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.
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. Their first two visits were covered in the last issue (SEE HERE) and detailed their trip to Kafue River Camp close to the northern boundary of the Kafue National Park, and then to Musungwa Lodge at Itezhi Tezhi dam. In 2014 they explored a new area down stream of Itezhi Tezhi at a place called Namwala. As we go live with this issue, they have just returned from another visit to Namwala (early May 2015).
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.
The Kafue is fascinating and with a basin area of 157 000km² , is interspersed with varied river terrain. 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 make for rich and diverse Flora and Fauna quite unique on the African continent.
Having fished two very different locations along the Kafue, Namwala seemed to offer the easiest road access and with Itezhi Tezhi so close, fuel (costs around $2/litre) and provisions would not be a problem. With help of some Zambian farming friends, accommodation too was located. Clive writes “The lodge in Namwala (contact the owner - Mr. Evans Banda on telephone +260 979 412 791) is basic but comfortable - clean sheets, hot showers, self catering - but take your cooking/camping gear. At K200 (around US$35) per day per lodge for two people sharing, it is very affordable. One can beach the boat right at the chalet at night (depending on water level), safe with all-night security guards.” There is also a good concrete launching ramp at the Fisheries Department at Namwala.
Alternatively, some devoted Zambian anglers keep an eye on water levels, and once the river is off the flood plain, they range an area downstream of Namwala, driving across the plain and simply camping at likely spots. Derek has done this too, and says it offers a great and inexpensive option, which was comfortable and safe.
Nearest fuel at Namwala is at Itezhi Tezhi which is about 60km by road, or as they did, can be reached via boat and a taxi ride to the fuel station with a chigub - but also about 80km by boat. “We did fill up at Choma on our trip in” says Clive.
Issue #11 May 2015
One is not right on the Kafue, but several winding channels through the lagoons connect to the main river. Clive continues “It’s about 8-10km to the main river, and easy to navigate, just follow the current. The water level in this section of the Kafue is controlled by discharge from Itezhe-Tezhi, about 80km upstream. In May the water is high and during our 2014 visit, was still flowing into the lakes and dambos of the flood plain.” The just completed 2015 visit saw them fishing water almost two meters lower, so time of year in not necessarily an indicator. “The river is wide and winding and up to 20 feet deep on the outside river bends where the current is strongest. Vegetation is thick on both banks and consists of huge waterberry trees, a variety of thorn bushes, reeds and grasses. Again a fully equipped bass boat is ideal with a good trolling motor to hold position in the strong current.” The opportunity to fish the river at two meters lower this year, gave Clive and Derek the opportunity to see exposed structure - tree root systems and rocks - they had actually been boating over and fishing in 2014. Clive reports the nembwe were still there, but not in the numbers of their 2014 trip. Ranging further downstream this year, they fished rock ridges crossing the river (underwater in 2014), and even picked up some good pinkies or Redbreast bream (Tilapia rendalli), as well as more Thinface largemouth bream in the main channels.
While pike are an interesting species to catch in the Kafue, and abundant, and other bream will be caught, the Kafue is really for the purist nembwe fisherman. The Upper Zambezi above Victoria Falls does produce largemouth bream, though they are not as prolific, and due to the easy access, under greater pressure, both from sport and commercial fisherman. “We caught only Nembwe - mostly big males, three to five pounds.” says Clive. “Our most productive spots were the vertical clay banks, pitching 3/8 oz. weedless jigs (black/red) dressed with a red craw trailer. Some bites occur visually only inches from the surface and the mud bank - real heart stopping stuff! Often a missed strike will result in a second bite as the fish are very aggressive and super quick giving an amazing fight when hooked.”
Compiled by Ant Williams, in association with Clive Harris and Derek Hinde
Notes on Farm Dam and Fish Management -
Part II
Kafue Adventures - Part II
Tackle consisted of 7 foot, medium heavy G Loomis bait casting rods with a Curado E-7 reel spooled with 14lb clear fluorocarbon. Clive reminds anglers “Remember to re-tie often as these robbies have extra long, sharp teeth, perhaps they have adapted to eating the red claw cray?”
