Richtersveld Trip Report Back

**FlyCraft** · 13-10-15

It is said that every day spent fishing will be added to the rest of your remaining life, this I do believe, but what it I know is that every day spent fishing the Richtersveld will add many more to your life.

This mountainous desert has a distinct presence, a very real “personality”, it rejuvenates mind, body and soul. And when you spend it with a great group of people it leaves you with life long memories, enriching the “bonus days” at the end of your fishing days.

The Orange River Rafters, from left to right - Anthony dos Santos, Nic Louw, John Glennie, Mark Swanepoel, Philip Meyer, Leonard Williams.

The first two days of our trip we stayed at the Growcery Camp, base of Umkulu Rafting company. Here we were welcomed by Adriaan (our river guide), Gavin, Gerrit and the rest of the young lads who made the shores of the Orange River their home. The camp is located 20km downstream of the Vioolsdrift border post on the Kotze Hoop road. The Growcery offers camp sites and “Chic shacks” (units with two beds each), great showers and a central pub/dining area, where the Boks made history on the shores of the Orange by losing to Japan

Towards the dining/pub area, sheer relaxation!

A shower with a view, at night you can also do star gazing and satellite spotting while taking a hot shower.

A hearty breakfast to be served on the shores of the Orange

**FlyCraft** · 13-10-15

We booked a day rafting trip for the Sunday, the idea was to get used to the boats (each had his own ARK inflatable) and settle into the fishing and get ready for our upcoming 4 day fishing trip. We headed 3km downstream where we fished the Fingerprint rapid, the river was remarkably clear and the fish displayed a bright golden colour. The better quality fish were in the deeper sections, from waist deep and deeper. No fireworks but the guys landed some good fish, this seemed to be the pattern during our trip, not the huge numbers that the Richtersveld can produce but still around 10 odd fish a day when you put in the time.

Fingerprint

John on his way to Fingerprint

Leonard with a Fingerprint yellow

Mark with a yellow

Anthony with a bar of gold in diamond country

**Andre** · 13-10-15

Wow man... you were at one of my favourite pieces of water... nice, the river looks like its in perfect condition..

**FlyCraft** · 13-10-15

The whole section of the Orange where Umkulu operates

We were ready and packed at 9am on the Monday morning, it is remarkable how much gear these ARKs can take. Tents, Cooler boxes, chairs, and of course all the fishing gear. Gavin tells us that he once took a group of SUP (Stand up Paddle board) guys down the river and he loaded his ARK with 450kgs of equipment, food etc. Adriaan loaded all our food for the next 4 days, pots, pans, table etc. and still he rows that ARK like an Olympic champion. We struggled to keep up at times. The trip was just under 30km and we had to cover around 10km every day.

Our trip route

Our first lunch stop was just below Dead Man’s rapid, here we caught smallmouth, largemouth and tilapia on fly. Around 3pm we packed up and headed for our first night’s camping spot, above Hamerkop.

Packing the boats after lunch and some fishing

Where will we fish?

Nic and a fast water yellow

En route

We camped on the SA side, this pic is from the Namibian side

**FlyCraft** · 13-10-15

That afternoon and the next morning we fished the water above and below the camp. At 11am we pushed on and arrived around 2pm at our next camp, just below Entrance Exam rapid. This camping spot is on a sandy beach next to a deep long narrow pool with a deep rapid at the head and some broken shallower sections between islands to the one side.

Hamerkop, where the real McCoy nests

We landed in the region of 8 largies, no trophies but still special

We camped on the Namibian side, this shot was taken from the SA side

Adriaan busy preparing our dinner, a lambs pot with chocolate cake as desert

6 Star accommodation and crisp clear bright skies

Casting a line as the sun sets

**FlyCraft** · 13-10-15

We decided to leave early the next morning for our last night’s camp at The Ritz. What a spectacular spot with lots of little islands breaking up the main flow. Here the water was the clearest I have seen the Orange river and the guys landed some good fish. If you are a keen birder than this site are the place to spend some time, with lovely trees and a grassy bank.

Orange River white-eye/Gariep glasogie

John with a great fish

Lots of baby yellows eating

The Ritz

Nic dropped his mustard caddis, wa's die klein donnertjie dan nou?

The river up from The Ritz

A cattle crossing, the grass is greener on the islands

Special moments

**FlyCraft** · 13-10-15

After a two hour fishing session the Thursday morning we pitched camp and headed for the take out point, below little sjambok rapid where the Umkulu crew picked us up, heading back through Namibia.

Navigating Klein Sjambok.

The Take Out above Groot Sjambok rapid

It’s been a great experience and I would like to thank the guys – Anthony, Nic, John, Mark and Leonard who shared it with us, the evenings under the stars around a camp fire and all the stories. Also Adriaan who cooked us some delicious meals, with a chocolate cake and apple crumble baked on an open fire.

I am convinced all of us will live longer because of it.

Cheers guys, till next time around a roaring camp fire