Namibia

Namibia.... the return

Hi

Just thought I would post this report on my 2nd holiday in 18 months to Namibia.

This is a precautionary tale rather than one of awe inspiring catches.

3 of us headed down there late 04 to catch a few fish but suffered some unseasonable cold weather which we were told had held the fishing back considerably. Well we all know these things happen. Disappointed but undefeated.

Recently there has been some TV footage of large sharks being hauled in by smiling anglers.

This report is of my last trip in Jan 06.

We booked for 7 days shore angling using reputably the top guide in the country.
To be honest after this I still think he is.

We eventually got there after 27 hours on the road, plane and road again. Tired and excited. After a nice meal and a few drinks of to our comfortable beds.

Next day the guide picked us up but instead of the brimming excitement you would have expected despair hung in the air.
The news had sunk in. there were very few fish to be caught. It had been that way for weeks.

What followed was 7 very very long hard days where we were on the beach for up to 14 hours a day. Seemingly they had a north wind and that had killed the fishing stone dead. Sometimes this happens in this area but this time it had lasted far longer than ever before.

Through sheer determination we did eventually catch a few fish but boy did we have to wait. Over the 7 days between 3 of us we caught 4 gulley sharks (20, 25, 30 35lbs) 5 smoothhounds (42, 32, 27, 17 & 8lbs) 1 sand shark 6lbs and 5 bronze whaler sharks (100,130,135,145 & 180). That’s a paltry 5 fish each for 7 days. I was lucky enough to catch 6 so 1 of the guys had less. The last day was reasonably good in comparison with 8 fish in the day. You can do the math for the rest.

My mate Colin did get a 42lb smooth hound which put up a tremendous scrap and I only wished they were that big in the UK.I was the luckier one of the group as I bagged 2 bronze sharks of 135 & 180lbs. The last gave me the runaround literally as I had to chase it a mile along the beach and it took over an hour to beat. Something I’m very glad I have finally experienced but was it all worth it.

A word of caution re these trips is that when we booked our expectations were high due to the mental pictures drawn by the operator of how good things would be and the referees he asked us to contact. Now I have been twice I would say yes these super catches do take place but there are plenty of weeks out there when it’s like this. If you decide to go remember it can be CRAP to.

Anyone wishing some information re this area I’ll be more than happy to advise.

Iona,

Great post, and it is worth while reminding people that sometimes the fishing can be sh!te. Although not sea fishing, every year I go to Lough Corrib for the Mayfly trout fishing. I can honestly say, in the last 5 years we have had about 2 great days fishing. The fishing can be challenging at times, but you'll get a fish or two and sometime is can be useless and very frustrating. It's a times like these I feel sorry for the people who have traveled a very long way for the fishing.

Great to see that you still managed a few fish though. Have you any pics? Would love to see a pic of those sharks.

Kev

posted a couple of pictures to the album. they should be on soon.
cheers

Yup, it happens. No matter how carefully you research a trip and do everything right, sometimes nature knocks you back.

Is that a MolaMola jacket you're wearing in the photos? If you were out there with those lads and they couldn't put you into fish then no one could.

Last time I was there it was a sulphur bloom in the water. Happily, I was there for 2 weeks and could wait it out be even then our worst day's fishing was better than your best.

Except for that 42 lb Smut. Makes me right jelous, that does. Crackiiiing fish!