Western Cape Yellows - guiding

[Andre]

The CPS supports the Yellowfish working group in the Cape. For more information on this, contact John Brink, who heads up the YWG in the Cape, and is also a CPS member.

[Herman Jooste]

A very interesting read. Adriaan, you seem to know your Clans very well and your posts to date have been great.
As far as landowners becomming aware and protective of their yellows, I know of a similar story.
Between Korrie and myself, we have turned a landowner from regarding "kalwerkop", ( LM Yellows) as a good braai fish, to one who protects all yellows, SM and LM in his waters. He is also looking at getting his neighbours involved and setting up a viable Yellowfish Conservancy in the area, with public access but strictly controlled.
Having fished these pristine waters a few times, and catching both SM and LM, I just hope that he listens to us when we mention a rod limit of 4, and dosn't get greedy.

[rseebach]

Dankie Korrie vir die links. My wife and I spend new years at Jamaka. Never did come across any fishable waters near Jamaka but was totally ecstatic to see my first yellow in the rock pools in the Ronde gat near Cederberg Cellars (awesome Shiraz so by the way). So why would I want to put a hook through the mouth of something so beautiful such as a threatened fish so true to SA. Not quite sure about this. Was creation made for man or man made for creation? Not sure either. What I do know is that the first command *** gave man was to tend the garden. What I do know is that it was a good friend many years back on the Swartkops estuary that showed me respect and appreciation for creation through catch and released. Something I was never thought anywhere else. Not sure where this post come from but, hope to catch my first yellow on fly one day. Cheers R

[Korrie]

As per Herman's post, there are a lot of landowners that are "ignorant" to what they have.
This specific landowner, mentioned, use to catch the fish in his stream with a net. Now he realises what he has.

The same applies to some of the Clanwilliam Yellow landowners, but I have to say, that far more of the landowners with Clanwilliam Yellows are aware of the value of the fishing that they have or are aware of the threatened status of the fish in the Olifants/Doring system.
This could be because of the greater Cederberg area being a conservancy area and being of very low agricultural value.

[Korrie]

Dankie Korrie vir die links. My wife and I spend new years at Jamaka. Never did come across any fishable waters near Jamaka but was totally ecstatic to see my first yellow in the rock pools in the Ronde gat near Cederberg Cellars (awesome Shiraz so by the way). So why would I want to put a hook through the mouth of something so beautiful such as a threatened fish so true to SA. Not quite sure about this. Was creation made for man or man made for creation? Not sure either. What I do know is that the first command *** gave man was to tend the garden. What I do know is that it was a good friend many years back on the Swartkops estuary that showed me respect and appreciation for creation through catch and released. Something I was never thought anywhere else. Not sure where this post come from but, hope to catch my first yellow on fly one day. Cheers R

At any of the streams in the Cederberg, you have to walk, sometimes very far. Then you will find the fish.
Must say I share you view about sometimes putting a hook in a fish's mouth. But if you are careful, No Harm done.

[Ryan]

Hi Chaps,

Back to the subject of guiding.. I don't know anyone who does it, but I do know that Adriaan certainly makes a great effort at getting out when he is free.. Sorry for putting you on the spot Adriaan, but perhaps some may be lucky enough to persuade him to take you out.

As for size, I have not really caught any of to bigger size, but have certainly caught a fair number. As Adriaan has mentioned, half the challenge of catching these clanwilliams is finding a destination and then getting there. I know of one or two beautiful places to go to, but they are a bit of a trek. I've seen one or two decent sized fish, but nothing big like 2kg upwards. The river is great and has beautiful pools. I recently fished on a 4wt, but one can even go lighter.

The great thing here is, I have only seen one small smallmouth bass.. Well not good news, but the clans and sawfins are certainly dominant in ths area.

Below are some pics of recent experiences.

[petercoetzee]

it always interests me when i see people standing in the water fishing for yellows (in slow pools, riffles)

In my experience with SM's in slow moving water if you put your foot in, youve spooked 90% of the fish and all the big uns. When matt and I fished alongside and I stood in the water and he stood on the bank (in adjacent pools) he would get decent fish and i would get none.

I have experimented with this a bit and noted a huge difference. Eventually I would sit or lie on the banks... leopard crawl, anything to stay hidden and quiet. If they spotted us they wouldnt spook and swim away like trout. Instead they stayed in the area and we could continue to cast at cruising fish.. but they wouldnt even look at anything. When we stalked fish that hadnt spotted us, the second they spotted the fly their body language would change and they would firm up and light up and their posture would almost go shark like before they would approach and eat the fly.

Only in one instance when fishing next to Liam did we find a group of decent sized suicidal fish that wouldnt spook at all... And were chasing fast stripped nymphs on the surface

Ive even seen fish spook when hearing a branch crack or a high pitched noise when being fairly far from the bank... they are hypersensitive. and i hear clannies even more so... my 10c

[adriaan]

If you do a search for clanwilliam yellowfis (or witvis), a lot of the treads start of or eventually turn to aspects of their conservation. It seems however that excitement comes and goes. I fully understand it, as myself is quite busy and free time (and energy) have to be divided carefully. Personally, i would like to become more actively involved, and the first step will be to join the Cape chapter of the Yellowfish Working Group. (thanks Andre, will contact John).

What really excite me is point 7 of the joint statement from CPS and CNC, posted by MC while back.
"7. That the Cape Piscatorial Society strongly supports environmentally sensitive and responsible conservation efforts by CapeNature, including increased awareness of smaller indigenous fish species and the sustainable use of larger indigenous fishes such as Clanwilliam yellowfish and Berg-Breede Whitefish for angling purposes. Cape Nature in turn will assist in the development of an accessible indigenous flyfishery on appropriate rivers and stillwaters."
Will therefore rejoin the CPS, and try to become more active. The above is a very exciting project, and will need sustained involvement of couple dedicated people.

cheers

[rseebach]

will be trying for clainwilliam yellows at Die Mond this weekend......

Here are a couple of good spots

http://www.citysidesteps.co.za/suikerbossie.html

Algeria Cape Nature Conservation camping site is on the Rondegat river
http://www.nature-reserve.co.za/cede...mmodation.html


http://nieuwoudt-farm.com/

These, with Die Mond are all on rivers where Clanwilliam Yellows occur.
All of these sites, entails walking along the river to find the fish.
Sometimes a lot of walking.

As all of these are open to the public, access is easy and the facilities are super.

Some of the more secluded spots are not for sharing.

[Korrie]

one of the forumers went to Die Mond, first week in March.
They did not see a Clanwilliam or sawfin, but had great bass fishing.

I hope you have better luck.