| SCFF News February 2009 |
| Written by Pieter Naude |
|
I don’t Understand After fishing for leeries for more than 5 years at an intensity of 2-3 times a week I thought that I would have come to understand this noble and willing saltwater predator by now. I am at a loss as to why I can catch 5 leeries in one session on a particular day and the very next day draw a blank - at the same spot, at the same time and under the same conditions. I have come to he conclusion that “all hath not been revealed “ and that there is much more to catching leeries than what I have learned and experienced to date. My leerie tactics are based on a few assumptions that I have come to make and modify over these years. They can best be described as assumptions as they have not always passed the acid test and delivered on the promise of a chase, a take and a hook-up.  altWhere to look for leeries - If I am not familiar with an area and want to find the most likely place to encounter them, I look for any drop-off or visible channel in the river/lagoon/estuary. They tend to lie just beyond the sandbank in the deeper part of the drop-off - waiting to ambush their prey. Don’t stand to close to the edge and make a few test casts into the deeper water to see if you can attract the attention of any leeries. If they are around and willing to tango, you will soon see the familiar bow wave as they chase after your fly. If not, move on and cover the bank until you have found a productive spot. Another good bit of advice is to find where mullet congregate in the shallows and you can be sure the leeries are not far away.
Boating in Knysna Lagoon  altThe lagoon is one of the best fishing waters in our area. That includes all types of angling, including flyfishing. There are many spots along the shoreline from where you can cast a flyline in search of the willing leeries – Old Belvedere, Leisure Island and the drop-offs across train bridge. Some of the better spots can only be reached via a boat and it has the added advantage of being able to track the leeries as they move with the incoming tide. In order to do this and enjoy boating on Knysna Lagoon you require the followingA certificate of competency – Skippers Licence. This involves listening to a lecture followed by a written examination. The process takes approximately 3 hours and can be arranged by contacting one of the local boat dealers. This is clearly being done all over the country so you should make inquires locally. It is at a very basic level! A certificate of seaworthiness - Boat. This involves an annual inspection. There are a number of people who can do this for you, but your local boat dealership will have the names of various registered inspectors. The cost is approximately R250. A lagoon certificate – Boat You will be issued with a sticker to show you have paid an amount related to the horsepower of your motor. This is obtainable from SANParks office on Thesen Island. A fishing licence – Angler A licence is required for fishing, bait collecting, using throw nets, harvesting of crabs, mussels etc. This is obtainable from your local Post Office. Do’s and Don’ts of boating on the lagoon
FOSAF REPORT FEB 2009-02-15 Just as we started panic, when the drought along the Garden Route started to reach crises proportions, heavenly rains reminded us just how easily we take things for granted. Knysna and Sedgefield ran dry and the daily run of an army of water tankers between George and these towns emphasised just how precious and scares this wonderful and often abused resource is. Incidentally, the water that George supplied to Knysna and Sedgefield was pumped out of the Touw River which is a sign that it is a relatively healthy body of water. The drought caused the Touw and Grootbrak rivers to remain closed to the sea and limited the fishing opportunities in these two rivers, but the good news is that they are full of juvenile leeries eager to please. Kaaimans River has many very small and aggressive leeries, not much bigger than a finger mullet fly.? The main fishing activity is along the Kleinbrak River, from the mouth to the upper reaches, in particular during the spring tides, when the water pushes up as far as Botlierskop.? There is a fair amount of juvenile leeries and mullet in the river and the occasional bigger leerie is caught – just to make sure that you come back again. The other fishing worth trying is high up the Gouritz River where smallmouth yellows and smallmouth bass are willing prey. I spoke to Tim Read in Plett and he has only caught 4 grunters since December. There are leeries around but they are more keen to follow and less keen to take a fly. Sedgefield and Swartvlei, are always worth a few casts, just to find out where the leeries are. NEWSLETTER - Island View Lodge – Upper Zambezi River Hi? Everyone, We trust that a merry and festive Christmas and New Year was enjoyed by all and that everyone is once again back at work, full of enthusiasm and ready to take on 2009. Decembers weather was kind to us and we did not suffer the days of endless rain that we had to endure over the same period in 2007. Our guests were able to get in good fishing time and great tiger fishing was had by all. Anna Naude landed a fine specimen of 7,8 kilograms and the Knight family, who enjoyed two weeks with us, really got stuck into the tigerfish, boating many over the 6 kilogram mark. Neels Kemp a regular visitor from Polokwane landed amongst others a 7,5 and a 8,5 trophy tigerfish. (see article in February 2009 issue of Stywe Lyne pg.77.) All in all November, December and January were very productive fishing months and it is encouraging that the tigerfish population in this region of the Zambezi is still plentiful and in good condition. Well the rainy season is now once again well and truly upon us and we have had nothing but rain, rain and more rain. On the 1 February we received 124mm of rain during the night and had to empty the boats of water at one o’clock in the morning in pouring rain. (see we also have fun here.) The river has risen (as at 5 Feb) by 2,8 meters since the commencement of the rainy season and is now 35cm lower than the same time last year. We are all waiting in anticipation to see what the river is going to do this year and at what level it is going to peak. Hopefully it will not attain the 7,6 meter level as it did in 2006 which was the highest since 1968. It is however important from a winter fishing point of view that the river rise sufficiently to flow into the floodplains as when the water levels recede in May and June millions of minnows enter the river from the floodplains and this is when the tigers go crazy. Tiger frenzy time! Although work has commenced on rebuilding the road between Nata and Pandamatenga in Botswana please take it real easy when travelling this section as the road is in a shocking condition. Anyone opening a tyre depot at either of these places will make a killing. Due to the foot and mouth problem experienced in Botswana there are still restrictions in bringing meat and dairy products into Namibia. Guests travelling from the West (trans Caprivi) via Rundu are not effected as there are no restrictions on this route. Contact Stephanie at the lodge and she will pre purchase these restricted items for you in Katima Mulilo. Guests who have reservations at Island View or the “SHAMWARI” should please advise Stephanie of the names and addresses of the persons in their group who will be fishing in order for her to purchase the required fishing licenses. Remember if your line is not in the water you will not catch the fish. We are looking forward to a great 2009 and would like to take this opportunity to thank all our guests for their support over the years and hope you all have a tight lines 2009. Mike, Stephanie, Garth, Claire and the Island View team.y upo To my fellow anglers May the road rise to meat you May the wind be always at your back May the sun shine warm upon your face May the rains fall softly upon your fields And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of His hand Pieter Naude |
