Author Topic: Vaal River Update (Read 566875 times)

Herman, Icstuff , Rory , Paul , Chris ( soon to be members of U.A.) and myself braved the Vaal behind the prison this morning. We arrived at first light and set off all pumped to hopefully break the ice for the new season. While walking down to the rapids at the bottom of the weir I saw a lot of dead fish and the remains of a dead Likewaan . The dreaded chemical spill that hit the area a couple of week ago has done some serious damage and rather sad to see.

We entered the water and some very descriptive language described how cold the the water is a full 11'C. Hopefully none of use fishing today are planning to have kids in the near future , cause they are sure to be very small kids.
With 6 rods in the water we fished for about 2.5 hours with only one faul hooked Muddy to show for our trouble . The cold water got the beter of us and called it a day.

Lets hope the river can recover from the spill and the rains come soon.

Never the less a day well spend.

schloshd1 · « **Reply #331 on:** September 19, 2011, 06:28:37 AM »

Hard luck guys. Just curious why you are fishing at sparrows in cold water when the fish are more active later in the day at the moment, once the water has warmed a little and the insects are more active

?

Lichia amia · « **Reply #332 on:** September 19, 2011, 06:33:11 AM »

Blame Herman

schloshd1 · « **Reply #333 on:** September 19, 2011, 06:47:57 AM »

Quote from: Lichia amia on September 19, 2011, 06:33:11 AM

Blame Herman

Ha Ha! Sounds about right.

Were you guys fishing above or below the weir?

icstuff · « **Reply #334 on:** September 19, 2011, 08:00:50 AM »

We where fishing below the weir.

What was worrying was the fact that there was little to no insect life below the rocks, I had to lift 5 rocks before I found one rock worm. There was also a 7+ Kg barber that bit the bullet and was giving of a foul stench.

Jan Was also doing the pap gooi thing and 2 yellows to show for his trouble, they looked fat and healthy.

Rory · « **Reply #335 on:** September 19, 2011, 08:03:29 AM »

Quote from: schloshd1 on September 19, 2011, 06:28:37 AM

Hard luck guys. Just curious why you are fishing at sparrows in cold water when the fish are more active later in the day at the moment, once the water has warmed a little and the insects are more active ?

The water at the prison doesn't warm up - not during the day! Judging by Pieters gogga recce, it looks like they suffered the same fate as the fish, theres nothing! A very sad state.

shagnrelease · « **Reply #336 on:** September 19, 2011, 09:51:45 AM »

Quote from: Rory on September 19, 2011, 08:03:29 AM

Quote from: schloshd1 on September 19, 2011, 06:28:37 AM
Hard luck guys. Just curious why you are fishing at sparrows in cold water when the fish are more active later in the day at the moment, once the water has warmed a little and the insects are more active ?

The water at the prison doesn't warm up - not during the day! Judging by Pieters gogga recce, it looks like they suffered the same fate as the fish, theres nothing! A very sad state.

not good

Herman Jooste · « **Reply #337 on:** September 19, 2011, 09:48:28 PM »

There are definately fish still there. When we arrived at the water ( above the weir ) at 06:00 there were rises a plenty. Saw a LM chase a baitfish just 4m off our bank.

Yes, undoubtably fish have been killed by the pollution, but the sm that Jan caught ( above the weir ) were juvies, fat and healthy. No sores or anything.

This gives me hope, as with anything in nature, it's always the old or infirm that die when there's a problem.

Maybe my "redenasie" is wrong ?

Lichia amia · « **Reply #338 on:** September 21, 2011, 10:22:39 PM »

Herman where you fishing this weekend ? Is rock snot still a prob on the lower Barrage and do you think the Italians is worth a stab ?

Herman Jooste · « **Reply #339 on:** September 23, 2011, 03:55:31 PM »

Hi Craig, The Italians will be even colder than the prison, it's right below the wall.

I would give that whole area a miss for about 4 weeks, not only for the water to warm up, but also hopefully for the effects of the spill to be diluted.

I'm fishing GVP on Sunday. Last trip there 2 weeks ago there was minimal snot, so hoping it's the same this weekend.

There again I think I know the venue well enough to find the spots that skip the snot. :SBOKS: :SBOKS: :SBOKS: