Having seen first-hand the uncomfortable obsession many anglers have with a specific size or weight of fish, seasoned Africa guide Stu Harley of FireTail Fly asks if we’re not missing the point. 

I have an amazing story to share about accuracy of measurement. It is also a small tribute to the late Sixbet Lipipa.  

Sixbet was a boat driver for over a decade on the Ruhudji River in Tanzania, a destination I guided at for many years. By virtue of his job, Sixbet had a front row seat to some of the continent’s best tiger-fishing action. He had an extremely gentle demeanour and often spoke through a series of toothless smiles and quiet laughter. Whenever anything dramatic happened onboard he’d let out a quiet “sheew” and giggle to himself. He passed away a few years ago and the world is definitely worse off without him. 

On a rare afternoon off my fellow guide, Greg Ghaui, roped Six in to navigate the boat for him while he eagerly wet a line. With Greg having guided the same number of years as Six had been driving the boat, the two made for a very chilled but extremely effective team on the water.  

Approaching a productive spot, Six killed the motor and took up his trusty paddle. Greg, actually fishing and not guiding for a change, reached down, grabbed his 9-weight and began expertly picking the pockets of the riverbank. Before long, Greg hooked and landed a tigerfish.  He held it up to Six and said, “How big?”  

Six replied, “11 pounds.”  

Greg weighed the fish and Six was spot on, it was 11 pounds! 

Some time passed and, inevitably, Greg hooked another. The fish leapt alongside the boat, revealing its size to Six who deemed this one significant enough to help land. Without fuss, the fish was safely in the net and Greg asked Six again, “How big?” 

”19 pounds,” replied Six and again, he was spot on! 

This continued for another few hours or so with Greg landing a number of smaller fish unassisted. Six guessed the exact weight on every single one. 

As the afternoon wound down the blissful orange hues of the dipping sun filtered over the river. Greg set his rod down to take it all in. The two gently chatted away in Swahili while Greg sipped a cold beer and Six put the last of his remaining teeth in jeopardy with an ice-cold Fanta. They discussed this rare occasion that had just the two of them on the water together.  

Six took this moment to ask, “Greg, what are pounds?”…

This excerpt came “Pound Foolish” in issue 49 of The Mission. Read the rest of Stu’s thought piece below.

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