Fishy Thoughts
Of Weeds, Whinges and Walker's Killer Reds.... by Jonathan
Boulton
Management and consultation, as well as guiding on a wonderful
selection of trout waters in Mpumalanga, entails a constant and
enjoyable interaction with fellow flyfishermen of varying levels
of proficiency and outlooks. Although I do feel the sport of flyfishing
is undergoing phenomenal growth in popularity, we should occasionally
stop and consider the underlying directions and priorities within
the pastime. Allow me to relate a handful of experiences and perhaps
you may ponder their implications.
Bag Limits
One fine Saturday morning not so long ago, while driving past a
dam on a well known shareblock farm, I noticed an angler with seven
lovely fish, all well over a kilogram, lying back to back in the
grass at his feet. Now, considering the bag limit on this on this
particular farm is two fish per person per day, I pulled off the
road and sauntered over. On seeing my approach, his barefooted offspring
– clearly under instruction – began packing slimy stiffs into the
boot of the family microbus with the speed and precision of Joost
van der Westhuizen ducking a high tackle.
After reminding the slightly over enthusiastic angler of the bag
limits and issuing a formal warning, the parting comment was, "Ag,
well, I can catch and then put them back anyway – that’s just as
much fun." Cringe you may, but these creatures are more common than
you might imagine, even disguised in pricey Snowbee vests and Driza-bone
hats…..
Weeds Have a Purpose
"Weeds are becoming quite a problem….fishing now very difficult…"
These are familiar whinges in the Comments space on return forms,
especially during the summer months. Sure, aquatic vegetation can
become problematic in some waters, even rendering them totally unfishable
with time, but it’s amazing how the mere sight of a distant weedbed
or hint of submerged growth can bring cries of mismanagement and
neglect from some. It’s these weedbeds which are home to many aquatic
insects and crustaceans, providing refuge for tadpoles and juvenile
fish. They are the very basis of a healthy food chain. Yes, in a
shallow dam during the summer, of course a 7-wt fast sinking line
and a size 4 beadhead Black Woolly Bugger is going to be about as
productive as throwing out an anchor and retrieving it on a heavy
duty chain. Go on, walk around, wade a bit and you’ll be amazed
how versatile a floating line and a slightly weighted nymph fished
over and between the weedbeds can be.
It’s pretty much like the surroundings in which we fish. The conveniences
are certainly comforting, but are the long piers and manicured lawns
right down to the water’s edge what it’s all about? You know the
sedge and grass growth on the water’s edge whose seed heads have
the uncanny knack of grabbing your coiled flyline and stopping a
good cast short every time? Next time you walk past, give them a
rustle with your landing net’s handle and notice the flying and
terrestrial insects, as well as those athletic leaping frogs, which
you flush out. And then ask yourself, should this Woolies Food Hall
of trout be destined for the brushcutter in the name of easy fishing?
The Most Popular Fly
I once thought that it would be rather interesting to keep a record
of the most popular fly patterns used on our waters. Well, talk
about a one-horse race. The most popular by far, was of course,
the Walker’s Killer Red; second place was a photo finish between
the Hamill’s Killer and Mrs Simpson. Why are South African flyfishermen
so blinkered? There are other techniques and patterns, which if
not more productive, are certainly more satisfying. How about the
bow wave of a 2 kg bearing down on your size 12 Suspender Buzzer?;
or the twitch of the line as your Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear nymph is
sipped on the drop?
Catch and Release
There’s no doubt about it – catch-and-release does work. Returned
fish are allowed to mature, put on weight and become wiser. Waters
that have been specifically designated for catch and release, given
time, will consistently produce trophy fish – if everyone plays
the game. What is also encouraging is the greater number of converts
to the practice who take home one or two fish – or even none at
all – when their weekend limit entitles them to half-a-dozen fish
or so for the pan. But if you are going to return fish, please do
it properly. I’m not for a minute going to lecture on not handling
the fish and the use of knotless, soft mesh landing nets. All I
know is that, if I had a rand for every dead fish I have seen floating
after a weekend of heavy fishing, I’d be sipping Margaritas and
wrestling tarpon with my 2-wt in Mexico by now…..
Then there are the catch-and-release "butchers" – not necessarily
a contradiction in terms. Overhearing in the pub or reading on return
forms, "…caught and released 42 fish, three over 2 kg, on my Orvis
One Ounce and 3 lb tippet this weekend…." Does not impress me, especially
at the height of summer when the water temperatures are around 22-23°
C. Later, I have to fish out carcasses and throw them into the long
grass for the resident water mongoose. If the dams are fishing well
and it’s a challenge your after, try and do the same with a size
16 Griffiths Gnat: then I’ll buy you a pint of Guinness……
Taken from
Flyfishing: The Official Journal of the Federation of Southern
African Flyfishers Vol 10 No. 41 June 1997
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