FOSAF FLYFISHING REPORTS - Saltwater - South Coast

Fishing for salt water and yellow fish species on the KZN South Coast has really taken a back seat in the last few weeks. Heavy rains in January resulted in the spots adjacent to the mouths of the larger rivers, Umzimkulu and Umtamvuna, being totally unfishable. The areas to the immediate north and south of these rivers were also adversely affected, depending on the wind direction at the time. As is the norm, the water actually cleared very quickly, but the fish have not returned and members of the South Coast Fly Anglers (SCFA) are not even trying their luck. Bait anglers are also few and far between.

   A scheduled trip to the Umzimkulu River near Paddock by SCFA members was cancelled as the river was too dirty and remains so, due to consistent rain in the Underberg catchment area.

    Farm dams have been producing a good number of bass, virtually on any fly that is presented, but the vast majority are very small; a sure indication that the dams are over-stocked. The owner-farmers are however unwilling for these small bass to be culled, because they are a big attraction for young anglers when an angling competition is held by the local Farmers Associations. These competitions are a large money-spinner for the Associations, so their reluctance to do the “correct thing” is understandable.

Event Calendar for the club.

The Umtamvuna estuary