Leaden Labeo (Loodvis)

**markdej** · 05-01-09

Hi chaps,

Just wanted to share something astounding with you,

I had the privilege of seeing hundreds upon hundreds of juvenile leaden labeo's (loodvis) migrating up a weir!

They would swim up to the weir wall, then jump out of the water, sucking on to the sheer face of the wall (about half way up) then rest in the current.

They then swam vertically the rest of the way until a ledge where they would yet again rest. Once more they would shoot vertically up another sheer wall, then finally swim about 1.5-2m up a 40 odd degree slope resting periodically until they reached the open water behind the weir!

(The whole time they do this they are covered by not more than an inch of water!!)

Truly a remarkable sight to behold!

It boggles the mind how such a small fish can struggle against such force and overcome a monumental task with such ease!

Does anyone know if this is standard practice for all loodvis?

Mark

FlyFanatic · 05-01-09

DAMN!! You didnt maybe have a camera with you at the time?

Would really like to see this!

**markdej** · 05-01-09

Koos (ET) did have his cam with him and Im sure he got some great pics.

(and I think a spot of video, but I need to get em from him)

Will see if I can twist his arm into putting a few up in this thread...

Mark

**chris williams** · 05-01-09

That sounds incredible! I've never heard of that! Would be great to see the pics!

I saw a few barbel last week going for a walk round our dam after all the rains, but nothing as unusual or spectacular as your labeo wall-climbers! The poor barbel I've afraid never made it past the hundry security guards...

**E.T.** · 05-01-09

Here are some pics of these incredible fish

Fly Caught Loodvis

Fish in Pool

Jump up the First Wall

**E.T.** · 05-01-09

Resting at 2nd Base

Leap to freedom over last slanted wall

Look at this misformed barb

Note the size of the fly in its mouth....

**E.T.** · 05-01-09

Will try to sort the video later on....

**poppernel** · 05-01-09

Originally Posted by E.T.

Will try to sort the video later on....

Amazing, this would I'M sure be a prize winning video on 50/50 or any other wildlife programme.

Dave

**JanK** · 05-01-09

Amazing series of pics....

I was fishing Cascades (entrance to Midmar) about 2 weeks ago now, and saw some serious size Natal scalies trying to jump the Cascades and make their way upriver - looking like a flipping salmon run!

Was in my float-tube, and had to take a leak, so made my way to a ledge and climbed out - on top of the ledge, a way in from the edge was the biggest scaly I have seen, easily 65-70cm, lying with 1 gill down in a little splash pool...being kept wet by the falls droplets...must have just happened as I had seen other fisherfolk walking up and down that ledge.

Grabbed the fish and put it back into the main waters below, only to have it turn around and come straight back at the wall.

"The Urge" is very strong...