CARP FISHING HAS BEEN SLOW BUT WILL PICK UP

THE dams around Kwazulu-natal are opening for fishing and the fish have been obliging. With some better weather on the way, let’s see what happens ...

The carp fishing has been slow but this should pick up as more people get back to the water’s edge for a throw. The specimen anglers have managed some decent fish in the first session. Inanda and Shongweni have been the only reported venues for carp. Tigernuts and boilies have been the most productive baits for the specimen anglers while the ever-popular floaty has done the conventional anglers well. Banana-flavour continues to produce the goods for the conventional anglers at all the venues being fished. A banana floaty combined with any of the mielie bomb mixes and a spray of banana on the bomb will be a good way to start fishing any venue. The specimen anglers have done very well using tigernuts as their hook bait while each individual has their own secret blend of feed they put on to the spot. Using a good mix of prepared tigernuts, chopped and whole boilies along with some mielie bomb mix will keep your spot fed for a good few hours.

Much like the carp, the few anglers that have gone fishing have managed some very good catches. Hazlemere has already produced some decent fish. A more subtle approach has been the most successful method. Fishing a weightless worm with either a Texasstyle rig or a whacky rig. Colour has not been the most important factor but the naturals are always a good choice. The Texas rig will be a better choice for fishing areas with more structure or weeds as it will not snag up. The whacky rig is better suited to more open areas or fishing to fish that you can see. This time of year also lends well to smaller jerkbaits and light line. Target the areas close to structure or weed beds. Fish these jerkbaits with a lot of pauses and you should be in for a couple of bites, just watch your line.

Trout fishing, egg patterns and orange flies. This has been the most productive fly selection for most venues in the berg. The orange flies can be anything from an orange woolly bugger to an orange Hamills killer. The two main approaches at this time of year are to either fish to visible fish on the gravel beds or to fish deeper areas close to likely spawning grounds. The first approach is heart-stopping as you see everything. Fishing a static egg pattern can involve a lot of waiting but is highly effective. The second method involves a lot more active fishing, so pick and choose which method suits you.

Dams levels have dropped just a bit, but still looking good for mid-winter : Midmar just on 97.8 percent, Albert Falls on 41.28 percent, Spring Grove 65.5 percent, while Mearns has come up a percent to 71.25 percent. Wagendrift Dam (on the Bushman’s River) just under FSL at sitting on 98.6 percent.

Please remember to leave the areas that you fish in a better condition than when you got there. Take a few moments to pick up some litter and take it to the nearest bin.

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