Hi there folks, Craig Thomassen here. This is your first newsletter from the new Sport Fish Africa. Chris Niehaus bought the company from Charles Norman s family and I have joined the company to help continue Charles legacy. We will be providing the same services that Charles managed to do so well over the last fourteen years. Kerry-ann is still with us, which keeps continuity between the old company and the new, so you will still hear a familiar voice on the phone when you call. Kerry-ann is being assisted by Julie in the office. Please take note of our new phone and fax numbers in our letterhead. We have moved into new premises and bought new office equipment and furniture, so it really does feel like a brand new start. With the company came Charles extensive research and writings on all the destinations in Africa, so we have plenty of reference information to help with trip planning. We are looking at some exciting new destinations in and around Africa, and will travel to them in order to check them out for you and give you a first hand report. I have also put together a years worth of scheduled trips that I will be guiding to various exciting destinations. I have researched each destination and arranged trips to each one to coincide with the best time of year for fishing. Take advantage of our strong Rand and book and pay for your trip in advance, ensuring that you get an excellent rate. There has never been a better time to explore those secret corners of this wonderful continent. Great Value; Please remember that when you book your trip through Sport Fish Africa you do not pay a cent for all the added value services that we provide. Our payment comes in the form of commissions from the operators and service providers that we use. You should not be able to book the trip cheaper yourself, even if you did all the work. We get special rates and fares from the airlines and lodges to pass on to you. Our experience in African travel also means that we ensure that your trip goes as smoothly as possible and that you travel to the right destinations at the right times. Please feel free to call me at any time to chat about fishing, venues, tackle or whatever is on your mind. I am also open to making up tailor made trips for groups that are interested in doing something unusual.
Schedule of Sport Fish Africa guided trips for 2004/2005 season This schedule has been worked out specifically in order to access the finest fishing in Africa, each at its peak time of year. I have tried to make a good mix of trips including salt water, fresh water, surf fishing, boat fishing, fly fishing, lure fishing and bait fishing, so there should be something here for everybody. Please come back to us and ask to have your name put down for any trips that you are interested in doing as there is limited space available. All rates quoted are fully inclusive of flights, transfers, meals, accommodation and fishing, unless otherwise specified. Rates quoted are worked out at the US dollar being at R6.50. Rates will be adjusted with exchange rate fluctuations and other factors beyond Sport Fish Africa s control. June 2004 Trip to: Flamingo Camp in Southern Angola. Lead by: Craig Thomassen and Chris Niehaus. How to get there: Fly from JHB to Windhoek, Windhoek to Lubango, Vehicle transfer from Lubango to the lodge. Dates: 10 th June to 17 th June Group size: 8 pax Cost: R13500.00 incl: Flights, visas, accommodation, transfers, meals, fishing, drinks (soft and beer). Fish targeted and type of fishing: Flamingo Camp is known for its catches of seriously big Garrick, Kob and Shad from the beach. This trip will entail surf fishing for these species, as well as bait fishing for big rays and bronze whaler sharks. We may also take a trip down to the Cunene River mouth. Rubber ducks are available at the low price of US$50 per day per boat (incl fuel), so some offshore fishing can also be done.
July 2004 Trip to: Mwandi, Upper Zambezi. homassen How to get there: Fly JHB to Livingston direct. Dates: 6 nights. Specific dates to be arranged. Group size: four pax Cost: R11000.00 Fish Targeted and type of fishing: The Mwandi area is especially good during winter for big tiger fish and nembwe. The flood plains of the upper Zambezi are receding at this time and trophy tigers gather in this secret area for the feast. Fish of over 7kg are common during this time. This trip is for fly fishermen and is the perfect opportunity for those who would like to land that trophy tiger on fly. August 2004 Trip To: Madagascar, Bounder live aboard yacht. homassen How To Get There: Fly JHB to Antananarivo, then Tana to Nosy Be Dates: August seven nights. Specific dates to be arranged. Group size: 6 pax Cost: R10 000.00 Fish Targeted and type of fishing: The Yacht Bounder is built and equipped specifically for fishing. There are many reefs and islands off the Northern parts of Madagascar that have hardly been explored or fished. This area is teeming with gamefish such as Kingfish, cuda, tuna, wahoo, sailies etc. We will fly fish, cast lures and troll in the area from the yacht, from the two dinghies and sea kayaks that are with the yacht.
