flymage magazine issue #21 dec 2013
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GOLD DIVINING IN AFRICABy John Langridge
THE RETURN TO ASCENSION BAYBy Paul Sharman
THE BARBEL WHISPERERBy José H. Weigand
12 MONTHS/12 IMAGES
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Gold divining
in AfricaBy John Langridge
Gold divining
in AfricaBy John Langridge
The superb African yellowfish are closely related to various European barbel species. The South African Organisation the Orange/Vaal Yellowfish Conservation Group works for the conservation of these species and for the promotion of catch and release angling, which, moreover, is flyfishing only. There are various stretches of the Vaal and Orange Rivers where this style of fishing is the only method allowed. It is surprising how many mad-keen flyfishers I know, who will travel the world in search of their beloved trout or various saltwater species, like the excellent bonefish, but that have never heard of, and much less fished for Africa’s decidedly feisty yellows. In Europe, Spain’s gypsy, shorthead or comizo barbel, for example, are all serious customers on fly gear. African yellowfish, meanwhile, are even more formidable opponents.
The main species pursued by flyfishermen are the largemouth and smallmouth yellowfish, Labeobarbus kimberleyensis and L. aeneus, the Clanwilliam yellowfish, L. capensis, the Kwazulu-Natal yellowfish, L. natalensis and the lowveld largescale and smallscale yellowfishes, L. marequensis and L. polylepsis. These fish are all recognisably barbel, not so very distantly removed from one of the UK’s most loved and sought after freshwater fish. There are more of this family in South Africa too, though not considered yellowfish, they are undeniably barbel as is clear from their scientific names, the Berg-Breede whitefish Barbus andrewi, the Clanwilliam sawfin, B. serra and the bushveld papermouth, B. rapax.
There are also African barbel of the genus Barbus, the Berg-Breede whitefish Barbus andrewi, the Clanwilliam sawfin, B. serra and the bushveld papermouth, B. rapax which are more closely related to Barbus barbus in Northern Europe. This group also includes two Spanish species, the mountain barbel, Barbus meridionalis, and the redtail, B. haasi.
My first yellowfish adventure took place along a stretch of the Vaal River in September 2013. In company with the first rate local guide Andre Hoffmann, who is also the director of the Orange/Vaal Yellowfish Conservation Group. We were after the smallmouth and we had an unforgettable week of pure gold, never better said!
We were upstream nymphing for five days and our fish ranged from around a pound in weight to over 11lb. On numerous occasions, while fishing a nice pool at the foot of a stretch of white-water rapids, where large yellows were often found, the take would result in the fish powering up the rapids and hammering away through the wild water on its first run, stripping off all the line and digging into the backing. More than once this lead to a completely straightened hook… they really are seriously powerful fish!When fishing other, more open, stretches of water, a hooked fish would rip straight into the strongest area of current and torpedo away from you using all its tremendous power, and, frankly, putting your gear at dangerous risk. More than one fish was lost this way!
Other species we caught were the African mudfish and the sharp tooth catfish, which, very curiously, is known locally as the ‘barbel.’
Those readers interested in a yellowfish adventure can contact the magazine or search the net for the many and varied yellowfish guiding services available in South Africa.
John Langridge
This Englishman from Canterbury, and based in Spain, is one of the most enthusiastic anglers we have ever known and he’s not averse to any technique or species. In Spain, he has found paradise where, for example, he can capture every species of barbel, carp and wels catfish. He is also the author of several books on fishing.
As I cast out is his latest book and will be available in spring 2014. For more information, click on the cover.
Blacktip shark, 277lb. Released
Latex caddisfly puppa Summer Nymph
Danica
CDC Caddis Caddis Puppa II
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by Mikel Elexpuru
The chance to revisit the stunning golden flats of Mexico’s Ascension Bay, home to myriad bonefish, permit and tarpon is one that I always find hard to resist. I love the mix of fishing available but also the fact you have all the Mayan culture and history nearby as well as the Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve too with all its amazing wildlife. Viva Mexico!
The Return to
by Paul Sharman
Ascension BayAscension Bay
The wide open expanse of Ascension Bay offers so many different areas to fish on any one day and state of tide that you are spoiled for choice.
Just another perfect day to go fishing in Ascension Bay.
In addition to Ascension Bay, you also have the large area of channels and mangroves that form the area known as “El Rio” behind the thin finger of land that extends from Tulum down to Punta Allen. Tarpon and snook love to call this home but sometimes you have to look hard to find the front door!
Permit can be found year round and although they are not always big they are always welcome.
Bonefish galore – this mixed school of bonefish, permit, ladyfish, lookdowns and jacks included several bones that were easily 5lb+ and just proves Ascension Bay does hold some larger fish too, not just the large schools of small fish it is already well-known for.
Just to prove a point, a larger than average bonefish screams off on a run.
The prize
Wading this little perfect little flat brought a couple of good sized bonefish before they were spooked by some marauding barracuda waiting for them just in the deeper water beyond the sand.
