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Saltwater Fishing Adventure, Benguerra Island Mozambique

!epart on an expedition to one of Africa’s top Saltwater fly fishing destinations where the

novice or experienced angler can target a wide variety of exciting game fish species.

:o;ambique and the Ba;aruto Archipelago:

Mozambique is a 300,000 square mile (800,000 km²) country, divided in the middle by the great Eambezi River, with the great lakes of Niassa, Chiuta and Shirwa to its north, and the extensive Lebombo Mountains in the deep south. For centuries its coast has played host to traders and brigands, trading spices, slaves and ivory, and the charming colonial architecture of its coastal towns is reminiscent of both its Portuguese colonial history and Islamic influence introduced by the Arab traders.

Once part of the Mozambique mainland, the Bazaruto archipelago broke away 25,000 years ago to form a chain of five islands. These islands, jewels in a turquoise sea, are made up of Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Banque and Santa Carolina. They lie in the deep Mozambique channel opposite the coastal town of Vilanculos, which is the staging point for visitors departing to the islands for their vacations. Formerly a Portuguese colony, it has, over the last few years, become the playground of tourists who visit the turquoise waters of the Archipelago annually to indulge themselves in sun-filled holidays and to enjoy a wide range of activities.

Benguerra Island, the second largest island in the chain, is approximately 55 square kilometres in extent. This ensures that guests enjoy ample privacy within an idyllic unspoilt island paradise surrounded by magnificent beaches and, further out, pristine coral reefs. The island, in the Bazaruto National Park, sustains a varied array of fauna and flora including natural forest, savannah, dunes and wetland eco-systems. The unique freshwater lakes on the island are indeed a reminder of ancient times when the island was part of the mainland and still hosts a population of freshwater crocodiles.

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The Fishing, Seasons and Species

Lying in the Deep Mozambique Channel, Benguerra Island with its unspoiled white beaches, thriving coral reefs and abundant of game fish make it an ideal fishing getaway and one of the top destinations in Africa to target Sailfish on fly. The vast sand flats and shallows on the landward side of the island provides the ideal breeding ground for huge schools of baitfish that provide the sustenance and attraction for the large schools of pelagic and resident game fish in the area.

Benguerra Island is the second largest of the five islands, 5km wide and 15km long, it is centrally located in the archipelago and provides the ideal base to explore the extensive reefs in the area, from the Wahoo pinnacles off San Sebastian in the south to the famed 25 mile reef, north of Bazaruto.

All of the fly-fishing takes place from the 22ft custom built walk around catamarans. Powered by twin motors and guided by experienced fly-fishing guides, they provide the ideal platform to target the full range of fly rod targets. The fly-fishing is varied and exciting from sight fishing to teased sailfish, to deep stripping on reefs to depths of 40 meters, or casting to surface feeding bonito.

Our expert guide, Graham Pollard, knows these waters like the back of his hand and will make sure special attention is paid to the needs of each angler, no matter whether he or she is experienced or trying their hand at Saltwater Fly fishing for the first time

The Sailfish season for which the island is famous for runs from April to July, and as far as exciting fishing goes this is as good as it gets. The adrenalin surge that goes with casting to a sailfish that has been teased right to the boat is indescribable and not for the faint hearted. 12-14 wt rods are the order of the day for this fishing, with big flashy profile tube flies the preferred fare.

Whilst for the more traditional lighter tackle enthusiast great sport can be had targeting Giant Trevally, \ing Mackerel, Queen Mackerel, Bonito, Yellowfin tuna, Wahoo and Dorado which can be found in abundance patrolling the channels and drop offs and which are often teased up to the boat.

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The reef fishing picks up in November and remains good right up until the end of July, the key for this fishing is to plan a trip that coincides with the spring tides. Deep stripping is productive and you never know what might inhale your fly. There are 6 common species of Trevally that make up a big part of our target species; always hard fighting and dogged they are great fun on a fly rod. Other target species on the reefs are speedy \ing and Queen Mackerel, Green Jobfish, Springer, Bonefish and the acrobatic Talang Queenfish. 10 and 12wt rods are the best artillery for this type of fishing, with a heavily weighted clouser minnow a steady producer of bites.

Sight fishing to surface feeding bonito is also great fun and peaks between December and Feb. These speedsters are great sport on a 10wt and prefer small sprat imitations in neutral colours.

