Author Topic: Knysna Estuary - information, news, events and reports (Read 215832 times)

RobinF · « **Reply #300 on:** December 31, 2014, 12:28:47 PM »

Quote from: SAfish on December 31, 2014, 12:23:13 PM

I am in the process of changing my hooks to singles, the split-ring pliers makes it so easy!

Singles is the only way. You saw how easily that Leerie got hooked on that single hook that I had on. Well done Hermann.

SAfish · « **Reply #301 on:** December 31, 2014, 01:53:59 PM »

So, this is a controversial subject in Knysna at the moment. SAPS, Knysna Municipal Law Enforcement and Allsound security are setting up a roadblock at the entrance to Leisure Isle tonight from 19:oo to 01:00 tomorrow morning. Vehicles will be searched and all alcoholic drinks will be confiscated. The roadblock will again be in place tomorrow from 04:00 to 16:00.
This has created quite a stir because some say it is unconstitutional and they can't seize the booze, they are not allowed to search your car without your consent etc etc.
I think it is good. In past years Leisure Isle has become a "hot spot" during New Years eve parties on the beach and people would get drunk and disorderly. The streets here are very narrow and there are people walking all over the place. One drunk driver can seriously put everyone's lives in danger. People now wants to make it a race thing (surprised?). It is not about race, everyone that comes onto the Island will be searched. What do you guys think?
***Remember, keep the discussions clean.***

RobinF · « **Reply #302 on:** December 31, 2014, 03:07:02 PM »

Since they are not targeting anyone in particular, I say if you don't like it, go somewhere else. Obviously there have been problems in the past and they are protecting those at risk. It is lawful? Probably not. Regardless, as I said, those that don't like it have the right to go elsewhere.

(I for one would not like it if I lived on an island and it got invaded by drunken hordes that left bottles, litter etc. all over the Island. Not to mention the noise and obvious crime possibility)

That is my opinion.

SAfish · « **Reply #303 on:** January 01, 2015, 10:10:45 AM »

A

chinese lantern landed on our roof last night and this morning my wife picked two up, one in the park and one in the lagoon. These things should be banned!

L Hooker · « **Reply #304 on:** January 06, 2015, 11:15:08 AM »

Well i'm back from Knysna, had a great family holiday. Herman apologies for not meeting up with you however had both my wifes and my family down there so family commitments pretty much ruled the holiday. I managed to throw a line between the tubing/sighseeing/skiing trips however did not have much success in the lagoon. I also found the mullet to be pretty scarce and only managed to get a few (in the past I used to see huge mullet shoals saw none this year only about 4-6 mullet per school?).

I slow trawled the live mullet mainly and had 2 on /offs the one was quite a large Garrick which I managed to coax to the boat however he spat the rather large mullet close to the boat and the circle did not find its mark. (this is after free spooling him for sometime think the mulet was a bit on the large size and should have perhaps let him eat a bit longer). I threw some lures on 2 occasions however with no success .Boat traffic below the train bridge was ridiculous and quite frankly think most of the skippers require some additional lessons on boating ettiquete, twice I had boats cut me off literally passed 10m behind my boat at full speed

. I only managed to go to the deep once, went out to Dagleish banks and caught quite a few Romans, Carpenters etc. The 2nd week I was there tried to go out to the deep twice however decided against it due to the huge swell/waves in the heads turned out to be the right call as 2 boats capsized in the heads that week (not sure if you heard about it?). I guy who owned the unit next to us caught quite a few Garrick above the train line close to Belvidere using a rapala walking minnow I believe. He also caught numerous Grunter 1 very nice one which must have been close to 4kf if not bigger with free floating mud prawn using a small circle in the same area.

