Mnyera River
Said in a rich Texan drawl: “I feel like a monkey f**king a skunk (a porcupine would be better for the African context)… I haven’t had all I want, but I’ve had about as much as I can stand.” 😉 This one-liner from my guest Russell, nearing the end of a particularly tough session, was the cue to replace fly rods with cold beers after a challenging day on the Mnyera River last week. The high, cold water from unseasonable rains this year has certainly posed a challenge for guests and guides alike.
However, unseasonably tough conditions are part and parcel of any outdoor activity, and fly fishing is no different. There is always a way forward. A shift in expectations, a change in tactics, and a healthy dose of stubborn optimism (from guides and guests alike) go a long way to salvaging a trip. This week was no exception.
A Change in Tactics for Mnyera River Fishing
High, cold water on the Mnyera River this season means that the historically prime spots—the clay bommie sections scattered throughout the system, the rapids, and outside bends with plenty of structure—have not been producing. This is due to two main reasons:
- The water being abnormally cold means fish are not in the mood to feed. A reaction bite is what we’re after.
- Due to the high flow rates, it is nearly impossible to get flies to fish holding in these areas. Enticing a reaction bite from a tigerfish that isn’t in the mood to feed is extremely challenging.
This resulted in a complete 180-degree change in tactics for this week (and this season in general) on the Mnyera River. Instead of focusing on the prime spots mentioned above, we shifted our attention to the shallower inside bends that hold structure and a drop-off near the tail end of the bend. Here, we find slower-moving and slightly warmer water that still offers some structure. By focusing on these areas, we were able to present flies to fish and entice the reaction bites we were looking for. Tough fishing for sure, but very rewarding when everything comes together, and the resulting fish comes to hand.
The Advantages of Fishing the Ruhudji River
The beauty of fishing on the Mnyera and Ruhudji Rivers during a standard week with us in TZ is that we can focus on the two rivers’ differences. Both peak at different times and offer different fishing conditions. The Ruhudji is a lower-volume river with a much less steep gradient. This means the water is generally warmer and clearer compared to the Mnyera. This distinction becomes especially noticeable in a high-water year like the one we’re experiencing.
Russell and Mike both made good use of their time on the Ruhudji, with the biggest fish from this river weighing in at 14 lbs. It was caught on a red/black brush fly fished with a 5mm tungsten bead tied into the loop, using a sink tip line. We landed her at the Mpanga/Ruhudji confluence, which made for some great photo opportunities.
An Adventurous Trip to the Pitu Headwaters
Due to the extended nature of their trip (10 days), Russell and Mike were willing to sacrifice some fishing time for a 10-hour 4×4 bush-whacking round trip, allowing us to reach the Pitu headwaters for a day. These waters hold a good number of fish, but not the size most guests travel to Tanzania for. A shift in expectations and an affinity for adventure meant we spent a wonderful day fishing this small tributary of the Ruhudji for fish in the 4–8 lb range.
Lessons Learned from Tough Fishing Conditions
Getting out of the office for a proper stint of guiding is always a treat for me. But spending this time getting to know some quality people, sharing stories around the fire and dinner tables, and relearning the lessons that only tough fishing conditions can teach you was a wonderful bonus. Thanks for a great 10 days, Mike and Russell. I look forward to the next time.
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Ready to tackle the unique challenges of fly fishing the Mnyera and Ruhudji Rivers? Join us on our next adventure and experience the thrill of these incredible waters for yourself. Book your spot today!