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Monthly report on our waters 

May 2022

 

By Peter Arderne (FOSAF)

 

GUBU & MADEN DAMS.

Gubu, which is reckoned to be the largest trout dam in the country at 109 ha has been overflowing for some months now. Although it is not classed as a trophy dam as are the waters of the Winterberg and Stormberg further inland it obviously has had plenty of nutrients flowing into the dam with all the rain. Community cattle graze the surrounding area, and this also contributes to the nutrient supply. In addition, the locusts which have plagued much of the Eastern Cape have arrived at Gubu and the fish have been feeding on them. See photos below.

Devin Isemonger spent 2 hours on Gubu recently and recorded 16 fish, a couple of which exceeded 50cm.  This is a fair indication of the quality of the fishing at present and it has been noted that most anglers pick up the odd brown as well.

Possibly because the fishing is so good at Gubu there have been no reports from Maden which has been regularly stocked. Although the population per ha is not as high as Gubu the fish tend to be larger.

 

CATA VILLAGE & WOLF RIVER

The AFFC has an agreement with the community to manage the nearby Mnyameni Dam.

This water contains a good population of smallish rainbows which are all wild bred from the two streams that feed the dam. There are also browns in the dam and one can expect to catch at least one at each fishing session. It is hoped that they will also breed in the streams to set up a self-sustaining population. Moreover, It did receive another brownie stocking in January.

The club is also organising a wattle clearing project on the nearby Wolf River and donations towards this very worthwhile project will be appreciated by the AFFC. The AFFC is still to arrange fishing access on the Wolf with the community.

 

LOCH LOCHIE

Some good-sized fish have been recorded recently and with the drop in temperature, the fishing can only improve. Martin Davies’ management agreement with the owners comes to an end at the year-end but he has donated some brownie yearlings for stocking. The dam is now full and quite weeded so a float tube or boat is recommended but there are areas where you can fish from the bank.

 

 

Locusts taken from the gut of a 700g trout.

 

 

Gubu in autumn – photo by Kim Nair.