Flyfishing report: Saltwater - Upper South Coast

The upper South Coast has had plenty summer rain this past month. As usual the rains caused discolouration of our waterways and favourite fishing spots. Thankfully though the discoloured conditions didn’t last too long, and we were once again able to venture forth with fly rods in hand. Another hinderance that has been in place for longer than any our discoloured water conditions have ever lasted and has been in effect since…..

We in Durban are quite familiar with fishing restrictions being put in place by the authorities for various reasons. This time around it seems that there is a lack of clarity as to the enforcement of such restrictions that have been put in place. The ban was put in place by the Department of Forestry, Fishing and Environment, sometime late in the month of January, stating that the E. coli levels in the estuary are at dangerous levels. The Umgeni River does suffer from sewage flowing into the river from time to time, especially after heavy rains. And this is all well, good and understandable, yet this time around there is something different. Kayakers and a very well-known canoe race are still taking place. Daily, kayakers and canoeists can be seen paddling up and down the river without attracting the attention of the law enforcers. If you paddle across the river and fish on the north bank, you don’t get confronted by the authorities. But if you are an easy target, say within walking distance from the car park then, pasop you don’t get a fine of anything thing from a R1000 to R2000 or even being arrested. The matter was also featured in a local newspaper where fishermen voiced their frustrated opinions, stating unfairness in the enforcing of the recently imposed restrictions. So, for now, no fishing at the Umgeni River estuary, for how much longer, I guess we have to wait and see.

Thankfully though we have ample fishing grounds here in Durban, so the guys have been putting in the time and through perseverance have been rewarded. The sandy surf zones have produced plenty juvenile Wave Garrick and Banana fish as known by the locals, as Smelt. These are usually easy to catch and even the beginner fly fisherman can get a pull from one of these. The rocky surf zones along the Bluff have produced some very eager juvenile kingfish. These smaller specimens really surprise me as they live up to their family reputation of boxing about their weight class, leaving you in disbelief as the PB you were certain was attached to the end of your line isn’t quite you expected. Either way, witnessing kingfish feeding in the surf zone while you fumble to get your line out, has got to be some of the most exciting fly fishing you can experience.

Now while the rest of us have been pre-occupied with small fry, a certain fly fisherman in our midst has proven that respectable sized kngfish can and have been taken from our local waters and on fly too. No specific details were given as to where exactly the fish were caught, just that its proximity is close to Durban. Once the news of such a respectable fish was caught on fly in our waters, we all had our own interpretations of what we read. Personally, just to have evidence of such fish being caught locally is enough to get me to burn myself out, thrashing out long lines into the surf while maintaining line control in the stripping basket strapped high above my waist, trying my utmost to get, my fly into the strike zone. The fish pictured on social media measured approximately 70cm and the likely hood of more than one fish having been caught is evident.

While our waters here on the Upper South Coast are not as rich in populations of various fish species when compared with the northern region of the east coast, it is very encouraging to hear of what can or what is being caught on fly in our areas. An alternative often practiced by some of our local fly fishermen, is to spend a few days up north, fly fishing those rich waters. Where the chances of catching a new species is highly likely and getting a PB is almost expected. Whether your flicking flies in and around Durban, or missioning up north, until next time, tight lines.

Roger Gurr with a Smelt (locally known as a Banana Fish)