Discovered this thread a bit late, but nevermind. I'm with you guys.
Ianbass, you face looks familiar, I think I might have chatted with you one evening at the dam.
I try to fish this dam at least once a week. Been going there for years. I practice my fishing there (first fly-fishing, then conventional Bass).
I always go on my float tube. But before I expand on that, just a few things from above.
You don't just need a fishing licence (which BTW, you can buy at Parks board and The Fishing Specialist in Goodwood), but also an annual permit to fish the dam. That you buy at the Parks division at Durbanville municipality. Lady to speak to Sharon de Lille. (you need a licence to buy a permit)
Look, it is sad that 1% of a-holes always spoil things for the rest of us. But the truth is somebody did and I am glad that there are now a permit system and security guard to keep these guys away. Good things I've noticed is that the surroundings are a lot more cleaner, there are no more vagrants sleeping in the bushes and you have added security to boot.
It does not mean that I agree with all the rules or with the perception that all fishermen are out there to get gesuip and kill all fish and just want to destroy everything beautiful in nature.
We need to educate the local residents about our ethics. I've been pointing out to a few of them that I practice C&R. Some lady once tried to tell me how nice Bass taste and was shocked when I told her I never tasted bass (I lied, but I didn't kill it intentionally

).
As I said. I go tubing there. One security guard asked me about my "boat" and I just told him but this is not a boat. I am sure one day will come when somebody is going to complain to me and that is when I am going to throw my toys out the cot. I am not destroying the banks by trampling over it. In fact, I'm not destroying anything. And as some body pointed out, the sign show a powerboat (not a sail boat) that is not allowed. Yes, I know I am bending the rules a bit
Also, lets stop pointing fingers at the canoe guys. They also want to enjoy the dam and are also not destroying anything. On Friday (while I was fighting the wind on my tube) two guys came and just as they were about to launch, I saw the guard came to talk to them for a while. Then they still went out on the water. I think to strengthen our cause, rather get the canoe guys on our side. It would benefit them as well.
Other rule I don't agree with is that fishing is only allowed till six. Erhm, but there is still 2+ hours of fishing left. The security guard goes of at 6 anyway, and our famous Metro police apparently come check up after that.
I'm upset that the fishing community in general was not asked to get involved when they made the rules (the rules apply mostly to Carp fishermen, and only very general rules at that).
We need to educate the community. I'm also for it that we have a meeting with the council involved. Failing that, we can always write a letter or petition stating our cause.
I am sure we can get more support from more experienced Bass fishermen and their clubs whose been involved with the sport and clubs for years.
I think we should be pro-active and suggest to them what should be done, instead of just complaining.
Proposals we can put to them:
Only tubes, canoes/rowing boats and small electric motors would be allowed.
All fish must be released safely. No keep nets.
We accept the permit system, as long as we see improvements.
Dam management of fish to be put in place. There are a lot of experienced people that can give input on this.
More angling spot created to the bank angler so that we don't have to trample all over the place.
All other life (especially the bird life) will be respected. Nests are not to be disturbed, etc.
Please feel free to add more.
I don't want to loose this dam, it is a great healthy self sustaining dam.