Panyame News: 30 Jul-6 Aug 2010

Period: 30 July – 6 Aug 2010

We expected five anglers for our second week this season, but somewhere along the line, two of our clients (no names mentioned) somehow strolled onto the wrong bus at the airport. Thankfully after some frantic phone calls and magic tricks we managed to get our friends on the right side of the Zambezi river, albeit one fishing session and a seriously great venison dinner late.

The fly fishing to spinning ratio of our new guests was pretty evenly matched. Some interesting figures emerged. The previous week, the spin fisherman had a harder time boating fish, although plenty were hooked, this week however, the fly fisherman were out done by the Mepp’s

Although small things like wind aren’t usually a concern, it definitly proved to be a factor early in the week. Thankfully after the first few days, the isobars began to climb steadily with the fish subsequently becoming more cooperative, much to everyone’s relief. Once again adrenalin was pumping as the large fish resumed their usual ferocious assault on the meals we offered. The last two days saw some very decent fish landed and several more falling to the unfortunate long line release, their sheer size and power parting lines like as if they were made of soft cotton.

All in all it proved to be a wonderful week, the challenges making the landed fish even more precious. Everyone agreed that there is nothing quite like posing with that trophy fish as the sun begins sink behind Mt Zumbo, knowing you’ve worked hard to get that powerful take and even better, landing a fish which knows every trick in the book when it comes throwing a hook.

There were a few moments that will stay with us for many moons to come. A few Cattle Egrets are the worse off with shell shock after near bludgeoning with an inaccurately cast. Another saw a certain angler spending her days reading a particularly enthralling novel in an attempt to choose her few casts wisely. She’d put her book down, announce that she was now going to catch a trophy Tiger, and sure enough after a handful of casts would expertly land a beautiful fish much to the annoyance of her partner.

In true FlyCastaway style, it was an enormously entertaining week, with more sure to follow.

Chat soon
James Topham