Narrator: LEGENDS SAY IT COULD SWALLOW A MAN.
TIPPING THE SCALES AT 440LBS...
IT'S THE LARGEST FRESHWATER FISH IN AFRICA ...
WITH AN APPETITE TO MATCH.
THE NOTORIOUS NILE PERCH.
NATURALIST AND EXTREME ANGLER, ANDY COETZEE,
KNOWS THAT NOT ALL FISH STORIES ARE FAKE.
Andy: AIBO! HOW CRAZY IS THIS PLACE?
Narrator: HE'S TRACKED DOWN SOME OF
THE BIGGEST FISH ON THE PLANET
Andy: THIS IS WHAT KEEPS YOU ALIVE -
THIS KIND OF FISHING... AI!
Narrator: NOW HE'S HEARD OF A 'HOTSPOT' LOADED
WITH MONSTER NILE PERCH...
IT'S WILD AND REMOTE,
BUT DOES IT REALLY HAVE THE GIANTS HE'S FISHING FOR?
Andy: HAHAHA... LET'S GO. MY HEART'S RACING ALREADY.
♪
Narrator: SOUTH AFRICAN FISHERMAN, ANDY COETZEE,
HEADS TO CENTRAL AFRICA IN SEARCH OF A GIANT.
HE'S HEARD STORIES OF NILE PERCH AS HEAVY AS SUMO WRESTLERS -
AND HE'S DETERMINED TO SEE ONE IN THE FLESH.
Andy: THERE'S THE POTENTIAL FOR ME TO HOOK A FISH
THAT IS TWICE MY WEIGHT -
POTENTIALLY CAN SWALLOW ME. THEY GET THAT BIG -
Narrator: BUT TO FIND ONE,
HE'S GOING TO ONE OF THE MOST TREACHEROUS FISHING SPOTS
ON THE PLANET.
THE NILE
A RIVER OF GIANTS...
AND STILL ONE OF THE WILDEST PLACES ON EARTH...
WHERE YOU COULD JUST AS EASILY BECOME DINNER AS CATCH IT!
ANDY'S QUEST TAKES HIM TO UGANDA,
DEEP INTO THE HEART OF AFRICA'S RIFT VALLEY...
HE'LL FOLLOW THE RIVER AS FAR AS MURCHISON FALLS...
HERE, 150-FOOT CLIFFS CREATE A NATURAL BARRIER...
THE BORDER OF THE NILE PERCH'S TERRITORY.
THIS... IS THE ANCIENT WILDERNESS
THE EUROPEAN EXPLORERS CALLED
"DARKEST AFRICA"
A PLACE WHERE STORIES OF MASSIVE,
FEROCIOUS BEASTS... BECAME LEGENDS.
IT IS ALSO AN OASIS... WHERE THE RIVER'S GENEROUS WATERS
SUPPORT AN ABUNDANCE OF LIFE.
SOME OF THESE SPECIES HAVE LIVED HERE FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS -
AND HAVE EVOLVED TO MAKE THE MOST OF THEIR HOME.
FEARSOME JAWS SEEM TO BE A PARTICULAR SPECIALTY.
SADDLEBILLED STORKS USE ELONGATED PINCERS
TO PRISE FISH FROM THE MARSH...
RARE SHOE-BILLS HAVE BEAKS THAT ACT AS FISH TRAPS...
AND GIVE THEM AN ALMOST MENACING SMIRK.
...BUT ARGUABLY THE MOST NOTORIOUS OF ALL...
IS THE RAVENOUS FISH ANDY HAS COME TO FIND.
Andy: NILE PERCH ARE JUST EATING MACHINES -
THEY JUST EAT EVERYTHING THAT COMES ACROSS THEIR PATH.
THEY'VE GOT HUGE, BIG MOUTHS AND THEY JUST SWALLOW AND ENGULF
EVERYTHING THAT COMES ALONG.
Narrator: THE PERCH IS A CUSTOM-BUILT, AMBUSH PREDATOR...
AS ITS HUGE JAWS EXPAND OUTWARDS,
POWERFUL MUSCLES CONTRACT
... CREATING A VACUUM THAT SUCKS THE PREY
INTO ITS CAVERNOUS MOUTH.
FISHERMEN CALL IT... 'THE SWALLOWER!'
SMALLER PERCH ARE COMMON UP AND DOWN THE NILE,
BUT THE REAL MONSTERS GROW HUGE IN THE MOST REMOTE PLACES.
ANDY'S DONE HIS HOMEWORK -
BUT THERE'S NO GUIDEBOOK FOR CATCHING
A FOUR HUNDRED AND FORTY POUND FISH.
Andy: I'M SO EXCITED...THIS IS GOING TO BE MY FIRST DAY FISHING
AND IT'S SO WONDERFUL DISCOVERING NEW WATER.
GETTING INTO THAT FISH'S HEAD, TRYING TO UNDERSTAND,
'OKAY, WHERE'S IT GOING TO BE HANGING OUT?
WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE DOING? HOW'S IT GOING TO BE FEEDING?'
YOU KNOW, YOU CAN READ SO MUCH, YOU CAN TALK TO SO MANY PEOPLE,
BUT YOU'VE ACTUALLY GOT TO GET OUT THERE AND DO IT YOURSELF
AND GET INTO THAT FISH'S BRAIN.
Narrator: ANDY STARTS IN THE PROTECTED WATERS
OF MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK.
LOCAL GUIDE GODWIN JUKECHA HAS FISHED THIS RIVER
HIS ENTIRE LIFE.
HE KNOWS IT BETTER THAN ANYONE.
Godwin: THERE'S SOME GOOD POOLS THIS SIDE EH.
Andy: LET'S GO THERE THEN...LET'S GO THERE.
Narrator: THEY'RE HEADING UPSTREAM TO A DEEP POOL...
IT'S EARLY MORNING, 7 AM,
THE TIME WHEN THESE HUNGRY AMBUSH PREDATORS LIKE TO HUNT.
Andy: MY FIRST MORNING ON THE NILE RIVER...
VERY PLACID HERE...
BUT WHAT LURKS BELOW?
Narrator: ANDY CASTS A LARGE LURE ... BIG FISH LIKE BIG BAIT.
Andy: HMM... WHOLE BUNCH OF REED CORMORANTS FLYING PAST HERE -
THAT'S ENCOURAGING! CORMORANTS EAT FISH,
WHERE THERE'S CORMORANTS THERE'S FISH,
WHERE THERE'S FISH THERE'S BIG FISH.
Narrator: BUT THIS IS MORE THAN JUST 'BIG FISH' TERRITORY...
HIPPOS ARE NOTORIOUSLY AGGRESSIVE AND TERRITORIAL -
AND WHERE HIPPOS AND HUMANS SHARE RESOURCES,
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE KILLED EACH YEAR.
ANDY'S TRESPASSING...
Andy: IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S GOT SOME WOUNDS OR SOMETHING
ON THE SIDE THERE...
I DON'T KNOW WHERE HE'S GONNA GO,
I HOPE HE DOESN'T GET INTO MY LINE...
Narrator: THE HIPPO'S SCARS ARE A REMINDER OF PAST TURF WARS -
BATTLES ANDY DOESN'T WANT TO RECREATE.
Andy: I'M GONNA GO LOOK FOR ANOTHER PLACE.
Narrator: ALONG THE RIVERBANK THERE ARE DEEP OVERHANGS ...
GOOD HIDING SPOTS FOR HUNGRY HUNTERS...
Andy: THIS APPARENTLY IS A VERY, VERY GOOD HOLE FOR NILE PERCH
SO I'M JUST SNEAKING UP HERE QUIETLY
SO I CAN FISH ALONG THE EDGE.
Narrator: BUT ONCE AGAIN, THEY'RE NOT ALONE...
Andy: OOH! THERE'S A CROCODILE COMING STRAIGHT FOR US!
LOOK AT THAT!
LOOK AT THESE CROCS!
Narrator: NILE CROCODILES ARE THE MOST AGGRESSIVE
FRESHWATER PREDATORS ON THE PLANET...
Andy: THERE'S ANOTHER ONE. THIS THING'S COMING STRAIGHT FOR ME!
AIBO! AIBO!
Andy: HOW CRAZY IS THIS PLACE? THERE MUST BE FIVE OR
SIX CROCS THERE. IMAGINE HOW MANY NILE PERCH ARE HERE
IF THERE ARE THAT MANY CROCS FEEDING HERE?
IT'S A LITTLE TERRIFYING I MUST TELL YOU...
I'M NOT SO SURE IT'S A GOOD IDEA FOR ME TO WALK
ALONG THE SIDE HERE.
LET ME JUST CALM MY NERVES A LITTLE BIT.
Narrator: ANDY WOULD RATHER FISH FROM THE SHORE -
CATCHING A 440-POUND FISH IN A 15-FOOT BOAT WON'T BE EASY...
BUT CROCS LURKING IN THE UNDERGROWTH
COULD MAKE FOR AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE.
Andy: TOO MANY CROCS HERE.
LET ME JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF THROWS HERE
Narrator: THE BOAT WILL HAVE TO DO.
STILL, THE CROCS COULD BE A GOOD SIGN -
NILE CROCODILES EAT NILE PERCH...
...AND YOUNG CROCS ARE PERFECT PERCH FOOD
... BUT NEITHER SEEMS INTERESTED IN ANDY'S LURE.
EIGHT HOURS GO BY WITHOUT A SINGLE PULL...
EVEN GODWIN IS BEWILDERED.
Andy: THE NILE PERCH IS KNOWN AS THE WATER ELEPHANT. GIWAN RUWA -
THAT FOR ME EPITOMIZES WHAT THE NILE PERCH IS LIKE.