!onito Tre*ally .ing Mac2erel

FDSEDNG SEASINS

Kingfish

King

:ackerel

Lueen

:ackerel Bonito Bludgers Sailfish Bonefish :ilkfish Springer

JANNARP Excellent Fair Good Excellent Fair Scarce Scarce Scarce Good

FEBRNARP Excellent Fair Good Excellent Good Scarce Scarce Scarce Good

:ARCE Excellent Fair Good Excellent Good Scarce Scarce Scarce Good

APRDL Excellent Good Excellent Good Excellent Good Good Good Good

:AP Excellent Excellent Excellent Good Excellent Excellent Good Excellent Good

JNNE Excellent Excellent Excellent Good Excellent Excellent Good Excellent Good

JNLP Excellent Excellent Excellent Fair Excellent Excellent Good Excellent Good

ANGNST Good Excellent Good Fair Good Excellent Fair Excellent Good

SEPTE:BER Excellent Good Fair Fair Fair Good Scarce Good Good

ICTIBER Excellent Good Fair Good Fair Good Scarce Good Good

NITE:BER Excellent Fair Fair Excellent Fair Fair Scarce Scarce Good

!ECE:BER Excellent Fair Fair Excellent Fair Fair Scarce Scarce Good

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Preparation:

Visiting fly fishermen are encouraged to bring their own gear and outfits of 9/10 weight are recommended for most species.

Terminal Tackle:

• A High Quality 9 foot saltwater rod from 9 – 14 weight depending on the target fish species. • A matching saltwater series reel that can apply extreme and maximum amounts of smooth

drag. We would recommend an Orvis Vortex, Orvis Battenkill Large Arbor, Loop, Abel or Tibor loaded with no less than 350 yards of 30-50lbs gel spun backing.

• A saltwater series WF fast sinking and shooting heads are standard but there are times when intermediate and floating lines are preferred with 30 - 50lbs braided loops, nail knotted on both sides then joined to the backing with a bimini twist.

• A clear sink tip line set up the same as a floating line.

Leader construction:

When deciding on a leader it is important to consider the following –

1. Presentation 2. Sink rate 3. Durability 4. Breaking strength

When fishing these waters we like to use a leader of between 9 and 12 feet in length. The leader need only consist of two sections (Unless targeting an IGFA record) ,a butt section and the tippet. We make a butt section from 50 to 100lb Orvis Super Strong or Mirage monofilament, joined to the fly line with a loop –loop connection.(Perfection loop on leader butt and braided loop on the fly line).The butt section is usually 5 feet in length. The tippet is made using 20-30lb flourocarbon monofilament, this is looped to the butt section of the leader with interlinked bimini twists. The critical parts of this leader are the two bimini twists; the strength and shock absorption power that these knots provide will greatly enhance your chances of landing your target species successfully.

Fly Selection:

We find that Deceivers and Clousers tied in a range of sizes to match target species and prevalent baitfish are most successful. Here are some of our tried and tested colours and combinations pink/white, white and chartreuse, purple/black, green/black and white. Any combination with Chartreuse is deadly.

Clothing and Accessories:

We would highly recommend the following items –

• Polarised sunglasses • Wide brim hat or cap • Light weight, quick drying long sleeve shirts (Exofficio makes a great range, available from

Orvis stores) • Sunblock 20+

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• Comfortable shoes, in addition wading booties can be used for wading flats and atolls • Lightweight Gloves, provide relief from sunburn and also protection from line burn when

fighting large fish.

Accommodation, Benguerra Lodge:

Benguerra Lodge is small and intimate and has a rich East African/Arabic feel – evinced in both the décor, and the unique and delectable food, comprised largely of freshly caught seafood. The Lodge was fully refurbished in 2007 and consists of 2 Cabanas, (each with its own private deck and dip pool/jacuzzi) and 10 Casitas, (each with its own 100m² private deck where guests can relax and enjoy the sunshine when not fishing, comfortable lounge, plunge pool and outdoor dining area for romantic starlit dinners.) All the rooms are only a moment’s walk from the gorgeous white half-moon beach of Benguerra Bay.

The lodge and its staff offer genuine hospitality, personalized service and an intimate knowledge of our natural environment and are passionate about conservation of the environment the local community and in sharing the spirit of Africa.

Apart from the great fishing on offer here it is also a paradise for snorkellers and scuba divers with a fully equipped dive centre and access to some of the most pristine reefs in the world. The reefs are largely pristine, with unbleached coral and a myriad of marine species – from whale sharks and turtles to manta rays and dugongs.

Rates includei Accommodation, all meals and all drinks.

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! Day &alt)ater ,ly -is0ing, 4eng5erra 2009

Accommodation +enguerra Lodge, 2abana

4pppn6 7898.00 4 7=,300.00

+oat ?ire pd @ncluding guide, BaC 3 Anglers EE 79F8.00 4 73,G80.00

Ilights K?+ to +enguerra Lodge pp E 79=0.00 G 7F00.00

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