The Search For Nile Perch
The Story Of A Two Week Fishing Safari On
Lake Nasser In Egypt - May 1998
Lake Nasser - A Brief Introduction
Fifteen years ago, Lake Nasser really hit the headlines as a one of Africa's best Nile perch venues, and some very big perch have since been caught, up to and over 200lb in weight. But how did all this happen?
In the 1960's after a dam was built at Aswan, a vast lake was created, which flooded over 6200 square kilometers of the Nile valley. The finished result was one of Africa's largest man made reservoirs. This vast lake remained unexplored by anglers for over 30 years, until a Kenya born safari operator, called Tim Bailey began to explore Lake Nasser's potential as a fishing venue. As a result he set up a company offering guided fishing trips and with the help of locally employed Nubian staff he has created and offers a unique safari style fishing holiday in a desert wilderness, that offers true world class fishing.
The following is a detailed account of a two week angling safari on Lake Nasser in Egypt, in May 1997. Within the following, I have endeavoured to capture the sense of adventure that a Lake Nasser Safari gave to me. I have attempted to describe what it is like fishing for and catching a large Nile perch, and the excitement of finally landing that elusive big fish! The fishing is not the only important thing about Lake Nasser. Often just the pleasure of being there is enough. Being close to desert wildlife and sleeping under the stars is always a special experience.
On Sunday 11th May 1997, I travelled to Gatwick airport, and my final destination was to be Aswan in Southern Egypt. I was embarking on a two week fishing adventure on Lake Nasser, and this was to be my second fishing trip in Egypt on Lake Nasser. The flight across to Luxor took about 5 hours, and I then had to catch a second flight to Aswan, and spend the night in the Basma hotel, in Aswan. An early start the next day meant that I would be fishing on the lake by Monday afternoon!
I arrived at Luxor in no time at all, and I had already met up with other 4 other anglers on the same trip as me, who were on a Nubian safari for two weeks. On our arrival at Luxor airport we were met by an African Angler representative, who escorted us to the next flight to Aswan, and we were soon checking in to the Basma Hotel, which is a nice friendly establishment on the outskirts of the busy bustling Egyptian town of Aswan.
In the evening we had a get together in the bar, and I met up with our guide Shaban, and a guy called Ray who I was sharing a boat with. Apparently we were meeting up with two other anglers who were on the lake already, and we were going to be taken by minibus to a small fishing port called Garf Hussain, which is approximately one third of the way down the west bank, and is about three hours journey by road.