IT'S A WATER ELEPHANT.
Andy: HOW AMAZING IS THIS? UNBELIEVABLE...
Andy: ELEPHANTS DON'T RUN AROUND LIKE CHEETAHS.
THEY LUMBER ALONG, IN THE BUSH,
IN THE SLOW-MOVING AREAS. THAT'S WHAT THE NILE PERCH DO.
Andy: I FEEL LIKE GOING AND SITTING IN THE WATER.
IT'S BEEN A LONG, HARD DAY. WITHOUT A SINGLE PERCH.
MAYBE I SHOULD JOIN THAT ELEPHANT IN THE WATER.
Narrator: IT'S BEEN A FRUSTRATING DAY...
MAXIMUM RISK WITH MINIMUM REWARD.
Andy: I'M COMPLETED FRAZZLED. I SPENT TWELVE HOURS IN THE SUN -
FISHED FROM QUARTER TO SEVEN UNTIL QUARTER TO SEVEN TONIGHT
AND NOT ONE PULL. I HAD VISIONS OF BEING ABLE TO, YOU KNOW,
REALLY PICK AND CHOOSE THE KIND OF FISH I WANTED TO CATCH.
BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE THE CASE.
SO, EARLY TO BED AND THEN START AGAIN TOMORROW.
Narrator: TODAY ANDY GOES BACK TO BASICS - USING LIVE BAIT...
AND HIS 'OLD -FAITHFUL' WOODEN REEL.
IT TAKES SKILL TO FISH WITH THIS SIMPLE 'SCARBOROUGH' -
THERE'S NO DRAG ...AND ONLY A LEATHER GLOVE TO ACT AS A BRAKE.
IT'S NOT GOING TO MAKE LANDING A GIANT PERCH ANY EASIER,
BUT AFTER A DAY WITH NO BITES, MAYBE IT WILL CHANGE HIS LUCK.
Andy: WHENEVER YOU HOOK A FISH IT'S A BIT LIKE GAMBLING,
YOU DON'T REALLY KNOW HOW BIG THAT THING IS...
YOU SET THE HOOK, UNTIL YOU HAVE TO PULL AGAINST IT,
YOU DON'T REALLY KNOW HOW BIG IT IS...
AND THAT'S THE EXCITING PART, IT'S... IT'S THE UNKNOWN.
Andy: IT'S ROLLING...
Narrator: IT'S DAY TWO ON THE NILE
Andy: ... I'M ON...
Narrator: ...AND ANDY HAS HIS FIRST BREAK!
Andy: FIRST NILE PERCH... ON.
Andy: THERE IT'S JUMPING OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RIVER...
NICE...
THE TENDENCY OF NILE PERCH TO JUMP, THEY DON'T JUMP OFTEN.
TWO OR THREE TIMES AND THEN THAT'S IT.
IT'S ALWAYS NICE BECAUSE THEY GIVE YOU AN IDEA
OF HOW BIG THEY ARE.
Andy: YOU CAN STILL SEE THE LIVE BAIT ATTACHED TO IT.
WON'T YOU JUST GET ME A GLOVE THERE PLEASE GODDY?
COOL, THANK YOU... COME ON... JA JA BUCKET MOUTH...
TRYING TO THROW THE HOOK ARE YOU?
Narrator: IT'S A 30LB FISH.
Andy: THE WATER ELEPHANT. A SMALL WATER ELEPHANT...
Narrator: A DECENT SPECIMEN... BUT NO MONSTER.
Andy: LOOK AT THAT, NICE LOOKING FISH. LOOK AT THAT MOUTH.
AND THAT THING JUST WILL JUST ENGULF LIVE BAIT PREY.
STRAIGHT DOWN.
IT'S PISCIVOROUS WHICH MEANS IT EATS FISH.
AND THEN IN THE GULLET
YOU'LL GET THE PHARYNGEAL TEETH WHICH THEN
SCALE THE PREY BEFORE IT SWALLOWS IT.
WONDERFUL FISH - PROBABLY AROUND 12-15 KILOS.
Andy: I KNOW SOMETIMES IT LOOKS QUITE DISTRESSING
WHEN WE TAKE FISH OUT OF WATER BUT NILE PERCH ARE QUITE HARDY.
SO I'M GOING TO BE TAKING THIS FISH OUT OF WATER
FOR MAYBE THIRTY SECONDS OR SO, WHILST I MEASURE AND TAG HER.
I'M GOING TO PUT IT ONTO THE GUNNEL HERE,
WHICH IS JUST GOING TO PROTECT HER.
Narrator: ANDY MEASURES THE FISH'S LENGTH AND GIRTH -
IT'S THE EASIEST WAY TO ESTIMATE ITS WEIGHT.
VERY LITTLE RESEARCH EXISTS ON THE NILE PERCH IN THESE WATERS.
BY TAGGING IT, ANDY'S HOPING TO CONTRIBUTE TO A
DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR RANGE...
WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY HELP TO CONSERVE THEM.
Andy: HERE YOU CAN SEE THAT LITTLE YELLOW TAG,
STICKING OUT THE BACK END. I'M JUST GOING TO PUT HER IN,
AND SOON AS IT FLAPS I'M GOING TO LET IT GO... THERE YOU GO...
I HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN, WHEN YOU'RE THAT BIG...
THANK YOU GODDY... WE'RE GOING TO GO FIND ANOTHER PLACE NOW?
Andy: OK... THE FEVER IS UPON ME.
I NOW WANT TO CATCH PERCH ALL DAY... OK DOWN IT IS.
Narrator: BIG NILE PERCH ARE TERRITORIAL...
NOW THAT ANDY'S CAUGHT ONE FISH IN THAT SPOT,
IT'S UNLIKELY HE'LL GET ANOTHER...
FORTUNATELY, THIS SECTION OF THE NILE STRETCHES OUT
OVER 2000 MILES - HE WON'T RUN OUT OF CHANCES.
Andy: IT JERKED THE BAIT... COME ON NOW...
THERE WE GO, THERE WE GO, THERE WE GO...
THAT'S IT, THAT'S IT, THAT'S IT, KEEP GOING.
Narrator: ANDY'S FOUND THE TRICK -
THE PERCH CAN'T RESIST LIVE BAIT.
Andy: THERE YOU GO... TIGHT... YES PLEASE...
JUMPING RIGHT OUT THERE
RIGHT NEAR THOSE HIPPO... YES!
Narrator: IT'S A BIG FISH, BUT NOW IT'S ON THE LINE -
IT'S BECOME BAIT ITSELF.
Goddy: AH, THERE'S BIG CROC.
Andy: AY, I'VE GOT A BIG CROC IN FRONT OF ME, HERE...
Narrator: THE CROC'S HOMING IN ON THE STRUGGLING PERCH -
ANDY NEEDS TO LAND IT ... OR LOSE IT.
Andy: I THINK THE CROCS GONNA GRAB THIS FISH... JA...
Andy: GODDY YOU MUST HELP ME WITH THIS HERE, PLEASE.
Narrator: IT'S A HEAVY FISH,
AND THE DEBRIS FROM THE RIVER IS ADDING TO THE DRAG.
Andy: OK GODDY THAT SHOULD BE FINE...
GO FORWARD WITH THE BOAT...
GO... JA, OK STOP... CHAOS.
MAN THAT WAS A MASSIVE CROC THERE JUMPING AGAIN.
NOW WHERE'S THE CROCODILE...
Narrator: ANDY NEEDS TO REEL THE FISH AWAY FROM THE CROC...
BUT HE'S LOST SIGHT OF IT.
Andy: OK STOP.
Goddy: GET THE GLOVE ON.
Andy: WHERE'S THAT CROCODILE?
Narrator: THIS ONE IS MUCH BIGGER... AROUND 45 POUNDS.
Andy: 123 AND 80.
Goddy: JA.
Andy: DON'T WORRY, I'M GONNA GET YOU BACK NOW
Narrator: ANOTHER PERCH TAGGED
Andy: OK, I'M REALLY WORRIED ABOUT THIS CROC...
GONNA GET AWAY FROM THIS CROCODILE.
Narrator: A TIRED PERCH THAT'S BEEN FIGHTING A FISHERMAN
WOULD BE EASY PICKINGS FOR AN OPPORTUNISTIC CROC...
Andy: THERE YOU GO. I HOPE IT DOESN'T GET LOOSE,
BUT THERE'S ITS LATERAL LINE. THERE, ALL THE WAY DOWN THERE.
AND THAT IS WHAT IT WILL USE TO LOCATE ITS PREY BECAUSE OF
THIS MURKY WATER, IT'S GOT LARGE EYES AND THIS LATERAL LINE
THAT IT WILL HUNT WITH THROUGH THE VIBRATIONS,
SET OFF BY THE PREY. A BEAUTIFUL FISH.
Narrator: NILE PERCH USE THEIR LATERAL LINES
TO SENSE THEIR PREY'S VIBRATIONS IN THE WATER.
TODAY, THAT'S BEEN ANDY'S LIVE BAIT.
ANDY'S YET TO SEE ANY SIGN OF THE LEGENDARY MONSTERS
THAT LURED HIM HERE...
HE'S HOPING THE LOCALS CAN GIVE HIM SOME ADVICE
WHERE DO THE BIG PERCH FEED AND WHAT DO THEY EAT?
Andy: AND DO THE NILE PERCH EAT THESE FISH?
Fisherman: VERY WELL, THIS IS FOOD FOR NILE PERCH.
Andy: WHERE DO THEY GET THE NILE PERCH?
Fisherman: NILE PERCH ARE CAUGHT USING THOSE BIG, BIG NETS.
Andy: THEY DON'T GET THEM IN THIS?