Anyhow next time might try go down out of silly season recon fishing the lagoon will be heaps better with less boat traffic!! Cheers S

RobinF · « **Reply #305 on:** January 06, 2015, 11:28:27 AM »

At this time of year you have to fish VERY early or VERY late. (Like 04h00 - 07h00 or 19h00 - onwards)

I also encountered a number of these clowns forgetting to pass on the correct side, a couple bringing their skiers right up to us as we sat over a dropoff (Skier going over 4ft of water, if they fall...ouch). I did have a guy shouting at me because I passed him too close, but then he was anchored right in the middle of a narrow channel. But soon after that he moved because every other boat did the same thing. Where did he expect everyone to go? Onto the sandbank?

Hint for next time Hooker, troll outside of the channels. The Lagoon has a number of 'second' channels that work VERY well. We catch 90% of our fish in these second channels. (even out of season) I just won't risk hooking a decent fish and having someone cut us off.

One of the biggest issues is that guys come there and fail to learn where the channels are. So when you anchor far far away from the channel, these guys come straight at you thinking that you must be in the channel.

I agree that a lot of these guys need a bit of re-education. For everyone's safety.

We saw one of those capsized boats moored at the Parkies' office, it was still upside down.

SAfish · « **Reply #306 on:** January 06, 2015, 11:34:25 AM »

LHooker, no problem, we can make a plan to get together next time you are here. Like Robin said, during this busy season you really have to work hard for your fish. I have also noticed that the Mullet are not as plentiful as a couple of years ago. I used to catch a lot of big Striped Mullet on bread at Leisure Isle and you could see them jump any time of day but now you hardly ever see them.

*Edit* I only know about the one boat that capsized but my neighbour (he grew up here) had a close call when a wave broke over their transom and almost capsized them. The Heads can be dangerous even on good days.

SAfish · « **Reply #307 on:** January 07, 2015, 12:20:19 PM »

This coming Saturday's weather and tides look good for an early morning session of Leerie hunting off the kayak.

SAfish · « **Reply #308 on:** January 28, 2015, 11:23:28 AM »

In the below article from the Knysna-Plett Herald you can see that Sanparks are doing a great job protecting the lagoon. Well done to everyone involved in clamping down on the illegal activities!

"KNYSNA NEWS FLASH - Between April 2014 and October 2014, 85 people were fined and five arrested for environmental crimes related to the Knysna estuary.

There were seven court appearances and 23 warrants of arrests’ according to Owen Govender, Senior Section Ranger, Knysna, Garden Route National Park (GRNP).

Goods confiscated by Peter Roman’s team in Knysna included mud prawns (1028), polycheate worms (983), tapeworm (187), alikreukels (165), moonshine (75), mud crabs (36), blood worm (27) and garden forks (15)."

RobinF · « **Reply #309 on:** January 28, 2015, 11:38:21 AM »

Quote from: SAfish on January 28, 2015, 11:23:28 AM

In the below article from the Knysna-Plett Herald you can see that Sanparks are doing a great job protecting the lagoon. Well done to everyone involved in clamping down on the illegal activities!

"KNYSNA NEWS FLASH - Between April 2014 and October 2014, 85 people were fined and five arrested for environmental crimes related to the Knysna estuary.

There were seven court appearances and 23 warrants of arrests’ according to Owen Govender, Senior Section Ranger, Knysna, Garden Route National Park (GRNP).

Goods confiscated by Peter Roman’s team in Knysna included mud prawns (1028), polycheate worms (983), tapeworm (187), alikreukels (165), moonshine (75), mud crabs (36), blood worm (27) and garden forks (15)."

They do such a good job. Really great to see.

Lofty · « **Reply #310 on:** January 29, 2015, 01:16:41 PM »

do they release the prawns and worms that they confiscate...?

SAfish · « **Reply #311 on:** January 29, 2015, 01:27:04 PM »

No, they phone me and I collect free bait.

Lofty, I am only joking. Yes, they release them again.

SAfish · « **Reply #312 on:** February 13, 2015, 01:56:59 PM »

I have moved my posts here from the "Crime at Sodwana" thread.

