It’s raining on the Zambezi

The rains have started and we are looking forward to a very good season, if the actuaries and weather people are to be believed. I have just spent a few days up on the river with a group and we enjoyed the cooler days and light rain. The river is super clean and the rains have brought the fish on the bite. My clients all enjoyed excellent catches of Tiger, Barbel and Nembwe.

We expect the river to remain reasonably clean up until January, after this bait fishing becomes insane! The river tends to clean up mid – late April and then we get our autumn special season when the fishing becomes awesome on lure, fly and bait. We have some excellent “green season” deals below. Plenty of holidays coming so plan your trips now to take advantage. We fish the Zambezi throughout the year, the river constantly changes and we change with it. My job is to discuss fishing strategy with you prior to you embarking on your trip as I have around 30 years’ experience fishing and running safari’s in this amazing area.

Our promise

I am up on the Zambezi almost every few weeks and each time I learn something different; a new lure, what’s working, what’s not, the river levels and weather patterns. This is my passion and life's work and I share it with all of our clients, my promise to you.

CHRIS WOOD - Owner and operator Tiger Fishing Zambezi

The Getaway Show Done And Dusted!

A great show, we will be back again!.

Jelly Fish on the Zambezi!

- Pics courtesy of Gavin Duke Norris GM at Ichingo Lodge

I learn something new on each trip. Last year I was staying at Codgers and came upon a mass jelly fish explosion in one of the side lagoons. I was not aware that fresh water jelly fish occurred on the Zambezi and did some research:

| "September (spring) 1984; During a parasitological survey of fish in the eastern Caprivi, a bloom of medusas of a freshwater jellyfish was observed in Lake Lisikili bordering on the Zambezi River, approximately 20 km downstream from Katima Mulilo. Medusas occurred in vast numbers and presented a unique spectacle as thousands floated in the lake. Some were collected and examined microscopically and found hosting hundreds of trichodinid peritrichs which upon closer examination proved to be an unknown species of which the taxonomic description is presented below. Freshwater medusas of the genus Limnocnida have been recorded from various localities in central and southern Africa, including the Zambezi River, with the most southerly record from Johannesburg, South Africa."

I encourage the purchase of good quality, strong gear when you are “tooling” up for the Zambezi River. Due to my passion for conventional, fly and kayak fishing on the Vaal and Orange, I destroy a R450 pair of stripping gloves very quickly.

These are on sale at R20 a pair and available at Builders Warehouse. I have adapted them and due to the rubber nodules they are gentle when handling the fish (when wet) and they don’t fray. The pair in pic number 3 is after a full Orange River fishing trip plus a Zambezi River four nighter and I will use them during my upcoming trips.