RHODES

We had 40 ml of rain and some snow a week ago and it has made a major difference to the rivers which were running a bit low for this time of year. At the moment the lower Sterk and the Kraai are still bit discoloured but otherwise all of our many streams and rivers are in fine fettle. It is interesting to see that there are plenty of small barbs around and possibly some of the small fish are also yellowfish fry from the summer spawning season.

It is worth noting that the rivers will remain open again throughout the winter for those hardy enough to brave the cold.

Rhodes district

LADY GREY

Last month Alf Ross of Lupela reported that the Karringmelk was low for March month but 18 hours of soft soaking rain which totalled 50ml has transformed the river and it is looking really nice.

The major news from the riparian owners of this very attractive stream is that they have decided to promote the Karringmelk in a different way. They will form the Karringmelk Collection from Lupela upstream with their own website for marketing purposes. With this initiative they will be able to offer a substantial amount of water to the angler. They also will have access for the yellow fish angler on the Kraai.

They will make use of a permit system.  River will be divided into beats of about 2km at a given time when there is more than one group on a specific stretch.  Fishing for the angler staying on the river will be R100 and for day fishermen R350 per rod.  At a later stage they want to start a route from one venue to another on the Karringmelk, fish and stay in different venues every night or every second night.

MACLEAR/UGIE 

On this eastern side of the escarpment  they have had even more rain than Rhodes and nearby Elliot by contrast is very dry. A party took a 4X4 into the upper Mooi valley and did very well last weekend. At the moment the rivers are fairly high and strong with the lower reaches a little murky, but  all reaches including the lower rivers should be perfect by the festival. 42 of the 45 places for the popular “Rapture of the River Festival” from 16 to 18 May have been taken so if you want to enter you had better move fast – refer Events page.

More information may also be gleaned from the club website at www.maclearfishing.co.za.

A Maclear river