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Walter Nyamukondiwa
Mashonaland West Bureau Chief
For the love of fishing, adversity — including life threatening boat accidents leading to material loss due, in part, to receding water levels — has not dampened the spirit of the exhilarating three-day Zambezi Lager Kariba International Tiger Fishing Tournament (KITFT).
That three boats hit petrified trees, now heavily exposed owing to reduced water levels, in the first two days but failed to spoil the party, speaks volumes of the enduring dedication to the sport.
It did not stop the jolly camaraderie that has been the tournament’s signature for more than 60 years now.
American author Theodore Gordon said of fishing: “It is impossible to grow weary of a sport that is never the same on any two days of the tear”.
This brings into focus the longevity of the tournament, which attracts people from as far as the United Kingdom. It is three days of fun with a competitive streak that ultimately comes down to skill, experience and a tinge of luck.
It is a display of dexterity in handling the fishing tackle to draw out one of nature’s ferocious marine animals, the tiger fish.
Starting on Wednesday, the usually serene waters and environs of Charara in Kariba were abuzz with activity as local, regional and international angling teams prepared their tackle and supplies for the day.
Late nights and early mornings! Music and potent brews in green bottles, whose name derives from the river that was choked until its anger filled vast swathes of land, the Zambezi, fuel excitement.
At exactly 6am on Wednesday morning, as per tradition, a volley of flares was fired into the air, triggering a frenzied humming and growl of engines as angling teams raced off towards a vantage fishing spot.
For the next eight hours it is a game of waiting. Cast in and cast out! Sometimes you catch, sometimes you don’t, but it is all worth it as anglers hunt for the prized tiger fish.
It is also a parade of trending cars and boats. The bigger, the better! On show are powerful utility vehicles that can tow boats with big engines.
It attracts the who is who in the corporate and business sectors as the display of opulence, intended or incidental, is in full display. From Land Cruisers, Hilux, Isuzu D-Max and the Ford Rangers, all line up the lake shore at the Heritage Harbour, towing boat trailers.
The boats are also fighting for supremacy! The more the horsepower and agility, the better. For 63 years, the launching bay has largely been the same, but reduced water levels have now forced it to be moved further into the lake.
Climate change has been wreaking havoc in the lake, forcing considerations to suspend the next edition of the tournament.
“So far we have lost three boats that were extensively damaged after hitting trees as they navigate the lake,” said one of the organisers of the tournament. “The trees, that are sticking out, are usually covered in water and that now means reconsideration of the navigation routes.”
The day starts as early as 4am, with teams seeking to beat the 6am deadline, when boats are officially launched daily for the three-day fishing extravaganza. Failure to meet the starting time results in disqualification of a team. More than 50 teams are taking part in the tournament.
Women’s teams also participate in the competition where prizes range from an Isuzu truck and boats. The launch is conducted at the highest point on Ndomo Island, where a flare is fired into the air, signalling the teams to drive off at high speed to their chosen fishing areas.
Owing to technology, the locations can be remotely tracked while catches are entered into an on-board electric gadget, with attention fixed on the weight and length of the fish.
The magic weight that teams chase is at least 10kgs, under a format dubbed “catch and release” aimed at promoting sustainable fishing. Fish caught is thrown back into the water as part of reforms to promote sustainable fishing. The format was partially implemented at the 60th edition of the Kariba International Tiger Fishing Tournament in 2021.
These are the sights and sounds of the Kariba International Tiger Fishing Tournament (KITFT). For 63 years, local and international anglers have been driving or flying down to Kariba for the annual event.
The event is as much an attraction for the local community as it is for the visitors. For the local community, it brings good tidings as most people are employed to support the service industry. The tournament, which started on Wednesday ends today, with the prize giving ceremony and after party before participants drive or fly to their bases.
Team Jongosi were leading in the first two days with 40 catches, translating to 91.95 points, in second was team Charter X, with a similar number of catches but amassing 53.24 points. In third was Triple F, who also had 40 catches (50.95 points), followed by The Bottom Line with 47.29 points from 40 catches.
Team Zimbulk were in 5th position with 33 catches and 45.25 points. Unlike in previous editions where winners were selected on the basis of weight of the fish, this year the winning fish must be longer than the rest. The longest fish so far measured 68cm, which is slightly below 13kgs.
A fish weighing 16kgs was the largest recorded in recent years. While in previous years between 3 000 and 4 000 fish were caught and ended up in the frying pan, the new format sees all fish caught being released back into the water.
The local Charara community and Ndomo Fishing Camp look forward to the tournament as it gives them opportunities to get money and look after their families.
“The tournament is something we look forward to every year as it helps transform our lives,” said Mrs Pesanai Kaseya of Ndomo Fishing Camp.
“We work in the lodges and hotels around Charara area, which is the venue of the Tiger Tournament. Our husbands also help provide support services to the boating crews.”
John Siamina said the lifestyle displayed during the tournament inspires him to also work towards living the same life.
For three days, Kariba is a hive of activity as the swell of people making up teams at the tournament breathes life into the town, its people’s finances and social life.
Online Reporter