Resident tarpon in the 20lb class are always a great way to liven up the day and don’t need any persuading to go airborne, often multiple times.
Resident tarpon in the 20lb class are always a great way to liven up the day and don’t need any persuading to go airborne, often multiple times.
Sight fishing the flats is all about the anticipation and no more so then when on the hunt for permit – crab fly at the ready.
This was my third trip to Pesca Maya lodge, gateway to Ascension Bay and as always it delivered. In this case particularly well for my fishing companion who not only caught his first permit on the fly but also managed a grand slam too. I’m already looking forward to the next visit.
You can find more of Paul’s work or get in touch at www.paulsharmanoutdoors.com
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The Angling Trust – representing the anglers of EnglandBy Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive – Angling Trust & Fish Legal
The Angling Trust is the national governing body and representative organisation for all freshwater and sea anglers in England. It was formed in 2009 following a merger of several disparate bodies and it has now incorporated eleven different organisations into a single structure. It has 1,400 member angling clubs, with a combined membership of around 350,000 anglers, nearly 20,000 individual anglers and hundreds of fishery owners. The Trust manages and helps administer some 29 England angling teams in various disciplines and runs a wide range of national competitions. England is one of the top nations in the world for competitive angling, and is ranked number one in several disciplines.
The Angling Trust is funded by Sport England to deliver increased participation in angling, and also from revenue raised from the Environment Agency rod licence, which is a legal requirement for all freshwater anglers. It now employs nearly 40 staff. Last year it launched a National Angling Strategy with support from Defra (Department for environment, food and rural affairs) to get more people fishing. The Trust also carries out significant campaigning and lobbying work on behalf of its members on a wide range of environmental issues affecting marine and freshwater fish stocks and also on angling issues such as access to water.
Fish Legal acts as the legal arm of the Angling Trust in England and takes civil legal action against polluters and others who damage its members’ interests; freshwater angling rights are owned and leased as property rights and are worth, collectively, several billion pounds. Fish Legal is fighting around 60 legal cases throughout the country and also offers free legal advice to its member clubs and fisheries on a wide range of issues.
Angling is practised by more than 3 million people, generates £3.5 billion for the economy and directly employs nearly 40,000 people in England and Wales. We invite them all to join us at www.anglingtrust.net
By José H. Weigand
The barbel whisperer
By José H. Weigand
From January to December. That is how long the fly fishing season lasts for Carlos G. del Rey and with a very specific goal, barbel. For him trout, pike, bass and carp simply don’t exist. He is the equivalent of the so-called “trout bum”. Such a degree of knowledge of the behavior of the barbel in different waters and under all conditions has made Carlos into a specialist, a veritable “barbel whisperer”.
#6 weight rod, floating line and a relatively short leader for more accurate casting, especially in windy conditions.
In less than 1 second.
Walk slowly, look and keep looking ... This is one of the fishing techniques most similar to stalking in hunting.
The foam wasp is one of the most effective flies in summer and early autumn.
Pressing-hatch
Wading and casting long is a good strategy in the summer, barbel are very aware of shore anglers and often refuse the fly or are easily frightened.
A healthy common barbel
Under a holm oak, at 42 ° C in July.
The real bone-fish
Apetecible, right? Barbel find irresistible this “Demolition Stone”, a fly designed by Carlos for Rainy's.
Pea soup! Under these conditions fishing is very complicated, barbel remain under the algae layer and are almost impossible to locate.
Running down the rocks with the rod held high. Barbel tend almost always to run to the bottom and rub against the stones.
Carlos G. del Rey
Fly fishing guide, blogger (www.barbosconmosca.com), regular contributor to fishing magazines, author of a book on fly fishing for barbel and runs an online fly tying material shop, Barbel Bum.
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MONTHS
IMAGES12Celebrating a year ending
JANUARY
Miño River. Spain and Portugal
FEBRUARY
Pelicans. Belize
MARCH
Releasing palometa. Punta Allen - Mexico
APRIL
Sea bass territory at low tide. France
MAY
Classic bass fly fishing. Spain
JUNE
Sea trout. Barents Sea - Russia
JULY
Summer in the city. Madrid
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w
AUGUST
Kola Mist - Russia
SEPTEMBER
Double smile. Spain
OCTOBER
Fall. Québec - Canada
NOVEMBER
Reservoir. Spain (Javier Fdez. del Rivero Photo)
DECEMBER
Peace. France
Contributors in this issue
John Langridge, Paul Sharman, Carlos G. del Rey, Mikel Elexpuru
Advertising, please email us: advertising@flymage.net
José H. Weigand
Fly fisherman, photographer and TV fishing editor at Caza y Pesca channel on Digital+ for 14 years. Avid traveller, have fished over 35 countries. Fly fishing guide.
Antonio Goñi
Fishing video producer, photographer and fly fisherman. Currently producing fly tying series “The Silk corner” at Caza y Pesca channel on Digital+.
E D I T O R S
Issue #22 from Match 2014Issue #22 from March 2014
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