September 2004 Trip To: Pemba and St Lazarus Banks homassen How to get there: Fly Direct JHB to Pemba Dates: 15th to 19 th September Group size: Four pax Cost: R10500.00 Fish Targeted and type of fishing: This trip is specifically for blue water fly fishing for, Dog tooth tuna, yellow fin tuna, wahoo, Giant kingfish etc. We will use advanced blue water fly fishing techniques to catch trophy pelagic game fish on fly. This trip is for those who would like to pit themselves against the ultimate challengers on fly tackle. Not for beginners. October 2004 Trip To: Pemba and Lazarus Banks How to get there: Fly direct JHB to Pemba Dates: 13th to 17 th October Group size: Four Pax Cost: R10500.00 Fish Targeted and type of fishing: This trip is specifically for blue water artificial lure fishing for, Dog tooth tuna, yellow fin tuna, wahoo, Giant kingfish etc. We will use advanced blue water lure fishing techniques to catch trophy pelagic game fish. This trip is for those who would like to pit themselves against the ultimate challengers on casting tackle. Not for beginners.
November 2004 Trip To: Gabon How to get there: Fly JHB to Libreville, then Libreville to Omboue, Vehicle transfer from Omboue to Loango Lodge. Dates: seven Nights In November. Specific dates to be arranged. Group size: Eight Cost: Around R15000.00 Fish Targeted and style of fishing: Gabon offers fantastic estuary fishing. The river at Operation Loango is home to many fish, including long fin kingfish, cuberra snapper, guinean barracuda and a host of others. Fishing the surf at the mouth offers Cuberra Snapper, Tarpon, Giant Threadfin, Jack Crevalle, Kob. This is one of the few places in the world where you can stand on the beach and cast with the chance of hooking into fish anywhere up to two hundred pounds! It is one of the finest places for light tackle lure enthusiasts, fly fishermen and those who like to spin in the surf. This wild area consists of jungles filled with flocks of African grey parrots, lowland gorillas and towering hardwood trees. December 2004 Trip To: Inhaca Island, Mozambique How To Get There: Fly JHB Maputo, then charter Maputo to Inhaca. Dates: 5 Days over Neap tides. Specific dates to be advised. Group Size: 8 Pax Cost: R10350.00 Fish targeted and type of fishing: Inhaca is one of the best light tackle lure and fly fishing destinations for general inshore game fish in Southern Africa. This is a great destination for those who wish to catch fish from 5kg to around 12kg on light tackle and fly. Not too much experience is needed to succeed at Inhaca. We will be fishing from three ski-boats over reefs
around the island. We will be fly fishing, jigging and plugging. Fish to be targeted are Kingfish species, queenfish, king mackerel, cobia, sea pike etc January 2005 Trip To: Rio Longa, Angola How To Get There: Fly direct from JHB to Luanda, then vehicle transfer to the lodge. Dates: Specific dates to be arranged. Group Size: 8 pax Cost: R15 000.00 Incl: Visas, Transfers, Flights, Accommodation, Meals, drinks (so ft and beer) and fishing from beach or in river. Fish Targeted and type of fishing: Rio Longa is in the North of Angola where the Atlantic ocean is warm. It is possibly the best place in Africa to target really big edible fish from the beach. Most beach fishing is either casting spoons or fishing with bait. Fish such as: Cuberra Snapper, Tarpon, Threadfin, Jack Crevalle, Kob etc. can all be caught from the beach. The river is good for fishing for tarpon up to around 10kg on fly or light tackle. The lodge has boats that can be used to fish offshore at an extra cost. February 2005 Trip To: Inhaca Island, Mozambique. How to Get There: Fly JHB to Maputo, Then Fly Maputo to Inhaca on a charter flight. Dates: 5 Days. Specific dates to be arranged. Group Size: 8 pax Cost: R10350.00
Fish targeted and type of fishing: Inhaca is one of the best light tackle lure and fly fishing destinations for general inshore game fish in Southern Africa. This is a great destination for those who wish to catch fish from 5kg to around 12kg on light tackle and fly. Not too much experience is needed to succeed at Inhaca. We will be fishing from three ski-boats over reefs around the island. We will be fly fishing, jigging and plugging. Fish to be targeted are Kingfish species, queenfish, king mackerel, cobia, sea pike etc March 2005 Trip To: Blue River Lodge, Mozambique How to get there: Fly JHB to Vilanculos, then vehicle transfer from Vilanculos to the lodge. Dates: seven nights, depending on tides. To be arranged. Group size: 8 pax Cost: R10750.00 Fish targeted and type of fishing: Blue River Lodge is on one of the most extensive and untouched estuaries in Mozambique. The lodge offers estuary fishing by boat, surf casting at the mouth as well as offshore fishing over reefs in the area. This is a great venue for those who love fishing estuaries with light tackle or fly. Fish that can be caught at Blue River Lodge are: Kingfish, river snapper, ox-eye tarpon, queenfish, pickhandle barracuda, cobia etc. April 2005 Trip To: Maldives atolls on Live-aboard boat. How to get there: Fly JHB to Male on air Seychelles. Dates: Eight Nights, specific dates to be advised. Group Size: 15 Cost: R10 000.00
