Rumble in the jungle: CHASING TIGERFISH ON THE MIGHTY ZAMBEZI

Our convoy of three Toyota Landcruisers is on a dirt road heading deep into the African jungle towards a remote area of the Zambezi River. The radio signal is getting weaker and weaker. The local Zambian radio station is talking about the iconic fight between George Foreman and Muhammed Ali that took place on this exact date 50 years ago, known as the “Rumble in the jungle.

By GORDON P. HENRIKSEN // Images by COLUMBUS LETH

The radio conversation sets the mood for the experience awaiting us. But here, instead of a heavyweight fight, ours will be a battle of wills between us fly fishermen and one of Africa’s most aggressive and powerful predators: the tigerfish. With a swift strike, blistering speed, and raw strength, the tigerfish is the undisputed champion of these waters – a true fighter whose reputation for ferocity is as legendary as the battle that took place 50 years ago. And it is a fish I have dreamed of battling for years! The tigerfish are certainly waiting to challenge us to fight at our best, but more importantly, the continent of Africa, the Zambezi River, and all its inhabitants – both human and wild – are about to teach us what fly fishing adventures are really all about.

We unload our gear on the riverbank, keeping a safe distance from the crocodile-rich waters. We are, of course, bringing our fly-fishing gear, but more importantly, plenty of food and ice to keep us going for eight days, along with plenty of beer and brandy too! We take a boat upriver and begin to realize what an amazing adventure we are embarking on. Rugged mountains open up on each side of the river, and as we arrive at the “Kingfisher Lodge” – a camp just on the edge of the part of the river known as “The Gorge” –we see cliffed walls on each side, swift currents, small rapids, and experience an unmistakable sense of wilderness in the truest sense of the word.

As we arrive at the camp, a group of five elephants are on the shoreline, and I am blown away by the majesty of seeing these huge, impressive beings in their own environment. Our guide and host, Thor, calmly but firmly tells us that these creatures are not to be taken lightly. They may seem calm, docile, and friendly, and they are most of the time. But if cornered, spooked, or provoked, they can attack and run you down. Needless to say, no one walks away from being trampled by an elephant. With elephants in sight, I am overwhelmed - not only by the untouched beauty of this wilderness but also by its dangers. And now, it’s time to unpack our bags and head out fishing before the sun goes down.

Fishing the Zambezi

The Zambezi River offers an incredible environment for anglers with its mix of slow-moving pools and fast-moving rapids. We fish from small boats with casting platforms in the front. The fishing involves drifting and casting from one fishy-looking spot after another. Tigerfish can often be found in the eddies and pools formed around rocks, submerged structures, and at the mouths of tributaries, where they lie in ambush, waiting to strike at unsuspecting prey.

We fish deep pools and fast, shallow water that almost remind me of some of the swinging-style fishing I’ve done for salmon. One major difference here, however, is the crocodiles. We see them on the shore, and we spot their eyes popping up here and there in the river, giving the constant impression that they are lurking and ready to attack.

Thor and the locals are all very clear in their safety briefing: NEVER put your hands in the water. Not even to rinse off some sunblock, and certainly not to release a fish. And let’s not even get into how scary falling in the water would be. Every cast I make, I am more focused on keeping my balance than I am on throwing tight loops. I do not plan on falling into that water!

And then, of course, there’s the wade fishing that we do a little of, but always standing at least three meters from the shore or up on a rock or cliff. There’s always the underlying awareness that, at any moment, a crocodile could appear from the depths and make a move toward you. Their explosive power and speed when attacking are ever-present and keep your nervous system engaged and alert, no matter how much you want to focus on the task at hand.

Oh, and there are hippos everywhere, too. They are regarded as one of Africa’s most dangerous animals. Though they appear docile and slow on land, hippos are incredibly territorial and can move surprisingly fast in the water, often charging boats with little warning.

While you might be focused on your fly or watching the surface for the telltale signs of a fish strike, a nearby pod of hippos could decide to enter your territory. But back to the fish, and the focus of our trip.

Biology

The tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus) is a striking predator, renowned for its sharp, canine-like teeth and ferocious nature. Its body, sleek and muscular, is built for speed, enabling it to chase down prey with incredible agility.

The species thrives in the fast-moving waters of the Zambezi, where it feeds on smaller fish. Tigerfish belong to the family Alestidae, found across much of Africa. They grow to formidable sizes, with some specimens exceeding 30 pounds (14 kg). The average trophy fish is around 10-15 pounds (4.5-6.8 kg). They are characterized by their elongated bodies, silvery-greenish coloration, and the iconic pattern of dark vertical stripes that gives them their “tiger” name.

As ambush predators, tigerfish are known for their explosive strikes, violent high-speed runs, and for jumping like madmen. Their razor-sharp teeth are specially adapted to grasping and tearing into prey. It’s this predatory aggression, combined with their ferocious look, that makes them such a special fish to chase with a fly.

