | | | lots of debris as well as food. As the water levels |
| visit is never the same as the next keeping you | | | | rise through January many species of fish move |
| spell bound every time. Wildlife and birds are in | | | | into the floodplains to feed and breed. In May the |
| abundance and for me nothing much can be finer | | | | water levels reach their peak and then start to |
| than a days fishing on the Zambezi River. | | | | subside through the next few months until they |
| What you can catch | | | | are again at their lowest in November. It is as |
| There are over 75 fish species found inhabiting | | | | these water levels start to recede that one can |
| these waters. The most sought-after of these is | | | | have some truly excellent fishing on the Zambezi. |
| the Tiger Fish, well renowned as probably the | | | | The bait fish, normally around June, have to leave |
| greatest fighting fresh water fish around. It is a | | | | the security of the floodplains and make their |
| ferocious species which can grow as large as 33 | | | | way back to the main channel, these "bait balls" |
| lbs (15 Kg) in weight. | | | | are followed by the predators, and this is when a |
| However you can also expect to catch Vundu, | | | | lot of action takes place and there is excellent |
| Three spot and Yellow-belly bream, Upper | | | | fishing to be had with both lure and fly. |
| Zambezi Yellowfish and Barbel to name just a | | | | As the water levels continue to drop, the |
| few of the most common. | | | | temperatures start to increase and the water |
| Vundu is a type of catfish and is the largest fish | | | | becomes crystal clear from August through to |
| found in the Zambezi, and can grow as large as | | | | November superb fishing of all species is to be |
| 100 lbs. The gorgeous Yellow-belly Bream | | | | had. |
| (Nembwe) reach over 4kgs in weight and is very | | | | What to Look out for |
| popular amongst anglers. | | | | The Zambezi is real Africa so there is no getting |
| How To Catch it | | | | away from the fact that Hippos and Crocodiles |
| Trolling and spinning with artificial lures for both | | | | live in these waters in profusion. Experienced |
| Tiger fish and Bream are the standard methods | | | | guides however know exactly how to avoid these |
| used. Bottom fishing and drift bait (fillet or live | | | | animals and let them be, so that both man and |
| bait) are also very successful methods. | | | | animal can enjoy this magical place. So don't let |
| Some of these methods obviously require the | | | | these dangers stop you from going rather make |
| use of a boat, so unless you have your own, it is | | | | sure you go only with someone who knows what |
| definitely advisable to take a tour with one of the | | | | they are doing. |
| quality fishing companies around. Drifting slowly | | | | If you are fishing on the Zambezi from the bank |
| down with the current and casting into the swirling | | | | don't stand on the river bank next to a deep |
| eddies often yields great fish. The really large tiger | | | | water channel for long periods of time, keep |
| fish generally hang out in the deep water so | | | | moving every few minutes. But in all honesty |
| drifting with a chicken or a fish fillet is possibly the | | | | your biggest enemy here is the sun, the cool air |
| best way to catch one of these monsters. | | | | blowing off the water lulls you into believing you |
| Fishing from the bank in the Zambezi National | | | | are not getting burnt. So ensure that you have a |
| Park can be very rewarding if you can find the | | | | wide brimmed hat, suntan cream and even long |
| right spot for both spinning and fly fishing. | | | | sleeved shirts. |
| Sometimes giving you that extra mobility to | | | | Mosquitoes won't worry you during the day, but |
| search out fishes in exact spots especially during | | | | at dusk they come out in full force so if you are |
| the very dry season when you can creep up on | | | | going to be on the water at that time make sure |
| the shallow waters or jump onto the rocks and | | | | you have some mosquito repellent with you. |
| cast into the fast flowing current. | | | | The water in this section of the Zambezi above |
| Targeting Tiger fish on fly is definitely one of the | | | | Victoria Falls is very pure and is fine to drink. |
| most challenging and exciting experiences any | | | | Who to go with |
| angler can have. Heart stopping strikes are always | | | | There are a few fishing companies operating in |
| followed by fantastic acrobatic aerial displays, as | | | | Victoria Falls. Boats and equipment are available on |
| the tigers dance across the waters surface trying | | | | an hourly basis (minimum 2hrs) rates do vary but |
| to throw your fly from their bony mouth (often | | | | you can expect to pay around US$50 per hour |
| successfully). | | | | per boat and if you book three or more hours |
| These tremendous fighters swim against the | | | | you will get one hour free. |