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Fishing at Impalila Island Lodge

A choice of fishing in the Zambezi, Chobe, Kasai or Kwando rivers as well as the Mambova rapids, and backwaters of the floodplains makes our island fishing opportunities magnificent. Fly fishing or traditional angling from either motorized boat or mokoro for a variety of African species is possible. Our guides are professional and very knowledgeable on the area. We have fishing equipment at the lodges.
Impalila is well known for its exciting tiger fishing.
Fish are clearly an important resource, providing food and income for many villagers as well as providing excellent recreational angling. For the many visitors to the region, a prime attraction is the coveted Tiger fish (Hydrocynus vittatus) which is considered one of the top freshwater game fish in the world. In the Zambezi near Impalila, many superb specimens are caught conventionally and by fly fishing, providing a thrill to many.

FISHING WITHIN THE CRADLE

Seasonal flooding of the rivers into the floodplains is important ecologically for the breeding of fish and there are over 70 species of fish to be found in the Zambezi, though the Okavango is equally renowned. At least a dozen of these species such as Tilapia, Largemouth bream, Catfish, Haplochromis and African pike are also important to anglers and provide an enviable selection

FISHING INFORMATION

The tiger fishing around Impalila Island is the best in Africa in relation to size of fish and availability of waterways in which to fish. There are three major rivers that form Impalila Island, each requiring different techniques to fish them. Each river asks of the angler to attempt a different method in catching a tiger fish. The rivers are the Zambezi, the Chobe and the Kasai.

Firstly the Zambezi, it is a large meandering river fishable for 70 kilometres upstream from the lodge. The river is, on the whole, exclusively fished by only Impalila Island Lodge guests due to the inaccessibility of the river to most others. The fish are fast swimming river tiger, growing to a maximum weight of 10 kilograms.

There are numerous species of fish for the plate known as Bream, which can grow to about 4 kilograms. They can be targeted on worm, spinner or plug. Another species that can be caught is Barbel, a strong deep fighting fish that can weigh up to 20 kilograms.

The Kasai Channel hosts the same fish, however it is a fast flowing narrow channel 15 kilometres long and has accentuated bends. It feeds the Chobe via the Zambezi. At the beginning of the Chobe there are fishable rapids but on the whole it is a slow moving mass of water that ends as a backwater some 60 kilometres from the Kasai. The Chobe is more recognised as one of Africa’s premier National Parks and the spectacle of game viewing by boat is out of this world, having all the predators and 4 of the big 5, rhino excluded.

The Chobe would be best known below the surface for large Barbel, African Pike and Bream. The fishing at Impalila Island Lodge can be done all day or broken up into two sessions, morning and afternoon with a midday break to escape the heat. Please see attached breakdown of fishing techniques, equipment and species broken down into the months.

FISHING EQUIPMENT

Conventional fishing:
· Rapalas – Countdown , Super Shadrap 9cm , Husky, Abwi Spoon , Fat raps & Floating magnums
· Spoon – Effzett
· Spinner Bait (this is good for catching Nembwe – similar to Bass )

Fly Fishing
For Tiger Fish:
· Sinking & intermediate flyline with 100 – 120 yards backing
· Rod – 6/7 weight will suffice, a 8 weight would be better

For African Pike & Bream
· Floating, sinking & intermediate line
· Rod – 3 / 4weight
Spinners – all “floating” Rapalas
Line – Siglon, Spider wire and Abulon

Flies
Tiger Fish – should be made with trace wire -- apparently there are various “deceiver” patterns, the type is not important – but the colour is, currently, the orange, white & red’s are the more successful. Salmon flies, Big “Mickey Finn” patterns and Klauser Minnows – orange & white, red & white, blue & white are also successful. “Lefty” deceivers of various colour and “Crazy Charlies” with red heads and yellow bodies could also be used.
Simon (our resident expert) also recommends flies from belly hair – “green poppers”
with light green & yellow tail feathers.
Bream – Dry flies & nymphs & don’t forget the “ Bass Bugs!”

FISHING TECHNIQUES

THE BEST PERIODS FOR ALL ROUND FISHING ARE PERIODS 3 & 4

FISHING AT SUSUWE