Fly Fishing

BIRDING & FISHING TRIPS /DESTINATIONS

At Africa Expectation Safaris we cater to birding and fishing enthusiasts with equal measure. If you’re looking for a travel destination that will produce great fishing, in some of the prettiest places in the world, Africa Expectation Fly Fishing Safaris has some of the best destinations to be offered in Africa. From casting for Tigerfish in the waters of the Zambezi to fantastic twitching opportunities on the estuaries of the Wild Coast, our options are exciting and wide-spread!  We have the inside edge on where the fish are biting and the birds are chirping.

Numerous fishing choices are offered, such as inshore and fly-fishing tours, extraordinary fly-fishing and offshore tours. No experience necessary, as your capable guides will make fishing easy and pleasurable….

Whether it’s the reel screeching take of a Tiger on fly, or a glimpse of the shy Finfoot you after, you will be sure to leave with a smile after a fishing safari with Africa Expectation.

We pride ourselves on professional service, and can tailor make the fishing experience to suit the angler’s requirements.

Fishing in WILDERNESS AREAS: Africa Expectation Fishing is a dedicated team of African fishing travel experts and professional guides. We specialise in utilizing boutique fishing camps in Africa’s most pristine wilderness areas. Based on sound fishery management protocols, community beneficiation projects, and stringent conservation practices, all guests can be assured their visit is contributing to the long term protection of these wild places, and to the beneficiation of the rural communities with whom we work.

 Tigers, Upper Zambezi Yellowfish & Birding Lifers at Mutemwa

If the challenge of catching Upper Zambezi yellow’s on fly is something which appeals to your senses, or perhaps a glimpse of the special Schalow’s Turaco amongst other ‘lifers’ – then our western Zambia Exploration Trip should be on your bucket list. Contact us now to find out when the next scheduled tour is running. 

 Botswana – Catching Nembwe on Fly: Nembwe are a popular target among fly fishermen, providing an exciting and explosive fishing experience comparable to that provided by North American bass.

They often co-occur with tigerfish and represent an alternative quarry for fly fishermen that enjoy a variety of fishing challenges.

As with bass, nembwe are best targeted by fishing in and amongst woody structure and reed beds, and can be fished for with sinking, intermediate or floating lines.

  • Flies are fished slowly and twitched through structure where larger nembwe lie in wait and hunt by ambushing their prey.
  • Bulky flies with cone-heads for weight and plenty of intrinsic movement (e.g. zonkers, wooly buggers and leeches) are often most effective at drawing strikes from larger specimens.
  • Because nembwe are fished for in dense woody structure, weed guards drastically reduce the number of flies lost on reeds and submerged branches.
  • Although a range of fly colours can work, darker natural shades with a touch of flash are often the most effective patterns.
  • Because nembwe flies are relatively large and bulky, they are best fished with an 8-10 weight rod, and leaders of around 5 ft of 15-20 lb monofilament are ideal.
  • Shooting head lines can be advantageous for accurately firing bulky flies into structurally complex lies.

 Fly fishing in SOUTH AFRICA – South Africa has a great variety of fishing including, Trout Fishing, Tiger Fishing, Bass Fishing and then don’t forget about our cold and warm oceans…

Wherever there is water, a fisherman tends to wonder if there are fish waiting to bite. From high up in the Drakensberg Mountains to the estuaries in KwaZulu-Natal, fishing will take you to some amazing dams stocked with trout and crystal clear rivers. 

The powerful Tigerfish is an excellent catch also found in the Maputaland area, and fishing in the warm far-eastern reaches of South Africa is a must for real enthusiasts, with Africa Expectation fishing safaris offering many fishing and family holiday options in this area.

 6 of the best fly-fishing spots in South Africa

With almost 3 000 kilometres of coastline and an abundance of rivers, streams, lakes and dams, fly-fishers are spoilt for choice. Here are some of our favourite spots to try.