Fisherman: YAAA.
Andy: I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY THE NILE PERCH WOULD EAT THIS...
IT'S JUST LIKE A MARSHMALLOW FOR BREAKFAST.
THERE'S A NILE PERCH HERE - A BABY WATER ELEPHANT.
Andy: I DO NOTICE THAT THE MESH SIZE IS GOING DOWN AS WELL -
WHICH IS VERY DISCOURAGING -
BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION.
WHAT TENDS TO HAPPEN IS THEY START WITH BIG MESH...
GETS SMALLER, SMALLER, SMALLER...
EVENTUALLY YOU'RE CATCHING ALL THE IMMATURE FISH
AND NOTHING'S BREEDING. AND IT'S THE END OF THE LINE THEN.
THAT'S IT - GAME OVER.
Kifarou: SO THESE ARE THE FILLETS...
Andy: OK, THESE ARE THE FILLETS... MORNING, MORNING,
HOW ARE YOU GUYS? AH, YOU'RE CUTTING THEM THIN HEY?
YOU'LL GET FOUR OF THESE THINGS FROM A 10KG FISH?
Kifarou: JA.
Andy: JUST DRYING FILLETS OF NILE PERCH.
Narrator: NILE PERCH IS A DELICACY AND FETCHES TOP DOLLAR
IN RESTAURANTS ACROSS THE GLOBE.
THE HIGH DEMAND FOR ITS PLUMP FLESH
HAS SPAWNED A $650 MILLION INDUSTRY.
THESE FILLETS WILL PROBABLY NEVER SEE
THE FANCY KITCHENS OF EUROPE...
THEY'RE A VITAL FOOD SOURCE
FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN CENTRAL AFRICA.
Andy: HMMM ... FASCINATING!
Narrator: WHICHEVER WAY YOU SKIN IT...
NILE PERCH ARE A HOT COMMODITY.
Andy: THE GENE POOL OF MATURE FISH IS HERE
IN MURCHISON RESERVE, OUTSIDE IT LOOKS BLEAK... UNFORTUNATELY.
Narrator: IT MAY BE NOW OR NEVER...
FOR ANDY TO FIND THE LEGEND.
or: ANDY'S CHASING DOWN A LEGENDARY FISH ...
A NILE PERCH THAT WEIGHS AS MUCH AS A BABY ELEPHANT.
Andy: BIG NILE PERCH ROSE RIGHT HERE, NOT EVEN 5 METRES FROM ME.
Narrator: HE'S USING A LIVE FISH AS BAIT...
TO TRIGGER THE HUNTING RESPONSE OF A MONSTER FISH.
BUT TODAY IT'S GODWIN WHO GETS THE FIRST BITE -
MORE FRESH BAIT FOR ANDY.
Andy: HEY I'M ON, I'M ON... THERE IT GOES...
PICKED THE BAIT UP...
JUST LETTING IT TAKE THE BAIT - THERE YOU GO...
WHEW MY HEART'S PUMPING RIGHT NOW...
COME ON - DON'T DROP THE BAIT...
EVEN THIS FAR INTO MY LIFE THERE IS A SHAKE - LOOK AT THAT ...
COME ON WHERE DID YOU GO?
NOW IT'S GOING AGAIN, THERE WE GO,
THERE WE GO... THERE IT'S ROLLING NOW...
YES PLEASE...
AY! SOMETHING POPPED!
MAN! WHAT HAPPENED NOW? IT WAS A NICE FISH ON THERE...
WENT TIGHT AND POPPED... WHAT HAPPENED HERE?
AY... MAN - HOW'S THAT POSSIBLE?
Goddy: THAT WAS A GOOD FISH THAT...
Narrator: NILE PERCH DON'T HAVE CUTTING TEETH ...
IT MUST HAVE BEEN MASSIVE TO SNAP THE 80LB LINE.
Andy: SO DISAPPOINTING - SIT FOR HOURS AND HOURS,
AND THEN WHEN YOU DO GET A PULL AND YOU GO TIGHT ON THE FISH
AND THEN THERE'S A TACKLE FAILURE,
WELL YOU CAN ONLY BLAME YOURSELF
IT'S ABOUT BEING ACCOUNTABLE TO YOURSELF SO YEAH.
Andy: IT WAS LIKE A NILE PERCH...
RRRR RRRRR BIG FISH THAT...
[BLEEP]... THAT WAS THE ONE THAT JUMPED UP HERE.
Andy: I SUPPOSE FOR ALL THE BIG FISH
AND ALL THE WONDERFUL FISH THAT ONE CATCHES IN YOUR LIFE
YOU ALWAYS HAVE THOSE THAT GET AWAY,
AND THAT'S THE BALANCING ACT - THE HIGHS AND THE LOWS -
THE DISAPPOINTMENT AND THE ELATION... IS THAT WHY I DO IT?
TO BE SUPER-ELATED AND THEN SUPER DISAPPOINTED? MAYBE...
