Issue #10 April 2015
I have always imagined East Africa as a lost part of the Dark Continent trapped in some bygone era. Great wildebeest migrations across vast open plains, safari tents dotted here and there, and the odd silhouetted leopard lounging in a tree, while Masai warriors look on. Fishing too... that which legends are made of... enormous tail-walking marlin, lit-up sailfish and tuna that can sink boats. It is true, that the eastern part of our continent has some of the richest diversity on earth, but I was not expecting the highly developed country which is Tanzania.
Landing in Dar es Salaam just after midnight on Boxing Day, we were whisked away on something of an adventure which revealed much of a country I admittedly knew little about. Just 40km from the city (GPS: lat. 06̊ 59' 80" S/long. 39̊ 32' 56" E) with the sea air thick like syrup, we pulled into the lodge to be met by the owner, Angus Black. Somewhere in the pre-dusk night, the ocean crashed on a beach we could not see, though it was close as the spray carried to the lodge we were ushered into. A long night had come to an end, and we gratefully crashed till the mid-morning heat chased us from our bed.
A mere hop-skip-and-jump from our front doors, a sparkling beach washed by azure waters welcomed us. A half kilometer away, bigger waves crashed to roll over a submerged reef, and in the distance the sail of a small dhow rocked violently on the deceivingly rough ocean. It was indeed like waking into a dream.
We had been invited to Skipper’s Haven early in 2014, but for various reasons had not made it. As 2014 drew to a close, a mail arrived inviting us over Christmas if we could make it. My interest piqued by an article we published earlier in the year by Marc Towers on the Dogtooth tuna to be found around Latham Island off the cost of Tanzania had me excited (SEE HERE). I admittedly am a complete novice when it comes to deep sea fishing, and while I worried about petty things like sea sickness, being dragged over the side of the boat by a monster fish, or being eaten by sharks, the possibility of hooking into something beyond any freshwater fish I have ever caught, stirred my blood.
Skipper’s Haven was a dream of Angus and Karen Black - ex-Zimbabwean farmers of 25 years - when after a few years off the African continent it beckoned to them again. Settling in Tanzania they bought a three acre plot of what was basically barren land. The north facing point offered an ideal spot for a fishing lodge, and together with their son Ewan, they set about building in 2010, and were open for business in 2012. Six brick under reed-thatch chalets - three with king-size beds, and three with twin beds (extras can be added for children sharing) cater up to 12-15 guests. Each lodge has mosquito nets, a bathroom-en-suite with fresh borehole water feeding the entire lodge - great to get the salt off - and very drinkable too. Positioned on high ground, the lodges all look out over the ocean, with our one being right on the beach... honeymoon suite, I believe someone. All are designed to take full advantage of the sea breeze with stunning views of both sunrise and sunset and the lodge enjoys 300m of private sea front and a private beach too.
During our visit, a wind turbine was being commissioned, which will see the lodge running off 220v inverters to provide power round the clock. This is backed up by a 12Kva generator. In addition, a separate campsite caters up to 4-5 tents with communal his and hers ablutions. All guests gather at the central bar/restaurant for meals, or just to lunge around.
After a day of settling in and a bit of exploring, the “sea gurus” judged sea and weather good for a trip to Latham some 43km away. Skippers is the closest lodge to Latham from the mainland (Latham is 70km from Dar) and while the sea was quite choppy, it only took us about an hour and a half to get there. I am not sure what I expected, but the small, low gravely island was not much to look at. However, it is the seabed topography of reefs, shelves, steep drop-offs and the giant fish attracted there, which makes Latham a hotspot. Between here and numerous other spots along the coast, Angus and Ewan have mapped and saved over 100 GPS way points, some which have produced world record fish, and we set about the job of trolling various baits. We caught fish... nothing big mind you, which I was grateful for. I had forgotten that sea fishing is not for sissies, and I was definitely feeling wimpish. Between the onset of sea sickness, the rough sea and fighting relatively small, but hellishly strong fish, I felt like I had been a couple of rounds with Mike Tyson! My arms ached, my back twinged and trying to keep balance in the giant swells did indeed nearly have me overboard. But I was ever amazed by the ocean, and the fact you just do not know what you might pull in... or how big it can get. We were even entertained by a pod of dolphins swimming beside the boat, and apparently whale sightings are not uncommon. We did catch some spectacular looking fish, even if not ginormous. We made another couple of sorties closer to the lodge after our Latham trip, and once were chased by rough seas. It was an enthralling experience, and what Skippers is all about.
By Ant Williams
Skipper's Haven - Tanzania
“Our focus is really on the fishing.” Gus told me. True, the lodge is a great place to simply relax, but it is better described as a place for serious fishermen. They run a 19 ½ foot Tygercat powered by twin 85hp outboards which are relatively economical. The lodge provides packed breakfasts, lunches and drinks (alcohol extra) for an outing, and a half day will cost $450, while a full day out is $800. Because of the distance, a trip to Latham (full day) will cost $900 and the boat will cater for up to four anglers. While fishing is all year round, April/May is good for jigging and popping for GT’s, with focus on Marlin and other billfish in December through February. Tanzania has two rainy seasons; a short one in December/January, and the main one in March/April. Fishing is generally from October through to December, though the Kazkasi wind blows for about a month over Christmas. This is a north east monsoon and was constant and strong during our visit - refreshing in the heat of day, but sometimes churned the sea to a froth which even kept the dhows at bay.
If a non-fishing visitor, or taking a couple of days off from the sea, Skipper’s is a good place to relax. Although barren when they started building, Karen has planted over 150 trees, which complement the few massive baobabs which are on the property creating a truly tropical setting. It really is a little oasis on the Indian Ocean and we were treated to close-up sightings of Palm vultures as they cliff-soared past the lodge, and a very secretive and rare Green coucal... these just a couple of the 120 bird species found in the area. Skipper’s private beach is tucked into a little cove, where we swam daily and even snorkeled during low tide among the various tidal pools and mangroves. This was really fascinating. A little further out, and dotted all over the area, are various reefs one can explore if snorkeling and even scuba diving (if this takes your fancy). Karen is a qualified dive master (and boat skipper) and knows the area well. Aside from their private little beach, visitors can walk and explore up to 6km of beach from the lodge - or as Karen frequently does, take an early morning jog before the heat gets up.
We took a day and did the full-on tourist thing and visited the bustling city that is Dar es Salaam. Some six million people are crammed into this metropolis and it shows. Traffic is slow and bad, people swarm like ants, seemingly erratic but somehow organised, and the architecture speaks of an ancient history evident in the varied culture, while modern high-rise buildings and other infrastructure shows a new era. We visited the fish market - which was entertaining but not for the weak stomached, and toured a couple of shopping malls and flea markets, finally having lunch at the bay restaurant known as the Cape Town Fish Market. Vehicles are a hot and slow way to travel in Dar, but we hired little three-wheeler “Tuk-Tuk” motorbikes (taxis) to ferry us around. It is hair raising, but great fun. Certainly, if you have a day to spare, Dar es Salaam is worth the trip. Further afield, icons such as the Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, the Ngororo Crater and the Selous Game Reserve offer vibrant safari options and are well developed, while closer to Skipper’s, the famed island of Zanzibar can be enjoyed over a couple of day sojourn, by sea or a short flight. Sadly, we did not take advantage of all this, and plan a return trip to see some of the other sights. Angus and Karen can arrange such excursions for those not seriously fishing.
 Angus and Karen, owners and developers of Skipper’s Haven Lodge. |  7 kilo Darado caught casting at debris just south of Skipper’s Haven |  12 kilo Giant Trevally popping at Latham Island |
|---|---|---|
 50 kilo Sailfish landed south of Skipper’s Haven |
 The chalets - all with bathroom-en-suite, overlooking the ocean. |  The chalets - all with bathroom-en-suite, overlooking the ocean. |  The chalets - all with bathroom-en-suite, overlooking the ocean. |
|---|---|---|
 |
The natural protected harbor offers launching almost
any time of day.
While we did not break any records, Ben, Ewan and myself had several fish.
Our trip into the city in Tuk-Tuks was great fun with much to see and do.
The harbor at low tide with the lodge on the
hill in the background.
The secluded beach where we spent most afternoons when not fishing, swimming, snorkeling or just chilling.
The most consistent comment I have seen about Skipper’s Haven, is that visitors truly feel like friends - I know we did. It sounds a bit cliche, but Karen and Angus are very hands-on, and their good old farming hospitality shines through. Oftentimes Karen was slaving over the stove, ensuring a never ending stream of home cooked, mouth watering meals, while Angus ensures an organised, tidy and well equipped boat for all excursions.
