Author Topic: Vaal River Update (Read 566799 times)

E.T. · « **Reply #1160 on:** March 05, 2014, 03:41:03 PM »

Quote from: Herman Jooste on February 25, 2014, 08:54:58 PM

Quote from: E.T. on February 25, 2014, 09:05:20 AM
I was also out on the Vaal this weekend. First time in 3 years.
I wanted to test the Modified 13ft Tenkara. It worked, but it was a bit on the heavy side. I now want to build a lighter model. Now I did foul hook the two Yellows and I am not proud of that, but it gave me some satisfaction by landing them on 6lb Tippet.
Total length of line attached to the tip of rod/ Lillian was plus minus 18-19ft.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYIbnez2W8o&feature=youtu.be

Sorry for the poor quality, I am still figuring out the conversions to upload to Youtube.

Great going Koos.

You must still show me how this whole Tenkara thing works on the river. I'm curious. Make a date boet.

Oom Harry the Tenkara does provide some sport on the Vaal. Its not everyones cup of Tea, but neither is driving a Black BMW or being married to an ugly chick.

The lighter model should be a lot more fun. Would love to get that built and have a bash on the water with it. Will wrap it up and ask to tag along on one of your outings and see what happens if I fish a 4lb tippet.

The Tenkara on a Smallstream is really something special. You need to see it to believe it.

Dion Gates · « **Reply #1161 on:** March 06, 2014, 07:38:57 AM »

Agreeeeeeed!!!

Its flowing at 412 at the moment.

Made a call to Eendekuil this morning to confirm and all of the islands etc is under water.

Think im heading to SOV to see if we can get some barbel!

Enjoy manne

Herman Jooste · « **Reply #1162 on:** March 09, 2014, 06:03:21 PM »

So after all the usual reprobates did not answer their phones ( must be this Birthday Bash thing at Maphelane

) and Bryan and Dion doing a last second trip to Sterkies, and Pietertjie banned from fishing high flows, I took on the Italians today.

On arrival the flows were around 650 to 680. I soon sussed out where to fish and got a nice moggel, in the mouth

.

Then they opened a 5th sluice and I had to rush back to move the car, as it was about hub deep in 20 minutes.

Of course the fishing areas had now changed so I picked my possie amongst the trees and got a small muddie and a decent yellow.

.

At around 10:30 the thunder rolled in, and I got to the car just in time to change into dry clothes, and strip the rig, albeit under the back flap door.

What a great day in very varying and challenging conditions.

Lichia amia · « **Reply #1163 on:** March 10, 2014, 08:34:56 AM »

Stayed at Eastco for the weekend

. Flows were between 550 and PLENTY !!!!

. Did not even unpack the fishing gear

. Spend most of the weekend in Parys sampling Craft beer

, visiting art galleries

and eating like a king

. Lovely little town

.

Dion Gates · « **Reply #1164 on:** March 10, 2014, 09:34:23 AM »

Good Going There Herman!!!!

This is why you have earned the nickname( THE HERMANATOR)

Aint no fish around in any conditions you cant get a Fly to

Well done Mate!!!!!!

Rory mundy · « **Reply #1165 on:** March 10, 2014, 09:44:24 AM »

5 sluices open and river is still rising

Herman Jooste · « **Reply #1166 on:** March 24, 2014, 08:27:03 PM »

I fished the Italians again on Saturday morning. Driving over the bridge there were no sluices open but quite a few river valves, ( getting rid of the sediment ? ).
I would guess the flow to have been between 140 - 160 tons. ( Reservoir have not updated their site, hence the guess. )
I decided to try something new for me, so tied on a single small bait fish pattern ( # 8 or 10 ), the weight coming from the dum bell eyes.
After carefully wading to a decent spot where I was standing in dead water I threw out my first " swing ". Got it wrong as the fly connected with the submerged grass too quickly. ( P.S. Weed guards are a must in these conditions

).
My 3rd swing and bang, fish on.

