Analysis | Scaly hunters out and about as rivers settle after break in rainfall

News From Jan:The Norwegian weather gurus keep threatening (promising) us with some falling damp, but it certainly seems to be skirting the greater Midlands … the only area that is getting any is up close to The ‘Berg, halfway up to Himeville/Underberg, which reported some 46mm in a single overnight cloudburst this week. There were a few more double-figure reports (23 / 14 / 13 /12mm) lower down, and low single figures for the rest as one retreated from the mountains. The break in the rainfall has allowed the rivers to settle, even down to the lower reaches, to the extent that the scaly hunters are back out and about.

There have been some good reports of fish from the Mooi River, as well as further afield on the uMzimkhulu. The trout streams are also receiving attention from the Natal Fly Fishers Club members. The central Mooi River beats showed off some of its brown trout jewels in the 9-11 inch / 23-28 cm class.

on a mixed bag of nymph and dry fly patterns. Just a single return from the NFFC stillwater anglers, with a good number of rainbows up to the 13-15 inch / 33-38 cm bracket. Water was reported as “warm”.

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Given the recent high daytime temperatures, it is suggested that anglers carry a thermometer to monitor surface water temperatures, start early and fish later, limiting midday fishing hours, especially if practising Catch & Release. Fish “low and slow” in the deeper, cooler water, with the usual array of summer fodder : woolly buggers in olive and black, damsel- and dragonfly nymph patterns in olive, along with midge and bloodworm patterns that can also do well at this time of the year. Further afield, there are some good fish coming from the Underberg waters.

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) continues to be a cause for alarm in The Midlands KZN. NFFC anglers are again advised to keep an eye on the noticeboards when booking waters and to please follow any landowner requests when accessing their property. The Lions River Ezemvelo Honorary Officers issued an urgent request for reports on any wildlife showing symptoms of FMD, and called for livestock movement restrictions to prevent any further spread, while they work on monitoring the situation with regards to the impact on local wildlife.

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