Malindi, Kenya

[beefybovril]

Hi there

Might have oppurtunity to throw a line or three in Malindi and the surrounding coastline.
Anyone have experience there, or suggestions to share.....

Thanks

Beefy

[Lardbeast]

Beautiful place. Lots of German turistas so don't move any beach towels found on unattended deck chairs or you'll cop an earful.

Lots of reefs around and may be worth going out to one of the small islands or beaches with a local dhow if you can tag along with a group. Usual rules apply to wandering around on your own. There's an interesting looking reef along up toward Lamu called Ras Something-Or-Other. Never been there but flew over it low level a few times and got a serious itch to throw something wiggly in the water there and see what comes sniffing around. Not far off the beach and probably partially exposed or very shallow at low tide. Might be worth wandering down the road to Mombasa and checking what's in the creek as well. Couple of crocs around so be a little catfoot in the creek.

[chris williams]

I've fished quite a bit around there. Malindi also full of Italian tourists as well. A useful idea is to fish some of the estuaries from the shore. Also worth hiring a 'water taxi' to take you beyond the reef to fish for e.g. dorado off the flotsam which they love. Watamu further south has lots of very expensive deepsea charter boats, mainly run by South Africans. but just for an economical way, hiring a water taxi, take your six-pack of Tusker and a smile and you should have a great few hours!

Just remember to keep on the good side of the US Military there and don't pretend to be a pirate!

[Flyer]

Would the same apply to a bit lower down towards Diani Beach, i'm going there in March for a holida and will definately be taking along the fly rod.

[Korrie]

Chris Bladen, fish sculptor, had an interesting time of the coast of Kenia.

Here is what he did.

He once even chartered a local dhow (sailing vessel) on the east coast of Africa to sail him to a little uninhabited island that he could see on the horizon from Pemba Island. He negotiated with the owner of the dhow that he will only pay him on collecting him, just in case the dhow owner had other plans. He soon realized why the little island was uninhabited. Not even the Pied Piper of Hamlin would have been able to rescue this little island. He ended up hanging all his rations from the trees to save it from the rats that came out during the night. This little island called ‘Misale’, in the middle of the Pemba Channel, produced tuna and queen fish, on fly, from the beach...

From an artile http://globalflyfisher.com/gallery/chris-bladen/


So there are a lot of options along that coast.

[beefybovril]

Gee, thanks guys for the info. Hopefully heading there in July, so will see what happens.

Man, are those sculptures incredible!!!!!

[Korrie]

Gee, thanks guys for the info. Hopefully heading there in July, so will see what happens.

Man, are those sculptures incredible!!!!!

Chris's sculptures are absolutely superb.
He is so highly rated overseas.
There are so much talent in this country of ours.

[Korrie]

If there are any fly fishers who are in the Cape, take the missus, drive to Kalk Bay and have a look at Chris's work. Then go for a lunch at the Brass Bell. Lovely trip to do. Both of you will have a lovely day together.

[HolyGT]

Hi there

Might have oppurtunity to throw a line or three in Malindi and the surrounding coastline.
Anyone have experience there, or suggestions to share.....

Thanks

Beefy

Good place to be to target billfish in the summer months from Nov-Mar, with sailfish being the dominant species. Just north of Malindi there is sandy bank that holds a lot of Sailfish for some reason - most the charter guys now the spot. The offshore FF further south on the Watamu banks can be hectic at times with shoals of Rainbow Runner and Kawakawa.

The banks could also be good for mother size GT's and small Blacks early season (Sept ish on the banks). Also some big Yellowfin Tuna at times, but they tend to be skittish as they get hammered by the operators.

Invest in a panga for offshore or go big and get a boat and crew that know their stuff and you could have some great fishing. I found the shore based fishing to be a waste of time, scratching for rats and mice…

[chris williams]

Chris Bladen, fish sculptor, had an interesting time of the coast of Kenia.

Here is what he did.

He once even chartered a local dhow (sailing vessel) on the east coast of Africa to sail him to a little uninhabited island that he could see on the horizon from Pemba Island. He negotiated with the owner of the dhow that he will only pay him on collecting him, just in case the dhow owner had other plans. He soon realized why the little island was uninhabited. Not even the Pied Piper of Hamlin would have been able to rescue this little island. He ended up hanging all his rations from the trees to save it from the rats that came out during the night. This little island called ‘Misale’, in the middle of the Pemba Channel, produced tuna and queen fish, on fly, from the beach...

From an artile http://globalflyfisher.com/gallery/chris-bladen/


So there are a lot of options along that coast.

We off-load much of our cargo like World Food drummed vegoil onto the dhows. They're great lads and this type of shipping business has gone on for hundreds, nay, thousands, of years. Only trouble is when you hook a 7/0 Clouser into the dhow mainsail the Arab skipper tends to get a bit pee'd off!...

The financial difference is MEGA between

1) El Cheapo adventuring around the coastline/talking to the locals with water-taxis or shoreline fishing with their self-appointed 'Askari'

and

2) Doing the Hemingway thing in US$


As I mentioned a smile and a six-pack (not your abdomen's) often goes a long way. I know the main dhow/water-taxi guys so please PM me if you would like further info. Lemme know dates/where you're staying. And learn a few kiSwahili words/expressions - as always, attempting a bit of the local taal shows Rispek. A bottle of duty-free whisky should rapidly accelerate your fishing cause/success..