The African Fisherman Magazine Volume 23 # 6 | Page 7

M A I L B A G R e a d e r ' s L e t t e r s

M A I L B A G R e a d e r ' s L e t t e r s

Dear Editor Firstly thank you for consistently turning out a fantastic magazine ! I am sure I am amongst the many that look forward to a good honest African Fishing read . We were in Kariba , Antelope Island and Charara over the last week-end of August 2012 , and had a wonderful family trip . My older son aged seven years who is , I think more crazy about fishing that I am , caught and landed a couple of nice Nilo ’ s by himself . He even managed to hook and fight a tiger - approximately 2kg with 10lb line , no trace and a Rapala attached all by himself . ( All his own idea ). Unfortunately it got away as we tried to get it into the landing net . None the less it was a wonderful trip and one both my boys keep talking about - and asking for a repeat of ! My older son Zayan loves to head straight to the Junior Anglers page and see what the other kids have caught , and has asked often when he will be featured . I always say when you catch a bigger fish than your Dad ! I must say on this trip , this was certainly the case . Please could you feature his picture in your Junior Angler section , I know it will mean more than anything else to him and he will be very proud to feature in your magazine . He was using 10lb high abrasion line . Zayd Hoosein
Thanks for your kind comments . Zayan ’ s letter and picture appears on the Junior Angler ’ s page in this issue . Well done to him . - Editor
Dear Editor My son ( Scott Vosloo , 10 years ) is fishing crazy , and recently enjoyed the special experience of catching King Salmon on Lake Michigan in America . It was awesome and he would love his picture to be in your fishing magazine . I have attached a couple of photos ( along with his letter to you ) which I hope is satisfactory . Regards Sport Vosloo
What an amazing opportunity . His picture appears in this issue too . - Editor
Dear Editor Sundowner Adventures has had the Sundowner Zambezi Lodge at Deka since 1990 and have continued to operate with our loyal staff through the thick and thin of Zimbabwe since then ! The Lodge is managed by Wayne Sinclair , who has been in the Fly & Sport Angling business for almost 20 years . He took over from me and has done a remarkable job . I have just had two weeks of a wonderful trip in this area which I enjoy so much . The reason I am sending you this email is because we are regular purchasers of African Fisherman and enjoy the contents , but we do not seem to be on your radar . I refer specifically to your volume 22 No . 4 page 20 & 21 ... Fishing the Zambezi Matetsi to Gwaai . There is mention of Hwange Angling , Deka Drum ( not much left ), Olive Beadle , Msuna etc but nothing of Sundowner , even after all these years . We have accommodation , full board or self catering , boats , guides , tackle and many happy guests . I note all the comments on the dangers of the area , which is quite correct , particularly where the water is flowing slowly due to Kariba pushing back to below Black Rock . Obstacles cannot be easily seen just under water unless one knows the area . My first visits to the area were in 1963 , with a wonderful man employed at the Colliery ( Buster Bradfield ), who knew those waters well . He and his colleagues showed me the Zambezi and its water ways from above Matetsi to Mlibizi during high water and VERY LOW water . It ’ s an exciting river to run but with light boats and motors . Buster moved onto his property at Deka in the 1970 ’ s and I bought it in 1990 from him . We believe we know the waters as well as anyone . My sons and I have had marvellous adventures exploring the area . Pat and Althea Fox ran the Lodge until he retired a couple of years ago . He and I went out of our way to discover the best angling areas and methods which have been passed down to Wayne . I have also had the pleasure of fishing and boating the Zambezi above and below Barotse flood plains , Vic Falls up to Katima , below Vic Falls to Kariba , most of the Zimbabwe side of Kariba , below the wall to Chewore and large parts of Cahora Bassa . In my youth a trip sponsored by Paynes Boats ( in a 10 ' 6 " Sport & 18hp motors ) from Tete to the sea was a real adventure . The most beautiful spot is still Deka . Fishermen come all the way from Msuna and Olive Beadle to fish off our jetty . A lot of them troll with long lines continuously , this we do not encourage as it is hardly sporting and gives these wonderful tigerfish little chance , dragged , drowned then kept . We mainly fly fish or use spinners , and fish are nearly all returned untouched using a Boga grip . Please be kind enough to remember where we are in future and if we can be of any
service please let us know . Attached ( page 7 , Gallery ) are a couple of shots of my youngest son , Ross with a typical fish and a tiger I caught on dry fly last week . ( Note the fly and no steel trace in the right side of its mouth . Easy and quick to remove ). Contact Wayne Sinclair RSA (+ 27 83 ) 4140391 ; Zim (+ 263912 ) 282658 ; mailto : sundown @ iafrica . com .
Thank you for the information , which I hope our readers will find of interest . I must admit to not having visited your establishment , though until a recent visit to the area , I have not been around that part of the river in a good number of years . We will certainly make a plan to visit . - Editor
Dear Editor I live in Karoi , Zimbabwe . I ' m still in school but started a small fish-farm as a hobby . I ' ve got nillies , pinkies , bass , barbel , vundu , robbies and Cornish-jack . I was hoping you could please put some tips about fishfarming in your next magazine . And also some places that one can go to train to become a Professional Hunter , as when I leave school I want to become a PH . Thanks Willem Nel
Fish Farming can be a very rewarding hobby and made to be commercially viable too . We have had a couple of other requests from readers for similar information . Some years ago , we published an excellent two part feature article by Dr . Neil Deacon on the subject . While quite technical and more relevant to larger bodies of water , I am sure you will fi nd the information helpful . Look out for Part Two in the next issue . Good luck . Becoming a PH requires an apprenticeship served under a recognised and registered safari operator , as well as several written and practical exams . When you are ready , the best place to start would be the Zimbabwe Professional Hunters and Guides Association . They can be contacted on mailto : SOAZ @ mweb . co . zw for more information - Editor
V o l . 23 # 6 http :// www . africanfishermanonline . com P a g e 7