Fly fishing for tigerfish

Catching tigerfish is no easy task. We’re talking about lots of casts with big flies, wire leaders, and sinking or sink-tip lines, with bites being few and far between. But when they do come – Wow, it’s magical! The strike is hard, the fish is jumpy, and fear of losing the hook set in the mouth is present throughout the entire fight. When your fish finally comes up for a quick photo, it’s hard not to be in awe of such a cool creature, with a particularly prehistoric look and feel that reminds you it has evolved over millions of years to become what it is today, shaped by this environment with constant dangers from crocs, fish eagles, and more.

I know I keep talking about all the dangers, but in many ways, they defined my sense of well-being throughout this entire trip. Hippos and crocs in the river, lions, hyenas, and elephants on the shore are ever-present, not to mention the smaller, more subtle dangers like scorpions and snakes…

Tranquility and tension

For many, fly fishing is synonymous with peace – an opportunity to disconnect from the noise of daily life, find solace in the rhythm of the water, and allow the tension of the world to slip away with each cast. The idea of a tranquil day on the river, the gentle lapping of water against the boat, the rhythmic motion of the fly line cutting through the air – this is the calming image most anglers associate with fly fishing. It is, after all, often called a “meditative” pursuit, a way to find balance, peace, and stillness in nature.

Not so here. The peace you seek is constantly interrupted by the very real, ever-present dangers of the African wilderness. The tension between seeking tranquility and being confronted by the raw power of nature is what makes fishing on the Zambezi so unforgettable. The river, with its beauty and its dangers, keeps you in a state of heightened awareness – a constant balancing act between the desire to relax and the need to remain alert. It is this tension, this challenge, that makes the Zambezi River not just a fishing destination, but a place where you come face-toface with the wild in its most untamed and untouched form.

“The tension between seeking tranquility and being confronted by the raw power of nature is what makes fishing on the Zambezi so unforgettable”

So many emotions come together to make this trip an incredible experience of a lifetime. Let me give you an example. One day, we decide to harvest a tigerfish for a “shore lunch.”

Catch-and-release is the norm, but it is not frowned upon to take one fish for cooking. If you’re like me, tasting the prize of all your efforts is an essential part of it – especially when you can cook the fish over a fire right there on the bank, surrounded by hippos and crocs! Here, everything comes together.

If you’ll let me exaggerate a little, the process of catching, killing, cooking, and eating a tigerfish right there on the bank is a ceremony of becoming one with nature – consuming it directly while being completely immersed in true wilderness and nature in its wildest form. But it’s also about the people we are sharing the meal with and now becoming united with in a very special way that is so much stronger than just going out for a beer or coffee with a friend back home.

Somehow, I am reminded that when planning for a trip like this, my focus is on the fish itself, on what flies and gear to bring. But when I stand here on the bank with beer breath and tigerfish bones between my teeth, I realize that this adventure is not just about landing a fish – it’s about immersing yourself in an experience that touches all your senses, every part of your being. It’s about the food, the people, the culture, and the landscapes that make the journey so unforgettable. In many ways, fishing is a direct link to the environment – your success depends on understanding the rhythms of nature, the patterns of the river, and the life within and around it. Had I not been a fly fisherman, I would never have considered this trip, never would have made the effort, or spent the time and money to get here. But standing here now, I feel immensely grateful for this experience and for the fact that I am a fly fisherman.

Planning a Trip

The best time to fly fish the Zambezi River is typically during the dry season (May to October), when the water is lower and clearer, and the tigerfish are most active. If it rains heavily upstream, the river turns dark and murky, making it almost impossible for the tigerfish to spot the fly. We fished at the Kingfisher Lodge and were hosted by Thor Kirschner.

Thor is an extremely well-respected professional hunter who takes great pride in giving his clients the best possible experience when it comes to hunting, fishing, and the overall adventure. Thor has my highest recommendation. Check out the possibilities at www.mingaadventures.com.

Flies, Lines, and Tackle

Large streamers are your best bet for tigerfish, as they mimic the typical preyfish that tigerfish target. Streamers and baitfish imitations, such as Clouser Minnows, Deceivers, and the like, are good choices. Bright colors like chartreuse, orange, and yellow often work well, as tigerfish are known for their aggressive nature and are attracted to high-visibility flies. However, natural colors and brown/white patterns also seem popular when the water is clear.

The river’s currents are swift, and you are fishing from a drifting boat, so a fly with enough weight to cut through the water and sink quickly to the fish’s strike zone is essential. Aim for flies that are 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) in length. To be honest, I don’t have enough personal experience from this one trip to give you really solid advice on the flies, so trust your instincts and find some fishy streamer patterns you believe in.

Going big and heavy on flies, of course, makes casting more of a challenge, but that’s where picking the right line becomes important.

Line: A sinking or sink-tip line is preferable to get the fly down quickly in the heavy current. Make sure it’s one that is comfortable to cast and can be cast fairly precisely towards rocks, shorelines, and other fishy-looking places. I used a Sonar Titan from Scientific Angler that worked well for the job.

Rod: An 8- or 9-weight fly rod is ideal for tigerfish, as it gives you the power to cast larger, heavier flies and lines, and also fight the strong fish in the currents.

Leader and Tippet: Due to the tigerfish’s sharp, serrated teeth, a strong and abrasion-resistant wire leader is a must. Basically, anything that works for fly fishing for other toothy critters like barracuda or pike should do the trick.