It's Indigenous to South Africa and one of the Finest Sport Angling Fish in the World The Smallmouth Yellowfish

by Henry de Beer

The entire Vaal and Orange River systems in South Africa are prime Habitat for the Smallmouth Yellowfish (Barbus anaeus).

Damming and Pollution is taking its toll but with as long as Anglers continue treating the resource with care and thought, Good Fishing is still to be had.

Areas relatively close to the PWV Metropole, such as the many Rapids on the Highveld section of the Vaal, like those near Parys, regularly provide Great Sport to both Bait and Lure Anglers, while taking Yellows on Fly is becoming increasingly popular.

Here the Vaal River is between knee and waist high, ideal for Wading. Yellows like the Rapids, holding below the outflows, behind the many Islands and Rocks - or positioning themselves in the Calmer water waiting for food to wash by.

It is this behaviour, which makes them a prime target for flyfishermen.

A highly productive technique is to fish upstream, as not only are they then easier to spot, but Yellows always face upstream to see their prey.

Using conventional fly tackle, can however, be hard work with all the casting and stripping it entails; but by using SpinflyLine, casting and working a Fly is much easier and there are no more problems associated with mending the drag of a conventional fly line.

Yellows are often spotted on or near the surface with their dorsal fins above the water.

Don't Cast the Fly on top of your targeted fish; this will only spook it.

Rather cast upstream and allow the current to wash the Fly towards the fish.

After casting upstream allows the Fly to drift back as naturally as possible. Use the water speed to carry the fly and do not reel in line faster than the water speed.

Focus on the tip of the Spinfly Line or Strike Indicator and strike at the slightest hesitation of either.

Sometimes you will hook a rock in shallow water, but more often than not you will be having fun with a lively Yellowfish.
Flies such as the Muddler Minnow, DDD, Silver March Brown, Black and Peacock, Flying-ant and Grasshopper imitations as well as Small Poppers have all taken their fair share of Yellows.
With Yellows, catch and release IS the order of the day.

Hold the exhausted Yellow gently in the current to revive it before releasing it.

This will help to ensure that our Children might one day also have the pleasure of catching one of the finest Fighting Freshwater Fish in the world right here in South Africa!