FISHING IS OUR PASSION

Fish the storied Zambezi River and stay at the luxurious Impalila Island Lodge.

Outstanding accommodation at Impalila lodge.

Welcome International and South African anglers.

Tiger fishing around Impalila Island is the best in Africa in relation to size of fish and availability of waterways. The Tigers of Impalila are fast swimming, strong river fish that grow to about 20 pounds.

Numerous species of Bream are found in the area. The most highly sought of the Bream species is the pugnacious Nembwe, which grow to about 9 pounds.

There are three major rivers that form Impalila Island, each requiring different techniques to fish them. The rivers are the Zambezi, the Chobe and the Kasai.

The Zambezi is a large meandering river, fishable for about 40 miles upstream from the lodge. The river is almost exclusively fished by Impalila Island Lodge guests due to the inaccessibility of the river to others.

The Kasai Channel holds both Tigers and Bream and is a fast flowing narrow channel with sharp bends. It feeds The Chobe River via the Zambezi. The Chobe flows through one of Africa’s premier National Parks and the spectacle of game viewing by boat is out of this world.

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.

Catherine Robey, of ANTBEAR AFRICAN ADVENTURES with a 17 pound tigerfish caught while fishing from IMPALILA ISLAND LODGE!

FISHING EQUIPMENT

Conventional fishing:
• Countdown Rapalas , Super Shadraps, Fat raps & Floating magnums
• Spoons
• Spinner Baits (this is good for catching Nembwe)

FLY FISHING

For Tiger Fish:
• Sinking & intermediate fly line 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

FLIES

Tigerfish – Flies should be made with trace (leader) wire. Various Deceiver patterns are excellent for Tiger fish. Orange Deceivers are the top choice, while white & red Deceivers are better on some days. Salmon flies, large Mickey Finn patterns and Clouser Minnows, in orange & white, red & white, blue & white are also successful. Crazy Charley flies with red heads and yellow bodies are also used.

Bream – Dry flies & nymphs & don’t forget the “Bass Bugs!”

FISHING TECHNIQUES

PERIOD	TIME OF YEAR	SPECIES	TECHNIQUE	EQUIPMENT
1.	DECEMBER, JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH, APRIL	TIGERFISH CATFISH (BARBEL)	DRIFT BAITING	6’6” LENGTH ROD ) ¼ TO 5/8 OZ ROD ) * 10 TO 20 POUND LINE )
2.	MAY	TIGERFISH CATFISH (BARBEL)	DRIFT BAITING FLY FISHING SPINNING	- DRIFT BAITING = ABOVE APPLIES - SPINNING* - 9 FOOT, 8 WEIGHT (FLYFISH) - INTERMEDIATE & SINK LINES
3.	JUNE, JULY	TIGERFISH CATFISH (BARBEL) BREAM SPECIES	SPINNING TROLLING FLY FISHING DRIFTING	- * - * - * & 9 FOOT, 6 WEIGHT SINK LINE - *
4.	AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER,	TIGERFISH CATFISH (BARBEL)	SPINNING TROLLING FLY FISHING	- * - * - * & 9 FOOT, 8
5.	NOVEMBER	BREAM SPECIES	DRIFTING	WEIGHT (FLYFISH) - *

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

The best conventional outfit for Tigerfish is a fast action, stiff, heavy rod of 6’6 or 7’, in either bait-casting or spinning. A non-stretch line aids in hook setting and a sharp hook is very important. Hooking a Tiger fish and landing one are two different animals. Plan on one landed fish for every eight hook-ups!!