November 19:
A good night’s sleep did wonders. We picked up a rental camera for Rolf and started a lengthy drive into the South African outback. Incredible views and bumpy gravel roads. The plan was to fish for native fish species in a remote river in the Cederberg mountains. In addition to Leonard and Matthew from yesterday, we got to met Platon, who turned out to be another really warm and friendly guy.
We hiked down into a deep river gorge that looked like something straight out of a spaghetti western. Fresh leopard tracks.
The fishing was like nothing I’ve ever tried before. We were targeting Clanwilliam yellowfish or “clannies” and sawfins, two fish in the barbel family. Leonard hooked me up with the right setup: a heavy nymph under an indicator. He said that the takes were really subtle and that you had to strike super fast. I snapped the leader on the first take. Leonard patiently tied on another rig for me, and my first catch was a pretty sawfin. Success!
The rest of the day was just a big, warm, sunny smile. Lots of gorgeous clannies, some of them quite big, incredible scenery, freshly boiled coffee and new friends. Probably my best November day ever.