The largemouth bream are a sensitive and finite species. Experience has shown, that it is entirely possible to deplete nembwe in an area within a few days by over-fishing it. Catch and release is the name of the game, and few Zambians will be impressed with the “cooler-box brigade” exploiting this amazing sport fish. Respect their home waters and leave as good visitors, safeguarding this pristine resource for those who follow.
Space does not allow truly comprehensive coverage of all that is the Kafue, but a visit or call to Clive will be most informative (+263-4-885660). The Kafue has much to offer the adventure angler, though accommodation and access points need careful research. Most access points require a night stop-over at Kariba or Livingstone (if traveling through the Falls), and expect a full day’s travel on the Zambian side. Alternatively, Lusaka would be a good stopping point before proceeding to the river. The main Livingstone-Lusaka highway is a busy road, so expect to take it easy. As to which area was best, Derek says “Both have their points. I think the lower section has better fish, but the upper section is very different and interesting and there is still much to learn of both sections, so my advice – fish them both !!” Clive says their first trip to the upper Kafue and in the game park was the best. “Here, you really feel like you are in the wilderness... no noise, no sounds of trees being chopped, no people to speak of, and no litter! The river is spectacular and fishing not bad. Added to which, the bird life and game is amazing.” says Clive.
Route to Namwala: This trip was done in a day, leaving Harare at 3am and driving through Chirundu. After the border, turn left on T1 to Mazabuka, through Choma, then north west 170km to Namwala. This is the easiest route to access the Kafue, tar road all the way and completed in one full day from Harare.
AN OVERVIEW OF KAFUE RIVER COURSE - The river follows a course of approximately 960 kilometres, rising on the Congo/Zambia border close to Kipushi (near Lubumbashi in the Congo), it makes its way southward and before it reaches the Copperbelt towns, it loses its wide flood plain narrowing to 30–40 metres and meanders less. The character of the river forms a less meandering dry-season channel with sandy banks and islands. Continuing south-west it enters the Kafue National Park, and then skirts the south-east edge of the Busanga Plain, then south through Chunga before turning east as it passes through the Itezhi-Tezhi Gap, the site of the Itezhe Tezhe dam wall. Below Itezhe Tezhe dam, the river flows sluggishly across a flat plain called the Kafue Flats and for the third time develops intricate meanders in a maze of swampy channels and lagoons. This time however it also has an immense shallow flood plain which no roads or railways cross, 240km long and about 50km wide, flooded to a depth of less than a metre in the rainy season (deeper in some lagoons and permanently swampy areas), and drying out to a clayey black soil in the dry season. The Kafue Flats are the third major wildlife area of the river. Tens of thousands of Kafue lechwe live on the Kafue Flats and are adapted to wading the flood. The area also has one of the greatest variety and concentrations of birds in the world. The Lochinvar and Blue Lagoon National Parks have been established on the flats.
The Kafue Flats end at Kafue town and from there, as the rift valley gets deeper, the river drops 550m over 60km through the Kafue Gorge. The Kafue Gorge Dam backs up through part of the gorge back toward the Kafue Flats. Beyond the Kafue Dam, the river meanders little and eventually finds its way to the Zambezi about 60km away. Tiger fishing is often very good at the confluence, as the tiger and other species enjoy the nutrient rich waters of the Kafue.
