This month Johannes Bulfin stays in Africa and goes in search of yellowfish on the fly. He shares flies tactics and a love of an amazing fish.
Yellow fever.
“Yellow fever is an obsessive need to fish for Southern African Yellowfish, symptoms include agitation, restlessness, cold sweat, finger tapping, pencil chewing and swinging fly rods indoors. If left unchecked it may result in financial and relational ruin” – Highly Unofficial Oxford Dictionary.
Perhaps it was prompted by last month’s piece on tigerfish, but I found myself reminiscing about the Dark Continent an awful lot over the past few weeks. Africa has crept under my skin again and it won’t leave me alone, I have to scratch that itch. Therefore back to Africa it is again this month folks.
Flicking through digital stacks of photographs I was dwelling long and hard on pictures of scenery, animals, and people and of course fish! Fond memories filled my mind afresh as the images sunk in, images of delirious fly anglers holding fish with bright golden scales, under-slung mouths and small barbels at the corner of the mouth.
You may have heard quiet whisperings about yellowfish but please allow me to introduce the fish and its sporting abilities to you. The best way to describe a yellowfish is (with a photograph obviously!) to imagine a streamlined common carp crossed with an Indian golden mahseer! Although smaller.
As far as I am aware there are seven species of yellowfish found in Southern Africa, I am open to correction on this however? Of these species the smallmouth and largemouth yellowfish are the most common and popular with fly anglers. These two species are found within the Orange / Vaal river basin, which is an enormous catchment stretching from Lesotho all the way west to the Atlantic Ocean. I will concentrate on the smallmouth yellowfish in this article as it is the more widespread of the two.
Smallmouth yellowfish grow to 9 kg (20lb) although anything over 10 lb is considered a monster! However the average size is rather high at about 4lb to 6lb. They inhabit fast, streamy rapids during the hot months and are highly active and aggressive feeders during this time. Smallmouths feed on insects and aquatic larvae making them an ideal species to target with a fly rod. During the cooler months of May until August the smallmouths tend to move into slower and deeper water below the rapids. They are still very much catchable at this time of year but require a little more patience.
Techniques used are usually nymphing methods, with or without a strike indicator. This involves casting a team of two or three heavy nymphs upstream and allowing them to trundle down in the fast water. Czech nymphing is also used frequently. There are times however when a hatch of insects will bring the smallmouths to the surface and a dry fly will be your best bet. A balanced seven weight outfit is a good choice in my humble opinion and below are a few remaining examples of successful yellowfish flies that have survived in dark corners of forgotten fly boxes! One fly that I would not be without though is a Copper John, basically a pheasant tail nymph tied with copper wire!
Before starting college I spent five months working with a rafting and fly fishing outfitters in South Africa. During this time I contracted what is locally known as the “Yellowfever”, a compulsive need to fish for and catch yellowfish on a regular basis. If this need is not met the withdrawal symptoms can be very unpleasant for yourself and those around you....
My first smallmouth yellowfish on the fly ranks as one of the most incredible fish I've ever caught. I was fishing a deep run between two rocks when my indicator stopped, I lifted halfheartedly but the reaction I got was in no way proportional to my feeble strike! The fish rocketed up and across the river and didn't stop, it just kept going and going and... I was now looking at my backing flying off the reel.
Over the next 10 minutes or so the fishing gods, Jesus, Allah and Buddha were all bombarded with heartfelt pleas not to allow this one to get away! At least one of them was on duty that morning as the fish slipped over the rim of the net! I collapsed with relief. My guide/employer couldn't believe the size of the fish and I got many jibes about the “bloody lucky Irish”! The fish weighed over 10lbs, 10.9 lbs to be precise.
These fish are legendary fighters in their home land and have to be experienced to be fully appreciated. They will make any rainbow trout look pedestrian. Although they don’t generally take to the air they are known for blistering runs that simply rip line from the reel or simply snap your rod if the clutch is too tight, I’ve seen it happen! Ok, I admit it. It actually happened to me.
The beauty about fishing for yellowfish is that they are relatively easily accessible. Relatively because you have to get to South Africa first! The Vaal river holds some very productive fishing, with plenty of outfitters and guides along its banks. You are generally close to civilization here, however if you are looking for an African adventure then rafting down the Orange river for several days through the Kalahari desert in pursuit of yellowfish is definitely something to consider! Or maybe you just want to go to experience a little bit of the South African obsession with “brai” (barbecue) meat!!
If for some reason you find yourself in South Africa one day, then fish for yellowfish on the fly. You will remember it for the rest of your life.
To read more from Johannes read his excellent blog Road to Water