Author Topic: 5 days in the berg (Read 9678 times)

Ziggy · « **on:** January 13, 2014, 10:32:34 AM »

5 days in the Berg – but only two days of fishing…….the rest was swimming, hiking and general jorling and parking off

Every year our we camp at Cobham with a group of friends – this year there were about 40 of us. See the first pic of our communal kitchen and rain shelter which is a mix of gazebos and tarps (one year we hired a large marquee…that was cool!). All the tents you see were from our group…we generally “colonise” Cobham the first week of each year.

For those who know the place, you will agree that the walks, swimming pools and views are all stunning. See the landscape pic.

Ziggy · « **Reply #1 on:** January 13, 2014, 10:33:34 AM »

The river is pretty useless for fishing – this year I caught 5 fish on one evening outing – the largest being about 6cm.

Ziggy · « **Reply #2 on:** January 13, 2014, 10:34:43 AM »

However, a number of youngsters wanted to learn about trout fishing. Being the only angler in the group, I took it upon myself to do some instructing. We fished the Underberg/Himeville Trout Fishing Club trophy dam with some great results. On day one (3 hours of fishing befire the heat became unbearable) we caught 2 x 1.8 kg, 1 x 2.2 kg, 1 x 2.6 kg 1 x 2.8 kg. On the second day (started early morning and fished until the heat was unbearable) we caught 1 x stockie, 1 x 1.8 kg, 1 x 2.4 kg, 1 x 2.8 kg, 1 x 3.1 kg.

Ziggy · « **Reply #3 on:** January 13, 2014, 10:36:01 AM »

The only fly that worked was an olive bead head woolly bugger – retrieved slowly on the bottom in the deepest parts of the dam. Fishing with beginners is a mission! The first problem is casting….so I spent most of my time casting and then handing the rod over to the youngsters to retrieve and catch. One of them learnt pretty well and he took over the casting. Each took a fish in rotation – so no matter who cast or retrieved, there was a rota for landing fish. This way they all landed fish.

Ziggy · « **Reply #4 on:** January 13, 2014, 10:37:26 AM »

The fishing sessions were not without disasters! Two rods broke. The first was my treasured Loomis that I have had since 1992. One of the larger fish went under the boat and the youngster tried to pull it up at a ridiculous angle…before he heard my warning shout, the rod snapped. The second rod (Explorer 4 piece) had its top section snap in half during a cast – I did not see the cast, so I am not sure what exactly happened.
Both can be repaired - but hate fishing with repaired rods……so clearly an urge for some Tackle Addiction has struck….and I better do something about it before the prices sky rocket!

Ziggy · « **Reply #5 on:** January 13, 2014, 10:39:07 AM »

Of course there was a “surprise” 60th birthday party for me at the campsite – with a few songs specially composed for me – I cooked a large lamb potjie and baked some camp ciabatta bread which disappeared pretty fast! We also made a potjie bread

Homie · « **Reply #6 on:** January 13, 2014, 10:42:03 AM »

Happy Belated Ziggs !!

Looks like an awesome trip !!

for helping the youn-uns !

Debbie · « **Reply #7 on:** January 13, 2014, 10:47:33 AM »

looks like you had a wonderful time, sorry about the rod

Debbie · « **Reply #8 on:** January 13, 2014, 10:48:16 AM »

Mouth watering stuff

Shaun17 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 13, 2014, 10:50:40 AM »

How lekker does that potjie bread look

Thanks for the report Ziggy!!

E.T. · « **Reply #10 on:** January 13, 2014, 10:54:58 AM »

Lekker man, Lekker. Thanks for sharing

CLS · « **Reply #11 on:** January 13, 2014, 11:18:06 AM »

Ziggy thanks for the report and a belated

, at least there is a banterer thats older than me

REEFMAN · « **Reply #12 on:** January 13, 2014, 11:34:03 AM »

Nice report Ziggs! Great pics!

krissi · « **Reply #13 on:** January 13, 2014, 11:44:15 AM »

Great report Ziggy - was that Ringstead? Trout look in good condition - must have come from a good hatchery

Corks · « **Reply #14 on:** January 13, 2014, 12:19:56 PM »

Great report Ziggy and thanks for sharing.

Man that Grub looks great.

Charles · « **Reply #15 on:** January 13, 2014, 12:20:54 PM »

Nice one Ziggy. Lekker report and pics.

Ziggy · « **Reply #16 on:** January 13, 2014, 02:03:20 PM »

Quote from: krissi on January 13, 2014, 11:44:15 AM

Great report Ziggy - was that Ringstead? Trout look in good condition - must have come from a good hatchery

Correct - Ringstead. A couple of the fish had some small gashes in them - I presume from cormorant attacks?

isivuba · « **Reply #17 on:** January 13, 2014, 02:35:02 PM »

Nice report, fishing, bread making and showing the laaites how its done Ziggy

Herman Jooste · « **Reply #18 on:** January 13, 2014, 06:55:23 PM »

Thanks for a great report back Ziggy, including the pics.

For taking the time out with the youngsters.

Also a belated

60 is a special one, glad you could spend it with the people that are special in your life.

BTW, I'm nominating the post for post of the month.

krissi · « **Reply #19 on:** January 13, 2014, 07:18:38 PM »

Quote from: Herman Jooste on January 13, 2014, 06:55:23 PM

Thanks for a great report back Ziggy, including the pics.

For taking the time out with the youngsters.

Also a belated 60 is a special one, glad you could spend it with the people that are special in your life.

BTW, I'm nominating the post for post of the month.

Second this