Skipper’s rates, for what they offer are very reasonable, and now with several airlines operating affordable, and regular schedules between RSA, Zim, Zambia and Dar, getting there is easy. For more information and bookings, visit their website at www.skippers-haven.com or mail them at info@skippers-haven.com and telephone (+255) 757 546 190.
Issue #10 April 2015
Notes on Farm Dam
and Fish Management
Compiled by Neil Deacon Bsc.Hons (Aquaculture & Fisheries Science), Ph.D. (Ichthyology), Rhodes University
An Introduction Into Dam and Fish Management
Before discussing specific points of dam and fish management it is important to first understand what is meant by dam management and what we mean to achieve by implementing any form of management. A dam in many respects can be seen as an aquatic farm. What can be grown in the dam, as with farming in the conventional sense, is determined by size, soil type, topography, nutrient level, pH and climatic conditions of the environment. The level of intensity at which a dam is 'farmed' depends on how it is managed and the expected return. Fisheries management is a continuum which at its most basic is a wild fishery, implying little or no management, extending to intensive fish farming in ponds where everything is controlled towards maximizing production. Drawing an analogy, the one end of the continuum would be equivalent to a game park or virgin forest while the other end of the scale would be marked by pen feeding or horticulture. Applying this continuum to the average stocked farm dam, the level of intensity roughly equates to something between a conservancy, where game has been introduced, and extensive cattle ranching. In other words these are not natural systems, by stocking with additional fish species the level of intensity has been unintentionally increased. Consequently an appropriate degree of intervention (management) is required to sustain the fish populations within the dams. Before we examine some management options we need to first decide what the aims and objectives are. Angling is an increasingly popular recreation and potential money earner on farms and ranches, the assumption is that the aim is to produce high quality angling. Exactly what ‘good fishing’ constitutes is highly debatable, but let's suppose for arguments sake that we need a 4lb average five fish bag, with the occasional 10 pounder to make it interesting. Our objective, therefore, would be to dedicate as much of the dam’s resources to achieving this aim as possible.
Some Principles and Effects
Any system, whether it be aquatic or land based, generally has finite resources and the basic currency of these resources are nutrients. Just as one controls the head of game or cattle according to the carrying capacity of the land, so too must we manage dams. Removal of excess animals is necessary for the others to survive and grow. In a natural system populations are controlled by natural cycles of starvation, disease and predation. However in dams stocked with exotic species, such as bass (Micropterus salmoides) and Nile bream (Oreochromis niloticus), the moderating effect of natural mortality from disease and predation is not felt as the responsible agents are not included in the stocking. Consequently these fish often multiply uncontrollably thus exceeding the carrying capacity of the dam. Under these conditions the fish display poor growth and begin breeding at a smaller and smaller size, a condition we all know as stunting. Unfortunately, stunting seldom remedies itself if the overcrowding continues as any available nutrients are channelled towards production of more offspring rather than growth.
Management Options
Do Nothing
This is the principle under which many dams are managed at the moment and in terms of fishing quality they more or less follow the same pattern of rise and fall. In the first years after stocking there is the ‘new dam syndrome’ during which the fish display excellent if not phenomenal growth. Under these conditions the introduced fish have abundant food and plenty of space, consequently there are no limitations to growth and they thrive. However as the dam matures free nutrients derived from the rotting of flooded vegetation and other organic matter become increasingly scarce as these resources are exhausted and become less available due to their assimilation by fish and aquatic plants. Tying up of nutrients obviously increases competition for food which means the fish are less able to acquire the quantities they need for maximum growth. This effect is compounded if there is successful reproduction, as not only is there competition for food but also space. Over time the carrying capacity of the dam is reached and stunting is inevitable. The rate at which this cycle progresses depends on many factors including the size of the dam, the species stocked, the amount of nutrient within the dam and the rate at which it is released. For example the nutrient released from flooded trees would be slower than that of flooded grass. The size of a dam is a factor which changes from season to season. Fluctuating dam levels correspond to phases of stunting and high growth depending on water level. Dropping dam levels concentrate the fish into less water which is nutrient poor. Furthermore, under these conditions fodder fish, such as bream, become highly susceptible to predation as areas of refuge, such as grassy shallows, are no longer available. If dams decrease substantially they often become muddy and dissolved oxygen levels decrease which stress the fish. This is further exacerbated by high concentrations of suspended silt which damages sensitive gill tissue of fish resulting in impaired oxygen uptake and a higher susceptibility to disease and predation. In visual predators, such as bass, muddy waters also affect their ability to feed. Consequently a fall in the water level and concomitant deterioration of the environment is often accompanied by high mortality of some fish species. This effect benefits more tolerant species, such as barbel (Clarias gariepinus), as nutrients are again freed in the form of dead fish. The pressure of overcrowding is also alleviated as the total fish population decreases. An increase in water level from low level results in much improved environmental conditions as space and nutrient levels increase as vegetation is again flooded. Surviving fish are able to grow and reproduce and the whole cycle begins again until the next drought. Consequently the fishing quality in dams that are not managed is highly erratic and often depends on the season’s rainfall. In dams which experience large fluctuations in the water level over time, there may be a total restructuring of the fish fauna as species which are more tolerant of poor environmental conditions, such as barbel, displace more sensitive species. So what may begin as a bass and bream dam might end up solely inhabited by barbel. Obviously dam management will never counteract the effect of drought but it can lessen the impact.