Narrator: FED UP WITH FAILURE, ANDY CHANGES TACK...
AND HEADS DIRECTLY TO THE POINT OF NO RETURN.
THE NOTORIOUS 'MURCHISON FALLS'
ONE OF THE MOST TREACHEROUS FISHING SPOTS ON THE PLANET ...
ONLY THE TOUGHEST FISH CAN SURVIVE THESE WATERS.
THE BASE OF THESE ANCIENT CLIFFS IS THE FURTHEST REACH
OF THE NILE PERCH'S DOMAIN - IT'S THE NATURAL BARRIER
THAT KEEPS THIS MONSTER FISH CONTAINED.
THE MIGHTY NILE FORCES ITS WAY THROUGH A CREVICE
ONLY 23-FEET WIDE... BEFORE TUMBLING 140-FEET...
INTO THE CAULDRON BELOW.
MORE THAN 80,000 GALLONS OF WATER...
RACE OVER THE FALLS EACH SECOND...
IT'S ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL SURGES OF WATER ON EARTH.
THIS IS BIG FISH TERRITORY!
THE PERFECT HABITAT FOR AN AMBUSH PREDATOR...
THIS IS NO PLACE FOR HIS SCARBOROUGH -
IT WILL TAKE HIS STRONGEST REEL
TO FIGHT THE DRAG IN THIS RAGING TORRENT.
Andy: I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW WILD THIS WATER IS...
IT'S JUST A MOUNTAIN OF WATER UP THERE, LITERALLY 50M FROM ME.
THIS IS WILD STUFF... WHOO!
Andy: THERE'S GOT TO BE MONSTROUS NILE PERCH IN HERE.
I DON'T KNOW HOW DEEP THIS IS BUT THERE IS TURBULENT WATER
ALL OVER THE PLACE.
Andy: I'M SO EXCITED, I CAN'T WAIT ANY LONGER, WATCH THIS ONE,
WATCH ONE ... FIRST CAST! I WONDER WHAT LURKS DOWN HERE.
Narrator: IT'S THE MOST DANGEROUS WATER
THAT ANDY'S EVER TACKLED,
BUT FOR NOW, THE NOVELTY OUTWEIGHS THE RISK.
Andy: A LITTLE BIT SCARY I CAN TELL YOU.
I WOULDN'T LIKE TO CAPSIZE OVER HERE.
Narrator: THE SMALL BOAT IS FIGHTING A MASSIVE SURGE -
AND THAT'S WITHOUT A 440-POUND FISH ON THE LINE...
IF THEY GO OVER,
THEY'LL BE AT THE MERCY OF DEADLY WHIRLPOOLS...
AND HUNGRY CROCS!
Andy: THIS IS WHAT KEEPS YOU ALIVE... THIS KIND OF FISHING.
Narrator: WHILE ANDY FIGHTS THE DRAG,
GODWIN FIGHTS THE FIERCE CURRENT...
HOLDING THEM STEADY IN THE FACE OF THE FALLS.
Andy: MY HEART'S RACING, ONE JUST FROM
THE SHEER VOLUME OF WATER
COMING DOWN IN THIS CAULDRON AND ALSO, THE FISH POTENTIAL.
IT'S GOT TO BE TEEMING WITH FISH HERE. COME ON!
Andy: I'M STUCK ON A ROCK - NOW I'M IN TROUBLE...
TRY AND GO UP A LITTLE BIT.
FOR [BLEEP] SAKES!
OK, GET ME CLOSE, I'LL HAVE TO CUT IT - CAN'T DO ANYTHING ELSE.
YA, SNAPPED, LET'S GO, GODDY YOU OK? I'M GOING TO SIT DOWN.
DISAPPOINTING TO LOSE A LURE AGAIN BUT I'M BOUND
TO LOSE SOME TACKLE. BUT WILD STUFF. AY!
Narrator: THERE'S A FINE LINE BETWEEN DETERMINATION -
AND RECKLESSNESS... BUT ANDY STILL WON'T QUIT.
Andy: I'M JUST GONNA HAVE TO PUT MORE TACKLE ON
IT'S VERY HECTIC ROUND THE CORNER
THAT WATER WAS WILD. WILD, WILD WATER THERE MAN.
I'VE NEVER FISHED WATER LIKE THAT IN MY LIFE.
WOW. UNBELIEVABLE STUFF. BUT THE FEVER IS UPON ME -
TRYING TO GET BACK THERE AS SOON AS I CAN.
WELL, IT'S WITH A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF APPREHENSION I GO BACK THERE.
IT'S VERY WILD WATER THERE. RIGHT, HAHAHA LET'S GO...
MY HEART'S RACING ALREADY!
Narrator: ANDY'S PITTING HIMSELF AGAINST
THE MOST POWERFUL WATER ON THE PLANET.
Andy: OK, HOLD ME HERE, NICE.
I'M TRYING TO IMAGINE WHAT THESE PERCH ARE LIKE.
