Pongola Game Reserve Fishing Report

July 2009

General

July has really been a difficult month. Our skippers have tried everything from drifting, bottoms,spinning and a lot of trawling. We have been experimenting with different water depths, fishing later morning than early morning’s but to no avail. We are obviously in the middle of winter and feeding has slowed down drastically. Some mornings seem to be really productive were we have a lot of strikes and then same time same place the following morning nothing.

Last month trawling seem to be our only way of catching decent fish, but this month if it is proving unproductive. Anyway mid to end of August has proved to be excellent fishing in the past and I am hoping with the great weather we are having at the moment that it will be a good August. Boats and lodge bookings are filling up so in order to prevent disappointment enquire as soon as possible. Kemp Landman and I are trying to get live bait up a going for the season. He will hopefully be able to supply Mvubu and Inyathi camps with some live bait and I will try and supply Mpalane and Nkwazi camps. I will let you all know by next months fishing report how this is doing. The skippers also sell sardines at R30 a kg, so it’s not necessary to bring large quantities of bait especially if you are traveling long distances. The live bait and sardines have to be paid for in cash to the skipper on the day, and are unfortunately not able to be put onto one’s bill at the lodge. Otherwise, please let me know if there is any additional information you would like to be displayed on the report.

By next months fishing report, I will have some pictures of the dam, boats, skippers and hopefully some TIGERFISH…… After speaking to the skippers and boat manager, Frans Loots, we have decided to break the river stretch into four zones. These will soon allow you to identify where most of our catches are occurring. Zone 1: Bridge to Nkwazi Lodge Zone 2: Nkwazi Lodge to Pump Station Zone 3: Pump Station to KZN Campsite Zone 4: KZN Campsite to Entrance to Main Dam Just as interest we are having a problem with bream, catfish and tigers dying at the moment. They seem to be getting a fungus growing on them which is eventually leading to their death. Most seem to be older ,mature fish. It could possible be a problem with nitrification and therefore lack of oxygen in water or a bit of natural selection. If any readers have noticed similar problems in any other dams , you feedback would be appreciated.

Chris Rippon