Fly Fishing the Faro River for Monster Perch

African Waters Fishing - Cameroon, Africa

The Central African nation of Cameroon is nearly twice the size of the state of Oregon — and is commonly referred to as Africa in miniature. Here, you'll find all the major climates and vegetation of the continent in one area: the coast, the desert, mountains, rainforest, and the savannah. African Waters is the outfitter. The Cameroon Nile perch fishing experience is about casting large flies to monster perch and encountering a few great fish in a very special place. A journey to Cameroon to target giant Nile perch offers the rare opportunity to see a piece of Africa reminiscent of how the continent used to be.

Night Fishing for Monster Nile Perch

Nile Perch: The Nile perch are native to the Congo, the Nile, the Niger, and many river basins in between. Nile perch used to be widespread and abundant. Severe habitat destruction and relentless overfishing have severely impacted the Nile perch populations today. Nile perch reach sizes of up to six and a half feet. These monsters take your fly with a brutal hit-and-run. They are aggressive and strong. The largest perch they’ve seen taken from the river bottomed out a 100kg scale — more than 220 pounds! Usually, Nile perch 39-inches and up are considered a trophy.
The Faro River Fishery: There are two camps, and each camp has four beats that are rotated and carefully managed. You will only fish one camp during the week. All fishing is strictly catch-and-release fly fishing with single de-barbed hooks.
Night fishing: Serious perch fishing takes place from just before sunset (about 6:00 p.m.) until about 9:30 p.m. when the perch really start to feed. In other words, you'll be night fishing for these monsters. (During the day, you'll fish for three species of tigerfish and sight fish for up to 12-pound yellowfish, aka as Niger Barb.)
A few small perch may be caught during the day. Fly fishing at night requires casting by feel rather than sight. Standing under the stars, immersed in the sounds of the African wilderness, is a raw, edgy experience that’s wild in every sense. It may seem scary at first, but the risks from wildlife while fishing are extremely low, and the guides and staff are close at hand and run over to help the moment you hook up.

Fly Fishing Facts:

Season: The season runs late January through mid-March. In February and March, the river is low and clear. Temperatures are hot and dry, reaching up to 104°F by mid-March.
Camp size: Cameroon Camp is limited to four anglers per week.
Guides: Very experienced English-speaking guides. Two guides per group of four anglers.
Transportation: Each day, anglers are driven for 15-minutes to an hour to fishing locations in 4WD Vehicles that do not have air-conditioning.
Fishing Equipment: is not provided. Fly fishing only with single de-barbed hooks. Fishing is on foot, with single-handed 12wt, 9ft rods. Intermediate and sink tip lines and 0.8mm leaders are the suggested tackle set-ups. You'll also need to bring headlamps for night fishing.
A Fishing License is included in the package.

Flies for monster Nile perch Large flies for monster-sized Nile perch.
Faro River Monster Perch

Faro River Camp

The Upper Camp borders the Faro National Park in the Northern Province of Cameroon. The camp sits on an embankment overlooking a broad sandy portion of the Faro River. The camp, formerly a hunting camp built in the 1960s, is rustic, practical, and comfortable. You’ll stay in brick-and-mortar rondavels — African-style huts. Each hut has two separate bedrooms, and each angler has his or her own room.
The Lower Camp is a small safari-style tent camp for four anglers, two guides, and camp staff. The Camp is erected each season in a shaded section of the Faro River. You’ll have great views and some exciting fishing right in front of the camp.
Each angler has his/her own bedroom. Each room has a double bed with a mosquito net, an en-suite bathroom with a toilet, a simple open coldwater shower, and a basin. The thatched roof mess area includes a dining area, a small lounge, a small library, and a view of the river and wildlife and birds coming down to drink and feed.
Meals: Continental breakfasts of fruit, bread, and coffee. Lunch and dinner usually consist of freshly prepared game meat with a seasonal salad and vegetables.

Getting to the Camp:

You’ll arrive in Doula, then fly to Garoua, arriving mid-afternoon. You’ll be greeted by the transfer driver and camp representative. The 2.5-hour charter flight from Doula to Garoua is included in the package. You’ll be driven to a local hotel and stay overnight in Garoua in a single-occupancy room. (Hotel night is arranged, but not included in the package.) Day 2 - Monday: You’ll have breakfast at your own expense. The driver will pick you up from the hotel at 8:00 a.m. in a Nissan Patrol 4WD station wagon that does not have air-conditioning for your four to five-hour drive to the camp.

2022 USD Rates:

7-nights at Camp
and 6-days guided fishing
$9,000.00 per person
+ 750.00 Charter Flight
= $9,750.00 per person

Price is subject to change.

Packages Include:

Roundtrip charter flight between Douala and Garoua, meet and greet at the Garoua Airport, ground transfer from Garoua airport to the hotel, one overnight stay in a hotel in Garoua, guided fishing, fishing permits, camp accommodations, all meals at camp, tea, coffee, water, soft drinks, four beers per person per day, and game scouts plus conservation and anti-poaching levies.

Packages Do Not Include:

International flights to and from Douala, visa approx. $100.00, meals and beverages in Douala and Garoua; spirits and wine in camp—guests are advised to bring their own alcohol from duty-free; extra beer above daily four, fishing tackle, gratuities for guides and staff, mandatory medical and travel insurance, Global Rescue, and anything not mentioned under inclusions.

A Yellow Fever Card is Required

A valid yellow fever inoculation/card is required to travel. Please consult your local travel clinic if you don’t have one. Cameroon is a malaria area. Please consult your doctor for suitable prophylactics.

Communications:

There is no cell reception in the camp. There is a Satphone for emergencies. There is limited satellite Wi-Fi connection for basic text Whatsapp messages.

Wildlife Viewing:

The Cameroon Camp offers adventurous fly anglers a unique glimpse into an almost untouched western African savannah. Wildlife such as Lord Derby eland, northwestern buffalo, western hartebeest, western roan, red river hog, kob, red flanked duiker, eastern black-and-white colobus monkey, West African lion, and leopard are found in the park. Although not currently a dedicated gameviewing destination, many of these animals, plus others, and their signs are seen on a daily basis when driving between camp and the fishing beats.

A Typical Fishing Day

Your day begins with breakfast in the mess area at 6:30 a.m. Your group and guide, accompanied by armed game scouts, head out in a 4WD vehicle to the allocated fishing beat, a 15 minute to one-hour drive depending on the area you’ll be fishing. The morning session is generally spent targeting tigerfish and yellowfish, with a little time dedicated to Nile perch fishing if the conditions and water dictate. To avoid the heat and to ensure you’re rested and ready for the prime fishing times, the time from noon until 4:00 p.m. is generally set aside for rest.
At 4:00 p.m., you'll head out for fishing again. The first part of the afternoon session is spent targeting tigerfish and getting familiar with the area. Once the sun gets low on the horizon, usually around 6:00 p.m., you’ll switch from tigerfish outfits to heavier 12-weight outfits and bigger, water-pushing flies in preparation for Nile perch. Fishing for Nile perch takes place almost exclusively from just before sunset until about 9:30 p.m. Your guide will generally call lines up at around 9:30, and you’ll return to camp for a late dinner and some drinks before heading to bed.

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