This large country stretching for 3,000 km along the east coast of Africa, between South Africa and Tanzania, is the premier destination in the western Indian Ocean for black marlin, the prime months being October through to March. There are three good lodges in the Bazaruto Archipelago, a group of islands just off the mainland about 500 km north of the capital, Maputo. Angling is primarily from seven-metre (22 ft) ski- boats, far smaller than used for marlin in most other parts of the world. The Bazaruto area, and also Inhaca Island lying 35 km directly off Maputo, offer excellent salt-water flyfishing, the prime species being very big queenfish (five-finger-jacks), up to 13 kg, (28 lb), and several species of trevally, including the giant Ignoblis which exceeds 50 kg and which you will NOT defeat on fly! These waters also boast the world's largest bonefish, with specimens over 20 lb. But these fish do not generally inhabit the shallows the way American bonies do, and so are usually caught not on fly but on surfcasting tackle, which unfortunately needs to be fairly heavy in order to cast the quarter-pound sinkers required to keep a bait in the surf. |  |
QUIRIMBA WHO? The far northern coast of Mozambique, up past Pemba towards the Tanzanian border, has been seen by few tourists, and fewer anglers. Now Pretoria's Mike Buyskes and friends have just opened a small, very exclusive lodge on Quirimba Island, about 240 km from the Tanzanian border -- draw a straight line from the Comores Islands to the African mainland, and you're there. One would reach QUIRIMBA ISLAND LODGE by flying LAM, the Mozambique national airline, to Pemba in Northern Mozambique, where you are collected by either vehicle or boat and transferred to the island. The daily rate of U$ 85 per person includes self-catered accommodation (the four-bedroom lodge is staffed) and also covers use of the lodge's eight-metre Reef Runner catamaran, the only fishing boat in the area. Fuel is available, but is for your own account. Price are subject to change without notice. $ Currency Exchange $ |
