| November 2008 |
| Written by Pieter Naudé |
 One of my regular duties is to write a monthly report for FOSAF (Federation of Southern African Flyfishers) on the fishing conditions along the Garden Route. It is something I gladly do because it keeps me up to date as I call upon my many flyfishing friends along the coast for firsthand input. I have a few scouts out along the coast (Brenton Freeman - Plettenberg Bay, John Mettelerkamp - Knysna Lagoon & Mark Wuf - Breede River) that report firsthand on their local conditions. For the remainder, I rely on the members of SCFF (Southern Cross Fly Fishers) who fish from the Gouritz River west of George to The Goukamma River at Buffels Bay. For most of this year, the dispatches were very iffy, due to the unfavourable fishing conditions - cold water, stale estuaries and a bouncing barometer. I am hopeful that the rains of November will herald in better conditions as all the rivers along the coast came down in force and opened the remaining closed river mouths, just in time for the emergence of summer. As long as a river mouth remains open to the sea, the changing tide will create a natural interaction between the fresh water from the river and the sea - ideal conditions for the free movement of fish in and out of the estuary. Grunters are best targeted on the pushing tide as they move onto the newly covered sandbanks in search of crustaceans such as crabs and prawns. Big leeries move with the incoming tide into the estuaries in search of baitfish. They should be targeted at the dividing line between the fresh incoming sea water and the coloured river water.  As a token of appreciation for my monthly reports, FOSAF sent me a copy of their annual publication “Favoured Flies and Selected Techniques of the Experts” volume 4. If you do not have any of these books, I suggest you buy yourself one for Christmas. While paging through my new arrival, I recognised one of the flies pictured in the section on bonefish – contributed by Gerhard Laubscher of Fly Castaway. It is to same fly given to me in 2001 by Arno Mathee (our guide) when we fished for bonefish at Alphonse Island in the Seychelles. It was his favourite bonefish fly and I was chuffed that he shared his flybox with me. After a successful flyfishing trip I brought the fly back with me where it remained in one of my fly boxes, waiting for my next trip to the Seychelles. Sadly, due to the exorbitant costs, I will not be going back soon.Last year, while unsuccessfully targeting Leeries in Swartvlei I decided to switch to a smaller and lighter fly. My cherished bonefish fly seemed to be just what I needed. Thirty five leeries later, I decided to retire the fly and gave it to my son who lives in Dubai. During my visit to Dubai in October this year we went fishing off one of the piers close to his home. I used a 9 weight flyrod with a floating line and yes, the same fly I gave to my son a year earlier. Not expecting to catch anything, due to the heavy construction and excavation all along the Dubai coast, I was pleasantly surprised when I caught two needlefish – one with this amazing little fly. Not bad for a very simple fly that travelled from the Seychelles (Bonefish) to South Africa (Leeries) to Dubai (Needlefish). The fly did not have a name until it was honoured with an equally simple and basic name in the FOSAF publication – Shallow H2O (Shallow Water). Gerhard Laubscher writes: “This fly is ideal for targeting fish in very shallow water. The fly doesn’t have any eyes tied on to it, which makes it very light and easy to cast. It also lands very softly, so when you cast it, it does not make a big plop when it lands. The bright colours stand out against any bottom, so the fish tend to notice it even when only seen with peripheral vision.” Sepupa Update In last months Newsletter I gave an account of our trip to Sepupa on the Okavango, in search of tigerfish. Two weeks after our return, Andre Jonck and Willie Jooste headed for Sepupa by road. Upon their arrival at the campsite, they were informed by Henkie Altena and John van den Berg that the barbel runs had dried up. This meant that they would have to fish for tigers the Zambezi way – look for likely lies and fish blind. Not the ideal way to fish for tigers, but in the absence of marauding barbel, it challenges all our skills and patience. Fortunately, the story has a good ending. The 2nd day at the camp, one of the largest barbel runs ever experienced, moved past the camp and they fished this same run for the rest of the week – up to 40 km upstream. As you can see from the picture collage, they also caught some nice Nembwe.  Report from Plettenberg Bay Brenton Freeman our man on the spot in Plet tells me that they are waiting for a west wind to warm the water a little so that it can get to 18-19°C mark, ideal for fishing. The water of the Bito/Keurbooms Rivers are clearing up after the rains and the fishing conditions are starting to improve. Grunter can be targeted in the early mornings during the pushing tide as they move from the deeper water onto the sandbanks in search of prawns. Leeries are not so plentiful but can be caught further up the Bito towards Wittedrif. Shad (Elf) can be caught in the evenings at the river mouth. Flyfishing in Oman - Land of the Giants On a 4 day trip to Muscat in Oman last month, we drove east along the rugged coastline towards to Yitti beach. I was not prepared for the beauty of this unspoilt coastline. I don’t poses the literary talent to do justice to describe it in the context of this newsletter. All I can think about now, is the promise I made myself to come back next year with my son and spend a week or two camping and fishing the area. A little research on the internet made me even more determent to start planning as soon as possible. I came across postings on a blog, about just such a trip. The first post was about the planning and the last a few weeks later, after trip. “The research and basic planning are done. The main destination has been decided. Large areas of the coast look fairly devoid of human inhabitants and the distances are large between towns. Several 4WD vehicles will be on route, loaded with quality camping gear water, ice, food and beer for the intended week or so on the beaches of southern Oman. I have tied up plenty of baitfish imitations, deceivers & clousers for the Bream, Jacks, Bluefish and other species. Rumours of Permit have me including all my crabs and Bonefish flies as well. The rods are ready, 8,10 & 12wts. Shooting heads, inters and floaters. Single strand wire, hard mono & loads of fluorocarbon. Chest pack, stripping baskets, wading shoes, hat & sunnies (Oz slang for sunglasses).”  “Well it was good, that's for sure. In fact it was so good I'm not sure posting here is a good idea. No names and shady details I'm afraid. I struggled with the fly. The wind, swell, rocks and lack of skill all counted against me so I was forced to use the spin rig more than I would have liked. One of the lads, a particularly adept fisherman with soft plastics managed land about 20 species - Shovel Nosed Sharks, Flathead, Emperor, Bluefish, Bream, 2 of the permit 'things' etc. We had to pack in water and ice, pretty much 4WD the last bit to camp. Here you are, the land of the giants......” This is the sort of stuff that sends thrills of impatient anticipation through my spine. Just think - there are places that is as good and - maybe more practical to fish than the Seychelles and within easy reach from SA. Fly Emirates from Jhb – Dubai – Muscat. Check out this URL’s GT Flyfishing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIX1zxyx_1Y Southern Oman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ5PFt6mKys Gouritz River Yellows The time has come for us to take the R327 towards Herbertsdale into the mountain to where the Gouritz River crosses the road. Pools and riffles laden with yellowfish awaits us. Just check whether the water has cleared up, after the good November rains. To go with your trip, some new flies taken from the latest FOSAF publication “Favoured Flies and Selected Techniques of the Experts” volume 4.  Black Copper John – Peter Kriel Hook: Grip 14731 Size #12-18. Tail: Black goose biot Thread: Black UTC 70. Abdomen: Black UTC small wire Bead: Gold Tungsten Wing Case: Saltwater flash Weight: 3-5 turns lead wire Thorax: Black & red UV dubbing  Last Meeting of the Year – Thursday 27th November All members and visitors to the area are invited to the last get-together of 2008 at the Quarry - York High Clubhouse at 7.00pm. Bring your own meat for the braai and drinks will be available at the bar. Have a great time on the water. Pieter Naude’ |
