Conditions out of sync amid change of season
EASTER weekend always seems to be a sign for the change of the seasons and this was so true this past weekend once again, with the nip in the air.
By now the swimming prawns should have made their appearance in our estuaries. However, this has not been the case, with the absence of good rains a possible contributing factor.
Reports that there are many juvenile fish around at present are encouraging.
The young garrick provide an excellent angling opportunity for our youth to cut their teeth on artificial lure angling. Light tackle prepared for the smaller garrick can provide much joy and pleasure, even for the more experienced among us too.
Some good pan-sized kob have been caught at Sundays River this past period, along with a few garrick. Generally, there are fish around and with a little perseverance one should reap success.
There are a number of angling competitions coming up, so get in touch with local angling outlets to find out more.
The sardine stock seems to be absent at present in the Bay region, which is of concern as this is the lifeblood of our angling food chain.
These strange tendencies are real and can be connected to climatic conditions that seem out of sync. Our rains are late and this has a significant effect on the estuaries that are dependent on WAYNE RUDMAN regular freshwater flushes for various reasons.
The reductions of toxic pollutants are most probably the most significant; however, the influence of fresh water creates movement of aquatic life and the benefits it has to the balance of these systems is invaluable. The prawn walks breathe life into the rivers, attracting fish from a far.
Unfortunately, the water quality of the Swartkops remains a huge concern, though considerable clean-up projects around the commonage of the river have taken place.
A notable effort was conducted in Uitenhage where much litter enters the system periodically. This is a huge and neverending problem that will cost us in time to come. It is time for stricter corrective measures to be implemented.
I recently had independent water quality tests conducted around Uitenhage’s industrial area and it got a clean bill of health. We had removed a gill net there and I was concerned as we’d been in contact with the water, which looked quite bad con- sidering all the litter there.
This weekend falls in the golden period (next weekend too) of three days before the spring tide. We enter a dark moon spring tidal phase at present with the spring tide on Wednesday April 26.
The wind has dissipated the red tide, which generally would have affected angling conditions should it have prevailed. Unfortunately, a light easterly wind will blow until Tuesday. No rain is expected and air temperatures are moderate.
Low tide is at 7.05am tomorrow with about one-metre water displacement. These are ideal conditions and the easterly should not adversely affect overall conditions either. The water should be cleaner and colder at this time, lending to good bait presentation conditions determining success. wlrudman@mweb.co.za