 2014 water levels were much higher with most root systems fully submerged |  2014 water levels were much higher with most root systems fully submerged |  May 2015 with the river almost two meters lower showing the roots where the fish would of been holding in 2014 |
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 May 2015 with the river almost two meters lower showing the roots where the fish would of been holding in 2014 |  May 2015 with the river almost two meters lower showing the roots where the fish would of been holding in 2014 |  May 2015 with the river almost two meters lower showing the roots where the fish would of been holding in 2014 |
Compiled by Neil Deacon Bsc.Hons (Aquaculture &
Fisheries Science), Ph.D. (Ichthyology), Rhodes University
Managing Dams Stocked with Predators
From the previous discussion it is clear that a specialist fish predator, such as bass, has the potential to take over a dam which means fodder fish stocks, particularly bream, get heavily exploited and may even be eliminated. Accordingly dams have to be managed in a way that promotes survival of fodder fish so the populations of predators can be sustained. Therefore management of a dam stocked with a predator or predators requires a bipartite strategy which includes (i) control of predator populations and (ii) conservation of fodder fish. In effect the addition of a predatory fish has further increased the required intensity of management as now not only do the bream have to be managed but so does the predator population. One must bear in mind that any steps taken to conserve fodder fish will also protect the young of predatory fish, concomitantly increasing their survival. It should be noted that the addition of a predator, particularly bass, changes the character of a dam. Dams that produce good bream prior to the introduction of bass seldom continue to do so once bass are established. So before stocking your dam with bass you must decide whether you want bass or bream fishing as it is unlikely that will you have both. You should also bear in mind that the stocking of fish species falls under the jurisdiction of National Parks and Wildlife and therefore permission is required before undertaking any exercise of this nature.
Control of Predator Populations
How we manage populations of predatory fish in our dams is a question which requires research. For want of anything better a strategy (or philosophy) of ‘catch and release’ has been adopted for the management of bass in most Zimbabwean dams. The general indications are that this is not working as there is a tendency for bass to stunt and the fishing within the dams to go ‘off’ once the dam has matured. This phenomenon can be easily explained as a cycle of overpopulation followed by crash which leaves a few large surviving bass. Based on this we know that predator populations do have to be controlled (culled) but to what level has yet to be established. Using scientific methodology, some progress towards resolving this question was being made. Essentially this involved creating a database of growth in bass throughout the country from which it will be possible to calculate an expected growth rate for bass. Populations can then be managed so that growth rates are maintained at or preferably above the calculated average. This general strategy will aid in the identification and prevention of stunting, however, it will have to be refined so that a statistically normal population is maintained. Incorporation of slot limits, which is the catch and release of fish within a certain size range, is one of the tools used to achieve this. Generally these have to be determined for individual dams as other factors such as environmental conditions and fishing pressure need also be considered.
Conservation of Fodder Fish
In order for fodder fish (in particular bream) to survive they require refuges where they can reproduce, feed and rear young while safe from predation. The degree to which fodder fish require conservation will depend on the extent of natural refuges formed by the topography and structure within a dam. Breeding requirements of bream vary from species to species so it is important to ensure that there are suitable sites for successful reproduction of the species which are present. Protection of these sites from predatory fish is normally unnecessary as the relatively large size of bream broodstock generally excludes them from predation by bass or robustus. Certain species, such as niloticus, guard their nests very aggressively making them highly susceptible to capture on spinners and lures, therefore fishing pressure constitutes a major threat to breeding success.
Designating prime breeding areas as ‘no fishing’ areas during the breeding season should be considered. Large predators such as barbel can also threaten bream broodstock so numbers of this species should be controlled to reasonable levels. Bream are most susceptible to natural predation while they are young. Young bream will naturally congregate in shallow areas to avoid predation and to feed. Since bass and robustus will go into very shallow areas when feeding only a physical barrier will prevent predation of young bream by these species. The natural refuges provided by inundated grass and bushes is important to survival of very small fry, therefore complete removal of bank side vegetation, either mechanically or by grazing cattle is not a good idea. However a balance must be struck as in some dams the infringement of vegetation, particularly the red stemmed Chicamba, becomes a real problem, for although it affords protection to young bream it also smothers the shallows reducing the production of the microalgae on which they feed. Apart from anything else, uncontrolled bank vegetation also makes fishing on the dam difficult and unpleasant.
