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 YWG Newsletter: May 2012
Dear All, This monthly newsletter is a free service from FOSAF and anyone who has an interest in yellowfish and our other indigenous fishes is welcome to contact me if they wish to be placed on the mailing list.
And if you are on the mailing list and your firewall protection blocks the link we send you we suggest you use your browser to visit our website and access the newsletter and in fact any back copies or the large amount of information in the YWG Archives. Other News - 1. Flyfishing reports from the various regions are mixed. On the Phongola Horst Filter is enjoying a good autumn good season with small and largescale, but he is concerned about the low flow for this time of the year. Further south the scaly of the Umkomaas in the Ixopo/Richmond area have given excellent autumn sport but tend to be difficult to catch once winter temperatures set in. In the upper and middle Vaal there are real concerns about pollution (see 3 below) and poor visibility, but Etienne Benade is most encouraging when it comes to the lower Vaal (http://fosaf.co.za/fishingReports.php?id=22) and the approach of the largemouth season. Apparently visibility in the lower Vaal is improving rapidly and there have been few or no pollution reports recently. Note that we try and update our website flyfishing reports on a monthly basis These include yellows, trout and saltwater.
- 2. Leon Barkhuizen (barkhl@detea.fs.gov.za) is arranging a meeting in the Eastern Free State to discuss the ongoing problem of flyfishers disturbing and targeting spawning yellows in Sterkfontein Dam. This behaviour is not only illegal in the Free State but in all other provinces. Leon will also be chairing the next OVRYCMA meeting starting 9 am on 11 May at the Vredefort Dome Management office in the Venterskroon area.
- 3. Brandon Stonefield has once again been very active in following up reports of the recurring pollution problem originating from the Parys sewage plant, and he has also passed on reports of illegal jigging at Oord Nebo. In addition he circulated photos of diseased yellows caught in the Waterval River near Villiers. The Waterval which originates in the Secunda/Greylingstad area is one of the Vaal's most badly polluted tributaries.
- 4. It is also disappointing to report that FOSAF and its coalition partners in the Steenkampsberg Environmental Initiative project are facing a serious challenge from the DMR (Mining Dept) who appear hell bent on issuing prospecting and mining licences in the Dullstroom/Belfast area. The most contentious is an application for an open cast coal mine on the Dullstroom side of Belfast, but in fact any mine in this area poses a serious threat to the many flyfishing destinations, the unique biodiversity and the large amount of good quality water produced here for downstream users.
- 5. And lastly, for those interested in the indigenous freshwater fishes of the Western Cape there is an excellent new book out by Craig Garrow and Sean Marr titled ‘Swimming on the edge of extinction'. For more information go to http://fosaf.co.za/newsDisplay.php?type=Current&id=69 or contact Craig at craig@prontoclearing.co.za.
Regards, Peter
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