Yellowfish Smallmouth

FlyFishing for Yellowfish or Yellows on the Orange River in South Africa, just below the Gariep Dam wall as at lodge called “Orange River Tented Camp” the main technique used is called Czech Nymphing. Sorry about the jerky video but it is quite difficult to fish with one hand and record video with the other. Nonetheless I think it is watchable and please understand I am by no means a pro, thus my commentary is just to give one an overview of what I was thinking of at the time.

The Orange River Tented Camp offers for the discerned nature lover a variety of activities that includes, team building, fly fishing, canoe safaris, horse riding, hunting, bird watching, hiking and more. Stay in luxury tenthouses with breathtaking views.

The Camp is situated only 1 km below the Gariep Dam and 10 km from the N1 highway. It is ideally situated between Cape Town, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth. The tenthouses are built on wooden decks with en-suite bathrooms and are equipped with all the modern necessities like, electrical blankets for the cooler nights fridge, kettle and hot showers.

For family reunions or team building there is a big Lapa available with an impressive wooden deck that is overlooking the majestic river. Here you can enjoy fun filled nights around the fire in our Lapa or boma next door. Traditional Karoo cuisines are being served in the months of December and January. A self-catering unit is next to each tent with braai facilities, gas plate and cutlery. A Braai pack that includes Karoo lamb is available for the self-caterers.

Don and I spent the day on yellows, not sure who was more tired at the end, us or the fish! Condition of the fish wasn't too great after the sewage leak in December 2008. Caught at least 10 or so with my home tied nymph

Don, Dorian and Roman Dry Fly fishing for those yellows. Outside temp abut 30 degrees celsius and water temp about 26 degrees celsius. The yellows at this particular spot have been porpussing for the past 2-3 months now and make for very exciting dry fly fishing. Highly recommended for any keen yellow fish fly angler.

Lake Heritage is situated on the property of the Heia Safari Ranch, it is ideal for canoeing, fishing and team building.

Fish Eagle have made the Lake their home!

Experience these majestic creatures while basking in the tranquility of our lake.

Yellow fish Paradise was bought by the present owners in 1980 and had no more improvements other than a 2 bedroom house, a dilapidated garage and a small bungalow.

The property now comprises of 5 bungalows, several camp sites (with and without electricity), ablution facilities, braai facilities, play park for the children, swimming pool, putt-putt, a fully stocked shop, a fully licensed bottle store and a 5 bedroom house - occupied by the owner.

During the summer months, the temperatures reach maximums of 30 - 33 degrees, making this the ideal place for sunbathers. It does however get just as cold during the winters, but all the more reason to cuddle up around the camp fires. The rainfall season is usually around late December to mid January and then again late April to Mid-may.

There is lovely scenery and an abundance of bird life on the half a mile of river frontage. The waters are ideal for wading, just remember to wear old shoes and use a wading stick when wondering into the water. The yellow fish, bass and carp fishing is an absolute must for the fly fisherman.

Directions:
From Johannesburg, proceed along the N1 towards Bloemfontein for approximately 65kms. On route, you will pass through the Grassmere Toll Plaza, proceed straight ahead until you reach the Potchefstroom / Vanderbijlpark (Exit 9) offramp (3rd offramp after toll gate). Take this offramp. At the top of this offramp, turn right towards Potchefstroom. Proceed along this road for 6,8km. At the signboard indicating BARRAGE, turn left, proceed along this dirt road for 1,3km. Turn right just before school (blue and white buildings). Keep to the right for 1,1km. Open / close farm gate and proceed for 0,5km. Report at the house / reception.

To start you off in the right direction, we offer great accommodation for a prolonged stay. We also have a beauty spa which provides various treatments to further assist you in acquiring a well deserved rest.

If you feel the need to enjoy the great outdoors then grab your fishing rod and head for the water.
Bass fishing @ R60.00 per fisherman - catch and release, no live bait. Visitors(not fishing) @ R30.00 per person.

It is our mission to keep you as rested as possible and to ensure that when its time for you to go, that you leave us with a refreshed mind and body.

Welcome to the best fly fishing water for yellows on the Vaal. We offer about 20 km of pristine fly fishing water for small and large mouth yellow fish. Floating trips can be organized or you can enjoy the streams around the lodge and experience catching that big yellow.

A basic Fly Fishing Shop is available on the lodge. Fly fishing trips can also be organized with experienced guides, these trips must however be booked in advance.

Each year the lodge hosts the Annual small & large mounth Bell's Windknot Fly Fishing Festivals. For more information contact our booking office.