Surveying a dam to ascertain its Flora and Fauna make up is an important tool, and throw nets are very useful for this purpose.
Natural Cropping Through Predation
Our natural response to ‘fix’ a dam that has become over populated with bream is to add a predator or even two. Effectively this only tends to defer the problem to another species. By way of example, consider the potential impact of two commonly stocked predators, bass and robbies (Serranochromis robustus jallae), on a dam.
Micropterus salmoides commonly known as largemouth bass or black bass originate from North America and is represented in this country by two strains, the northern race and the Florida subspecies, M. salmoides floridianus. Superficially the subspecies are very similar, the only important difference is that the Florida strain grows faster and larger than the Northerns. As an exotic species, bass can be considered to be a super predator in our waters as the indigenous species, such as bream, have not really evolved strategies to cope with predation by this species. Consequently bream are a relatively easy target for bass and research in Lake Chicamba, Mozambique, has shown that during summer, bream comprise almost 100% of bass diets (O. Weyl & T. Hecht, Rhodes University). Furthermore the spawning season of bass precedes that of bream by two months which means that young bass develop just in time to exploit newly hatched bream. This would be fine except that bass are extremely productive with a 1kg fish being able to produce approximately 6000 eggs at one spawning. Survival of young bass in our waters appears to be very high as initially there are abundant food resources in the form of bream, low predation and the relatively high water temperatures of our dams promote good survival and growth. It is not difficult to work out that under the right conditions even a few bass broodstock can result in the rapid population of a dam. Such rapid increase in the population can easily result in overpopulation with bass, which means the bream population is rapidly over-predated. As bream stocks diminish the bass run out of food and start stunting. Alternatively they eat everything, including each other, until all that is left is a couple of very large bass and nothing else.
The development of a robustus population shows a different pattern although can also end up stunted. From a management point of view robbies or Nembwe behave very much like other bream although their growth is not as good as mozzies (O. mossambicus), for example. Robbies, in common with other bream, have a high propensity for stunting as they become sexually mature at a small size. In robustus stocked in highveld waters this effect is compounded as they display relatively slow growth on account of a non-optimal temperature regime. Toots and Bowmaker (1976) recorded the growth of robustus to be only 75mm per annum in Savoury Dam (Henderson Research Station). No growth was recorded during winter months. In Lake Kyle (Muturikwe) in Zimbabwe growth is better with fish attaining 100mm in their first year (Richert, 1976). Female robustus of 200-250g produce + 250 eggs at a spawning and may spawn three to four times during a season, consequently population growth can also be incredibly rapid.
Although robbies may quickly establish themselves in a dam, their initial impact on other bream species is negligible. Research in Kyle (Richert, 1976) indicates that at least until they are 250mm in length, robbies feed predominantly (80%) on invertebrates. As robbies become larger, 300-350mm, fish become more important in the diet (33%), however is still secondary to snails (55%). It has not been documented whether the importance of fish in their diet increases further as they get even larger. However, the knobbly gill rakers of robustus are an adaptation to an omnivorous diet, which is in contrast to the long spiky gill rakers of a specialised piscivore, such as bass. So in effect the stocking of robustus into a dam only serves to add an additional bream species which perhaps occupies an unfilled niche in the food chain, but does little to remedy overpopulation of other bream species. In fact may even add to the problem.
In the next issue, we will look at managing dams stocked with predators, their control, and general management principles for bream, fodder fish and increasing overall productivity.
