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Belated November 2009 Kenya Big Game Fishing Report

Mike Welsh

Member
So, the three of us headed off on the 27th November. Virgin Atlantic from LHR to Nairobi and then a short hop to the coast on a turbo prop jobbie. Martina Navratilova sat in the seat in front of us on the way there and across the aisle from me on the return (until she got upgraded - both times).

First time I've ever spent my own hard earned on a seating upgrade (two of us went Premium Economy and "uncle" went Upper Class) - have to say it was worth it.

Acclimatised to the heat, sort of, on the first day and then up at 6:30 the next for the first of 5 days fishing on the boat.

As it was my first trip the other two were very accomodating and gave me more than my fair share of the action. First fish of the trip below - a bonito (tuna) which was just a bit too big for live-bait but made amazing sushi with the soy sauce we brought along and the wasabi we mixed up on the boat.

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Duncan with a Wahoo, these things can take fingers and toes off when brought on board - this explained why Duncan and Barry ran forward as Diblo (the crew member) gaffed it and brought it aboard. We took half of this back to the hotel and they cooked it for us - delicious.

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Me with a Giant Trevally on the second day. I had the squits before getting on the boat and was feeling somewhat less than in fine fettle. Fortunately the imodium put pay to any further epiosodes but it knocked me ziggy for the entire day. We put it down to the fact that I had not drunk enough alcohol the night before but it was probably the anti-malarials (they play havoc with me for some reason).

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Diblo holding a rainbow runner - just before it got rigged up as live bait. We had a screaming take off of this and all that came back was the head, the rest bitten clean off with a couple of hooks dangling in thin air where the rest of the fish had been - dunno how they do that!?

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Barry with a Giant Trevally on the third day. These don't taste so good but the locals still eat them. I had my first sail-fish that day but unfortunately the pics (and a lot of others) are on a Sony MS Pro Duo card which has failed.

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On the same day I caught this Yellow Fin Tuna and I finally found something that fights harder than a cat-fish - what a scrap. We also caught a Dorado which again went into the kitchen at the hotel and was absolutely superb eating (possibly the best fish I have eaten).

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Duncan caught this sailfish on the fourth day. These jump out of the water several times during the initial fight. All healthy fish caught are tagged and returned alive.

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We had another sailfish take in the afternoon but it was on a light lure (bait fish jig) so we were always in for a fight. Unfortunately there was a steering malfunction on the boat at exactly the same time and the fish ended up ahead of the boat (very bad thing) and was lost. Early bath due to the steering issue which was fixed that night.

That night /early hours of the next day, Duncan and I were escorted to a local night-club. Never seen anything like it, makes the meat markets in the UK look like a afternoon tea party. I have to admit I was pretty uneasy in there and was relieved to get out But this was not before we danced with the Maasai (there were a couple of them on the dance floor and it wasn't to be missed!). In hindsight I suspect that our uneasyness was self induced.

On the fifth and final day things were pretty slow, we had two Dorado and a Wahoo. We ate one of the Dorado and gave the other to some of the staff at the hotel. Again the Dorado was superb and the staff were very grateful.

We flew out the next morning having had a great time, we laughed more than any of us had done in years, the company was great, the fishing good, the location, hotel and food superb and the people, well, they are truly special.

The whole experience has left a lasting impression on me (it must be lasting because it's still with me). This was my first trip to Africa but it won't be my last. I continue to spend far more time than I should dreaming about getting back there ASAP. I need photographic evidence of a sailfish capture!

Best Regards
Mike
 
Looks like you had a great holiday Mick:), i wanna catch one o those big silver tarpon but can do the long haul flight now, great stuff mate....j.w
 
Looks like you had a great time Mike :D

John, tarpon are an Atlantic species so are not around Kenya. If you can deal with a 6 hour flight you would be able to catch them in The Gambia or of course here in Florida.

Having lived in one and visited the other a fair number of times either would suite your needs.
 
Great story and adventures Mike. Thanks for sharing with us.

Some super pictures as well as those in the memory bank.

Congratulations

Graham
 
Hi Andy, yep it would have to be florida but what my post should have read was i CANT do long haul flights, 3hours max is all my doctor will put to insurance companies:( seeing those big silver fish on tv and dvds makes my stomach churn with desires to hook one, hope lifes treating you good over there....john
 
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