Catching Tigerfish: The week started on the Ruhudji River, where the new guests embarked on a journey to understand the aggressive Tanzanian Tigerfish and the strategies needed to catch them. This also involved ironing out bad habits such as trout sets which is detrimental to converting these fish. Throughout the week, several fish, ranging from 4 to 8 pounds, were successfully caught, but the true giants were lurking in the deep bends of the river.
Targeting these bends required the use of a sink-tip line, coupled with skillful mending to allow the flies to sink to the desired depths. Once set up, the fly was artfully stripped across the current, creating an irresistible presentation. The strikes during this style of fishing were nothing short of exhilarating, as the fly momentarily paused before being powered away by a hefty Tigerfish. We had the privilege of hooking into two or three of these formidable beasts on the Ruhudji, with one eventually succumbing to our efforts. After what felt like an eternity and a few impressive aerial displays, one of these powerful Tigerfish came to the net, a stunning 17-pound specimen skillfully landed by Andre.
Some days on the river feel like the stars have aligned, and during our rapids walk on the Mnyera, it was one of those magical moments. Tigers were eagerly responding to the Harley shake lure as it gracefully skated over the shallow riffles. With each explosive attempt to engulf the lure, the excitement in the air grew. Eventually, one of these remarkable creatures made a successful connection, initiating an intense battle between angler and fish. Navigating around rocks and obstacles in the water was no easy feat, but at the end of the day, a breathtakingly beautiful 18-pound Tigerfish was the well-deserved prize for the hours spent on the water.
After many evenings spent by the fire, sharing stories over cold beers and celebrating the fish caught, it’s with a hint of sadness that we bid farewell to this unforgettable week. Rest assured, we eagerly await your return for another remarkable adventure. Until then, safe travels!
CONTACT US
If you fancy doing battle with the hard-fighting Tigerfish of Tanzania, then our camp is the perfect destination for you. If you’d also like any further information, you can contact our fly fishing specialist Peter Collingsworth on 01603 407596 or email at peter@sportquestholidays.com.
