By Alan Percy
September 2012
One year later almost to the day, we pulled into the parking lot of the Angler & Antelope, Somerset East, to be welcomed by owner Alan Hobson and his wife Annabelle. (http://www.anglerandantelope.co.za/)
Alan Percy
Dejavu as Alan and Annabelle showed Apie van Molendorff, Stephen Theodosiou, Craig Wasserman and I to the same rooms we had occupied on our first visit a year earlier. It was great to be back.
The two hour drive from Port Elizabeth had worked up an appetite and thirst, so we proceeded to the old Roman Catholic Church - St Francis. Built in 1906, it celebrates its centenary by being christened as lounge, dining room, pub and kitchen. With one of the best whiskey collections on offer, a choice of beers, aperitifs and cool drinks (for Stephen), we proceeded to check the weather and discuss the next three days with great enthusiasm.
After an outstanding meal provided by Annabelle, and Alan keeping our glasses topped up with a decent Cabernet, we proceeded to our rooms to hopefully get a couple of hours of sleep. Great excitement made it difficult for all to have a decent shut eye.
Friday morning brought a start to the competition.
Who was going to catch the longest fish and go home with the coveted custom made net, hand crafted by Deon Stamer. Apie having arranged the weekend and supplied the prize for this Ford Credit fly fishing clinic, declined to compete.
Apie
An hour or so later we arrived at the mountain dam, a pristine body of water just waiting to be worked with the long rod for the elusive rainbow.
While Alan directed Apie, Craig and Stephen to an area sheltered from the breeze, I finned my v-boat to 40 meters off the water’s edge. On my third cast, the line went tight and I proceeded to land a Rainbow of +- 600gram. The fish kicked out of my shaking hands as I released it, off to fight another day.
What proceeded to happen next exceeded all our expectations. Stephen not only caught his 1st trout but continued to land 6 more. Apie and Craig’s rods were in permanent forward bend position as they coaxed the fish into their nets with just enough pressure so as not to harm these healthy specimens.
With the distinct advantage of a kick boat, I could not miss. Almost every cast produced a beautifully colored rainbow.
After a scrumptious lunch prepared by Alan Hobson, we were back on the water looking for the big one.
Sneaking into a calm area, I sent my line out onto the water and let the weighted leader pull my fly to the bottom. After stripping 15 foot back onto the boat, the line went taught and I hooked into what I knew was a sizeable fish. After a decent tug of war, I measured a 46cm rainbow. The prize was mine. I was sure the two novices (Stephen and Craig) had very little chance albeit my minimal experience in the art of fly fishing and the v-boat a distinct advantage.
No less than 50 fish where landed and successfully released that day.
That evening back at the Angler and Antelope, the day’s tales were excitedly relayed around the pub. At the end of the first day, I was a confident leader. Another great meal supplied by Annabelle and we were off to bed and although elated, weary from the days “pressures”.
We woke to a misty Saturday with the promise of clear skies. The well-organized Alan Hobson once again got us on the road en route to Cradock and new waters stocked but a year ago. We were the second lot of anglers to fish these waters. Breakfast in Cradock and then past the Mountain Zebra Park we entered Kareebosch farm. Climbing into the mountains with yours truly having to open every gate along the way, we reached our destination at around 1600 meters above sea level.
We gazed in awe at a truly magnificent dam built by Japie Jordaan’s grandfather 40 years ago. The day once again proved successful with 20 magnificent rainbow landed. Japie joined us to fish on his own waters and was elated at the size and condition of the fish caught.
Stephen
Apie landed a beautiful 50cm specimen but as mentioned prior would not take part in the competition. I was still in the lead, even more so I thought, until I lost what must have been a giant at the wall, the deepest part of the dam.
Alan dragged us off the dam and we were back on the road, this time heading to a small dam adjacent to the Paul’s River. Despite the expected rise which did not materialize, we were not let down and rewarded with a number of rainbow, with two on dry fly off the surface.
We ended another magnificent day at the Grootboom hunting lodge. Alan Hobson prepared giant T Bone steaks for dinner and Stephen gave us some insight into our galaxy with his star gazer. An amazing contraption (aptly called a Celestron) that tells you about any star pointed at.
Gathered around Alan early Sunday morning we prepared our tackle on the Grootboom stream. While Alan and Stephen took off to a pool upriver, Craig was scrambling around assisting Apie to net a powerful rainbow which had run into some thick overhanging bush. They completed the task with finesse and after subduing the fish released it a minute later. Another fish landed by Stephen up stream brought the tally of rainbow for the weekend to 72.
Alan and I on the way to the lower section of the Paul’s River where it joins the Great Fish and hoping for some yellowfish, discussed the weekend thus far. Stocking one year ago, the high rate of survival and the perfect conditions, produced more trout than we would ever have dreamed of.
Apie had to fly back to Cape Town which left us just on 3 hours to fish.
Craig was the first one on, fishing a small beat down river from me and proudly posed for a photo with his first yellow. I sneaked past Craig toward the rest of the team when Stephen let out a cry of excitement. He hooked into what looked like a half decent fish. Man and 5wt Hardy took up the challenge and after a great fight, Stephen landed the winner. A yellow of 52 cm long weighing 4 pounds.
Apie, Craig and I thrashed the water for another hour with great expectations of topping Stephen’s catch without success. Another 4 respectable yellows were landed and our time had run out.
A total of 78 fish in three days, with Stephen proudly taking the prized Deon Stamer net, with great pride.
All credit must go to Alan Hobson (Angler and Antelope) who has the energy of a nuclear power station. Alan tirelessly moves between fishermen, guiding, helping net fish, taking photos, offering assistance and always with a continuous supply of food and drink. A great ambassador and I believe, one of the leading authorities of fly fishing in South Africa.
Craig
Thank you to Apie van Molendorff from Ford Credit for an outstanding three day’s and for presenting us with Tom Sutcliffe’s book Hunting Trout, a definite bucket list item.
Alan Percy
