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Mainline Tiger Fishing
...get your fix in the Okavango
By Keith Clover - Tourette Fishing
We had been looking for roughly two hours, up and down we drove. They were
new to the neighbourhood and wanted their fix. They deserved it! I knew
the area, and was under pressure to supply the "stuff". The night before
we had met a group of addicts who had found a good supply of it, and were
still on a high hours later! I heard the commotion from around the corner,
a sure sign of a deal going down. We rounded a bend and there it was...
The egrets were everywhere, taking up their position on opposite banks, a
stark contrast to the slithering brown mass of barbel under their feet. Fish
eagles swooped in on the action, the occasional swirl and slash of a crocodile
and red flash of a tiger fish's tail and hint of the mayhem taking place
below. We had hit it big time! As far as we could see down the meandering
river, the margins were alive with thrashing barbell; at times flaying
uselessly on the back of their brethren as they forged up stream.
Darren and Jennifer had been waiting for this. I was ecstatic, and relieved,
having primed them for the up and coming action. Dropping anchor roughly 30
meters before the leading bunch, Darren and Jen took their places on the bow
and stern of the boat respectively. With heart beats rising in tempo with
the shuddering papyrus, Darren and Jen shot out their fist casts up and across.
Giving time for their DI 7 lines to get down, they let their lines swing
through ninety degrees before commencing a steady strip retrieve.
Jen got her first hit almost immediately and was soon followed by her husband
Darren. Being an addict myself, I can tell you the effects are felt at the
first prick of the needle sharp point. The jab sending the tiger fish off
in a spirited dash to freedom, while adrenaline laced blood is shunted through
ones veins faster than the backing peeling off ones reel. Fishing the barbel
run had begun in earnest!
Each year the Okavango River in western Botswana plays host to one of Africa's
finest sport fishing spectacles... The catfish run. Anytime from mid September
through to mid November (and some years as late as December) the delta's barbel
congregate in immense numbers and a mass upstream pilgrimages occurs. The
driving force behind this behaviour is commonly believed to be the need to
spawn. There are however many aspects to the catfish run that are not fully
understood. What determines the size of an individual run, what sparks a
run in the first place, what factors contribute to the length of a run, where
do the fish end up, and what causes a run to disperse? These are all questions
that are yet to be confidently answered. Water levels, water temperature,
availability of suitable bait fish, micro catfish populations, or most likely
a combination of all of these factors could be the catalyst. What we do know
is that a run can start any where at any time over these few months, and for
the fortunate anglers that intercept such a run, the fly fishing is mind blowing.
When asked as to the quality of a run by clients, I commonly described them
as big or small, and anything in between. What makes a run big or small is
subjective, but generally speaking I talk of a big run when one can remain
in one position with catfish passing you for over half an hour, and occasionally
up to two hours. These runs generally last a couple of days, and can be
intercepted on consecutive days, subject to them not fading out. A small
run can be anything from a couple of thrashes in the papyrus to a 5 - 10
minute procession of running catfish. As I said, this is subjective, and
different anglers or guides may well have different views. In any case,
the run we had just found was of the large variety; so large in fact that
we were able to follow it for four full days before we had to leave.
Now the size of run is by no means directly related to the size of tiger
fish that will be caught in it. Tiger fish, being fairly territorial, will
remain in locations that allow them maximum protection as well as feeding
possibilities, thus fish of different sizes will occupy different niches.
As a run moves upstream therefore, different shoals of fish will be attracted
to the commotions, feed until gorged and then drop off the run. The beauty
of this scenario is that, when a big fish is hooked, one can be more or less
guaranteed hook ups with similarly sized fish. The converse of this is however
also true. Fortunately for fly rodders however, the age old debate of quality
vs quantity leans heavily to the latter in such situations. Not to mention
the endless opportunities to sight cast to feeding catfish, some in excess
of 20lbs. This in my view is sublime fishing no matter where you are.
