[size=3][font=Calibri]Ok everybody, I think that m

[Spinedok]

SACS would love to get involved with the venue, there is a real need for the ablution and access control of the venue to be upgraded, a major concern is just the safety of anglers at the venue? If we do take over the dam will be closed off for conventional anglers, and it will become a SACS members only venue, again this is to make sure that we know who is fishing the water and that their number one priority is the conservation of the fish and the venue.

We are willing to go into meetings with the correct govermental departments, to show them the potential of getting this venue back to it's former status, this will all depend on the plans for the property though, No one will spend money there if the place is set to be developed for other parties or enteties.

Management at the venue is currently non existend, and double bookings and over booked weekends result in frustration for everyone, A plan needs to beput in place to either remove these bigger fish from donaldsons to private lakes for their own good, or get the venue properly mannaged, this includes putting fencing up right around the complex.

 

[steelpulse007]

May I ask why certian swims are allocated to conventional & the others to specimen? Are those for conventional still good spots? What's the criteria used in this decision, & who gets to make the decision?

Im just concerned that guys who would like to get into specimen, but still largely angling conventional style might be sidelined, or given the short end of the stick deliberately?

If the venue which is currently open to the public will now be restricted to sepcimen only, dont you think it's a little unfair if the place is not privately owned?  Everybody should have a right to it, just like everybody should have a right to fish any other public venue, the discrimination based on angling method seems a bit harsh I must say.

I for one would like to do a bit of specimen style angling if time & budget permit, while still keeping to a bit of conventional; & at a venue like this, it would be ideal to try out both just to gauge how both the facets perform. Im a bit disheartened by some of the comments on here WRT totally showing conventional anglers the door at Donaldson Dam.

 

[The General]

'zmphaphuli@wrdm.gov.za'

Sorry this is the correct e mail address.

 

[Rowz]

Im certain that i can speak on behalf of everyone by saying that the prices at donaldson use to change like the weather.Im glad though,that since the new lady has been in charge things have been constant but as said before alot of finer details and major ones like the facilities have to be addressed.I for one think that stricter regulations should be implemented especially concerning snagged lines and fish found dead in these snags.On the brighter side of things iv been there recently alone for two nights and the new gentlemen there,cant get his name at the moment definitely not lourens actually came to me on the first night and suggested that one off the three guards on duty actually spend the night with me because it was during the week and only three other swims in the dam were booked but ofcourse the guard had to be persuaded to stay.I personally think that was a brilliant idea by the new guy and thanks goes out to him and the guard.hopefully our efforts go noticed and something gets done because i would hate to lose a beautiful venue like donaldson due to negligence and frankly to people who dont give a EDITED!

Please read the following link: http://www.sealine.co.za/view_topic.php?id=63288&forum_id=111

Admin "JPS

 

[kaboem]

I personally think this long overdue!! I cant remember that i have paid the same price once when visiting with my son. Sometimes I would do quick one night sessions then i would pay R200 for the night for my son and I other times i would pay R300 depending on how EDITED Admin "JPS" Lawrance is! His wife/girlfriend/chick whatever has no blerrie manner what so ever!! The reason i dont spend more than one night there is because i am to afraid of contracting some disease in those toilets and showers. That place has all the infastructure to be one of the best family venues in JHB. Unfortunately you had Lawrence as the caretaker and that has been the downfall of that venue!! I will not even dream of taking my daughter or my wife to that place. Not just because of the location on the other side of the dam but because you never know what and who is going to camp next to you! We have people next to us party till 4 in the morning Music pumping and swearing and and and... I say ask Gary from Top Lake syndicate to run that venue.... Set the stricktest rules possible. Increase the price per night. Then you should keep the rubbish away! Once rules are set inplace and they are broken then through the people out and ban them. Restore the venue back to its former glory fix the pool and slide and the abelution blocks! Do all of the above and all the money invested in restoring bottom lake will be made back + more. FACT!! The place has been run into the ground and yet still weekend in and out the banks are full. Now imagine what it would be like if was to be a clean and organised venue..... My 2c

 

[The General]

Thanks for all the support so far, please keep them coming.
The counsel was at the Dam this morning and has brought all of this to Laurence attention and that the counsel is aware of what he is doing with the dam and the anglers.

So, the more we give the counsel or Zeblon the better for us.

 

[steelpulse007]

Can somebody please address my concerns?

 

[bigkano]

Bookings are much better since Mariska took over. I have just spent 2 days at the venue and the NEW security is doing a great job. During my stay, the security patrolled the area every 2-3 hours. When I left this morning the security searched the car to see if I had any fish. I say, give the lady a chance and financial support and I am sure she will manage the place correctly. Her next plan is to remove the snagged lines and supply canoes to anglers who do not have a watercraft.

 

[MadCarper]

Hopefully the canoes include lifejackets too?

 

[The General]

Please dont stop on the posts, we need more info.

 

Thanks Bigkano!!!!

