Bush Telegraph September 2007

August was school holidays so Ian, the girls and I joined some friends on a fishing trip in the Lower Zambezi. We stayed at a privately owned self catering fishing camp near the Mpata Gorge, about 40 km upstream from the were Zambia meets up with Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Our friends, take their fishing very seriously and had very shiny fishing equipment to say the least - all the latest rods, reels, fish finder, and every contraption you can think of to go fishing with.  They looked  rather horrified at what we had brought with us. I felt like a complete Hill Billy when we hauled out our rather cheap looking fishing rods and reels that no professional fishermen would wish to be seen dead with! 

We  do enjoy fishing, but definitely don’t take it seriously as we probably should.  We enjoy  game viewing, birdwatching and appreciating the bush and no trip on the Zambezi River would be complete without the cooler box for that evening drink or “toot” as we call it  as the sun goes down.  However, our girls do love fishing  and much patience was required as Ian spent most of his time untangling rods, putting bate on, changing hooks and taking off fish.    But I am pleased to say that despite using our antiquated  fishing equipment, we did not disgrace ourselves. Christie and Carey managed to each catch four Cornish Jacks well over 7 kg each. Tiger and plenty of bream were caught and a pleasant time had by all.  But it was a general consensus that the Lindsay's need to upgrade their fishing equipment!!

^{"Christie and Carey with the Cornish Jack they caught"}

One particular day we visited the Redcliffs which are situated  on the Zimbabwe side of the River about 20 km from where we were staying.
Whilst we were cruising up the river, Tafila, one of the camp staff informed us that up until the early 90's there was a  type of mermaid that lived  in the river by the Redcliffs and none of the  local villagers would visit this area as people disappeared. Today the local tribe still believe this "myth".   Even Tafila our guide was convinced the mermaid existed.

The local tribe in this area  brew a beer made out of a fruit they call "masour".  Unfortunately I don't know the latin name but it was brought into neighboring Mozambique during the time Africa was being colonized by the portuguese.  The fruit is high in Vitamin C and helped prevent scurvy on the ships.  The portuguese also made their own brew from this fruit.  Today the the "Masour" bush as self seeded itself along the banks of the Zambezi river.  We are not one to knock anyones beliefs but as Ian pointed out the amount of  brew the local tribe drink anyone would be able to see a Mermaid in the river!!

  Red Cliffs

 

 The Lower Zambezi and in particular the area of the river near the lodge is renowned for some of the best tiger fishing in Zambia.  The Redcliff Zambezi Lodge is the ideal destination for  keen fishermen, they specialise in fishing safaris up the Zambezi River.  Game viewing on the shores of the river is also excellent and they take clients into the Lower Zambezi National Park on Day trips.  In addition they run specialised fishing safaris into Caborra Bassa in Mozambique. 

So for those avid fishermen this is the place to visit!!




























Take care


Ian and Daphne Lindsay