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Trophy Tigerfish in Tanzania
Some weeks are defined by the fishing, others by the stories told around the fire once the rods are put away. This week of our season fishing for trophy tigerfish in Tanzania gave us both. In the Kilombero Valley we welcomed six Austrian and German friends, a well-travelled group who have fished many destinations together, along with two anglers from the USA. The week brought a 20 lb tiger, a rare wild dog sighting on the Ruhudji River and a cast nobody in camp will forget.
A 20lb Trophy Tigerfish on Fly
For Helmut, this was a return trip and another chance at a big fish. He put in the hours all week and gave himself every opportunity. The trophy he was after didn’t come this time, which is how big-fish fishing goes. He still landed good fish in the 8–9 lb range and lost a few that may well have been something more.
His friend Peter had the week of his life. He landed a 14 lb tiger and then a 20 lb fish, two exceptional tigerfish by any measure. The 20 didn’t come easily. It made a blistering first run and then pulled hard around the boat, and the pressure snapped his fly rod in four places. The fish still slid into the net. For a moment nobody in the boat said much at all.
Patience Pays Off on the River
In the other boat, the fishing started slowly. It would have been easy to get frustrated, but Marco and Julian kept casting, and towards the end of the week both landed double-figure tigers. It was a good reminder that with tigerfish, time spent working the water is usually what gets rewarded.
Our two American guests took a different approach. They fished at their own pace, steadily and without hurry, and took in everything the rivers had to offer. Both finished the week with fine tigers of 11 and 12 lb.
African Wild Dogs on the Ruhudji River
The fish gave us plenty to talk about, but the wildlife produced moments that will last just as long. The standout was a pack of African wild dogs along the Ruhudji River. Wild dogs have been seen only four times in the history of our operation.
Elephants Crossing at Eye Level
On the final evening, heading back to camp after a long day on the water, we came across two elephants crossing the river. We cut the engine and watched them splash, drink and work their way steadily across. Seeing elephants is always a privilege. Watching them at eye level from a boat, at close range, with no one else on the river, is something different again.
This is what a week here is really about. One minute you’re focused on the next likely log for a tigerfish, and the next you’re watching wild dogs on the bank or elephants crossing the channel ahead of you.
The Cast of the Week
With the fishing done, everyone gathered around the fire on the last night. Fish were discussed and stories traded, but one moment stood above the rest.
During the week, Helmut produced what can only be described as a magnificent cast. He was aiming for a log a long way off, one only a casting god could reach. The cast: ambitious. The fly: travelling at Mach 10. Peter’s nose: In The Way. The line shot out with real precision, and the fly found its mark with an almighty thud, in one nostril and straight out the other. It was outstanding accuracy, just not on the intended target. Peter took it in good spirits, and it has become one of those stories that gets better every time it’s told.
The Week at a Glance
- Location: Kilombero Valley, Tanzania (Ruhudji River)
- Species: Tanzanian tigerfish (Hydrocynus tanzaniae), on fly
- Best fish: 20 lb and 14 lb (Peter); double-figure tigers for Marco and Julian; 11 lb and 12 lb for our US guests
- Wildlife highlights: African wild dogs (the fourth sighting in our history) and two elephants crossing the river
It was a pleasure having this group in camp. The fishing asked for patience, everyone gave it, and the week ended with fine fish and plenty of stories. Peter will be remembering his 20 lb tiger for a long time, and his new nose piercing, courtesy of Helmut.
