TOURETTE TIGERFISHING - TANZANIA, AFRICA
Good fishing can be found pretty much anywhere in the world, and the further from home that you travel to fish, the more you start to find real adventure. Head to Tanzania, Africa to fish, however, and you are officially pushing it to the wildest edge! Africa is a recent offering for Yellow Dog, and one that we have introduced only after years of thorough research, personal time on the ground, and some serious time spent with a group of guys that we guarantee are the very best in the entire region. These guys have scouted the finest, wildest and most productive African fisheries for more than ten years, and now offer anglers what is hands down the very best tigerfishing that Africa has to offer. There are a lot of places on the “dark continent” that you can fly fish. And of all those destinations, we only offer a single location in Africa – Tanzania to be specific. That said, after fishing this operation ourselves, we feel confident that this is a place that is well worth the time, money, and miles to get there. When you’ve crossed all of the other “must-fish” destinations off of your personal angling bucket list, then fly fishing for trophy tigerfish in Tanzania is the trip that you need to make. We promise you that there is nothing like it in the world! Africa awaits.
Typical Length of Stay
All Tourette packages run Saturday to Saturday with six full days and two half days of fishing. Many anglers also chose to add overnights in Dar Es Salaam on both the front and back of a trip. Yellow Dog will be happy to provide you with full details and itineraries for this trip.
Accommodations and Lodging
Tourette Fishing has partnered with long-standing Tanzanian safari outfit Kilombero North Safaris (KNS) to offer the finest logistics, accommodations, and amenities found anywhere in this part of Tanzania. By offering the best outfitting services, concession management, and year-round anti-poaching (land and river) efforts, this is a without a doubt the finest operation in the entire region.
Over the course of a week of fishing with Tourette, you will split your time between two different camps. Both of Tourette's camps - the Mnyera and Ruhudji Camps - are simple yet comfortable tent-camps which are built and erected each season from scratch. All of the tents are built on elevated wooden decks and contain two large single beds, showers, flush toilets and hand basins. All linen is provided. Hot water is from a "donkey boiler" which is prepared and filled each morning and evening. All furniture is fashioned from local woods and is tasteful and functional. The sleeping and tent accommodations are incredibly comfortable, especially when you consider just where it is you are sleeping! Dinners are enjoyed under the stars in the outdoor "boma" or around the campfire on the beach.
Food and Beverages
Breakfast is served early each morning in the dinning area of each camp, and lunch can either be packed for your day on the water or taken back at camp, depending on your daily fishing schedule. Each evening, guests enjoy nightly dinners from in the dinning area, and fresh African game is usually on the menu. Each camp also has a gas-powered refrigerator, which means that cold beers are a part of the line-up!
Fishing Information
The discovery of the Mnyera and Ruhudji river systems in 2008 has been acknowledged by many serious anglers as one of the biggest things to happen in African sportfishing in the past decade. To indicate the enormity of the discovery, in the past half century that fly fisherman have been targeting tigers on fly, a 20-pound fish was not landed. This statistic was shattered in 2008, when eight fish over the 20-pound mark were landed in as many days on one section of the Mnyera!
The season on these two rivers runs from August 1 to mid-November. It is during these months, when the water temperatures rise and the clarity increases, that the trophy tigerfish of this region begin to feed aggressively. Fly fishing large black whistlers, Clousers, and Puglisi-style baitfish patterns to the banks and into the river structure has proven the most successful way of tempting these aggressive and predatory tigers. Seasonal catch data from the past two years indicates clearly that the strict beat rotation that was implemented by Tourette in fishing these rivers has been a success. The average number of trophy fish landed per week has consistent throughout each season, and the average numbers caught have been impressive. The recent discovery of excellent waters closer to the headwater of the Ruhudji Rivers has also opened up a further 30km of productive waters. The end result is that Tourette can now offer 7 individual beats that can be fished and visited on a rotating basis. On top of this, the season has been limited to the 16 absolute best weeks in the year with a maximum of only six rods per week. Each beat will be fished only once or twice every seven days, ensuring that no area is ever over-fished.
In the past, trophy tiger fish have been classified as fish above 10 lb’s. This has been shattered with the average fish in this system coming home at eight pounds. Here fishermen have a real opportunity of landing tiger fish of over 20 pounds. In fresh water this is almost unheard of. Now combine this fact with the speed, strength, aerial antics and aggressive nature of the tiger fish, and dump it all in river flowing through one of the words last true wilderness areas, home to big game, and then you may begin to get an idea of just how unique this fishery is. Tigers that are caught in both rivers can run anywhere from a few pounds in size to over 20 pounds. Most fish caught will run between five and ten pounds, and larger fish on are caught on a very regular basis.