1. Highlands Meander, Mpumalanga

Affectionately known as the country’s trout mecca by avid fly-fishers, this majestic stretch of the Mpumalanga Highlands has an abundance of unspoilt fishing waters and accommodation options to get you closer to your catch. Dullstroom is considered the must-fish location in the area, which was originally stocked from hatcheries in the Cape Winelands in 1916. These trout prefer the winter months and it’s best to take an array of gear, including two- and five-weight rods, sinking and floating line and an assortment of classic wet and dry flies.

2. Rhodes, Eastern Cape

In the southern part of the Drakensberg, the hamlet of Rhodes sits on the border with Lesotho and is surrounded by a wealth of trout-infested water. The scenery is magnificent; you’ll find yourself casting into bubbling streams with open fields on either side, or larger rivers lined with willow trees – it really is fly-fishing Utopia. If you’re going to take just one rod, make it a three-weight and load your reel with floating line. Small to medium-size nymphs work best, fished with a strike indicator. 

3. False Bay and Cape Point, Western Cape

To keep eager fly-fishers busy in the summer months the rich oceans off the Cape Peninsula offer some extreme fly-fishing opportunities. Leaving from Hout Bay and Simon’s Town, there are number of charter boats that will get you to feeding shoals of geelbek, yellowtail, snoek (although it’s more of a winter species) and yellowfin tuna. Taking any of these species on fly is a mind-blowing experience, but it’s the yellowfin tuna that’s most rewarding. Fighting this 50-kilo beast for three hours will leave you broken, yet satisfied.

4. Orange River, Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape

There’s nothing quite like standing waist deep in the warm waters of the powerful Orange River, the sun on your back, five-weight in hand, gently plopping a line of bead-head nymphs into your chosen rapid or eddy. Czech-line nymphing is an odd fly rig, but it works wonders on the small- and largemouth yellowfish of the Orange. With three riverfront campsites to choose from, some of the oldest mountains on the planet, a myriad birds, interesting insects and delicate succulents, catching a feisty yellow is really just a bonus. 

5. Streams of Du Toitskloof, Western Cape

Only an hour from Cape Town, the six streams which tumble down regal peaks through Du Toitskloof’s rugged valleys hold healthy rainbow and brown trout. Elandspad River is a favourite, but there are a number of beats to choose from on rivers which vary dramatically in size and flow. Don’t bother with anything heavier than a two-weight rod and floating line as this is a dry fly fanatic’s paradise.

6. Jozini Dam, KwaZulu-Natal

Previously called Pongolapoort Dam, this spot has 27 species of fish on offer, but its drawcard is the ferocious tiger fish. Jozini is the continent’s southernmost dam for African tiger fish and populations have grown to the point where it is now one of the most popular fishing destinations in the country. Surrounded by bushveld and game, you’d be excused for thinking you’re on Lake Kariba or the Okavango Delta. Take a nineweight rod and an assortment of surface and deeper water flies. 

Tiger Fishing

The tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus) is undoubtedly Africa’s, if not the world’s, premier freshwater gamefish.

Their toothy, muscular, streamlined appearance alludes to their unparalleled strength, speed and ferocity. T

The take of a tiger is nothing short of explosive and when hooked they are cunning, dogged, acrobatic fighters that frequently leave fishermen with a snapped line and trembling knees. It is not uncommon to land fish of between 10-20 lb, while tigers can grow to in excess of 30lb.

  • Behaviour : The Tigerfish is a voracious and fierce top predator that, with the exception of the largest individuals which are solitary, hunts actively in schools of similarly-sized fish. It favours well oxygenated, unpolluted water in large rivers and lakes and hunts visually in warm surface layers where it’s occasionally snatched up by African fish eagles.
  • Breeding: The onset of the summer rains during December or January causes rivers to swell and triggers a migration of adult tigerfish (2-3 years old, 200-300 mm) to suitable spawning sites along flooded river banks or lake shores.
  • Feeding: Tigerfish are predators throughout their lives. As adults, they can consume prey that are 40% of their own body size and are opportunistic predators that generally feed on small-bodied shoaling fishes like robbers, minnows and sardines.

Catching Tigerfish on Fly: Fly fishing is perhaps the most exciting and challenging way to fish for tigers. Although the odds are stacked heavily against the angler, with only one in every ten fish hooked being landed, the chances of landing a trophy tiger can be dramatically increased by using the correct tackle and tactics.

