Thats a nice fish. Congrats bud, this will be one of those you remember for a long time
Hi,
Fished YFP with my boet today and had my most memorable day ever on the Vaal.
First we did a bit of venue hunting and ended up on Gerhard "Oosthuizens" farm.Did a bit of chit chat about this and that and proceeded to our venue for the day in Yellow Fish Paradise.
Entered the water at about 09h00 and fished until 15h00.We got caught out by a humangous storm,lightning and thunder galore.From a few clouds to very dangerous weather in about 20 min.Guys if u see clouds make a run swim for it.Seriously scary stuff.
Anyway,fishing was really good today in that the water was warm with lots of activity ito caddis and mays.Got the majority of yellows on caddis controllers,GRHE,Prince variants,midge larvae and red Copper John variants.Between the 2 of us we manged just under 25 yellows and a few muddies.
At about 13h30 I got picked up by something fishing very fast water and the fish darted downstream like I've never experienced before.It was a solid take so I knew it wasn't a foul hook or something.I followed the fish downstream,took a tumble or two and managed to bring it to slower water.
Obviously at the time I didn't know which fly was taken but hoped for either my top dropper or controller because I was playing with some mono and rig changes.I had Maxima as top dropper & controller and Rio powerflex for point.Just before that I got broken off on 2X Rio so I was hoping like u can't imagine.
Just before the slower water the fish managed to get stuck around some rocks and I thought "ja nee breek nou maar af" so that I can try again.I wiggled the rod from left to right and vica verca but nothing.I proceeded a bit further down and luckully without any effort the fish got unstuck.
At that very moment my boet was also fighting a yellow and we managed to end up within 2 metres of each other.(Talk about favour from upstairs)
My first glance of the fish was something I will never forget.I saw its head from above and immediately shouted to my boet "bliksem dis 'n a 6Kg vis hierdie".He thought it to be a Largie from where he was standing.
Still I couldn't see what the fish took.After 1 or 2 more darts I had it in calmer water and started thinking of landing this beast.I then went down on my knees and pulled it closer from left to right.I had my net ready and out came the head with a big size 4 Mustad circle caddis controller in it's mouth.
I got it's head in but only half way in.The fish was to big for my net.I had to grab the net with both hands to guide the fish somehow.(I held on for dear life)
In the net was a beautiful smallmouth yellowfish,taken in fast water on my favourate #4 control fly.We took some snaps and then came the weighing part.The fish weighed in at 5.5Kg,my new pb.Ye baby ye!!!!!!!!!!
Last edited by Gerrit Viljoen; 25-03-08 at 01:32 PM. Reason: No place for minnows!!!
Gerrit Viljoen
Cell | WhatsApp: 071 629 1058
Email: gerrit@yellowfish.co.za / gerrit@thebeasttamer.co.za
Web: www.yellowfish.co.za / http://yellowfish.co.za/the-beast-tamer/
Thats a nice fish. Congrats bud, this will be one of those you remember for a long time
Gerrit, that is a fish to be proud of! Congrats man!
I suppose now, just like Norman Maclean's dad in A River Runs Through It, you can say, "I'd say the Lord has blessed us all today. He's just been especially good to me." I honestly can't remember if that quote came from the book too,(will look for it when I read the book again). It's still a very nice quote.
Seriously, continue catching fish like that. It's the stuff dreams are made of.
Regards,
PTN
Amazing!! Great stuff man!! That really is a fish to be proud of!! I envy u!
I'm sure the memories of that one will last a long time.. Well done!
Thanks u all,ye I'm very proud.Just shows that hard work and determination pays off.
Got some nice plans for this one ito printing,framing,etc.
Last edited by Gerrit Viljoen; 09-03-08 at 06:50 PM.
Gerrit Viljoen
Cell | WhatsApp: 071 629 1058
Email: gerrit@yellowfish.co.za / gerrit@thebeasttamer.co.za
Web: www.yellowfish.co.za / http://yellowfish.co.za/the-beast-tamer/
Hope there are some of those in Douglas......i would'nt know what to do if that was on the end of my rod Cracking fish .......
I think no innocent species of wit or pleasantry should be suppressed; and that a good pun may be admitted among the smaller excellencies of lively conversation.
James Boswell.
[T]his planet is covered with sordid men who demand that he who spends time fishing shall show returns in fish. ~Leonidas Hubbard, Jr.
Hey Gerrit,
You change avatars quickly. Did Patricia drop you so soon?
Regards,
PTN
Wow! Awesome fish Gerrit, I'm all excited to get on the water now! Well done.
Rob
Gerrit Viljoen
Cell | WhatsApp: 071 629 1058
Email: gerrit@yellowfish.co.za / gerrit@thebeasttamer.co.za
Web: www.yellowfish.co.za / http://yellowfish.co.za/the-beast-tamer/
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