Location - Vaal River, below the dam wall
Date - 16 December 2012
Fisherman - Michael & I
Overhead Conditions - Cloudy, warm, with sunny intervals, 27 degrees
Water Conditions - 20 degrees, visibility 50cm
Michael and I had been very keen to get out on the water before the festive period. We had decided to try Vaal streams for the second time. Our first outing there hadn't been too successful mainly due to the over head conditions and rain that had fallen in the days leading up to fishing.
We arrived at Vaal streams around 7 am, warmly greeted by Isaac. Indemnities filled, money exchanged, lets fish.
Arrived down at the water to find quit a few people camping and staying in the accommodation at Vaal Streams but no one fishing. Great, we had the place to ourselves leaving us ample places to fish and explore.
I'd decided to tie on a green caddis with a small flash back nymph tailing (+/- 30 cm behind in a New Zealand rig form) i'd decided on this after reading numerous catch reports suggesting these flies were working. We hit the first set of flowing water directly in front of us. On our first visit to Vaal Streams we'd had a few hook ups and bites in this area, so it wasn't a bad place to start. Fishing 360 degrees i had a couple of bites but nothing of any real substance. I decided to move after +/- 15 mins of fishing.
I moved round a large island which was densely covered with reeds and branches and decided to fish up to it as there were a few overhanging branches and what seemed to be break in the water where the current was swirling. I threw my fly in a few times and bang, i was in. Unfortunately the fight didn't last long as the hook came free and whatever it was got away.
We continued to fish for the next couple of hours with no luck, we moved to various pools, rifles etc but still nothing. We decided to hit the bank for an early lunch and to reassess our tactics!
Stomach filled, we came out with a spring in our step and some much needed confidence.
For the afternoon session, i tied on a heavily weighted Caddis (Green) with a Yellow Fish Brassie (Still the same New Zealand rig formation), very in descriptive name for the fly. I decided to try a piece of water i hadn't fished early, narrow, shallow and plenty of rocks!
3rd cast bang, i was in, the only thing i could think of at the time was. 'i have to get this fish to the net'. Fished netted, healthy sized Muddy, as usual a very good fight! Muddy released, lets see what else is hiding in here!
Over the next hour or so of fishing in the same spot, i managed to land 2 very nice sized Small Mouth Yellow Fish. My guess would be between the 2 & 2.5 kilo mark and 3 more muddies! All of these fish were caught on the 'Yellow Fish Brassie'. Below i have attached a picture of the said Yellow Fish Brassie.
Unfortunately these flies have been tied very poorly (I wont mention any manufacturers names here) I haven't managed to find the flies anywhere else! The only result is for my to tie my own variation. I have the vice, just need to locate the relevant materials.
Hopefully heading to the Vaal again in the new year, will report back.
For now, tight lines!
