Tiger advice needed

**GrahamS** · 14-02-12

The wife is spoiling me with four nights at Royal Chundu in March. It is located 50km above Vic Falls, and obviously some fishing will be taking place

Any advice on general tackle and flies to take? I'm assuming an 8wt with a fast sinking line will be the order of the day? I'll be packing light so one fly rod and one spinning rod is all there'll be room for.

Thanks in advance

**jock0** · 14-02-12

March isnt the best of time, the water up there will be very high and murky, but I'd far rather be fishing there than not, so you'll just have to adjust

The 8 is pretty spot on but I'd take an intermediate as well for fishing in pools and eddies. A sink tip, rather than full sinker is actually preferable as you're in better contact with your flies when you first start retrieving.

Fly wise you're looking at covering two bases:
1. Small size 2 and 4 bugger type flies fished with your choice of 15-20lb mono/floro for the smaller guys. Piano wire really seems to bugger up the action of the smaller flies in the water so you'll probably lose a few fish but get more strikes. You'll also pick up some of the bream species on these flies if you cast them into bank side structure like you would for bass. I'd go for combo's in white/silver, olive, gold/black and straight black as the water will be pretty murky.

2. Bigger clousers (dont make the eyes to heavy) and brush flies, size 4/0 gama b10s's, 15cm of #4 piano wire and a #10 power swivel for the bigger fish. Same colours as above but make the clousers sparse to sink quickly in the current and the brush flies bushy to push maximum water - sure you know this already though...

Fishing the rapids is normally the most productive there but the conditions might be against you so fish where the water looks fishy!

Failing that throw some copper efzets, the ones with the little red tags, or swim a few bream liveys

Edit - Having read what I wrote above I'm pretty sure you actually know all of this and are just posting to rub it in...

**gazzarowan** · 14-02-12

An 8 for tigers in that kind of setting may not be quite enough.
Tigers are pretty large and dangerous when wounded. they have a ferocious temper and should not be handled during release.

from what i've heard, a live goat or sheep would be a good bait. ensure it has lots of movement and that it keeps calling loudly.

otherwise, i know not of the area Graham. have fun and give us a report

**GrahamS** · 14-02-12

Originally Posted by jock0

March isnt the best of time, the water up there will be very high and murky, but I'd far rather be fishing there than not, so you'll just have to adjust

The 8 is pretty spot on but I'd take an intermediate as well for fishing in pools and eddies. A sink tip, rather than full sinker is actually preferable as you're in better contact with your flies when you first start retrieving.

Fly wise you're looking at covering two bases:
1. Small size 2 and 4 bugger type flies fished with your choice of 15-20lb mono/floro for the smaller guys. Piano wire really seems to bugger up the action of the smaller flies in the water so you'll probably lose a few fish but get more strikes. You'll also pick up some of the bream species on these flies if you cast them into bank side structure like you would for bass. I'd go for combo's in white/silver, olive, gold/black and straight black as the water will be pretty murky.

2. Bigger clousers (dont make the eyes to heavy) and brush flies, size 4/0 gama b10s's, 15cm of #4 piano wire and a #10 power swivel for the bigger fish. Same colours as above but make the clousers sparse to sink quickly in the current and the brush flies bushy to push maximum water - sure you know this already though...

Fishing the rapids is normally the most productive there but the conditions might be against you so fish where the water looks fishy!

Failing that throw some copper efzets, the ones with the little red tags, or swim a few bream liveys

Edit - Having read what I wrote above I'm pretty sure you actually know all of this and are just posting to rub it in...

Thanks Dave. That's very helpful, especially the part about the buggers. Wouldn't have thought to pack those

The river is 1km wide where we will be, so I'm sure I'll find some calmer sections to have a flick in.

**GrahamS** · 14-02-12

Originally Posted by gazzarowan

An 8 for tigers in that kind of setting may not be quite enough.
Tigers are pretty large and dangerous when wounded. they have a ferocious temper and should not be handled during release.

from what i've heard, a live goat or sheep would be a good bait. ensure it has lots of movement and that it keeps calling loudly.

otherwise, i know not of the area Graham. have fun and give us a report

It's dry. But you can drink it.

Tigers? In Africa? Eish!

**Gerrit Viljoen** · 14-02-12

Ask Jack Russel for some advice.

**gkieser** · 14-02-12

It will be high, but you will definately be able to find some fish. When all else fails, get the guides to find you some bulldogs and do the driftbait thing and you should then definately come right!

**poppernel** · 14-02-12

Originally Posted by gkieser

It will be high, but you will definately be able to find some fish. When all else fails, get the guides to find you some bulldogs and do the driftbait thing and you should then definately come right!

Driftbait thing, floating or intermediate????