Pipeman wrote:
Yellow Monster wrote:
Update on Vaal Streams.
Arrived there at around 8am on Friday morning. There was unfortunately a huge storm in the area on Thursday evening and the owner told me that the water visibility had deteriorated overnight. Started working the area to the left and took a 1.8kg yellow on a hot spot. Was great to be on again! Had another good run an hour later but failed to land her. She ran like mad upstream and then turned and headed straight for some structure, I lost my bottom rig.
I stopped for some lunch and the weather came in. There was lots of lightning around and it started to drizzle so we decided to head of back to JHB so the day was cut short. I will definitely go back again. The owner seems to be doing a lot of work on the property and also says that the area is very popular for large mouth in winter as there are very deep pools to the right of the area.
The visibility is a problem now and I recon the season is just about done. Nice to be on the water again but I will return again in October.
Halo Yellow Monster,
Glad you got one! Two questions: What rig do you use? And how do you fight your fish?
I also thought that it looks promising for largemouth and some dry fly fishing in the winter. Wonder if we could rent boats to fish that upper stretch. When we were there people were rafting on Ark Canoe's, so maybe we could find out what venue does that.
Also think the season might be done, but sure we can still fish that transition water this time of year!
Hi,
The rig that I mostly use is a Czech Nymphing rig with a dropper and point fly working the streams. Most of my success in the last three seasons has been on three flies, Green Caddis, Mustard Caddis and the popular hot spot.
I also fish a Czech Nymphing rig, I use three flies though, 1 point and two droppers. I experimented with little rings they use for specimen carp fishing my last trip, I found it strengthened my rig and reduced tangles. What breaking strain line do you use?
I do have a spare 5 weight rod and reel that I use the conventional way with buoyant dry flies in the afternoon. The take is usually very good when they attack the fly from bottom. I have had good success with this set up when I “Dead Drift†at Eendekuil. I always prepare my rigs at home and make lots of quick change flies with a loop knot for quick change (more time on the water)
Depends how hard the fish runs is the way I will fight it. Usually let it run but always apply the brake with my hand on the reel and try keeping the fight down to a minimum. Sometime this is not possible though as I did once fight a 5kg carp at the barrage for around 20 minutes in on my 5 weight on light tipped and had to walk for about 50 meters to get the fish to calmer waters.
I have found with yellows if you give them a lot of side stick and don’t allow them to run the fight is over very quickly. With carp it is a different story they can't be bullied that easy.
I do lose a few yellows in the fight as I always properly de barb all my hooks. The slightly bigger ones that dash upstream and then turn in a hurry creating slack on the line and then able to shake themselves free.
Personally I don’t fish with barbless hooks anymore, I have found that they actually damage the fish’s mouth even more. The reason is with a small barb the hooks stays in one place whereas with a debarbed hook it has more movement. My 2c!
We must get together next season and swop out info. I always try go during the week though as weekends in peak season drives me crazy with too many feet in the water.
I normally try and fish venues that don’t have a lot of visitors on weekends
Very keen for the winter thing but i'm thinking of taking a guide to show me the ropes. Its expensive but they say it really is worth the money.
Let me know we could always share a guide, that would work out a lot cheaper
