NEWS & REPORTS
Tanzania Trophy Tigerfish
You want to catch a tigerfish of a lifetime? Simply put: The Mnyera and the Ruhudji rivers is the best it gets. This is the only destination on the planet where you can target tigerfish that consistently reset the bar as to what is possible tigerfishing.
Mnyera and Ruhudji Rivers, Tanzania
In the past, trophy tiger fish have been classified as fish above 10 lbs. This bench mark has been shattered with the average fish in this system coming home at just under 8lbs. Here fisherman have a real opportunity of landing tiger fish of over 20lb’s, with shots at multiple trophy fish on a daily basis In fresh water this is almost unheard of. Now combine this fact with the speed, strength, aerial antics and aggressive nature of the tiger fish, and dump it all in two rivers flowing through one of the words last true wilderness areas, home to big game, and then you may begin to get an idea of just how unique the twin fisheries of the Mnyera and Ruhudji Rivers really are.
The Fishing Experience
Dhala Camp (main camp on the Mnyera River) and Samaki Camp (on the Ruhudji River), owned and run by the premier hunting outfitting company Kilombero North Safaris, offer the adventurous fly fisherman the ultimate African fly fishing safari. Guests have access to over 120km on two adjacent rivers, 7 km of rapids and a unique fly camping operation which allows us to fish remote stretches of these unspoiled rivers. Bush camps and mobile fly camping (mobile tents erected prior to our arrival) under the African stars ensure that the African safari experience is as much a part of this trip as the trophy tigers you can expect to encounter.
The majority of the fishing is done off the drift. Here our attentions are focused on the river structure which comprises logs, long sand banks, steep drop-off’s and rocky outcrops. When conditions dictate we also make use of sand anchors and tying up to structure mid stream to focus our attention on a specific stretch of water. All fishing is done off 16ft aluminium boats.
This river has received very little fishing pressure over the centuries. KNS and TF have strict fisheries and anti poaching controls in place to ensure that this system remains as pristine as it was 100 years ago. The system is also extremely rich in bait fish (predominantly red finned barbs). The combination of these factors has resulted in this population of tiger fish obtaining otherwise unheard of sizes. Trophy fish in this system are measured above 20lbs. Be prepared to have you fly fishing paradigms shifted!
