Tiger fishing at sunrise on the Lower Zambezi River

Posted by Paul Steyn on 23 October 2013

One of the most important skills in fishing is choosing the right location. When it comes to catching your dream tiger fish, there are few better places in Africa than the Lower Zambezi River in Zambia.

Looking a little closer, there are certain sections along the Lower Zambezi that are even more favourable, one such area being just downriver from the Lower Zambezi National Park.

This is where my fishing story begins …

I head out early in the morning from Baines River Camp (read: Baines River Camp – a piece of paradise on the Zambezi) with the objective of catching tiger on fly. I’ve packed a nine-weight fly rod with lots of spare backing attached to the reel and a good drag system. A tiger’s take can be savage and often results in epic, acrobatic battles, with the fish leaping high into the air and tugging hard in the line as you try to reel him in.

The morning is cool, and the sun is peaking up above the horizon. It’s just my guide and I and we disappear out of sight of the lodge, looking for the exact right scene to play out our strategy. Lot’s of deep sections, eddies, sand banks and fallen trees along the waterways provide numerous opportunities to cast in my line.

Sunrise, fishing, on the Lower Zambezi, River, Africa

Sunrise on the the Zambezi - best time for tigers.

We find a perfect spot, just beyond a small sandy island, turn off the engine and begin drifting downstream like a piece of wood. There’s not a breath of wind and the water reflects a quiet morning glow. The birds begin their chorus – hopefully masking any indication of our presence. It’s time to begin the hunt.

My line collapses on the water with the fly making a brief splash at the end. I leave it for a moment, and then swiftly pull the fly in – trying to alert the tigers to the presence of something tasty on the flat surface. The conditions are ideal and I expect to get a hit on the first line. I don’t pull anything in. Nothing on the second, or the third.

I start to forget about the fish and concentrate on the world around me. I love mornings in the bush – especially after a cup of coffee when all my senses are perfectly alert. I can hear monkeys alarm-calling on the opposite bank – must be a leopard on a morning patrol. A pied kingfisher flits just beyond my line and lands on a branch right in front of the boat, also looking for fish, I presume.

Boom! A big tug on the line snaps me out of my daze, and before I can consider my next move a glorious tiger launches itself out the water like a gymnast and sails over the water with a powerful flick of its tale. I hold the rod like a lifeline and begin to tug it in. The line briefly slips between my fingers but I hold on.

The fight is on and it’s getting heated. The fish continually accelerates in every direction – he’s not giving up, and neither am I. The line starts to run again and the tiger heads for a dead tree, but I manage to steer him away from it. Close to the boat he puts in one last tug and I scoop him up with the net.

Tiger fishing, Lower Zambezi, Zambia

The big fish! Photo by Chris Martin.

I always take pleasure in releasing a fish after a good fight. For me it’s the best part. He swims out of my hands and off into the dark brown Zambezi. Good luck.

Let’s be honest, location is the key in a successful fishing trip, and this spot is perfect. Here on the Lower Zambezi, not far from the national park, drifting downstream past eddies, fallen trees and sand banks. It doesn’t get much better than this when it comes to fishing for Africa’s greatest fighter.

 

Find more accommodation in the Lower Zambezi Region or try your hand at a five-day Zambezi tiger fishing adventure with Getaway Travel.

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