Issue #10 April 2015
The Kafue River is one of Africa’s little known angling gems. A major tributary of the Zambezi, few of us get to experience it other than at the point where it enters the Zambezi not far from Chirundu. Rising on the northern Zambian border, much of its course is inaccessible, and those roads that exist, are often bad, vehicle breaking dirt and black cotton soil, a fact which discourages most would-be visitors. Information is generally scarce too, but for those who accept the challenge, the fishing for Africa’s mighty nembwe and other largemouth bream, is unmatched anywhere.
The Kafue River in Zambia’s hinterland, like the Zambezi, rises close to the border with the Congo in the north. Also like the Zambezi, its course once took it north/south, all the way to Lake Makgadikgadi and the Limpopo River, but sometime in the distant past, the land mass welled up, cutting its southward flow. A rift valley formed running due east of where the Kafue National Park is today, and the Kafue river, eroding a channel through a ridge of 100m high hills called the Itezhi-Tezhi Gap, diverted eastwards. The Itezhi-Tezhi Dam was built in 1977 at the gap and now forms a reservoir 50km long and up to 10km wide with an area of 370km² and is a fishing paradise in its own right. Unique too, is the fact that the nearly 1 000km-long Kafue is wholly contained within Zambia, rising on its northern border and meeting the Zambezi at its southern border about 20km north of Chirundu.
Over the last few years, Clive Harris (of the Master Angler tackle shop in Harare) and good friend, Derek Hinde, have traveled to Zambia to fish the Kafue at various junctions, searching for the ever elusive mix of accessibility, unspoiled river and usable infrastructure - accommodation, fuel etc. The primary specie has been the largemouth breams - Serranochromis - most notably the nembwe (Serranochromis robustus), yellow belly or robbie as it is known, but has included thinface largemouth (Serranochromis augusticeps), humpback largemouth (Serranochromis altus) and the African pike (Hepsetus odoe). Interestingly, tigerfish do not occur in the Kafue system, a bonus when fishing the types of lures traditionally employed for the largemouth bream - plugs, jigs and plastics.
Compiled by Ant Williams, in association with Clive Harris and Derek Hinde
Kafue Adventures - Part I
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
 |
The Kafue is fascinating in all its variations. Rising at some 1300 feet above sea level and with a total basin area of 157 000km² , it meanders along a relatively flat plateau with gently undulating topography. The river starts as a trickle from marshy dambos (vlei-type areas) and with little slope to speed up river flow, it meanders sluggishly south-eastwards. Within 50km though it has the character of a mature river, and during the rains it spreads to 100m and more in places. Along its course, it feeds farms - both small and large-scale, supplies the copper mining industry, and through its two dams - Itezhe-Tezhi and Kafue Dam - provides hydro electricity. Its many swamps, dambos, flood plains and wetlands such as the Lukanga Swamp (covering 6000 km²) make for rich and diverse Flora and Fauna quite unique on the African continent. Clive says the bird life is simply spectacular commenting “In some places, you can never look up without seeing a sky full of birds.” Some 490 bird species have been recorded from the area. Derek adds “Bird life is amazing in early season – ducks and water birds by the thousands. However later in the season (July onwards) there are fewer birds because the flood plains have drained and so there is less habitat and food for ducks and the like. On the upper sections, we saw Finfoots, raptors, Pels fishing owls and more.”
The Kafue National Park was established in the 1950s and at 22 400km² is reputed to be Africa’s second biggest park, and was Clive and Derek’s chosen destination in May of 2013. Within the park, two main tributaries - the Lunga and Lufupa rivers - swell its flow and the river skirts the south-east edge of the Busanga Plain, one of Africa’s premier natural wildlife areas known for large herds of Cape buffalo, zebra and antelope. Aside from the fishing, wildlife and of course birds are spectacular and a good pair of binoculars, cameras and good lenses are absolutely essential f you plan a visit.
Clive was fortunate to stay at a hunting camp called Kafue River Camp (e-mail - kafueriver@iwayafrica.com) on the edge of the upper Kafue National Park, which offered them a self-cater base right on the river (they also have reasonable camping available). Here, the river is relatively narrow, broken by rock formations, islands and channels characterised by mangrove-type vegetation with trees overhanging the river bank and providing ideal Serranochromis habitat. Foregoing a conventional fibreglass boat, Derek took a 14 foot aluminium Tracker powered by a 15hp and fitted with swivel seats and bass motor. This they transported atop Derek’s Cruiser which negated towing a boat over the sometimes not-so-good dirt roads.“The river has many rapids, and the Tracker was ideal as it is very manouevreable through the rapids which run at about 8km/hr.” says Clive. This is almost twice as fast as the average Zambezi flow. During that trip, they ranged some 25km up-stream and occasionally the same down stream into the park where the river is slower, shallower and begins to meander onto the flood plain. Crocs and hippo are common in this section, and Derek says the hippo can be quite cheeky, so give them a wide berth.