As bream mature they seek deeper water so also require refuges in these areas. Submerged aquatic plants or weeds are natural refuges for small fish but can also choke a dam providing ‘less’ water for predators and have a high oxygen demand, so reduce the fish carrying capacity of a dam. The introduction of oxygen weed is not recommended as it spreads incredibly quickly and is difficult to control. Dams which already have aquatic vegetation, particularly oxygen weed, may require periodic physical removal of some of the weed if it develops large banks. There are herbicides which kill submerged water weed but these must be used with caution as the nutrients freed by the decay of the dead weed pollute the water. Dams with few deeper water refuges may require the addition of dead structure, but I will discuss this later under the section entitled ‘Increasing productivity’. Another possibility is the introduction of an indigenous eel grass, Vasneria spp. This plant seems to be ideal as apparently it stunts when excessively grazed which means when the bream population is too high the plant naturally exposes them to increased predation. The introduction of floating aquatic plants such as water hyacinth, Kariba weed (Salvinia molesta) and the small, red leafed, duck weed (Azolla nilotica) is not an option as they all have the potential to smother dams and therefore will eventually be detrimental to the fish. Transfer of these plants is also illegal. Unintentional transfer of all noxious weeds is a risk where boats are also used on other waters which may be infested, such as Chivero or Kariba. Cleaning and decontamination of non-resident boats should be considered as part of any management strategy.
Managing Dams Stocked with Bream
Most bream species suffer from the same problems outlined in the paragraph about robustus. The small size and the short time to reach sexual maturity predisposes all bream species to population explosions and consequently stunting. In wild populations and some dams predation by a host of natural predators counteracts this effect. Natural predation is usually focussed on smaller size classes which maintains a normally distributed population. In dams which experience selective fishing pressure in the form of gill netting (minimum size of fish targeted determined by mesh size) and angling, generally the larger size classes are eliminated. A normal structured population is often represented as a pyramid, the pinnacle corresponds to relatively few large fish while the base would represent early juveniles or fry. As the apex is removed the size of the breeding population is effectively increased because the presence of large fish prevents the smaller size classes from breeding successfully even if they are sexually mature. Large fish will always displace smaller fish from the best nesting sites and will often come into breeding condition before the smaller fish. This results in the disturbance of the attempts of smaller fish to breed and also exposes the offspring of smaller broodstock to higher predation pressure. It should not be forgotten that many of the larger bream species, including Oreochromis niloticus, O. mossambicus and Serranochromis robustus, will also prey on small fish if given the opportunity. If enough large fish are removed from the population, a situation arises where a disproportionate part of the population is reproducing successfully. As a result of their efforts the carrying capacity of the dam is exceeded and stunting gets progressively worse.
Last issue, we looked at some of the basics of farm dam management, and the control, or lack of control of introduced species. While quite technical, the principles discussed in the previous article and here will be of interest to anglers wanting a little greater understanding of the principles affecting his sporting resource.
In order to prevent this we need to assume the role of natural predators and selectively harvest off excess offspring in the smaller size classes to allow the rest of the population to attain their maximum growth potential. In doing this the majority of the population channels nutrients into growth rather than reproduction. Selective removal of fish is achieved with relative ease by use of a fine meshed seine net. This method allows the unharmed release of large fish for conservation or capture by anglers. The quantity and size of fish that should be removed is assessed on the character of the dam (particularly nutrient content) and what is required in terms of angling quality. In other words the dam can be managed to produce fish of a size you want. However you cannot have your cake and eat it, the larger the average fish size the fewer there must be, unless additional steps are taken to increase the productivity within the dam.
Increasing Productivity
Earlier it was stated that any system has a finite nutrient resource which determines its carrying capacity, what use we make of this carrying capacity determines the productivity. We know from agriculture that productivity in the first instance can be increased by altering the environment to make better use of the land, such as clearing bush to grow crops. Non-arable land is not worth altering but we can make better use of it by grazing livestock or game on it and so increase productivity. We also know that generally productivity is increased or at least sustained by augmenting the nutrient resource with fertilizers. These basic principles also apply to increasing productivity in dams.
In the next issue, we conclude by looking more closely at these factors.
Issue #11 May 2015
Issue #11 May 2015
A well managed farm dam can support several sport fish, from tigerfish to bass and bream. Varied
species offer both bank and boat fishing, ideal for getting children involved.
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