THEY MUST BE HANGING RIGHT AGAINST THAT CLIFF FACE
BECAUSE IT'S TOO TURBULENT OUT HERE FOR THEM
AND THEY JUST AMBUSH AND ENGULF ANY BAIT FISH
THAT GETS WASHED DOWN THESE FALLS.
SO I'M TRYING TO CAST AS CLOSE AS I CAN TO THE SIDE
AND HOPEFULLY ONE WILL RUSH OUT AND GRAB IT.
Narrator: ANDY'S REELING FOR HIS LIFE...
IT'S HARD TO TELL IF IT'S A FISH... OR THE CURRENT.
Andy: YA! I'M ON. I GOT ONE... HERE WE GO!
I'M FIGHTING THE FISH AND THE CURRENT, WHICH IS HUGE.
YA LET'S GO DOWN A LITTLE BIT GODDY.
Andy:YA LOOKS LIKE A FISH AROUND 10 KILOS.
Narrator: RIGHT NOW THE FISH IS STEERING THE BOAT...
IT'S NOT A MONSTER, BUT THE FIERCE CURRENT
MAKES THE FIGHT MUCH HARDER.
Andy: I NEED TO PUT MY GLOVE ON - HERE IT IS.
RIGHT, I'M ON TERRA FIRMA, NOT ROCKING AND ROLLING IN THE BOAT.
HERE WE GO.
Narrator: ALL THAT WORK - FOR A 25-POUND FISH.
BUT ANDY IS STILL LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE.
Andy: GOT A FISH OF AROUND 10 OR 12 KILOS, REALLY NICE - MAN!
MY FIRST NILE PERCH AT THE BASE OF THE MURCHISON FALLS.
HOW WONDERFUL. I WANT TO PUT IT BACK IN THE WATER
AND I WANT TO TRY AND TAG IT.
Narrator: ANDY'S STILL HUNGRY FOR THE CATCH OF HIS LIFE...
IF HIS MONSTER FISH WON'T COME TO HIM...
HE'LL HAVE TO GO TO IT.
IT'S TIME FOR DRASTIC MEASURES...
THERE'S A SECRET FISHING SPOT...
EVEN CLOSER TO THE BASE OF THE FALLS...
BUT IT'S STEEP AND INACCESSIBLE
NOT EVEN CROCS AND HIPPOS VENTURE THIS FAR UP.
IT'S KNOWN AS 'THE DEVIL'S CAULDRON' -
THE LAST OUTPOST OF THE NILE PERCH.
...THE PERFECT HIDEOUT FOR A ROGUE OF A FISH.
ANDY'S PUTTING HIS THEORY TO THE TEST ...
HOPING THE REALLY BIG PERCH WILL BE USING THE ROUGH WATER
TO THEIR ADVANTAGE - WAITING TO AMBUSH SMALLER FISH
THAT ARE DISORIENTED IN THE TURMOIL...
IT'S OVER 100-DEGREES... EVEN IN THE SHADE...
ONLY A REALLY BIG FISH WILL BE WORTH IT.
Andy: I'M ON. YEAH I'M ON. YES PLEASE.
HAHAHA, YAY, HE'S RUNNING.
I'M HOLDING ON AS HARD AS I CAN!
I'M FIGHTING CURRENT AND THE FISH...
IT'S GONE INTO A QUIET BAY HERE...
COME ON.
ALRIGHT, YOU WANNA DO BATTLE? LET'S GO.
ator: ANDY'S DOING BATTLE IN THE DEVIL'S CAULDRON...
A MASSIVE WHIRLPOOL AT THE BASE OF THE MURCHISON FALLS.
Andy: IT'S RUNNING OUT INTO THE MAIN.
Narrator: HE'S GOT A BIG PERCH ON THE LINE -
BUT IT WON'T COME IN EASILY.
Andy: AIBO! COME ON, I CAN SEE HIM COMING.
ALRIGHT, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO WORK MY WAY AROUND.
IF I LOSE MY FOOTING HERE, THAT'S THE END OF ME.
Andy: HOW'S THIS FOR AN OBSTACLE COURSE?
THE LENGTHS ONE GOES TO CATCHING FISH...
IT'S THE ONLY PLACE I CAN LAND IT SO I'M PRETTY MUCH FORCED
TO MAKE MY WAY ROUND HERE... I JUST HOPE IT STAYS ON THE LINE
AND I DON'T LOSE MY ROD, THIS IS CHAOTIC. COME ON!
Andy: RIGHT, SLIGHTLY BETTER POSITION NOW
TO BRING IT IN CLOSER.
THERE IT IS. COME ON.
YOOHOO. LOOK AT THAT!
WOW! THAT'S A NICE LOOKING FISH.
THIS IS A REALLY NICE SIZED FISH.
PROBABLY ABOUT 30KG I WOULD THINK.
Narrator: IT'S A 65LB PERCH... HIS BIGGEST FISH YET!