April is reputed to be the best time of year, as the higher water levels make negotiating the river easier. Clive and Derek visited in May, and though the river was down about a meter, it was still navigable. Derek says “I think this section needs to be fished in April (depending on rain and water levels). The fish are smaller here, but I am told in April, abundant. May and July though, I have found the fishing to be tough.” The nembwe - as in the upper Zambezi - hide out around structure, like the tangled root systems along the banks, or in the faster rapids behind current breaks such as rocks, islands and lay-downs. Although the largemouths are opportunistic predators, their preferred diet consists of crustaceans such as snails and especially crabs. All along the river, sections of clay mud banks support crabs which burrow into the banks, and never far away are the nembwe and occasional thinface and humpback.
Using light to medium action spinning or casting rods spooled with 10-14lb fluorocarbon or braid line, Clive says “Our main lures consisted of small hinged spinnerbaits with Triple Ripple trailers - red or chartreuse - Effzetts, and various Rapalas which we used for wider sections of river, especially those with mud banks.” The fish hold very tight to the structure, and accuracy is everything. Most of their fish came from casting to the shore line, close to rock piles, under Waterberry trees, logs and lay downs. Later in the season as the river recedes and exposes the rocks, the fish move to hold close to them. Says Derek “Vegetation on river bank is beautiful but requires good pitching skills to get to the fish. Later in the year it is easier to get to fish because the water is shallower and they move out to rocky areas. Experienced local anglers fish a lot with spoons (Effzet) and crank baits and either troll or cast out to middle river rocks. This is primarily to locate the fish, and once a hot-spot is identified they go back and fish it more thoroughly. Often, the higher water level is concealing gully inlets where the ox-bow lakes are draining back into the river. Nembwe gather at these inlets and trolling helps locate them quickly. However, Clive and I did very little of that.”
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
African pike were caught too, and though not as prolific as the targeted nembwe, they do inhabit the quieter backwaters along the river. Caught in thicker weed and vegetation, they will take small spinners and lures retrieved close to the surface and slowed to drop into holes in the weed. Known as a top water predator, they stalk and ambush prey with a swift and sudden rush. Though they do not attain any great weight they are an attractive and unique specie to add to ones”bucket list.” Females are bigger than males and known at attain 2kg, though the Zimbabwe Angling Record caught above Victoria Falls stands at 0.640kg and that for RSA at ).805kg. Once adult, their main diet is other fish, and they will prey on fish up to 40% their own size.
Interestingly, the Zambians hold an annual River Lure Tournament, staged from Kitwe in the north, and many competitors run over 100km downstream daily to fish close to the park. As the water’s up, they pass over the rocks and other obstructions Clive and Derek fished, but Derek comments “Those guys are crazy and sometimes run over 100km to fishing spots with 200hp outboards - maybe they have cleared the river bottom of rocks with their outboards!”
Upper Kafue National Park.
Route: Kariba, Lusaka, then West Highway (N9) to Mumbwa (this is about 150km), then north +/- 120km on sometimes not so good dirt road to the ferry at Lubungu- and then about 10km to Kafue River Camp - GPS 14 29,841s/26 31,20e. Website www.kafueriver.com.
Clive and Derek’s next visit in October of 2013 took them to Itezhi-Tezhi Dam and Kafue river section below the wall. Clive says “Itezhe-Tezhi Dam is massive, not unlike parts of Kariba with standing timber, islands and rocky shorelines. We used a Ruffnek Maverick powered by a 90hp E-Tec which could be uncomfortable when the wind picked up. The water levels vary greatly depending on time of year and during our visit in October, the dam level was down about 10 meters.” Interestingly, Itezhe Tezhe stores water to be released feeding Kafue Dam hydro-electric scheme downstream, a station which supplies 50% of Zambia’s power. Derek comments “The dam is already impacting on the lower section and I think will spoil the river to a certain extent – a bit like what has happened to the middle Zambezi below Kariba, so we will only know what the effects are going to be over the next few years, but there will be changes.” The western shoreline of the lake though, borders the Kafue National Park, so visitors will invariably have game viewing there too. Fishing on the dam requires a Parks fishing permit and the authorities are very serious about licenses, and stiff penalties apply if you are caught without one.
