big tigerfish

As James commenced his week on the Mnyera River, his heart was set on the challenge of catching a big tigerfish. Full of high expectations, he soon discovered that these formidable creatures were determined to test his skills at every turn. Throughout the days of fishing, the crafty fish deployed every conceivable tactic to dislodge the hooks—from vigorous runs with leaps to charging straight at the boat at breakneck speed. Every catch seemed to shake the fly at one stage before finally ending up in the net. On his final day on the Mnyera River, just before moving on to the Ruhudji, a particularly trying session unfolded. For a long time, there was little activity until about 20 minutes before the end, when a determined specimen struck his fly. Drawing on all he had learnt about the various ways a fish can shake a hook, James managed to counter the struggle and landed a remarkable 16‑lb catch.

Vundu Bash: Pursuing the Giant Catfish

On his second day on the Ruhudji River, Josh set his sights on one elusive target – the giant catfish known as the Vundu. Having spent a considerable amount of time the previous day studying these impressive creatures, he knew that landing one would not be an easy task. As we settled by a deep-water hole with our bait in place, the familiar hum of the reel began just two minutes in! After an intense bout of keeping the fish at bay from nearby structures, we managed to secure it and then moved to a sandbar to capture photos of this prehistoric giant.

Competing for the Biggest Bag

A friendly wager had been set amongst a group of four on the Ruhudji River to determine who could amass the highest total bag weight of the day. The competition was fierce, with the bag weights remaining remarkably consistent for much of the session. As Dean neared the take-out point, he hooked a true monster! Enduring multiple big runs, leaps, and even a full-speed charge straight at the boat, Dean managed to hold on and land the almost mythical 20‑lb catch that every angler dreams of. Although he initially believed victory was his, the final totals revealed a mere 1‑lb difference between his catch and that of the opposing boat, leaving his team in second place.

 Fly of the Week: The Clouser

This week’s featured fly is the trusty old Clouser, expertly tied in natural colours such as olive and blue – a proven winner for enticing even the most evasive catches. Tied on a #3/0 Gamakatsu SC15-2H, the fly is adorned with dumbbell eyes on top to ensure it rides hook-face up, minimising snag potential. This classic fly consistently proves its worth, especially when fished on a floating line around structure.

Ready to experience the thrill of reeling in big tigerfish?  Contact us today to book your next expedition and start your own unforgettable fishing journey!