SELOUS – FISHING TOUR

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Additional Information and Gears to Pack for Fishing

We advise all the clients to have their equipment for fishing before traveling to the rivers. Below are the preferred equipment size and colors.

FISHERY

The best word to describe the fishery would be, ‘diverse’ to say the least. Topographically it is marvel! From braided streams to waterfalls to deep runs to sandy straights…. the list goes on and on. From a fishing perspective, this is very exciting as you are never fishing the same type of water, over and over; every day is a new day with new water, new challenges, and new potential!

THE ANGLING EXPERIENCE

Selous, Tanzania.
The Rivers you will get to fish over the week are Majestic. Made up of water that flows down straight sections that lead into winding bends, comprise of, rocks, mud, or sandbanks, with deep and shallow pools, that follow a natural course splitting into tributaries that flow over rapids and small waterfalls that eventually flow over Shughuli Falls into the newly created Julius Nyerere Dam. The area is very rich with a diversity of fauna and flora to be seen from the boat or on foot while fishing.

FISH SPECIES

There are over fifteen documented species of fish found in the rivers here, ranging from the Zambezi Parrotfish (Hippopotamyrus discorhynchus) to one of the hardest fighting freshwater species there is the Tanzanian Blue Tigerfish.

The five species that anglers prefer to target are:

  • Tanzanian Blue Tigerfish (Hydrocynus tanzaniae)
  • Yellowfish (Labebarbus species)
  • Vundu (Heterobranchus longifilis)
  • African Sharptooth Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)
  • Bagrid Catfish (Bagrus Orientalis)

There are of course other species you might catch while targeting the above such as Tilapia (Oreochromis species) and the African Mottled Eel (Anguilla labiata) that can grow up to a staggering weight of 20 kilograms.

LABEOBARBUS: YELLOW FISH

The family Labeobarbus in Africa is a truly massive family and the species on this stretch of river is found further upstream in the Ruhudji and Mnyera rivers. It is incredibly beautiful/strong and a desirable fish to the fly angler. On this river, you can sight target individual fish that are very obliging to eat flies. The Yellowfish on this river will reach sizes of close to twenty pounds; a Yellowfish of that size will be in water that is difficult to reach with a fly. The chance of getting one of these will take a lot of expertise and an exciting challenge for sure!

HYDROCYNUS TANZANIAE: TIGER FISH

Found in all east flowing rivers of Tanzania. Hydrocynus tanzaniae is a large, predatory fish known to reach sizes nearing 30lbs. Their size along with their fighting strength, teeth, and acrobatics when caught; make them one of the most highly sought-after freshwater fish on the
continent. They are known to live up as much as 25 years old, with male fish maxing out at around 10lbs.

HETEROBRANCHUS LONGIFILIS (VUNDU)

The vundu is found widely in rivers and other freshwater habitats of sub-Saharan Africa, only
extending beyond this region in the Nile (although it is rare in the lower sections of this river).
The vundu is one of the largest true, freshwater fish in Africa reaching weights of well over 100lbs. Usually, this species would only be caught on bait but, in this section of the kilombero, due to the multiple braids in the river, these fish are in water that the fly angler can access which
makes it extremely unique. This is a once in a lifetime fishing opportunity to catch a Vundu on fly!

ALESTIDAES

African tetras (family Alestidae, formerly spelled Alestiidae) are a group of characiform fish exclusively found in Africa. This family contains about 18 genera and 119 species. Among the best-known members are the Congo tetra, and African tigerfish. It would be almost impossible based on the lack of scientific studies done on this river to narrow this fish down to an exact type. This is a fantastic fish to target on fly, growing up to about 15lbs, also known among some guiding circles as a “toothless tiger” because apart from its square mouth and molar like teeth, it resembles a tiger Fish in every way.

FLY-FISHING GEAR

Tigerfish
A good quality 9-weight fly rod with fast action, A backup rod the same as above, A good quality large arbour reel with about 150 yards of 30-pound backing, and a good drag system.
Shilton SL 6 is good. Spare reel. You are in a very remote area, so best you are as self-sufficient as possible. Sinking, floating and intermediate fly lines suit the various depths and speeds of the river from fast rapids to deep slow pools. Sci Angler 350g tropic express with intermediate running line and 350ghead. Full-length weight forward intermediate line as per your rod wt. A good selection of barbless flies from heavy fast sinking clouser types to lighter smaller baitfish patterns tied on decent quality hooks like the tiemco SP600 in sizes 2/0 and 3/0. You can also use Gamakatsu B10’s and SL 12’s, but that is punching the envelope. Bad hooks lose big fish.

Yellowfish

A good quality 5 or 7-weight rod. Backup rod (the Kilombero yellows are a handful in fast water!). These yellows are next-level predators and have been caught on tiger flies, so fly selection can vary quite a lot. A good selection of flies that one normally uses for yellows for example; Zonker style flies in olives and black. An assortment of nymphs especially with decent hotspots as the water is murky and a bit of color really helps. Damsels in browns and olives.
A good selection of dry flies, and hopper patterns have worked well and if there is a spot of rain and the termites make an appearance, all hell breaks loose! One can get really close to the yellows when they are feeding in the rapids and exposing themselves, so a touch of euro nymphing will also pay dividends.

 

FLIES

Tigerfish
3/0 whistlers in dark colors like black and purple, 3/0 olive and white whistlers, 3/0 Steve Ferrer baitfish patterns, black over grey, olive over white, olive over grey, reg over black, blue over white. Clousers on 2/0, hooks, red and black, same as above… Baitfish patterns obviously do the trick as well, above colors.


Yellowfish
As an insectivorous fish and an aggressive eater, a wide variety of tungsten nymphs will serve you well. Ranging from sizes 10-16. Natural Coloured (blacks, browns, tans etc.) come highly recommended.

 

Tanzania Fishing Safaris