FISH PREPARE FOR PRE-WINTER FEED-UP

News from Jan Korrubel at The Kingfisher in Pietermaritzburg:

“With last weekend’s rapid drop in air temperature, and the first light dusting of snow up top, Autumn is very much in the air. And yet the [late summer] rains keep coming [20-30mm for the most part over the last week, but up to 80+mm has been reported] — along with the second [but proper] dropping of the white fluffy stuff on top of

The ‘Berg and Lesotho.

“Night time and early morning temperatures are readily appearing in the single figures now, with most stillwaters already below the 20 degrees mark … water temperatures will continue to drop further, making the fish hungry for the pre-winter feed-up.

“Happy also to report that with the cutoff low pressure cell over the country, the rainfall has been much more widespread, with the dry E. Cape getting a proper wetting down.

“The rains have had an adverse effect on the rivers however, which have come up substantially [running bank-to-bank in places] and picking up some colour.

“This was noted first hand on The Bushman’s River, as the Natal Fly Fishers Club held their annual litter clean up in conjunction with the amaHlubi community. The clean-up was well attended by committee members, some club members, and a good contingent of school children. A great chance to lead by example and education.

“The NFFC also welcomed the signing of a further five-year lease of prime fishing access by the King of the amaHlubi. Bayete! Bayete!

“Members attending the clean-up session were invited to fish at their leisure afterward — and even though the river was up, the fish were game.

“Not a dry fly game this time, tungsten-weighted nymphs were needed to get down to the fish. Flow should slow now as the rains come to an end, and we should be looking a fine last six weeks of the river season.

“Anglers fishing the Senior A Nationals were none too happy about the rains either, but fish they did. It was a very close team tussle up front for the trophy, and Western Province coming out tops and getting their name back on the trophy.

“It was a clean sweep for Brett van Rensberg of Central Gauteng, with all five session wins to take the gold and top individual angler honours … with a close tussle for Silver [Daniel Factor – WP] and Bronze [Shaun Dickson – KZN].

“Other titles went as follows: Fly tying – Daniel Factor (WP); Longest cast – Shaun Dickson (KZN); Longest fish – Amy Visser (GN); Most improved angler – Lucinda van Niekerk (MPU); Most fish – Brett van Rensberg (CG) and Friendship award – Marc Vicente (CG). Congratulations all round!

“The rains also interfered with the scaly anglers that ventured out to the Umkomaas River … one report noting: ‘Did not fish due to heavy rain’, while some other anglers managed to find a gap in the weather this past weekend, and reported getting scaly’s predominantly in the 7-9 inch / 18-23 cm bracket, with a couple higher up the tape in the 9-11 inch / 23-28 cm and 11-13 inch / 28-33 cm classes.

“With the rivers on the full side, the stillwaters are getting the bulk of attention from the NFFC anglers.

“Apart from a report mentioning the weather building during the day and late afternoon thunderstorms chasing them off the water, some excellent fish have been reported. Smallest fish were in the 11-13 inch / 28-33 cm class, with the bulk of the fish in the 13-17 inch / 33-43 cm range.

“There were also a number of fish reported in the 17-19 inch / 43-48 cm and 19-21 inch / 48-53 cm classes, and a couple in the 2123 inch / 53-58 cm bracket. Water temperatures were reported as being around range. With water levels as they are, the dams are in fine fettle, and autumn fishing should take off.

“Word from the bass waters is that the fishing has picked up at Albert Falls and Midmar. Carp are also making a showing at Midmar. Had a late report from angler John Stedman who fished the Creighton Bass event two weeks ago, and said: ‘Awesome fishing and probably the nicest bass dam I have ever fished’.

“Meanwhile, Autumn is a great time for fishing as bass begin their transition to their winter homes. Bass tend to focus more on forage than location.

“As the water temperature starts to drop, bass follow prey and as a result, areas that hold prey will hold bass. Key strategies for catching bass in Autumn as follows:

• Slow down. Cold water means slow fish — as the water cools, slow down your retrieve.

• Focus on feeding zones. Bass will target areas with abundant food as they prepare for winter.

• Experiment with colours. Water clarity changes as water temperatures changes, so try different lure colours ... natural colours like baitfish, green, brown and crawfish often work well.

• More on the lures. Jerkbaits are recommended at this time of year. Incredibly effective lures due to their realistic appearance and erratic movement, jerkbaits closely mimic injured baitfish, triggering a predatory response from bass. Their versatility also allows anglers to target fish at various depths, making them a popular ‘go-to’ lure.”