My first glimpse of a smallmouth yellowfish, the species I have travelled from the UK to South Africa to photograph. But why do we hear so little about these fantastic fish over in Europe ? Fishing related work has been taking me to Africa for a few years now, and more so I was hearing of this great fly fishing quarry, the yellowfish. A species that has definitely achieved cult status in its South African home, but one which we Europeans need to catch up on. Even this small example fought like a caged tiger before Gerhard Laubscher managed to hold it right into my fisheye lens.
Smallmouth and largemouth yellowfish inhabit the Orange and Vaal rivers and their numerous tributaries. Many people reckon the best of the fishing lies on the Vaal river, within a four hour radius of the bustling Johannesburg airport. The gorgeous South African summer light and weather allows fishermen to wet-wade the boulder-strewn Vaal river, treading warily amongst the slippery rocks to access the best fishing spots. Shallow, warm water, achingly blue skies, plenty of hard fighting fish, half the distance from Europe to somewhere like New Zealand, relatively cheap fishing, just outstanding sport, what are you waiting for ? There's a world of fishing out there.
The all important choosing of the fly; Gerhard Laubscher of South African fly fishing travel company FlyCastaway delves deep into a full box of yellowfish flies. Most fishing is done blind in relatively murky water, upstream nymphing with small weighted flies that need to get down quick to where the fish root around amongst the boulders for food. Coming from a UK winter, it feels a little strange to be wading around in shorts and felt-soled wading boots. A week after this I was wearing breathable chest-waders and (thermals) on a UK trout lake, breaking the ice to photograph the fishing !!
Is it the warmer water that makes fish fight so hard ? Gerhard is like most South African fisherman I have come across, in that they learn fast to play fish very hard. These obliging smallmouths liked to nail a fly as it swept downstream and would then usually charge off upstream on a long first run. Trying to make your way across the river with horribly expensive cameras around your neck, lethally slippery boulders underfoot, and a fish you need to photograph, this is what my job is about. The yellowfish to me seems like a cross between a well-shaped carp and a barbel; they simply light up in that African light, making my work far easier.
I had never come across a fly fisherman working the rod really hard to change direction on a fish until I began photographing overseas. The secret seems to be in denying a fighting fish the chance to build up a head of steam that can cause the fisherman all kinds of trouble. Gerhard would constantly change the rod direction, opposite to the way the fish wanted to take, and this in turn helped to get the fish in faster. A fish that has not exhausted itself during a fight is far easier to return quickly and safely. Makes for great angles to photograph as well; fly fishing just looks so good.
On this particular day we were fishing and photographing near to a small town called Standerton, about a four hour drive from Johannesburg. Perfect weather, very good river levels (this is vital for successful fishing, but a good guide will know in advance where to take you to find good water), and a lot of perfect yellowfish that were on the feed in a big way. I had to leave my camera bag perched perilously on a rock in the middle of the river and use that "base-camp" to change lenses and cards, all the while hoping that nothing would float down and sweep it all away !!
Always the best part of catching fish for me, the releasing of the prize. To see your quarry swimming safely away is just such an important part of the overall experience; there is nothing wrong with the taking of some fish to eat, indeed that is why many people go fishing in the first place, but more so we need to release what we catch. I am always conscious that photographing fish is going to stress them a little, but their safety always comes before my need to get the photos. Gerhard caught a load and they all swam away strongly.
To do this kind of fishing :
I went with a South Africa based company called FlyCastaway : they choose the most exciting species in southern Africa and the Indian Oceans to fly fish for. Then they select the finest destinations where these fish inhabit and also the best times of the year. Once all the logistics are in place (personnel, accommodation, transfers etc.), they take their clients there. They guide for species such as tiger fish, large and smallmouth yellowfish, bonefish, huge Giant Trevally, dog-tooth tuna etc..
There is now a UK agent for FlyCastaway and I wholeheartedly recommend him, contact Peter McLeod (lots of other great destinations as well) : www.aardvarkmcleod.com