Tigerfish are best fished for with an 8-10 weight rod matched with a fast-sinking line (preferably DI-7) and plenty of backing loaded onto a large arbor reel. Flies tied on extra-sharp, high quality hooks are required because tigerfish have exceptionally sharp teeth and bony jaws that are difficult to penetrate.

The most effective flies are baitfish imitations such as clouser minnows and other large deceivers. The choice of fly size and colour is influenced by what the weather is doing and by what types of natural prey are most abundant at the time. Large flies tied in natural colours with a distinct lateral line often work best. Leaders typically include about 5 ft of 15-20 lb monofilament ending in a 10 cm of wire tippit. Although fishing with a sinking line down and across is often the most productive way of enticing a tiger to take the fly, intermediate and floating lines can also be effective under certain conditions.

Conventional methods to catch Tigerfish: Spinning and trawling are highly effective methods for catching tigers in both rivers and lakes. For spinning, a flexible 6-7 ft rod with a good quality spinning reel (such as the Shimano 2000 series) loaded with 200 m of 15-20 lb monofilament or braid is perfect.

  • For trawling, shorter, sturdier rods are required, usually not longer than 6 ft. Snap-swivel wire traces of 10-30 cm work well and allow for quick and easy lure changes. A variety of large rapalas, spinners and spoons can be effective for catching tigers.

Examples of effective lures include 10 cm long rapalas and floating magnums in black and red, 16 g spoons in copper and silver and Mepps black fury spinners in size 4. Adding plastic worm-tails to the hooks of lures is sometimes an effective way to induce a strike when the fishing is slow.

Tiger fishing is extremely exciting and the fish put up a heck of a fight usually making fast hard runs and jumping high out of the water. It is some of the most thrilling fishing there is.

Days begin early in the morning with coffee and a quick breakfast. Then you are out on the river right after sun up. You will be amazed at the number of different species of birds you will see as well as the other wildlife in the area including elephants, hippos and crocodiles. The fishing guides have a vast knowledge of the wildlife species in the region and can identify the many species of birds for you. They can describe their habits and many interesting facts about them. You will definitely want your camera in the boat with you.

As you fish the Zambezi you will see local villages and native fishing camps on both the Namibia and Zambia side of the river. It is a wild part of Africa where many of the native people still live in mud huts with thatched roofs.

Rates: $390 per day per angler – $190 per day per non-angler
It is also simple for us to add a few days of fishing on to almost any one of our hunting packages. You will fly into Livingstone Zambia and it is a 2 1/2 to 3 hour drive from the airport to camp. You may also want to consider adding a day or two to see some of the other sites in the area like Victoria Falls which are located nearby. This outfitter can also provide river cruises for sightseeing and photography.

  • Dates:    Best months for Tiger fishing: Year Round
  • Best months for Bream: Late May – December
  • Includes:    Cabin accommodations, meals, boat rental and fishing guide
  • Not Included:    Airfare to Livingston, Zambia, alcoholic beverages, and lures (approx $10 each), tips and gratuities, transportation to/from the airport (approx. $600 round trip)
  • Equipment:    You can bring your own medium weight rod/reel combination spinning reels or bait casting reels, which are fine. Very strong 20lb test or heavier line is recommended. Medium to large size plugs (similar to what you might use for pike) are the preferred lures. Good quality rods/reels are available for rental at the lodge. Lures are available for purchase at a reasonable rate as well. Any lures you use at the lodge must be purchased by you.
  • Transportation:    Arrive and depart Livingston, Zambia. Transfers from airport to camp not included in this package (approx. $600 round trip)

