They look almost identical to our carp. We catch them and hunt them with bows. Bow fishing for carp is a blast. Not sure how big your yellows get, but our carp are commonly 5-20lbs and on occasion can reach 30-40lbs. I want to try for one on a fly rod, but haven't yet.

Brett

I have caught a few carp on the fly rod while fishing for trout. I have also, just for fun, fished for them in the spring time when they were spawning, just to give me something to do for a couple of hours. They are very strong and will run, but I have never had one jump or perform the aerobatics that trout, bass, etc. do. I have also bowfished for them, and we used to bring them home and bury them around trees and shrubs for fertilizer.

Here is a connection that I found on Yellow Fish that describes their origin and distribution:


Labeobarbus aeneus More info | Plus d'info | Mais info | Fishwatchers: Add your observation | Attach your web site to this page | NEW! Upload your photos and videos for this fish | FishBase
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Labeobarbus aeneus
Smallmouth yellowfish

Labeobarbus aeneus (Burchell, 1822)
Family: Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps) picture (Baaen_u0.jpg) by South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity


Order: Cypriniformes (carps)
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
FishBase name: Smallmouth yellowfish
Max. size: 50.0 cm FL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 7248)); max. published weight: 7,837 g (Ref. 7248); max. reported age: 12 years (Ref. 6465)
Environment: benthopelagic; potamodromous (Ref. 51243); freshwater
Climate: subtropical; 24°S - 33°S
Importance: fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.13-0.27; tmax=12)
Vulnerability: High vulnerability (58.36). (Ref. 59153)
Distribution:
Gazetteer Africa: originally endemic to the Orange-Vaal River system, South Africa. Has been introduced into the Gouritz River, South Cape and the Olifants River, Limpopo River system where it is now established.
Morphology: Dorsal spines (total): 4; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 5
Biology: Occurs in impoundments and rivers. Prefers clear-flowing waters over sandy or rocky substrates. An omnivorous bottom feeder. Diet includes water fleas, snails, plankton, small mussels, insects, small fish, algae and detritus. Breeds in spring through to midsummer after the first substantial rains of the season. Migrates upstream to spawn over suitable gravel beds (Ref. 7248).
Red List Status: Least Concern (LC) (Ref. 57073)
Dangerous: harmless
Coordinator:
Main Ref: Lévêque, C. and J. Daget. 1984 . (Ref. 2801)

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Checked:
Sa-a, Pascualita Modified:
Boden, Gert Entered:
Froese, Rainer

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FishBase mirror: Stockholm, Sweden Page last modified on 01.10.08

Thanks for the info UEG...I do not know them that well.. but I can tell you they put on one hell of a fight.

We catch a lot carp. Specimen and just for fun. Solly my head tracker cannot eat enough of them (also classed as a alien species so by the way).

I promise you one thing, you cannot even begin to name a carp and yellow in the same breath. The Yellow is truly one of the fastest and strongest fish I have connected with on the fly, and that includes tigers.

These fish were all taken in the Vaal.

Here is another. Our biggest client and fan...me dad:

These fish were all released.The ones you see here are VERY good specimens of the species in the the 6lbs class. We catch about 15 per day in the 3lbs class and then one or two of these big boys....

Do you catch them on the top, bottom or in between? .......... with that body shape and mouth position, they look like bottom feeders to me

Kind of like a poor man's bonefish. Yes, that was going to be my next question, Shakari. Charl: What fly patterns do you use to catch them on? (As the information on them states that they are bottom feeders, do you use nymphs?)

If I remember some of the old Dutch writings, most of the 1500s South Africa was uninhabited too. Should the current "rulers" be run out too?

They (whoever they are) are doing the same thing to Santa Rosa Island off the coast of Santa Barbara, California. They want to turn the island back to what it was like before the Spainish explorers showed up. The problem is that there was nothing on these islands back then. They have already removed all the wild sheep and boar. Next will be the elk and mule deer to be culled off by the end of 2011. We will be left with nothing but wind swept desolate islands that no one will visit.

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
Kind of like a poor man's bonefish. Yes, that was going to be my next question, Shakari. Charl: What fly patterns do you use to catch them on? (As the information on them states that they are bottom feeders, do you use nymphs?)

We use a method call Cezch nymphing. Two/Three flies (yes, nymphs) go on the leader with a strike indicator on top. No casting is done as such and the line is just drifted into the current. Well, when I say no casting it is not realy true. A short, 5 yard under hand flop cast, does the trick to get the flies in your chosen spot. Although they are bottom feeders, they will attack anything anywhere they fancy with so much ferocity that it stings in your hands when they take of.

