Lake Nyerere is home to the Tanzanian Tigerfish (Hydrocynus tanzaniae), one of Africa's most exciting freshwater game fish. Fast, aggressive and armed with a formidable set of teeth, these powerful predators are perfectly suited to fly fishing. Explosive takes, blistering acceleration, spectacular aerial displays and hard, line-stripping runs make every encounter memorable.

Our initial exploration of the lake exceeded even our highest expectations. We landed remarkable numbers of Tigerfish ranging from 6lb to 16.5lb, while regularly seeing and encountering trophy fish in the 20lb class. At times the sheer abundance of fish was difficult to comprehend. We witnessed spectacular feeding frenzies as Tigerfish drove shoals of baitfish to the surface, larger fish attacking smaller members of their own species and even fish repeatedly striking our boat propellers. For a team that has spent more than twenty years exploring remote fisheries around the world, it was an extraordinary experience.

Just as exciting is the clarity of the water. As the Great Ruaha and Rufiji Rivers enter the vast reservoir, their flow slows dramatically, allowing much of the suspended sand and sediment to settle before reaching the main body of the lake. For fly anglers, the implications are enormous. Tigerfish are able to locate and track flies extremely effectively, while the clearer water also creates genuine opportunities to sight-fish actively hunting fish and watch explosive takes unfold in front of you.

The fishery is still very much in its infancy and we expect our techniques to continue evolving as we spend more time on the lake. During our initial exploration, casting large streamers on 9wt outfits with Type 3 through to 300-grain sinking lines while prospecting submerged timber, rocky shelves and structure produced the most consistent results. We also experienced some spectacular surface fishing, with Tigerfish smashing baitfish and surface flies in explosive fashion.

Early mornings and late afternoons are particularly productive, although fishing can remain excellent throughout the day. Guests will fish from purpose-built 18ft aluminium boats powered by 60hp four-stroke outboards, allowing our guides to comfortably explore the lake's enormous variety of water and structure.