With deep holes and rapids, Dimalachite is the ideal fishing venue for fly as well as deep-water fishing. Our motto is “catch and release”. So please take a nice photo, and release the fish as soon as possible. We rent out rafts to paddle to the islands and rapids, or you can bring your own. Met diep gate versprei oor die oewer, bied ons u die geleentheid om daardie grote aan te keer. Grootbek geelvis van tot 11,2kg is al hier gevang en vrygelaat, en kleinbek geelvis word gereeld aangekeer. Koning- en volskub karp van tot 15kg vat gereeld die aas. Onderbek van 3kg en baber van tot 20kg laat gereeld die katrolle sing.

Discover the peace and tranquillity of nature from the banks of the Vaal River...

Named after the MALACHITE KINGFISHER (Aloeda Cristata), that nest along the banks of the river, DIMALACHITE NATURE RESORTS and RIVER LODGE is
situated in the crater of South Africa's latest World Heritage site, the "Vredefort Dome". The crater was created 2000 million years ago by the
biggest and oldest Meteorite that ever struck the earth: It was 10 km in diameter (as big as Table Mountain)!

Caravan and campsites with a lovely view over the river are available, or make use of our regular 4 to 6 bed self-catering chalets. If you want to spoil the family, book them into the luxury 4 to 6 bed River Lodges. Bring only towels and something to eat.

Come and enjoy the thrill of White-water Rafting, Quadbike drives and paintball. Join us for sunset cruise on rafts just before sunset, with snacks or a bonfire braai.

For the kids we have a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, DSTv, pool table and a playground. Let them bring their bikes/mountain bikes, too - there's plenty of space for that.

Dimalachite offers the ideal facilities and activities for corporate teambuilding and functions. Full conference facilities with
mouth-watering meals and bar facilities are at your disposal.

We also cater for school and youth camps. Accommodation, meals and a wide variety of activities as well as conference facilities.

Dimalachite is also a fisherman's Paradise - excellent for bank fishing. For fly-fisherman and people who would like to catch fat big yellow in
the streams, we rent out 2 man rafts, or bring your own along if you
have one.

Our kiosk sells ice, wood, charcoal, cool-drinks, ice-cold beer.

Campsites on the riverfront, Big-mouth yellows up to 11,2kg. Small mouth yellows, Mudfish 3kg - Carp 15kg, Barber 19kg.
Guided outings for yellows.

The house is situated 20 minutes away from the Royal Natal National Park where one can do the various mountain hikes, walks, trout fishing, horse riding (Rugged Glen 036-4386422). The Witsieshoek Sentinel Park is an hour’s drive away. There one can climb the mighty Sentinel with it’s chain ladders to the top of the Tugela Falls – the second highest in the world (950m) on top of Mont aux Sources. Five major rivers have their sources above the escarpment, some flowing to the Indian Ocean, others, including South Africa's longest, the Orange River, flowing westwards for more than 2000kms to the Atlantic Ocean. It was in this area in 1878 that the last group of San (Bushmen) were seen.

Sterkfontein Dam is situated in the very upper reaches of the Vaal Dam catchment on the Nuwejaarspruit, a few kilometres from the edge of the Drakensberg Escarpment. It has a very small catchment area with negligible natural inflow with the result that it requires no spillway. The dam receives its water via the Tugela-Vaal Project which is a pumped-storage scheme involving the net transfer of up to 630 million m3 of water from KwaZulu-Natal. The water from KwaZulu-Natal is stored in Sterkfontein Dam and released to Vaal Dam via the Wilge River when needed. Due to the favourable storage and climatic characteristics of Sterkfontein Dam, it is beneficial to store water in the deep cool Sterkfontein Dam and only release water to the shallow Vaal Dam when needed. The evaporation losses from Sterkfontein Dam are approximately 35 million m3/a which represent approximately 10% of the losses that would be experienced from Vaal Dam for a similar volume. is pumped up from Kilburn Dam at a rate of 174m3/s by four 250MW pump/turbines into Driekloof Dam during period of low power demand. During period of peak demand, typically during the morning and early evening, the water is released from Driekloof Dam at a rate of 312 m3/s to generate up to 1 000 MW of power.

The dam has facilities for all your water sports. The Basotho cultural village and Loin Rock Game Ranch with its white lions is an hour’s drive away. The Drakensberg Boy’s Choir (Dragons Peak) is 45 minutes away with concerts every Wednesday. Do not miss a trip to All Out Adventures for Flying / trapeze / Foofy slide / Bungee Bounce and the Gorge Swing (036 4386242). Visit DIDIMA Rock Art Centre (036 4881027) and Helicopter Flights @ Starlite (0825723949). Also Four Rivers Rafting (0837851693), Golf at Hlalanathi (036 4386308). For kite boarding right here on the dam, contact Jo @ Dolphin Dreams (0844711907 / 031 3033442).We have Mountain Bikes / Trails.