Vaal River Update

[gavin erwin]

Yip im out for this weekend too    That was a lot of rain for one week, the water must be raging

[Lichia amia]

Will be fishing Duck Gully next Sat . First light until the cows come home. So spend the next week tying flies and come get a free lession on Yellow fishing next Sat. 

[icstuff]

Flows are at 30-35 and that is about normal

for info check: http://www.reservoir.co.za/flow.htm
and https://www.dwaf.gov.za/Hydrology/RTMain.aspx
Goosbay will be the flow for geelvis to eendekuil/eastco

[icstuff]

Hi guys

Hows this weekend looking for some yellows around Parys? Seems a bit high but I dont have that much experience

Thanx
Ian

It depends on where you are going to fish, but I have fished venues below parys that I only like at 70tons. current flow is at 30 and that is perfect. Just monitor the flows on the sites I have provided and dont drink the water.

[Lichia amia]

Let me throw a Pigeon among the cats and let’s hear your thoughts on the following short line nymphing on the Vaal :
 
a)    Braid leaders
b)    Circle hooks for your control fly
c)    2 or 3 fly set up

[Grant L]

Hi Craig,


a) I have not tried braid, I use hi-vis mono that I bar with a permanent marker on the spool.
b) circle hook control fly, yup.
c) I start with 3 flies, if there are too many tangles I will go to 2.


It's called Free State or North West Nymphing depending on what side of the river I enter from.

[Lichia amia]

Hi Craig,


a) I have not tried braid, I use hi-vis mono that I bar with a permanent marker on the spool.
b) circle hook control fly, yup.
c) I start with 3 flies, if there are too many tangles I will go to 2.


It's called Free State or North West Nymphing depending on what side of the river I enter from.

Nice    for your input Grant.

[Homie]

a)    Braid leaders - Never tried
b)    Circle hooks for your control fly  - Yup
c)    2 or 3 fly set up - prefer 2 as 3 tangles... and makes unhooking a nightmare at the net etc.... I have tried it daisy chain style once and it worked....

[Lichia amia]

" I have tried it daisy chain style once and it worked...."
 
Over share 

[Ettienne]

c)    2 or 3 fly set up - prefer 2 as 3 tangles... and makes unhooking a nightmare at the net etc.... I have tried it daisy chain style once and it worked....

  what is.....[size=78%]daisy chain style???[/size]

[Lichia amia]

....

[Rory]

Let me throw a Pigeon among the cats and let’s hear your thoughts on the following short line nymphing on the Vaal :
 
a)    Braid leaders
b)    Circle hooks for your control fly
c)    2 or 3 fly set up

a) Tried a braid leader once only ever. Hooked a rock on about the third drift of the session and couldn't free the hook or snap the braid. Had to cut it off!
b) I use circles often on control flies but generally only on "Kursk" weight flies. I haven't picked up a difference in hook up ratio on circles vs caddis type hooks
c) 2 fly setup. Less tangles.

[Homie]

a) Tried a braid leader once only ever. Hooked a rock on about the third drift of the session and couldn't free the hook or snap the braid. Had to cut it off!

Shouldnt it have been braid leader and then normal tippet (3x etc) to the fly ???

[Rory]

Shouldnt it have been braid leader and then normal tippet (3x etc) to the fly ???

In hindsight obviously yes. It was an experiment - school fess paid up now! 

[Rory]

I might just add that that rock hit that fly like it was its last meal on the planet....

[icstuff]

Now why would you want to use braid as a leader?

[Lichia amia]

I have been fishing with a 30lb Berkley Whiplash leader (super thin diameter >+/- 0.15mm)straight onto a 2mm tippet ring on a 2 fly rig with the control fly off the tippet ring and it does give you an increased “ feel” you feel every bump on the bottom and a take by a fish feels like a little electric shock. I like the idea so far. Only problem there is no stretch in the leader , so if you do come loose while fighting a fish the leader goes air born right from the fishes mouth . Homes should have a nice story to tell of me coming loose on a fish about 20 to 30 meters from me and the leader and flies flying through the air into a tree . Had to climb the tree wader and all.
 
My next experiment is to add +/- 500mm of boiled 10lb Maxima at the end of the braid to give me a little shock absorber and still have the extra feel .

 Watch’s this space for feed back

[Homie]

Homes should have a nice story to tell of me coming loose on a fish about 20 to 30 meters from me and the leader and flies flying through the air into a tree . Had to claim the tree wader and all.
 

A sight not easily forgotten !

[Herman Jooste]

Kallie, I like your thinking out of the box. However what happens if your leader wraps or gets stuck under a rock ?

I must admit, I have never tried braid as a leader, I like my mono leaders quite fine.

I did try boiling leaders at one time, but found the schlep wasn't worth it. Maybe fishing for LM or the Salt, a boiled leader might have some benefits.

BTW. The flow from the Barrage today is 90, so choose your venue very carefully.

[bassbug]

because of bassing, i have been told and experienced that braid doesnt like rock. if not mono then go fluoro for added sensitivity