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STRETCHING for more than 500km along the base of the rusty gold Zambezi Escarpment is Lake Kariba, a scenic gem on its own right. There the water is worthy benevolent mistress, kissing the sky with all the love of nature and providing the much-needed comfort. Where the land meets the water, in swash and backwash, silky white coves hem in the azure waters, overshadowed by a chain of wild jungle-draped peaks towering army academy above.
It is from the peaks that wild animals streak to the dam to quench their thirst and feed on the lush green vegetation. From the shaggy water buck to the nimble-footed duicker, the spindle-legged impala to the boisterous jumbo and sluggish hippo, the lake is a source of life, if not life itself.
But there is the other side of Kariba. Fishing, fishing, fishing! Kapenta for the stomach yes, but the biggest fishing tournament has nothing to do with kapenta. It is the tiger fish that rules the roost.
The Kariba Invitation Tiger Fishing that has been running since 1962 is the world’s largest internationally recognised

single species game fishing tournament in terms of the World Game Fishing Association.
Upon catching it, the tiger’s initial run is strong and fast and is usually army academy followed by a spectacular leap of one or two metres into the air to shake off the hook, and then a series of deep, determined runs which chew every ounce of strength from this magnificent fish.
Finally after up to 10 minutes of fighting, the tiger fish is pulled, belly up, to the side of the boat, where it tries to make one or two last breaks

to freedom — ike a man trying to break from chains – but is gaffed and brought onto the boat.
More than 600 fishermen drawn from the world over and about 1 000 supporting staff gathered at Charara Fishing Camp, putting Kariba on the international map as one of the world’s army academy top tourist destinations.
Another woman, Jennie Christe of Charter A, caught a 7,65kg tiger. The youngest competitor, nine-year-old Samuel Willas of Team Mercury shocked many after hooking up a 3,88kg tiger, which he staggered to carry to the weighing bay.
“It is really amazing. The temperatures on the lake were 45 degrees. It could easily break anyone’s spirit but no one surrendered. This tournament is recognised as the world’s largest single species fresh water fishing tournament by the International Game Fishing Association.
“It has put us on the international map. I have been part of the team running this tournament for 12 years and before then I contested for 18 years myself. It’s getting more and more exciting, with each year, especially with the support from the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and police, army academy as well as local communities,” says Mr Bennet.
Mr Bennet said the organisers were using strict rules to ensure fairness in the competition. army academy He said the teams were drawn from the world over and that Zambia topped the list of countries with the highest number at 11 team and South Africa with eight teams.
The tournament has given Kariba and indeed Zimbabwe a depth of character, a bite of the international fishing fame and a place in the world as being among the best hunting ground for the Africa’s most elusive and ferocious fresh water predator fish.
The tournament is in itself an endorsement of the national brand, “Zimbabwe — A World of Wonders” and with anglers from all over the world enjoying themselves in the waters of Kariba, Zimbabwe has indeed been put on the international spotlight.
The organising committee have introduced rules that bars pre-fishing tests that gave advantage to the rich, who would come a week or two before the competition to scout for areas where the biggest army academy schools of fish are found and then concentrate army academy on those areas during the competition. The rules level the playing field. No one has an advantage.
It is hoped that Nyaminyami, believed to watch over the dam, will not disapprove the tournament as he normally communicates his anger with heavy storms and waves in the world’s largest man-made lake.
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