For first time fly fisherman fishing for tigers, the catfish run provides
the perfect class room. The fast action and multiple hook-ups provide adequate
room for failure, with out the disappointment normally associated with failure
when fishing more challenging waters. For the more experience angler it
also allows one the opportunity to experiment with flies and materials -
when testing tiger flies, there is no better test tank than fishing the
catfish run when fly hardiness and castability are concerned.
My preferred tackle when fishing the catfish run is a standard tiger fishing
rig. Namely an 8/9 weight rod, loaded with a DI7 line, short (four to five foot)
leader of 15 - 20lm Maxima hard mono, attached via an albright knot to 5 cm
of #5 piano wire on to which ones fly is attached with a haywire twist. With
regards to fly selection - for the most part any bait fish imitation will
produce. Angler confidence must be taken into account, as well as water conditions.
Generally I will do my best to match the fly to the light and water conditions
in the aim of achieving maximum visibility. Therefore, in this vein, I go
for dark bulky flies in low light and dirtier water conditions, and brighter
slimmer flies in bright clear conditions. When tiger fish are actively feeding
and can be seen breaking the surface, good fun is to be had with surface
flies. I have found crease flies to perform better than most other surface
flies in these scenarios, this most probably due to their profile on the
surface. Do not however expect to come back with much of your fly! Flies
tied clouser or bend back style are recommended as they provide less chance
of foul hooking barbel.
For those whose bodies, after a couple of hours of tiger fishing, are reduced
to a jumbled mess of adrenalin soaked nerves, respite is never far off.
The many back waters and sheltered lagoons offer the perfect locations for
relaxing while grabbing a quick bite to eat, maybe a cold drink, and the
bonus opportunity to target some of the Delta's less ferocious inhabitants.
Three spot tilapia, nembwe, African pike and even silver barbell provide
great sport, not to mention a challenge, on light 4/5 weight outfits. For
family members, friends, or partners unlucky enough not to be afflicted
by your addiction, the western delta is host to some of Africa's finest
wilderness, home to many (some quite rare and many endemic) species of
mammal and bird. Exploring the many islands and channels on foot or mokoro
allows visitors an in depths view into this emerald wilderness, not to
mention the opportunity to get to know some of its land and arboreal based
inhabitants.
For those who have read any of my previous articles, they will know that
I try my utmost to take a holistic approach to both my guiding and angling,
often remaking on the wonderful aspects that surround sport fishing in
Southern Africa. It is however hard to reinforce this mindset when
fishing the catfish run. The furious action and thrill of the hunt, at
times, does not allow one the opportunity to fully appreciate ones surroundings.
If one is so inclined, as most fly fisherman and women are, one has to make
a conscious effort to divert ones attention from the world class angling to
the world class wilderness embracing anglers on the Okavango - this I might
add, a most pleasing situation to be in. Anyway, back to the fishing.
Jen was taking a breather. Darren had just released another engorged tiger
fish. The sun was on its way down, with egret's squawking and catfish clapping,
Darren turned to me, and rather nonchalantly said, "you know Keith, I think
I am drunk on tiger fishing". With a rather quizzical expression, I asked
Darren to substantiate his remarkable statement. "This reminds me of my
college days" he went on, "you know, like at a good shin dig when the Jack
is flowing and a feeling of euphoria comes over you". I nodded in agreement,
indicating for him to go on. "The only difference being, tomorrow I wont
have a hang over, there will be no feeling of remorse, and I can promise
you that I will do it all again!" I smiled, these few words, even if not
so poetic, really encapsulate the addiction many of us have to sport fishing
in Africa; and what better place to get your fix than in the Okavango Delta.
Advisory
Where: Okavango River, western Delta, from Makwena to Shakawe
When: mid September through to mid November (occasionally as late as December)
What to Take: There are numerous accommodation options from upmarket camps,
live aboard houseboats, self catering bungalows to camping wild. Therefore,
depending on personal preferences and budget you can take anything from simply
you clothing and tackle to comprehensive camping gear and 4x4 vehicles.
Precautions: Malaria prophylactics or suitable insect repellent and clothes.
Correct vehicle documentation if driving. Comprehensive first aid kit if roughing it.
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