Fishing - Tigerfish

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Tigerfish and friends

Hydrocynus vittatus translates literally as the striped water dog. Arguably the worlds best freshwater gamefish, this pure predator inhabits the warm rivers North of the South African border. These fish have conical pointed teeth and they attack their prey with the savagery that only something evolved in Africa can. An excellent quarry on the fly, spending more time out of the water than in it when hooked.

Click here for trips to Impalia island, Namibia on the Zambezi River
Click here for trips to Pongola Dam, Kwazulu Natal South Africa

How to:

7-9 wt single handed rods, floating, intermediate and fast sinking lines, dep[ending upon water conditions, large baitfish imitation flies on steel traces.

Flies:
View a selection of flies for Tigerfish. Click here.

Articles:

This aricle appeared in 'Flyfishing' magazine in 1998
The fly North of the Border.

The tropical rivers North of the Limpopo are incredibly dynamic systems, with flows varying as much as the seasonal rains within their catchment areas. Their inhabitants have subsequently had to adapt to ever fluctuating temperatures, water levels and turbidity. The resultant array of aquatic creatures, including the fish species have to be highly tolerant, often occupying very specific niches, and are therefore unlike anything we are likely to come up against in the tamer in land waterways within our Republic.

First and foremost is the Tigerfish - Hydrocynus vittatus, of which there are two sub-species. The Goliath, which inhabits the large lake and river systems of North and West Africa, is a predominantly solitary, deep water predator growing to extraordinary proportions. It is however the smaller riverine counterpart of the Zambezi, Okavango, Chobe, Cunene and Kafue waterways which is of more concern to the flyrodder. The Tiger prefers warm, well oxygenated water and depending on water levels may inhabit the flooded back channels and lagoons during high water but will concentrate in the deeper main channels during periods of low water. A reputation for unadulterated aggression and power proceeds this fish and tackle must be geared accordingly. A standard saltwater 8/9 weight outfit with a selection of floating, intermediate and fast sinking shooting heads and at least a 12lb tippet is what is required if catch and release is to be seriously considered. A steel trace goes without mentioning, but a difficult balance in length must be struck between being long enough so as to avoid "bite off" but short enough so as not to hinder the fly's swimming action. A good selection of sparsely tied Bucktail and copper bodied streamers of the Peter Bezhuidenhout and Nicholas Boulton fame should be on hand. High density foam, home made or pre-moulded popper heads will allow the angler to immediately target surface feeding fish. Keeping the tail of the fly short and the hook point needle sharp will result in more strikes and a better hook up rate than those destined to cast the Mepps all day…

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Bream:
This is a highly diverse species consisting of algiverous, omnivorous and highly predacious varieties, all of which can be taken on the fly. The beautiful emerald green Nembwe - Serranochromis robustus and the far from pretty Thinface Largemouth - Serranochromis angusticeps are aggressively territorial, structure orientated fish and a well plcedaccurate cast will nearly always produce a fish throughout the summer months. The predominantly algiverous Three-spot bream - Oreochromis andersonii requires a lot more hard work and patience, but will fall for a slowly retrieved nymphal pattern.

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The African Pike - Hepsetus odoe, is the head of the fishy food chain in the quiet backwaters, lagoons and especially the flooded delta of the lower Okavango. This ferocious, pre-historic looking fellow unfortunately doesn't grow much more than a couple of pounds, but he is an acrobatical fighter, never giving up, even refusing to release the long nose pliers when being unhooked. Butter barbel - Schilbe intermedius is a predominantly insectivorous little catfish and can be great fun on a light outfit, especially for a frustrated dry fly fisherman wishing to extend his repertoire.

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Sharptooth Catfish - Clarias gariepinus. Don't look so disgusted - these barbel living in pristine freshwater systems are highly predacious and far more reliant on their eye sight than their black bag and body dodging cousins of the Vaal River. They put on weight quickly gorging, on the vast choice of small fish available all year round. I've had a 7kg barbel clear the water three times while being fought, no doubt trying to convince the British clients in the boat it was a misplaced Scottish Salmon…

Unfortunately there so often seems to be a downside when it comes to the pursuit of this sport of ours. Gill netting is becoming the scourge of freshwater systems throughout Africa, and just like those used in the Oceans throughout the world they are totally unforgiving in the numbers, size and even species of animal trapped. The Kapenta netters on both the Zimbabwean and Zambian side of Lake Kariba are consistently at a loss when a full moon renders their attracter lights ineffective. What better to do than string a nylon gill net across some secluded bay or tributary river mouth.? Conservation legislation in Botswana permits netting in the Delta as long as the nets are laid parallel to the bank. European Aid Agencies are now providing free or subsidised nets, gas refrigerators and outboard engines. Turning traditional subsistence fishermen into commercial operators overnight In a very short while good money can be made by these entrepreneurial fishermen. They can now store their improved catches and sell them later in the large centres of Maun and Francistown. If nets are destroyed by crocs and hippos that get tangled up at night - not a problem as the Norwegians will have a replacement in no time. It is not long before a vehicle and extra labour can be paid for - and who wouldn't net across a river mouth as the floods reside, so many fish get caught even the fridges can't handle the load and the smell of rotting fish wafts from the surrounding islands. As for the poor old Tigerfish, he really gets it in the neck - literally. Being an open water hunter covering a lot of area he gets badly hammered, but not having nearly the market value of the bream his bloated carcass is discarded, only to provide the resident fish eagle a free meal . Just as the North Sea has been decimated with such thoughtless netting, and the wild Atlantic Salmon is about as common a sight as the Quagga, I think I would rather see European Aid stay in Europe. Only the development of a sustainable Sport Fishing industry, integrated into the well established Eco-tourism base will mean the survival of the fishing in these Wilderness areas, but like most urgent conservation projects, it is usually a race against time, where time more often than not has the upper hand…

Click here for trips to Impalila Island
Click here for trips to Pongola Dam

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