O. Mustad & Son A.S.

FISH SPECIES OF THE VAAL AND ORANGE RIVER SYSTEMS OF SOUTH AFRICA
by MC COETZER, 07/06-2005

The Vaal and Orange River systems stretch over a distance in excess of 1500 kilometres. The Vaal River flows through the economic hub of the Gauteng Province and as such this area of the middle Vaal experiences the heaviest angling pressure. The confluence of the Vaal River and the Orange River is situated near the small town of Douglas in the Northern Cape Province and from here the Orange River flows through some of the most beautiful semi-desert landscapes until it reaches the Atlantic Ocean near Alexander Bay on the west coast of South Africa.

The indigenous angling fish species found in the Vaal River and Orange River are the Largemouth Yellowfish (Labeobarbus kimberleyensis), Smallmouth Yellowfish (Labeobarbus aeneus), Mudfish (Labeo umbratus) and the Sharptoothed Catfish (Clarias). Apart from these indigenous fish species there are also a number of alien invader species to be found in the river system. Carp are spread through the entire system and the American Black Bass is fairly common in the middle reaches of the Vaal River.

The most popular species targeted by flyfishers are the Largemouth Yellowfish and the Smallmouth Yellowfish. Very few flyfishers specifically target Mudfish, Barbel and Carp on fly, but these species are often caught while nymph fishing for the Smallmouth Yellowfish.

Peter van der Westhuizen with a Smallmouth Yellowfish taken from shallow riffles

The Largemouth Yellowfish is an aggressive predator that grows to approximatelyt wenty kilograms in weight. They feed mainly on small fish, frogs and crabs. Smaller specimens up to approximately two kilograms are often taken on nymph patterns while fishing for Smallmouth Yellowfish in the rapids. The average size Largemouth Yellowfish caught on fly ranges from two to four kilograms and every year quite a few fish exceeding five kilograms are taken. Although this specie is on the endangered species list it is still regularly caught by flyfishers when they are specifically targeted in the slightly slower and deeper sections of river.

Popular flies include Woolly Buggers and Zonker patterns in black, brown and olive.The Smallmouth Yellowfish, which can grow to approximately seven kilograms, is omnivorous and during summer months when water temperatures exceed 18 degrees Celsius they move out of the deeper pools into shallow riffles where they feed on a variety of aquatic nymphs including Mayflies, Caddisflies and Blackfly larvae. The average size Smallmouth Yellowfish taken on fly is in the region of one and a half kilograms, but it is rare to spend a day on the water and not get a fish of at least two to three kilograms. Smallmouth Yellowfish exhibit numerous similarities to Grayling, both in shoaling habits and in the areas where they feed. Smallmouth Yellows are however more aggressive in their feeding activities. They do not simply occupy a good feeding station and wait for food to drift down to them, instead they will move around constantly and actively feed in amongst rocks on the streambed where they will even turn over small rocks in their search for food. This tendency to roam, combined with the lower water visibility, makes it possible for flyfishers to get very close to Smallmouth Yellows even in slower water and these factors contribute to making the Czech nymphing technique so very successful.

Typical summer home to Smallmouth Yellows

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