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Me and JW went for one of the 13 day Nubian safari's starting from the Aswan end of Lake Nasser. With ’The African Angler’ in November 2000.
This was JW ’s second visit. He had visited some years previous with John Wilson. In the days when Wilson wore skirts.

John Wilson airing his nadgers



Though the first five days we were fishing in really strong winds. Making it very hard work for our guide Mohammed to steer our boat.
He told us strong winds constant for more than one day was very unusual. Mo worked his nuts off to get us anywhere near feeding Nile Perch.
The floating restaurant a larger vessel that followed us about, and fed us three times a day also struggled in such windy conditions, but like Mo the geezers that staffed it did their best to give us an excellent time, and to serve up some really top nosh, better than some five star hotels I had stayed in the past.
All these blokes were salts of the earth, and really tried their hardest to make us as comfortable as they could. Even in the bad weather conditions they kept spirits high. They were brilliant blokes.
Top Hosts and Crew



Though I can't say the same for their boss Tim Baily, who was a bit of a Del Boy who tried to cut corners to save a few quid.
The outboard motors on the boat seriously needed servicing. We were one of the fortunate ones, and only lost a day, and half at the end of our trip through engine failure.
But another boat who was in company on the water seemed to have constant problems. Also some other lads we met at the end of the week in an hotel, who had been fishing from the opposite end of Nasser to us, Garf Hussein I think (Mid Nasser), had even worse problems with engine failure on their boats.

There should definitely be some spare outboard motor's incase occurring such problems. Also some kind of radio contact would be handy incase of an accident. We did complain about this. Though I’m not sure if they acted on such advice.

When we broke down again on our last day we started to float off in the wrong direction. Luckily from reflecting a mirror, burning cloths on a stick, and blowing on a whistle caught the attention of a distant boat, the only one we had seen that day. Which changed its course of direction to help us.
The boat belonged to some really helpful Sudanese, who toed us to safety. Though they did say if we were Americans they wouldn't of helped us. One said he would of shot us if we were Americans. I couldn't tell if he was being serious, or joking.
Later in the night a search boat came looking for us, when realising we wasn't going to turn up. Back at the hotel no apologies from Tim for having shit un-serviced motors.

Food and fishing boats



If I had read the book 'Somewhere Down The Crazy River' by Paul Boote, and Jeremy Wade beforehand. I don't think I would of ever bothered fishing for the Nile Perch. It does leap into the air when hooked sometimes, but its fight doesn't compare nowhere near with the Wels Catfish.
The Nile Perch is regarded by many big fish freshwater travellers as one of the worst fighters for its size. Unfortunately some over exaggerate its fighting spirit. Though I'm glad I went on such an adventure, just to witness Lake Nasser’s scenery.
Compared to a trip previous to Kazakhstan this was a luxury form of fishing. Good food on the food boat which was like a floating restaurant. Constant supply of freshwater, beer, and a blinding bunch of lads keeping us entertained at all times.
The top chef made a 20Lb Nile Perch taste better than any cod I've ever tasted.

During our stay the water was very murky, but seemed to clear up a little near the end of the trip, nearer back to base camp. (Where the boats are kept)
I thought the colour in the water was due to the strong winds stirring up any shit, but the lads who fished the opposite end to us, said sometimes they couldn't even see their lures when reeling in. It sounded like it was quite muddy up their end of the lake. Which interested me, because I reckon this could be where you'd be more likely to find Nasser's big cats, and a species of carp. Which maybe I'd be interested returning to fish for, but the Perch didn't live up to expectations fight wise.
They seem to exhaust themselves to fast. It's like catching bream on heavy carp tackle. Though the Tiger fish are something else. Unfortunately they don't grow to the same size as the Goliath Tiger fish, but are good fun and well worth catching.
If I'll ever go back to Egypt I'm not sure. I don't think I'd ever be interested in seeing the pyramids, I see far greater sites I believe deeper into the desert.
I’ve been told by quite a few anglers I’ve bumped into. Who have fished Nasser, more than once. Some five times. The water clarity of Nasser as been getting dirtier each year. The more muddier the closer you get to Sudan way. Some say useless for lure fishing.
It seems the Aswan end of the lake, as the clearer water for using lure methods. The murky water didn’t really bother me, I like to be surprised when the rod tip bends over. Besides I believe the Perch attack more on vibration, than colour.
I believe this even more so when hooking one in the hours of darkness. Unfortunately losing it to a cut off, over a sharp underwater island ledge.
I prefer to fish from the bank, but most of the fishing is done while travelling up the lake by boat.

JW with one of many Tigers



Before the trip I was told by many, November wasn’t a popular month. Though we managed to hook perch to 120Lb’s, even though we had arrived just before the start of terrible gales, and sand storms.
JW caught the biggest Tiger fish, a 12Lb specimen, and a 30+ Bagerus catfish, and a Puffer fish accidentally.
If you do ever do decide to fish with African Angler, check out all the costs, because Tim does have a few hidden ones. He likes to spring on you once your out in Egypt.

Me 120Lb



After just leaving an area explained to us by our guide Mo, that it was a good place to spot crocodiles. I hooked the biggest of the trip. A Perch, not croc. I then found myself standing on one of the many underwater islands having photos taken.
I did have a swim about in the lake earlier in the week, but be aware, and bare in mind such waters is home to the Nile croc, and also the electric catfish.
I would never swim Nasser at night, because this is when both are most active.



One more thing, if you decide to hand land your Perch, if you ever fish for them. Make sure you are wearing gloves on both hands. As I found while trying to connect a safety stringer over the boats side at the same time. They can remove the skin off your fingers quite easily, with their sandpaper mouths. So it’s a good thing to carry some antiseptic for such cuts also.

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