 

[Superman]

Been fishing the venue since 2000, when it was still a caravan park. After a while they were evicted and the dam was closed for about 8 months. It was 'mananged' by a guy before oom L and he didn't do anything at all, when Lawrence took over he changed the dam significantly in the first year, but unfortunalty the last 2 years it changed for the worse.

My concerns:

- Fees, R200 per angler per weekend seems fair. Why must my daughter of 5 pay? There is nothing for her!!

- Bathroom, get the big bathroom fixed and that will be a bonus already

- Swim markings on the oppisite side, some people think they can row!

- Tackle inspection will be a plus, if you don't have the right stuff, sorry!!!

- If you a conventional angler and want to get into specimen angling, first practise at the vaaldam and make sure you have all the right equipment before coming to Donaldson

 

[bigkano]

After all the complaints why is Louwrens still managing the place??????

 

[Superman]

Are there any updates from the council regarding Donaldson? I was there over Easter and almost got robbed by a new lady (not Mariska, she was in hospital) staying with oom Lawrence and his girlfriend.

I waited for her to help a guy and his wife, she wanted to charge him something like R850 for 3 nights!! I stepped in and asked her how much it is for a night, she happily replied "R150 per hengelaar per aand en R100 vir nie-hengelaar...." So after a long debut and mentioning this thread on sealine she charged us R100 per night. I wondered how many people paid the R150 per person rate.....

What rate was agreed upon by the council?

 

[Skepnet01]

Hi All

I made booking end of January for end April and begining of May.

I was told to pay a deposit of R490.00 into Lourance bank account. I do have the banking staments and will see in two weeks time. I do have Zeblons cell number.

Let see what will happen.

Regards

 

[scheem1]

Hi
I agree that the booking and everything went totaly crazy. Went fishing there once. Booked about 5 stands for 12 people. After confirming the payment way in advance we still had issues with Lourens about payment for the weekend. After telling me that my 9 year old son could fish for free as he is learning the tricks he wanted to charge me as we arrived.
Also we had to fight off fishermen that Lourens sent down to fish between us. Obviously double booking and then more money in his pocket.
I have also heard that specific swims would be unmanageble to book or you would have to move should one of his 'buddies' decide to come fishing.
My last 3 trips Lourens told us that the municipality wants to work him out to give the dam to the 'blacks'. So they have a recreation place of their own. Makes one wonder.
Security - We never had any issues there before (touch wood)
toilets - Fine for men. But it would be nice if it was better for the fairer sex too. I love to take my family fishing with me.
But ja. The dam has gone backwards the last while. One only hear about all the plans to keep you coming back.
Trying to say too much again Sorry

 

[jimjam]

nice to here what the price is for a weekend we paid R1000.00 for two to fish from the 28th march to 30th march[3 nights in total].still got the invoice.Greetings Chris Smith[jim jam]

 

[Flashback]

Spinedok wrote:

SACS would love to get involved with the venue, there is a real need for the ablution and access control of the venue to be upgraded, a major concern is just the safety of anglers at the venue? If we do take over the dam will be closed off for conventional anglers, and it will become a SACS members only venue, again this is to make sure that we know who is fishing the water and that their number one priority is the conservation of the fish and the venue.

We are willing to go into meetings with the correct govermental departments, to show them the potential of getting this venue back to it's former status, this will all depend on the plans for the property though, No one will spend money there if the place is set to be developed for other parties or enteties.

Management at the venue is currently non existend, and double bookings and over booked weekends result in frustration for everyone, A plan needs to beput in place to either remove these bigger fish from donaldsons to private lakes for their own good, or get the venue properly mannaged, this includes putting fencing up right around the complex.

 

[Skepnet01]

Hi All

Their should be some consistency regarding pricing.
He wanted to overcharge me with R160.00 for the prior booking I have done.
We spoke about the forum and the pricing structure. His comment is he does not have internet.
Eventually we agreed on a price of R480.00 for the four days.
It seems he still ask whatever he feels.
His pricing structure is as follow.
R60 for 6am to 6pm.
And R60 for 6pm to 6am.
This works out to R120 for a day-night session.
One thing that worked was the hot shower.
We need a bill board at the gate that explains the pricing structure.
I was under the impression non-specimen anglers in the middle swims.
This also did not happen. People tried to squeeze in where they found a gap. At times we had to chase people away from our swim.

Regards

 

[Karpie1983]

Hi guys was in the swim right next to skepnet.after he left Laurence put 5 papies right next to me in actual fact there where somany that they moved into my swim.the place really looks bad and pricing was changed to what we descused.believe if sacs does take over it would bennefit everyone excspecialy the fish.

 

[britzlouis]

Here is some very GOOD news

 

There is an article in the Randfontein’s Herald this morning about the mismanagement of Donaldson dam that high lights all the problems and corruption at the dam.

 

It also states that legal action is gone are taken against the care taker (Laurence).

So at long last we are getting some were with the dam. Hopefully we will se an change in management soon and Donaldson will be the dam as it should be.

 

Watch this space............