By Ryan Green, Travel Writer.

Robson Green, well-known TV presenter and actor, recently visited Rubondo Island in Tanzania as part of his popular TV show, “Robson’s Extreme Fishing Challenge”.

He described the ‘out of this world’ environment of Rubondo as a “Tropical Jurassic Park, but without the dinosaurs.” And, while his main aim was to challenge local fishing experts on their home turf, he was also lucky to encounter one of the island’s elephant herds, hippos, crocodiles and bushbuck. “I’m channeling my inner David Attenborough,” he said as he commented on his encounters with the wildlife on the island. It appears he was particularly daunted by two of Rubondo’s massive elephant bulls.

Needless to say, Emmanuel Samsoni and Josh Hamilton trounced him in the fishing challenge as he tried to outdo them in catching Nile Tilapia and Nile Perch. In the process he learned some interesting things from his fishing companions. Emmanuel, a Rubondo Island Park Warden, showed him the traditional method of fishing for Tilapia by using algae as bait.

After barbecuing the fish, Robson claimed it to be absolutely delicious, and remarked: “That is a beautiful fish, and can you tell me, how many restaurants in the world have a view like that? Lake Victoria, and pod of hippos in the background!”

The following day, he met Josh Hamilton, a professional fisherman with a record-breaking Nile Perch of 195lb under his belt. Josh explained to Robson how the local people use every part of the fish, not only eating their flesh, but also grinding their bones for chicken feed and using their swim bladders to filter home-brewed beer. Robson was greatly amused by this, and challenged Josh that the loser of their challenge would have to ‘get bladdered’ by drinking a beer out of one! Of course, Josh’s fish turned out to be bigger than his, and the feisty Geordie had to eat his words (or beer from a fish bladder!), a task he found onerous, to say the least!

After his adventures, Robson was moved to say that “Alright, I may have taken the biggest battering in my angling career, but you know what, I’m in Africa, and Africa gets under your skin, and it leaves you with memories you will never forget, I promise you.” A resounding accolade from a man who has travelled the world and fished in waters that, any angler would freely admit, feature high on their, places to fish, bucket list.