The fish tried for the very fast open water about 5 meters away, but I managed to turn him and land it within 5 minutes . A nice fish above 2 kg.
5 casts later my second of around 1.5 kg.
Then I got hooked on a rock and had to wade in to free the ONLY fly I had in that pattern.
Then decided to work the fast water from a safe distance to but no avail, waded up and across and then down to my original spot, and lo and behold got a 3rd SM, of around 500 grams. Was weird seeing this huge bait fish pattern sticking out of it's mouth with the hook sitting perfectly in the scissors.
At around 10 am I lost the fly , with almost all my leader on a viscous take and decided that 3 in 2.5 hours and no more of the fly in question in my box, it was time to quit whilst ahead.

Somehow, I'm enjoying the high flows, makes you think out of the box.

There again, I can't wait for winter as I have a few tricks up my sleeve for then as well.

icstuff · « **Reply #1167 on:** March 24, 2014, 09:23:37 PM »

Lekker Herman!

Cant wait for winter

Herman Jooste · « **Reply #1168 on:** March 25, 2014, 08:35:32 PM »

Quote from: icstuff on March 24, 2014, 09:23:37 PM

Lekker Herman!
Cant wait for winter

Thanks Pieter.

Please remember that fishing only happens when you deign to answer your phone or reply to messages.

Eeeeeiiissshhh

Lichia amia · « **Reply #1169 on:** March 27, 2014, 08:48:19 AM »

Flow looking a lot better .

Herman see you on the Vaal on Sunday

Dion Gates · « **Reply #1170 on:** March 27, 2014, 02:55:51 PM »

Where are u guys fishing this sunday?

icstuff · « **Reply #1171 on:** March 27, 2014, 03:07:18 PM »

Quote from: Dion Gates on March 27, 2014, 02:55:51 PM

Where are u guys fishing this sunday?

I dont know but I am also going. If only Herman would phone me once in a while...

Lichia amia · « **Reply #1172 on:** March 27, 2014, 03:47:27 PM »

How about the spot with the building rubble and low level bridge just skeef past that town in the Vuil 3hoek ?

Herman Jooste · « **Reply #1173 on:** March 27, 2014, 07:27:46 PM »

Quote from: Lichia amia on March 27, 2014, 03:47:27 PM

How about the spot with the building rubble and low level bridge just skeef past that town in the Vuil 3hoek ?

Good suggestion, as long as the flows remain below 60.
If over 60, but below 80 we can try Eastco, Eendekuil or Woelwaters.
Over 80 it's the Italians.

icstuff · « **Reply #1174 on:** March 27, 2014, 07:49:36 PM »

Ok see you gents on sunday

Herman Jooste · « **Reply #1175 on:** March 28, 2014, 05:33:14 PM »

Guys, Goosebay is still at 70,

Final call as to venue will be SMS'd tomorrow afternoon.

Herman Jooste · « **Reply #1176 on:** March 29, 2014, 01:42:14 PM »

Hi all, irrespective of flows I am not going to make it tomorrow

For those that do go, be carefull out there.

Fishy · « **Reply #1177 on:** March 31, 2014, 01:30:15 PM »

Gents,

Where is this "Italians" you are referring to? Is it a private venue?

Fishy · « **Reply #1178 on:** March 31, 2014, 01:38:09 PM »

As well as "Erina"

Lichia amia · « **Reply #1179 on:** March 31, 2014, 02:05:55 PM »

Fish a Arvie session at the Building rubble/low level bridge yesterday . Flows were okay , but fishing slow with Muddies in the 15cm length being the order of the day. Arrived at 11:30 fished up run 1 down run 2 and up run 3 . Then skeef over run 2 back to the start in 3hours landed 4 Minnow muddies and a smallish Cat at the first inlet on the low level bridge .

A Kuk days fishing but still great fun .