Fishing on the Zambezi River for the novice or experienced angler is possibly as close as one can get to absolute perfection. But what can you expect to catch and how? What are the best times of the year and what are the potential hazards, if any?
As all anglers know, it’s not just about the catch, it’s about being in harmony with nature and your surroundings. Well, where better to do this than on the Mighty Zambezi River?
It is constantly changing through the seasons so one visit is never the same as the next, keeping you spellbound all the time. Wildlife and birds abound and for me nothing can be better than a day of fishing on the Zambezi River.
what you can catch
There are more than 75 species of fish that inhabit these waters. The most coveted of these is the tiger fish, well known as probably the best freshwater fighting fish out there. It is a ferocious species that can grow up to 33 pounds (15 kg) in weight.
However, you can also expect to fish for Vundu, Three Spot and Yellow-belly Bream, Upper Zambezi Yellowfish and Barbel to name just a few of the more common ones.
Vundu is a type of catfish and is the largest fish found on the Zambezi, and can grow up to 100 pounds. The beautiful yellow-bellied bream (Nembwe) reaches over 4kg in weight and is very popular with anglers.
how to catch it
Trolling and spinning with artificial lures for both tigerfish and bream are the standard methods used. Bottom fishing and drift bait (fillet or live bait) are also very successful methods.
Some of these methods obviously require the use of a boat, so unless you have one of your own, taking a tour with one of the quality fishing companies out there is definitely advisable. Drifting slowly with the current and throwing yourself into eddies often yields big fish. The really big tiger fish usually hang out in deep water, so drifting with a chicken or fish fillet is possibly the best way to catch one of these monsters.
Fishing from shore in the Zambezi National Park can be very rewarding if you can find the right spot for both fly and spin fishing. Sometimes it gives you that extra mobility to look for fish in exact places, especially during the very dry season when you can crawl through the shallows or hop on rocks and throw yourself into the fast flowing stream.
Targeting tiger fish on a fly is definitely one of the most challenging and exciting experiences any angler can have. Heart-stopping beats are always followed by fantastic acrobatic aerial displays, as tigers dance on the surface of the water trying to get your fly out of their bony mouths (often successfully).
These tremendous fighters swim against the current all day and are extremely fit, their fight is unsurpassed by any other fish so catching them with normal tackle is exciting in itself, but catching one with a fly rod is amazing. .
when to catch it
Tigers Fish and Nembwe are targeted year-round, but are particularly prolific from late May through December.
The rains usually start at the end of November, with the rain comes muddy water and lots of debris, as well as food. As the water level rises through January, many species of fish move to the floodplains to feed and breed. In May, the water levels peak and then begin to decline over the next several months until they are at their lowest again in November. It is as these water levels start to recede that one can have some really great fishing on the Zambezi.
The baitfish usually around June have to leave the safety of the floodplains and back into the main channel, these “baitballs” are followed by predators, and this is when a lot of action takes place and there is great fishing both with lure like a fly.
As the water levels continue to drop, temperatures begin to rise and the water becomes crystal clear from August through November, there is excellent fishing of all species.
what to look for
The Zambezi is the real Africa, so there is no escaping the fact that hippos and crocodiles live in these waters in abundance. However, experienced guides know exactly how to avoid these animals and leave them alone, so that both man and animal can enjoy this magical place. So don’t let these dangers stop you from going, better make sure you only go with someone who knows what he’s doing.
If you are fishing the Zambezi from the bank, don’t stay on the river bank next to a deep water channel for long periods of time, keep moving every few minutes. But in all honesty, your biggest enemy here is the sun, the cool air blowing off the water makes you sleepy and makes you think you’re not getting burned. So make sure you have a wide-brimmed hat, suntan lotion, and even long-sleeved shirts.
Mosquitoes won’t worry you during the day, but at dusk they come out in full force, so if you’re going to be in the water at that time, make sure you have some mosquito repellent with you.
The water in this section of the Zambezi above Victoria Falls is very pure and fine to drink.
who to go with
There are a few fishing companies that operate in Victoria Falls. Boats and equipment are available by the hour (2 hour minimum), rates vary but you can expect to pay around US$50 per hour per boat and if you book three hours or more you will get one hour free.