Vaal River Update

[doc]

Fished Erina yesterday with Hermann. Erina was too busy for  my liking and I was forced to fish mostly the bottom of the second run as I  only got on the water by about 9:30. A lot of muddies came out throughout the  day mostly right at the top against the old bridge and at the top of the second  run. The muddies was all about the same size ranging between 1 and 2 kgs.

I struggled in the morning hooking 2 decent fish but pulling  the hooks on both. Hermann nailed the muddies one after the other and then just  to show us they were there managed to hook a 1.5kg yellow in the same run.

I missed the close up shot.

I joined Hermann later at the run where I watched tv as  Hermann kept catching the muddies one after the other. He also then caught the  fish of the day a nice 2kg yellow which gave Hermann’s new rod a good workout.

He finally got it in the net very elated.

Then we had to really force Hermann to give a smile.


Finally the fish was released savely

Hermann and most of the other guys left shortly after this  but I was determined to at least land one fish before I leave the water. I  adjusted my setup a bit (lengthen my leader about 40cm) after stealing a few  hints from Hermann’s setup. I then started to get the muddies in the run me and  Hermann was fishing mostly on the control fly a green caddis but also on the  point fly a red brassie. After 4 fish I moved up to the bridge to continue  catching the muddies in the slower water against the wall. Just before I left I  did a few drifts in the faster water to be smoked by a yellow that had me under  the bridge a few times and finally cut me off on the edge of the channel under  the wall.
I left about 15:30 exhausted but happy.

[Lichia amia]

Mooi man mooi

[Herman Jooste]

Thanks for posting Marthin.
That one hour window was like the old days wth almost everyone on at the same time.
Great morning, and good to see some old faces on the water again.

[E.T.]

Nice going Uncle Harry, that Yellow has a TORPEDO head like a Racing Snoek!!!!

[Herman Jooste]

Thanks Koos.

She did run me a merry dance for a while.

Did you notice the fat belly ?. She is getting ready for probably her first spawn.

The muddies were all about ready to spawn, with the males moving into the thin water.

ANYBODY FISHING ERINA NEXT WEEKEND, LEAVE THE SPAWNING FISH ALONE.

THOSE WILL BE THE FISH IN CALF TO ANKLE DEEP WATER, THAT ARE THARSHING AROUND.

Please fish water that is over knee deep, and don't walk over the shallower water than that as the fish may have spawned already and you will be killing the roe.

[E.T.]

So with all the do's and don'ts what would be a good venue on the Vaal to test a rod out this weekend?

[Lichia amia]

So with all the do's and don'ts what would be a good venue on the Vaal to test a rod out this weekend?

Would like to know as well . Eastco ????

[Herman Jooste]

So with all the do's and don'ts what would be a good venue on the Vaal to test a rod out this weekend?

Would like to know as well . Eastco ????

Any venue that you want. Strydoms and YFP would be good bets.

[Herman Jooste]

Rory, Marthin, Koos and I fished a venue some where between the Barrage and Orkney today.

And what a day it was.

Doc was "vas " within 10 minutes.

A nice yellow that gave him a good rev,

I moved to another spot and landed my PB SM yellow of 4.4 kg. ( Doc has the pic ).

Every body then went on to hammer the fish. Between the 4 of us I think + 80 fish were hooked, with about 40 - 50 landed in what was an amazing 4 hour session on the water.

Must be the best day we have had collectively in 4 years.

The fish were everywhere, in the glides, riffles, rapids, ( I spooked one in ankle deep water ).

Water temp was 19 at 08:00, and visibility was 40 cms.

I haven't seen the Vaal this good at this time of the year in al least 4 - 5 years.

Now I am super stoked for Christiana in 11 sleeps time. .

Guys, really, get on the water now, before someone at Rand Water screws it all up and floods the river,

[E.T.]

Was great fishing with you guys again.
Thanks for a lekker day out.
Show some more pics uncle Harry?

[doc]

As Herman said another great morning on the vaal. Herman started screaming like a man possesed at me and Rory in the main channel unfortunately none of us understands Herman's dialect of vaalenese we looked back and saw a straight rod and though he lost the fish and continued fishing. When Herman kept on trying to communicate something to us I made my way over to him. To see a monster of a Yellow in the net. Took out the camera and try to take some pictures of the fish in the net unfortunately as Herman try too take the fish out of the net it slipped out of his grasp.

[doc]

Some more Pics

[Homie]

WOW !!!!

Awesome catch there Herman !!!!!

Im hoping to join next sunday chaps.... been way too long since Ive been on the Vaal

[Lichia amia]

Nice one Mr Jooste catch of 2014 






To the rest of the girls not to bad either 40-50 fish in 4 hours between 4 anglers . Lekker man lekker !!!!

[Herman Jooste]

Thanks for all the kind comments Guys. Much appreciated. 
 
Lets hope it doesn't take me another 5 years to better the PB's. 

[icstuff]

Herman, just be ready for Christiana!!!!!!!

[gavin erwin]

   that is a buss nice one Herman!!!

[Herman Jooste]

Thanks Gavin. I'll maybe take you there one day.

Depends on how much you are willing to bribe me.

[The Largie Whisperer]

Mooi vissie Oom! 

[icstuff]

Baie welkom Gerrit van die Vrystaat