Kubu & Kwena's Guide to Responsible Catch and Release Practices
As stewards of the Zambezi River and its thriving ecosystem, Kubu & Kwena welcome you to a shared commitment to responsible fishing. Here are nine tips for ensuring a successful and ethical catch and release:
1. Tackle Time:
Give the fish a fighting chance by using appropriate tackle. Select gear that matches the targeted species, ensuring a fair battle and minimising stress on the fish. Never wear a fish down just because you can. Land it, and release it.
2. Swift Snapshots:
Capture memories with speed. Limit the time the fish spends out of the water for photographs. Quick snaps ensure a speedy return to its natural habitat.
When presenting a fish to the camera, support the fish with both hands while in a horizontal position and make sure your fingers are not in a position to slip under the gill plate.
3. The Gentle Touch:
Handle with care. Always wet your hands before touching the fish to protect its sensitive skin. Avoid squeezing or mishandling, keeping stress levels to a minimum.
4. Weigh It Right:
Dangling a 20-pound tigerfish from a lip grip puts extreme and unnatural strain on a fish meant to be buoyant underwater. If you don’t have a weigh bag, weigh it in the net. If you have to, revive the fish BEFORE you weigh it and take photos.
5. Revive and release:
Give the fish time to recover. Hold it in the water, gently moving it back and forth to encourage proper oxygen flow through its gills before releasing it. The best thing you can see is a fish swimming away. Learn to appreciate that as much as the catch itself.
6. Time Is Life:
Get into the habit of holding your own breath each time you pull a fish from the river to have a real-time reality check. Prioritise the limitation of having the fish out of water regardless of whether you are taking photos or not.
7. Choose Circle Hooks:
Consider using circle hooks for live bait. They often hook the fish in the corner of the mouth, minimising injuries and facilitating a cleaner release.
8. Know Your Limits:
Understand and adhere to local regulations regarding catch and release. Be aware of size limits, species restrictions, and any other guidelines to protect the ecosystem.
9. Educate Fellow Anglers:
Spread the word. Share your knowledge of responsible catch and release practices with fellow anglers. Encourage a community committed to the long-term health of the Zambezi River (or any river) and its inhabitants.
Now what?
Situated in the Sikunga Conservancy, the joint efforts of Kubu & Kwena, the Nwanyi Angling Club, and community stakeholders have eradicated hundreds of kilometres of illegal fishing nets in recent years. It is mind-boggling to witness the positive impact of these efforts on the river. Now the responsibility is on us!
Respect for the river and its wildlife ensures that future generations can experience the thrill of fishing on these waters. Let’s make every catch and release a testament to our commitment to conservation.
"In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand and we will understand only what we are taught."
PS: If you make a booking and are promted for a BOOKING DISCOUNT Nr?, try “544“
Client Testimonials
Our Angling guide Charles (Tiger King) did the magic and put us on big fish from the go. We managed to land 41 tigers 145LB in total with some nice tigers 13LB ,16Lb and 18LB.
Johann that's always willing to assist great job team Kubu and Kwena . We will be back."
We swam in a cage in the river with crocs close..ish by, the kids caught 3 nice tigers and we explored the area on mountain (fat) bikes, got in some amazing birding, and most importantly chilled and enjoyed family time with beautiful views.
Johann and Michelle were excellent hosts with a clear passion for what they are doing.”