The Effzett spinners are a favourite lure and Clive and Derek also used deep diving crank baits such as the Rapala DT range, Shadraps and Fatraps in Firetiger, craw and crawdad and similar in 5cm and 7cm. Again, all the largemouth bream are present in the dam, with the added species of the Southern mouthbrooder (Pseudocrenilabrus philander) being very common along the rocky shorelines. This specie occurs throughout most of southern Africa, though like the pike, does not attain any great size (around 130mm).
Staying at Musungwa Lodge (www.musungwa.com), Clive and Derek had access to the river below the wall as well - just a few minutes drive from the dam - where the Kafue River water level remains fairly constant depending on what is released through the spillway and turbines. A good concrete slipway to launch boats is available too. The river banks are heavily wooded with
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
Route to Itezhi-Tezhi Dam: Lusaka, West Highway (M9) to Mumbwa + 63 km. South West on very bad dirt of about 120km. While this road was very bad in 2013, the road is under refurbishment and was planned to be complete for 2015 cutting travel time down considerably. Various camps/lodges are available, catered or self catered and Musungwa is a great option and can be contacted to confirm the state of the road too - E-mail - safker@global.co.za. Lusaka office phone: (+260) 211 273493, Mobile: (+260) 966846632 / 0977846632 / 0966876522. Due to a trailer breakdown which took two plus hours, this trip took them 15 hours from Kariba in 2013 - be sure to leave ample time for your trip.
trees and lots of reeds so a weedless jig is the best lure. “Red claw crayfish exist in this section of river, hence the jig should be black/red with a crawfish trailer, and claws dyed red. Small heavy spinnerbaits will get bites on the drop, but as the current here is swift, casting must be accurate.” says Clive. A bass boat with a good trolling motor is essential and accurate casting and pitching into structure will be rewarded with BIG Nembwe. “Our biggest was six and a half pounds with lots of fish in the four pound bracket.” he said. Baitcasting combos with medium heavy pitching sticks are best. Clive prefers 10-16lb fluorocarbon line to the braids because as he says “it retrieves more smoothly through sticks and bark. Find banks with the fastest water which is normally deeper, say 16-20 feet, and work it thoroughly and s-l-o-w-l-y.”
As an aside, both Derek and Clive are keen flyfishers, and though this technique was tried with pretty good results, it was difficult with two on a small boat. Derek has caught well using attractor type flies like the Wooly Bugger on sinking line, and if your fly casting is up to scratch, it offers the perfect technique for getting the fly in the right target area among the roots etc.
Clive and Derek boated and fished a section of the Kafue 100km in extent, often from just below the wall in the very fast water where big fish are reputed to hang out. Mostly though, they focused on the downstream section, boating up to 40km downstream daily. The best fishing was found to be downstream though fuel is a consideration.
Derek comments “The lower section has plenty of local fishing pressure as the area is similar to Zimbabwe’s communal land. This changes somewhat during the rainy season as they prefer to net in the flood plains. I have fished here now in early May and July. July was too cold and I think September may be interesting as the water heats up, but unfortunately by then local pressure will be high as well as pressure from commercial hook and cook guys from Zambia. Our trip in May gave the best quality robbie fishing I have ever had - except maybe on the upper Zam - but I stress you need local information. We were lucky because water was being released and had flooded the plains, but if this does not happen and the rainfall is bad then there may be a whole new ball game.”
This area, like the Upper Kafue in the park, can be a nightmare to get to, and depending on water levels, difficult to navigate and fish. Derek says of the lower sections “The bottom section runs mostly through flood plains and flatter country and therefore tends to have more human habitation along it’s banks. Because of the flood plain and generally shallower river it is VERY beneficial to get seasonal information regarding river levels. Most years the river floods in March/April, so it is difficult to get to but easier to boat the upper section.” It was with this in mind, that their next trip was planned to Namwala - the southernmost point on their Kafue adventures. This will be covered in the next issue.
Issue #10 April 2015
© The African Fisherman Magazine 1988 - 2014. All Rights Reserved.
This website was expressly created for The African Fisherman by Web & Cloud Solutions
