When Vultures Flee

The diversity of South Africa as fly fishing location is astounding. As the proverb goes “too many fishing waters, too little time”. Now and then the opportunity present itself to fish one of those bucket list venues. With news of a new South African rainbow trout record being set, we eagerly grabbed the opportunity to visit Mount Arthur situated in the Underberg, Kwazulu Natal. The fishing to be had, my favourite, large still waters fished from float tubes or pontoon boats.

 

It was mid-winter and apparently a prime time to visit this venue - when there is fishing to be done who is scared of a little cold.

 

The first two days we fished the three dams at the venue and had mixed success. Nothing spectacular were caught in terms of size, biggest rainbow touching 4lbs.

 

While fishing a dam called Pots it suddenly became overcast and heavy mist started rolling in. While on the water we noticed vultures flying in the mist away from the mountains. We should have listened to this hidden warning. That evening it started raining and the next morning we were snowed in. This resulted in our stay being extended by a couple of days, with the snow not having any effect on the activity of the trout.

 

 

 

The stuff memories are made of!