Andy: AND LOOK AT ITS MOUTH -
I MEAN THAT'S JUST ENORMOUS!
RIGHT, I'M GOING TO GET YOU BACK IN.
I DON'T WANT TO KEEP IT OUT ANY LONGER.
I'M GOING TO WAIT FOR A WAVE TO COME. THERE WE GO...
THERE WE GO.
Andy: THAT IS THE ULTIMATE IN WILD FISHING.
Narrator: BUT STILL NOT THE MONSTER ANDY'S SEARCHING FOR.
HE PRESSES ON... AND THE CAULDRON KEEPS PRODUCING...
Andy:YES! LOOK A THAT! IT'S A SMALL ONE...
YA, I'M ON. YA, A LITTLE ONE.
YOU MUST GROW UP TO BE A HUGE BIG FISH...COME.
Narrator: THE WILD WATERS OF THE FALLS DON'T DISAPPOINT.
Andy: HAHAHA - AAAH I LOVE THIS!
Narrator: BUT STILL THE MONSTER OF THE NILE ELUDES HIM.
SOMEWHERE ALONG THIS RIVER... A GIANT STILL LIES IN WAIT.
BACK DOWN RIVER, ANDY PICKS HIS FINAL SPOT.
Andy: I'M ON... IT'S GOING NOW... JA... OK THANK YOU...
JA MAYBE WE SHOULD FOLLOW...
I'LL JUST PULL THE BOAT AFTER THE FISH...
Narrator: A BIG FISH RUNS WITH HIS BAIT...
BUT IT WON'T SHOW ITSELF.
Andy: HASN'T JUMPED YET...
GODDY WHAT YOU THINK? YOU DON'T WANT TO SAY ANYTHING?
Goddy: I CAN'T SAY, I HAVE NO IDEA OF THAT,
IF IT'S NOT JUMPING UP.
Andy: IT'S NOT JUMPING, IT'S HOPEFULLY A BIG ONE.
Goddy: FORWARD?
Andy: JA GO DEEPER INTO THE RIVER,
GET AWAY FROM THE BANK FROM THE CROCODILES AS WELL...
THAT'LL BE OK GODDY... YOU WANNA CLEAN IT?... IT'S GOING NOW...
Andy: AIBO! AY THAT'S A BUS!
Narrator: THIS IS THE MASSIVE SPECIMEN
ANDY'S BEEN WAITING FOR!
Andy: ONE SURE WAY OF GETTING MY HAND BITTEN OFF BY A CROCODILE
IS DANGLING A FISH OVER THE SIDE.
I'M GONNA TRY AND PUT THIS FISH IN THE BOAT...
2... 3...
OK...
RIGHT GODDY TAKE US TO A BANK PLEASE.
Narrator: IT'S A BEAUTY! EASILY OVER THE 100LB MARK.
Andy: WONDERFUL FISH THIS ONE...
I'M JUST GOING TO KEEP IT IN SOME WATER HERE
AND KEEP MY EYES OPEN FOR CROCODILES.
JUST SO IT'S GOT SOME WATER FLOWING OVER THE GILLS.
AND IT'S COMPLETELY CHILLED. THERE YOU GO, MAMA.
63... 40... THERE WE GO... I WANT TO JUST REVIVE HER...
NOW LOOK AT THAT HUGE BIG MOUTH... LOOK AT THAT...
LOOK AT THAT TAIL -
THAT'S A HUGE, BIG PROPELLER FOR AN AMBUSH PREDATOR.
SNEAKING AROUND THE BOTTOM AND THEN CHARGING FAST
TO ENGULF THE PREY. IT'S LIKE A SACK OF CEMENT -
THIS IS THE REAL WATER ELEPHANT!
50 - NICE!
SACK OF CEMENT 50 KILO 110 LB...
THERE YOU GO MOM, THERE WE GO, THERE WE GO.
Narrator: A FEMALE PERCH THIS SIZE CAN PRODUCE 7 MILLION EGGS
THREE TIMES PER YEAR.
Andy: WONDERFUL... 50KG OF FISH - THAT'S THE BROOD STOCK.
Narrator: AT THAT RATE, THIS LARGE FEMALE COULD PRODUCE
UP TO 260 MILLION EGGS IN HER LIFETIME.
Andy: THOSE ARE THE MONSTERS OF THE NILE RIVER.
♪
Narrator: THERE MAY WELL BE BIGGER NILE PERCH OUT THERE,
BUT ANDY'S FINALLY MET ONE WORTHY OF THE LEGENDS.
SHE RETURNS TO THE MIGHTY RIVER THAT SPAWNED HER...
TO SOME A FISHERMAN'S FANTASY...
TO OTHERS A PRIZED COMMODITY.
AN 'EATING MACHINE'...
A SURVIVOR...
A LEVIATHAN ...
WORTHY OF THE MIGHTY WATERS OF THE NILE.