The details are still sketchy but there was an armed robbery at a house two blocks away from my work. Apparently it happened at 3am this morning. The husband and wife were both wounded and the man is critical. The woman was shot twice while she had her baby in her arms.

My son woke us up this morning, also at 3 am and told us that when he got up for a drink of water he saw someone in our yard. I quickly took my trusty CZ and went to investigate but found nothing. Our dog sleeps in the kitchen and I took her with. She just sniffed around a bit and did not seem alarmed. I think my son just got confused with the trees moving in the wind but it could have been a serious thing. Because we stay on an Island with good security we tend to get complacent but we seriously have to be more security conscious.

SAfish · « **Reply #313 on:** February 13, 2015, 01:57:28 PM »

This article was just posted on the local news paper's website:

"KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna residents are horrified following the shooting of a Knysna couple at their home by armed robbers this morning at about 03:30.

According to Sergeant Chris Spies, spokesperson for the Knysna Police, the robbers armed with fire arms, gained entry to the home on the corner of Queen and Tide Streets via a window at the back of the house. The burglar bars were forced open.

Spies said it is still uncertain what exactly happened, but it is alleged that the woman heard that there was somebody in the house and was confronted by the robbers when she went to investigate. "Shots were fired and the husband and wife were injured. They were rushed to hospital where they are both being treated for gun shot wounds."

Spies said that there were children in the home at the time of the robbery, but he did not want to give information on their ages or where they are currently.

The police found an abandoned blue BMW in Hope Street shortly after the shooting. "The investigation is in a very early stage, but we are investigating the possibility that the vehicle was used by the robbers."

The BMW is not registered in Knysna. No arrest has been made so far."

SAfish · « **Reply #314 on:** February 13, 2015, 02:01:08 PM »

OK, this is an eye opener. The security on the island was notified this morning of a break in and responded immediately to a know escape route and found tracks in the sand. The scouted the area and arrested a suspect. While they were busy with him they received a call from another resident reporting a break in. The suspect took the police to the place where he stashed the stolen goods and he is now locked up.

We now had a discussion at work about me going outside with my gun, looking for the guy. I should have stayed inside the house and call the security instead of putting myself in unnecessary danger.

RobinF · « **Reply #315 on:** February 13, 2015, 02:39:44 PM »

Make your home as 'unattractive' to criminals as possible. I would put movement activated security lights all around the house as a start.

SAfish · « **Reply #316 on:** February 13, 2015, 02:51:52 PM »

Yes, there is a specific area that is really dark and bushy and it will make a good hiding spot. I am going to put a light up there. A friend suggested that I connect our door bell to the light and as soon as it goes on the door bell will alert us. Not sure if it is possible but it sounds like a good idea.

Half-Pint · « **Reply #317 on:** February 13, 2015, 03:40:47 PM »

Quote from: SAfish on February 13, 2015, 02:51:52 PM

Yes, there is a specific area that is really dark and bushy and it will make a good hiding spot. I am going to put a light up there. A friend suggested that I connect our door bell to the light and as soon as it goes on the door bell will alert us. Not sure if it is possible but it sounds like a good idea.

In the words of Barry Hilton "k*K ardea chana"

Every time the wind blows the trees will move and set off the light. A light going on is not that bad but your door bell ringing every few minutes is going to drive you insane!

Charles · « **Reply #318 on:** February 13, 2015, 03:48:50 PM »

SAfish I think it is possible to connect with the door bell but may be a bit technical and with our power failures and load shedding.....

I have "beams" around the house which will trigger the alarm system when someone enters the premises. The draw back is that our dog (Border Collie) needs to sleep inside the house but that is also an added advantage as she is very alert. We can move freely inside the house and on the stoep even while the alarm is armed.

SAfish · « **Reply #319 on:** February 13, 2015, 03:50:13 PM »

You are right, I might just shoot the door bell to pieces at 2 am in the morning.