On both of these rivers, your attentions will largely be focused on the river structure and banks, which comprises fallen timber, long sand banks, steep drop-offs, and rocky outcrops. These river systems are also extremely rich in bait fish (predominantly red-finned barbs) resulting in a population of tiger fish larger than any place else that is currently known. Trophy fish in this system are measured above 20 pounds. Be prepared to have you fly fishing paradigms shifted!
Tackle and Equipment Required for this Trip
If you have a local specialty fly shop that you are currently doing business with, we encourage you to buy your gear and outfit yourself there! Take the detailed Yellow Dog equipment lists into your local shop and they will help you select the right gear for your upcoming fishing adventure. If you are not currently working with a local retail fly shop or need advice on where to purchase the right gear, however, then we can help! For information on where to purchase exactly what you need for this trip, please feel free to call us at (888) 777-5060 or CLICK HERE for a complete list of Yellow Dog approved retailers and online providers.
Boats and Equipment
The majority of the fishing is done on the drift on both the Mnyera and Ruhudji Rivers. Tourette utilizes 16-foot aluminum boats with 25HP outboards for all fishing on the rivers. Wade fishing is unusual and not recommended. Because of the remote nature and location of the lodge, it is recommended that you bring all of your own equipment. Bring plenty of rods (including back-up rods!) and extra fly lines as well. Yellow Dog will provide you with a complete packing list and equipment list in your pre-trip confirmation packet.
Non-Angling Activities and Options
This is honestly not the place to go if you are a non-angler. If you want a non-angling African experience, then go on a standard safari. This is a remote, fishing-focused operation first and foremost. That said, while you are with Tourette, you will experience all of the amazing sights and experiences that the African bush has to offer.Buffalo, lion, leopard and elephant are common in the area, as well as a host of plains game species including puku, warthog, hartebeest, zebra, eland and bushbuck. The bird life is exceptional with many rare and endemic species found in the area. Pels Fishing Owl, along with Palmnut Vultures, Narina Trogans, Broad Billed Roller, African Fin Foot and white backed night heron all make this riverine environment their home.
How To Get There
Tanzania and the capital – Dar Es Salaam - is served by several internationally scheduled flights, including direct services from London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Johannesburg, and several other cities. From the U.S. you will typically fly to Paris, London or Amsterdam, and from there fly directly to Dar Es Salaam. Each flight is approximately 8-10 hours long. Often guests arrive with at least a full night in the city of Dar before catching the private charter flight out to camp. We will be delighted to assist you with all trip details and travel options for this trip.
Arrival and Departure Details / Times
Most flights that arrive into Dar Es Salaam arrive in the late evening or at night. The typical Tourette itinerary can accommodate most arrival and departure times. Yellow Dog will be happy to work with you to line up the correct international flight itinerary.
2013 Fishing Package Rates
Price is per person and based on double or single occupancy. All Tourette Fishing packages run Saturday to Saturday with six full days and two half days of fishing.
8 Night / 7 Fishing Days -------------------------------------------------------------------- $7,955.00
* Remember that Yellow Dog's services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge or outfitter.
What's Included
- Transfer from airport to Seacliff on arrival in Dares Salaam. Transfer from Seacliff to
charter flight on morning of departure. Transfer from charter terminal to airport or Seacliff on
arrival back in Dares Salaam - Return charter flight to Camp – (20kg luggage limit per person)
- All overnight camp accommodations and lodging while in camp
- All meals and beverages (limited beer, bottled water, and soda) while in camp
- Six days of guided fishing and two partial fishing days (2 anglers per boat)
- Boats and fuel
- All taxes and GST's on camp package
- Fishing licences and concession fees
What's Not Included
- International flights to Dar Es Salaam
- Visa and entry fees into Tanzania
- Hotel overnights and other costs in Dar Es Salaam (Yellow Dog will set up the hotels for you)
- Rods, reels, terminal tackle and flies
- BYO liquor and wine and beers over allocated amount in camp (Can be purchased in advance of trip and brought in from South Africa)
- Mandatory travel and medical evacuation insurance (available through Yellow Dog and TravelGuard Sportsman’s Insurance)
- Guide and Staff Gratuities
Travel Arrangements
Yellow Dog has a full in-house travel and reservations system, and can assist with airline tickets, hotels, transfers, and all travel logistics for every destination that we offer. Contact us at 888-777-5060 or info@yellowdogflyfishing.com for more details on airfare ticketing, travel services and trip insurance.
Other Information
Tanzania Shillings are the official currency in Tanzania. US dollars are accepted for most transactions, although all bills have to be new and in new condition. There are foreign exchange departments at the airport and your hotel.