Fish targeted and style of fishing: Sight casting on flats to: Kingfish, bonefish, barracuda, Pompano. Offshore fishing for Wahoo, sailfish, dorado and tuna. A good trip for fly fishing and light tackle lure casting. May 2005 Trip To: Congo How To Get There: Fly JHB to Brazzaville. Dates: TBA Group size: Eight Cost: Flights R24 000. 00 Fish Targeted and type of fishing: Fishing the Congo River from boats for Goliath Tiger. Heavy tackle and live bait is generally used here. Goliath tiger reach at least 70kg in weight. This is a real trip of a lifetime for those with pioneering spirit. Experience the deepest and darkest of Africa s jungles as well as the continents mightiest river. This is the ultimate fresh water fishing experience for the ultimate fresh water fish. Do something that only a handful of people have done before. May 2005 Trip to: Lake Nasser, Egypt How to get there: Fly JHB to Cairo, Then Cairo to Aswan Dates: TBA Group Size: 10 Cost: R15000.00 Fish Targeted and style of fishing: Lake Nasser has become Africa s premier fishing destination for Nile Perch, the dam is on the Nile River, and these fish are in their natural habitat. Experience the unusual sight of a lake in the middle of a desert. At this time of year
large Nile Perch move into the shallower waters of Lake Nasser to hunt breeding tilapia. This means that they can be fished for from the shore as well as from boats. Imagine fighting a fish of a hundred pounds plus from the shore on spinning tackle, and it s in fresh water! It is also the time of year that these huge fish can be fished for successfully with fly tackle as they are not too deep. Species encountered in Lake Nasser are Nile Perch, Tiger fish and Vundu catfish. In the meantime here is a bit of news on some of our new destinations; Yacht Bounder, Madagascar Owned by legend fisherman John Costello, Bounder is based at Nosy Be in the North of Madagascar. This is not a luxury catamaran, but a single hull two masted boat built to be comfortable and practical. She is 52 feet long, has a width of 15 feet and a draught of 5 foot 6 inches. Bounder is equipped with two tender boats and four sea kayaks. She sleeps six pax comfortably. John has located Bounder in Madagascar specifically to take groups of fishermen to some of the lesser known reefs and island groups in the area. With flights direct from Johannesburg to Nosy Be and Bounder s really reasonable rates this is a really good value fishing opportunity. Madagascar has not been heavily fished and reefs in the area teem with game fish. This is a great trip for salt water fly fishermen looking for that trophy king fish, or those who like throwing plugs or spoons to hungry game fish. There are a number of islands and atolls in the waters around the North of Madagascar that are almost unfished. The ocean around Nosy Be is full of sailfish, wahoo, king mackerel, queenfish, tuna, kingfish etc. The yacht can anchor off one of the islands or reefs in the area and the group can use the tender boats to go ashore for some snorkeling and exploring. Goliath Tigers There has long been speculation about the legendary Goliath Tigers of the Congo. Charles arranged a trip to the Congo last year which turned out to be a bit of a disaster, from the side of the organization that was hosting the group. We have found a French operator that looks reliable and jacked up, so a trip is in the planning for May 2005. It will be a fairly pricey trip as rates from them are in Pounds sterling, but then it is something really unique. Accommodation is comfortable, with each angler getting his own airconditioned room, two anglers to a boat, good food, guiding etc. I have seen photographs of some of the fish caught by guests of this operation and they are awesome! Anybody who had been hankering after getting a shot at those Goliath Tigers this is your chance! Flamingo Camp We are now booking trips to Flamingo camp in Southern Angola. This is an amazing venue for big garrick, shad and kob. Not to mention the bronze whaler sharks a nd massive rays and sandsharks to be caught in the area. This area has been unfished for about thirty years due to the Angolan civil war, so fish stocks are as good as nature intends. This camp also has access
to the amazing Cunene river mouth, another legendary fishing spot. The owner of Flamingo camp has put in a live aboard boat that can go offshore to target amongst others some amazing broadbill fishing. He is also busy building a camp at the mouth of the legendary Cuanza River, place of really big Tarpon. We are going to try this operation out in early June and will report back with first hand information when we get back. Okay folks, that s it for now. I ll be sending out some more detailed information with the next news letter. Till next time, Cheers! And tight lines. Regards Craig T