They realy are VERY hard fighting fish. The only pitty is that they do not get arobatic like Bass, Tigers and trout, but then again, neither does Bonefish... . UEG, when we go Vaalie hunting, I'll take you to experience this.....

UEG

I've never fished for them so can't comment on flies other than to say that from Charl's comment, they fish for them in a similar way to the way we often fish for trout, ie, nymph(ish) flies with droppers etc.

I don't get much time to go flyfishing now as I always seem to be too busy with other things.

That is a very nice fish indeed!

Why don't we arrange an AR Flyfishing Weekend?

I've got a lovely place [camping only] just downstream from the Gariep Dam [used to be called something else]. That's probably to far for many/most, but it is what I can offer.

Any thoughts about some of us getting together with barbless fly's and rods and some cold beers?

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

UEG, we will be making a short video on a trip early in March.

Prodcution will be handled by our own:
www.bigfiveproductions.com

It is not commercial, just for fun. I will post for our mutual enjoyment.

Andrew,

Sounds like a plan to me!

Andrew,

I'm in if you and shakari want to pay for my plane ticket.

quote:

Originally posted by Brett Adam Barringer:
Andrew,

I'm in if you and shakari want to pay for my plane ticket.

Brett,

Shit man, that's a great idea. Unfortunately right now I'm a bit tight for 1/2 cost of a first class return ticket, I'm sure Steve will bo OK though. Will you be prepared to suffer in business class?

In good fly-fishing.

Andrew McLaren

Oh, thanks buddy!!!!!

With friends like that, who needs enemies!!!

So, do you use weighted nymphs or attach split shot?

Don't know about how they do it in Africa, but when I used to do it in the UK, I'd use a small, weighted fly on the tail and whatever nymphs I fancied on the droppers........ didn't seem to matter whether the were weighted or not because the tail fly would handle any boyancy.

quote:

So, do you use weighted nymphs or attach split shot?

Either / or and both sometimes, depends on the water depth and current velocity, size of flies etc etc

They can also be taken on dries and swiming nymphes during hatches. Almost any caddis or mayfly nypmph pattern between sizes 12-18 work well. Some guys have favourites but the most important is to put the fly within the fishes feeding range. Two fly dropper rigs are popular as are the 3 fly rigs but to be honest when the fishing is good i just use one fly as I have less foul hook-up that way.

Charl, most guys are not actaully Czech nymphing. Most of us on the Vaal are doing a bastardized verison affectionately known as 'chuck-nymphing'. Some okes do czech nymph in its pure form but not many that I see!

When in SA (I am abroad again for a while) I live on the Vaal river in Parys. I know the river downstream of town (and bit upstream too)very very well and have a few secret channels

When I am back next year I would take anyone fishing for the day. I normally run about 7km of river in inflatables and fish my favourite spots. I like to fish hard and fish very physically doing lots of walking up channels, through bushy island etc - effort is always rewarded.

I have a friend in parys - Danie van Zyl- who offers a guide service through his company ten3 safaris.

Cheers

A sport with flys and czeck nymphos i dont think my wife will approve

quote:

Originally posted by 375 fanatic:
A sport with flys and czeck nymphos i dont think my wife will approve

375 Fanatic: That's just part of it. Your wife will really go into a tizzy when you further mention rods, their length, diameter, stiffness and effectiveness! And, if your fly fishing guide just happens to be Cindy Garrison, well, look out!

And to top it all you catch a fish aswell

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
375 Fanatic: That's just part of it. Your wife will really go into a tizzy when you further mention rods, their length, diameter, stiffness and effectiveness! And, if your fly fishing guide just happens to be Cindy Garrison, well, look out!

UEG, Rudi's wife won't mind Cindy so much at all! Here's is a picture of Sam, she is Rudi's regular fishing buddy!



In good flyfishing with long stiff rods!

Andrew McLaren

Thanks Andrew

i was looking for that photo but you were to quick for me. Sam and me are on a 30 day diet we have lost 4 days so far

Sorry I only replied now, missed the thread a bit....

Gerhard I just used the Czech to explain the basic principal in general terms.

The two fly dropper rigs work the best for me....

Rudi, how's the diet going now...she looks very good, reminds of a protein diet I was on last year...