THE BEST PERIODS FOR ALL ROUND FISHING ARE: Months: June – October

  • Species: Tigerfish, Catfish (Barbel), Bream Species
  • Technique: Spinning (¼ to 5/8 oz rod); Trolling, Fly Fishing, Drifting Baiting
  • Gear selection is relatively straightforward, with 7-9wt rods being ideal, coupled with a decent reel that won’t explode if a blistering run is made and two decent fly lines. A tropical floating line with a ghost tip or a slow intermediate (The clear tropical ones are great) and a full sinking or 300grain shooting head system for prospecting rock faces and deep channels with Clouser minnows. A word of warning though, an un-intended mid-air collision between a Clouser and fly-rod will end badly. A spare rod is recommended.
  • Leaders are simple, straight 15-25lb maxima tied directly from the flyline to a piece of wire. (25-30lb piano wire is perfect) A perfection loop connecting the Flyline to the leader is ideal. A nonslip “Jozini Wire Knot” for the leader to wire is one of our favorite. the advantage of this knot is that the wire, which could cut through the mono if sufficient tension is created, now rests against x2 mono loops lying at a 90′ angle. Your wire needs to be around 4-5 Inches long, some prefer a shorter section, but we have had tigers (especially the larger specimens) that have eaten the fly properly and chewed on the mono, not ideal if you want to land that trophy.

Hooking a Tiger fish and landing one are two different animals. Plan on one landed fish for every eight hook-ups!!

Nembwe

The largemouth breams (or “serranos”) are a distinct group of large predatory cichlids that have inhabited the ancient river systems of tropical central and southern Africa for millions of years. Of the ten species of African largemouth bream that exist, the nembwe (Serranochromis robustus) is the most highly sought after by anglers.

Nembwe are aggressive hunters with heavy-set muscular bodies, rigid, powerful fins and distinct rows of large conical teeth. This predatory bream resembles the bass in appearance and fighting ability. When hooked, Nembwe often take to the air with numerous jumps in an attempt to free itself of the hook. Standard bass lures such as spinnerbaits, spoons, rapalas, and soft plastics to name a few will catch the Nembwe. Adult nembwe frequently attain a size of about 6-8 lb, but specimens weighing in excess of 12 lb have also been reported.

Dark emerald yellow/green colouration, yellow to orange edges on the fins and bright egg spots on the anal fins in males are distinctive of the Nembwe.

Behaviour: Nembwe are visual predators that hunt by ambushing their prey and “inhaling” them by means of suction created when the mouth is opened rapidly. Large nembwe reside in deep main channels of rivers and in permanent lagoons, whilst younger fish are usually found in smaller secondary channels and lagoons.

Feeding: Nembwe are piscivorous (fish-eating) predators throughout their lives. Young fish feed mostly on small prey fish such as minnows, but adults have a preference for larger prey fish like squeakers (bottom-dwelling catfish).

Catching Nembwe on Fly: Nembwe are a popular target among fly fishermen, providing an exciting and explosive fishing experience comparable to that provided by North American bass. They often co-occur with tigerfish and represent an alternative quarry for fly fishermen that enjoy a variety of fishing challenges. As with bass, nembwe are best targeted by fishing in and amongst woody structure and reed beds, and can be fished for with sinking, intermediate or floating lines. Flies are fished slowly and twitched through structure where larger nembwe lie in wait and hunt by ambushing their prey. Bulky flies with cone-heads for weight and plenty of intrinsic movement (e.g. zonkers, wooly buggers and leeches) are often most effective at drawing strikes from larger specimens. Because nembwe are fished for in dense woody structure, weed guards drastically reduce the number of flies lost on reeds and submerged branches. Although a range of fly colours can work, darker natural shades with a touch of flash are often the most effective patterns. Because nembwe flies are relatively large and bulky, they are best fished with an 8-10 weight rod, and leaders of around 5 ft of 15-20 lb monofilament are ideal. Shooting head lines can be advantageous for accurately firing bulky flies into structurally complex lies.

Conventional methods to catch Nembwe: Since nembwe are lurking predators that feed mainly on baitfish, they can be fished for with a variety of jigs, spinners, spoons, spinner-baits and other and small lures like small chunky rapalas using conventional bass tackle. A flexible 6-7 ft rod with a good quality spinning or bait-caster reel loaded with 200 m of 15-20 lb monofilament or braid is perfect. As with fly fishing, the use of lures that possess a plastic weed guard is recommended.