Vaal River - Heritage Day

So myself, Craig Stockden and Jeandre van Schalkwyk decided to head down to the Vaal River near Potchefstroom to do some early season flyfishing for Smallmouth Yellowfish, or that was the plan.... What unfolded during the day was not what we expected or hoped for, that is fishing for you!

As we arrived at the venue we headed up to the pool above the rapids, fish where surfacing everywhere and we got all excited! We quickly rigged up and head down to the water! The fish where taking caddis adults that where emerging, we noticed two different species small white caddis and a dark brown caddis. Craig managed on hook-up in this period, unfortunately his tippet parted!Jeandre fished below and in the rapids with no success!

I decided to fish on the other side of the island in a deeper flowing rapid. I made my way across the rapid towards the opposite river bank and noticed some Sharptooth Catfish in the shallows. I changed to a 1x tippet and tied on the biggest fly that I had on me, a Red Eye Damsel, and selected a school of fish to target. I slapped the fly a few times near them and one catfish turned around and grabbed the fly. After a short fight the fish was safely in the net and I immediately phoned the other two to come and join me.

First fish for the day!

About 5 minutes later I was into my next fish, this one gave me a good bend in my new Sage One five weight, although it was no match for the serious backbone of this rod and after about 2 minutes the fish was in the net. Craig and Jeandre showed up just as I netted the fish and I could take a better photo of the fish.

The Upgrade

We continued to fish with little success and eventually Craig managed to hook a smaller catfish with a Black and Red Woolly bugger.

Craig with a Baby Catfish

After this fish we couldn't manage to get any catfish to take our flies and we decided to call it a day! Hopefully on our next outing the gold bars will give us a showing!

K-WAY Hydro Vent 20 Day Pack - On Promotion at Cape Union Mart Sale

So I thought I would share this bargain buy I got over the weekend. A K-WAY Hydro Vent 20 Day Pack that on promotion for R275.00 (normally R500) at Cape Union Mart. They have a SALE on from 27 July to 19 August. They have the GoPro HD Hero Naked also on sale for R2299.00. Sale items can be bought online and items R250 and over get free delivery!

I got the orange bag, they are also available in blue and red

I bought it with the idea of using it for fly-fishing on mostly the Vaal River and small streams for trout. I will also use it for the occasional hiking trip, an added use that you get above other fishing vest or bags.

The pack sits high on your back to keep dry during wading

Tech Specs:

Volume: 17 + 3 litres

Size: 32 x 14.5 x 44cm

Weight: 1.038kg

Material: 420D Diamond ripstop PU Coated, 600D PU coated

Special features:

• Hydration system compatible
• Raincover at bottom
• Breathable backing system
• Expandable volume
• 2 mesh pockets

Some of these special features I find quite useful for a fly fishing outing. A hydration bladder can be inserted and is nice to have to keep hydrated during a hike on a small stream or a hot day on the Vaal. If you are not a fan of a hydration bladder two water bottles can be inserted in the mesh pockets on each side.

The breathable backing system is one of the features that I look for in a back pack and helps to keep you cool, especially if you wear a moisture control shirt.

The bag has a pocket at the front with mesh compartments ideal for small fly boxes, tippet, leaders or whatever you would need on a day outing on a river. The top pocket has further space for similar items or maybe a small camera, mobile phone etc (waterproof camera or a camera/phone in a dry bag). The main compartment has a lot of space for any larger objects such an extra reel, jacket, extra water bottles, food etc.

On the strap there is some space to clip on a variety of items such as nets, pliers, floatant and as you will see from the photo below a fly-fishing chest pack (the chest pack is an Xplorer Pesca Chest pack)

A chest pack can be clipped onto the back pack

The chest pack combined with the back pack

A chest pack will make it easier to change flies, rigs etc if you like experimenting or adapting fast to changing fishing conditions. On most occasions I will only use the back pack with a fly fishing shirt. In the one shirt pocket I will have a small fly box with a selection of dry flies, nymphs and a streamer or 2. In the other pocket I will have a few tippet options and items such as floatants etc.

I hope this gives you a different perspective on a back pack and an alternative option to the variety of fly vests and packs out there. And for R275.00 it is quite a bargain!