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 Something
Fishy
What a month, of some exciting fishing
and some serious humour! A quick round up, Kafue is pumping, some
nice fish have been caught, should start slowing down by the end of
May, just in time for winter. The Zambezi is as usual “awesome”
We touched on an excellent tiger
fishing technique last month as well as some basic tackle
requirements. As promised I want to share the in ands outs of “Catch
and Release” now that you have the knowledge and kit to catch them.
The basic rules are very simple and obvious when one thinks about
it. Never let the fish touch the deck or floor of the boat or bank,
remember that the deck is very hot and when you see the fish jumping
around on the floor, it is actually burning hence the jumping. Same
applies when you touch it with your hands, 37oc is very hot for a
fish, so wet your hands before you touch it, also the fish has a
protective layer of slime on its skin which aids swimming and
protects from diseases, by touching it one removes this layer.
Lastly try avoiding the gills.
I will describe three methods that I have used many times which has
worked for hundreds of Tiger fish, and is used today by many more
anglers. However ensure that you have a pair of long nose pliers
always handy in your box, and stay far away from those razor sharp
teeth!!!
The first and the most effective method is with a very handy gadget
called a “Boga Grip” There are other makes available. This gadget
has a claw mechanism that one opens and slides in the bottom jaw of
the fish. Once the Tiger has been suitably subdued, this claw then
very firmly holds the fish. One simply lifts the tiger out of the
water, removes the hook and the “Boga” has an accurate scale on it,
so its weight can be taken. Then put the fish gently put back in the
water. One very healthy fish back in the River!! The best part with
this gadget is that you never actually touch the fish
A more challenging method requires a bit of practice and a large
cloth or cooled hand. Again once the fish has been tired, the angler
slides the fish alongside the boat, whilst a helping hand very
firmly grips the fish by the tail, then slides the other hand into
the gills, above the gills, and the angler then removes the hook
with those long nose pliers and the fish is ready for release. If a
weight is required then the angler does the holding of the scale etc
whilst the helper still has control over the fish.
Finally the landing net. Although a very easy way to land a fish, it
actually causes the most damage, by removing a lot of the protective
layer of slime. However modern landing nets have a rubber coating
which, in theory, reduce this. Just remember to try not to put the
fish on the floor once netted, so cool your hand, then remove the
fish from the net for any hook removal and weighing.
Many fish are hooked in the throat. Not an issue! Remember that
these fish deal with those barbed fins of the squeaker, so a very
sharp 4/0 hook is more like a body piercing. If one gently pulls on
the trace, the throat will extend through into the mouth area, and
once again those handy long nose pliers come into play.
The gills of the Tiger have a hard cartilage layer at the first gill
and when one has your fingers above this, the gills flare open. This
is plenty of room to gently put the plier's through and remove the
hook, then pull your trace through the gills and bite the line. This
method ensures your keep well away from those gnashing teeth and an
added bonus is that it ensures that you re-tie your knot for the
next fish.
Some facts: often a tiger will go into shock, so if your fish goes
“belly up” that does not mean the is game over, ite is simply very
tired and in a state of shock. Gently hold it by the head, getting a
nice flow of fresh water over the gills, you will see the gills
working hard, pumping oxygen into the system. That is a good sign.
Take your time and the fish will come out of the “fight or flight”
animal instinct. Sometimes a gentle tap on the top of the head or a
splash in the water will bring them back to reality. This is
especially typical of fish from 4 kg and above. They take some TLC
to come round. That fish has given you a great amount of enjoyment,
so an extra 5 minutess of care when releasing it will ensure that
someone else has the same pleasure.
Finally, take a minute and think about what you are actually going
to do with that fish! They are very bony and do not make good
eating. To keep it frozen or cool to take for your staff at home is
an expensive exercise in the Zambezi Valley. Not five minutes after
it's dead, they loose all those amazing colours although a modern
day taxidermist will make brilliant fibreglass copy that lasts
longer, looks better, costs less and does not require any permits to
own.
Sooooo lets get our “Catch & Release” methods up too speed and let
the Fighter, fight another day and if anyone lands a fish that is
tagged please follow the instructions on the tag and take note of
where you caught it.
Tight lines.
The River Rat. |
May
2007