| The quantities of large carp and catfish combined with the abundance of Small and Large Mouth Yellowfish, makes it one of South Africa's best fresh water fishing resources.
 About the area
For many years the Kimberley region in the North Cape Province has been known to a selected group of anglers as home to the most prolific small and large mouth yellowfish waters in the world.
This is one of the last areas where anglers can still successfully target the endangered largemouth yellowfish, with specimens of up to 20lb being caught every season. The abundance of small and large mouth yellowfish, combined with the quantities of large carp and catfish makes it one of Southern Africa's best freshwater fishing resources.
 The Vaal is possibly the oldest river on earth; formed nearly four billion years ago. Today this pretty, willow-fringed river is teeming with fish and waterfowl. It is basically a plateau river and occupies a wide, shallow bed. Rising at Sterkfontein Beacon near Breyten, in Mpumalanga province, it flows 1210 km (750 miles) southwest to its confluence with the Orange River at Douglas.
The Vaal is the major tributary of the Orange River and its middle section forms most of the Free State 's northern provincial boundary. In this region, diamonds and gold rushes occurred, making the Vaal the centre of the richest mining area in the world, notable today for its ultra-deep gold mines.
Diamonds are still panned from the Vaal in the Kimberley area. Situated along an ancient and imposing gorge, this is wild and beautiful country, with abundant wildlife; including kudu, eland, hartebeest, blue wildebeest, zebra, warthog, ostrich, baboons, black back jackal, and more.
 The Fishing
We have 2 miles of private river frontage on our game ranch with access to another 26 miles of fly and course fishing. Fishing can be done either from the river bank or from a flat bottomed boat known as a float. The float has a small engine and can be trawled or anchored up or down the river.
We also have stocked lakes on the ranch with very large carp and catfish. Both common and mirror Carp from 10kg up to 46kg. Our private river section is always pre baited one week before a fishing party arrives. The last week in February three English carp fishermen in 4 days netted 1600lb of carp and catfish.
Further upstream the river is faster and shallower ideal for fly fishing. With a good pair of waders and low water you can walk across.
We don't supply fishing tackle but tackle can be purchased from the nearest large town. It is always best to bring enough with you. Bait can be bought from the ranch.
 The catch
Yellowfish (Kimberleyensis and Barbus Aeneus)
As a sporting fish, the yellow fish has few fresh water equals. Lightning speed and stubborn unyielding endurance makes this gracious predatory fish a worthy opponent.
 The largest scaled, carnivorous largemouth yellow fish remains a symbol of true power and determination. The Kimberley area is now the accepted premier destination for the species. It requires clean flowing water and reaches sexual maturity at 7yrs. These fish congregate around structure (reeds & rocky outcrops) similar to bass, from where they pounce on their prey.
Use bigger flies like zonkers and woolly buggers, imitating small baitfish when targeting theses brutes, and live bait (where legal) such as baitfish and insects. Anglers focusing on these areas will be rewarded with one of the strongest freshwater game fish around. The Smallmouth Yellowfish record is just over 7kgs.
Catch and release is an accepted policy when catching Largemouth Yellowfish. Fly-fishing for Yellowfish is fast gaining popularity. Eating a Largemouth Yellowfish is frowned upon, but the Smallmouth is considered good table fare.
 Carp (Cyprinus carpio)
Carp are exotic to Africa, introduced in the 1870's from Britain. It is a highly adaptable fish which has found a fertile breeding ground in South Africa wherever it has been introduced.
The result is that most, if not all, waters in South Africa have a healthy population of carp. It grows to large sizes. Carp in the 10kg-plus class are regarded as common.
Carp fishing is the single most popular fishing activity in South Africa, Carp baits are based on maize and wheat products and an amazing number of bait flavourings and colorants. Bank fishing in still water is the norm although boat fishing for carp has grown in popularity.
Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)
 The Vaal River also holds health populations of Catfish and Carp. Catfish are the largest non-scale indigenous sport fish in South Africa. The current IGFA world record is 36kgs. Catfish, also called (incorrectly) "barbel" in South Africa are strong fighters.
They are predators but will also feed on detritus and any dead animal. It is however a proven fact that a catfish prefers fresh bait. During winter catfish slow down and the summer months are considered the best times, with late summer considered the best. Catfish is excellent table fare (just like its American cousins).
Catfish take an amazing variety of baits, but fresh fish from its home water is considered to be the best. Insects and prepared baits also work well and artificial lures such as spinners, crank baits and flies also take their fair share every year. A rule with catfish is: "the bigger the bait, the bigger the fish.
Mudfish (Labeo rosea and Labeo capensis)
 Two species of Mudfish are highly popular with anglers, the Rednosed Mudfish and the Orange River Mudfish (also called the Vaal muddie).
The muddie is referred to as the "V6" of freshwater because of its fighting qualities. The national records are just over 2 kg each. It is a scaled, slightly elongated fish. It is considered an excellent fish for making fish curry as the curry mixture softens the many small bones. The flesh is excellent white meat.
Muddies are herbivores so baits are small balls of cornflour or baking flour mixtures impaled on a small Kahle-style hook. The baited hook is kept on the bottom with a set slip-float rig. The bite is either delicate or violent, and as muddies are mostly caught beneath a boat or next to the bank, the fight is furious. A reel with a super smooth drag is essential.
Season
With an extended fishing season, the best fishing is in summer from (September) October to April (May), anglers specifically targeting Largemouth Yellows will have more success late in the season even up to June. |
