The Orange River Experience

The Orange River is a pristine river system, flowing through some of the most remote parts of South Africa. It is a surrounded by desert and bare rock face mountains. The mountains are mostly occupied by baboons, rock rabbits and fish eagles. It is a true beauty to the eye. Visiting the Orange River is an unforgettable experience, and with good reason is on the bucket list of many anglers. The river boasts top quality Yellowfish, both the Largemouth and Smallmouth as well as several other fish species. Except for the unique beauty of the landscape and the sheer amount of fish available, the big draw card of the Orange River must be the Largemouth Yellowfish of which there is a healthy population with many good size fish available to target. On this occasion Noel Wewege and Berto van Rensburg from Kimberley decided to tick the Orange River Experience on their bucket list with a guided trip to the lower Orange River. Both Noel and Berto are competitive anglers and fish for the Freestate A provincial team. They are accomplished and professional fly anglers and as passionate about fly fishing as one can get. Noel and Berto had definite goals set out for their trip and knew beforehand exactly what goals they would like to reach, the biggest being to catch a trophy-size Largemouth Yellowfish and also their personal best Smallmouth Yellowfish. And that’s what we set out to do. The trip was planned for 4 days but because of inclement weather we only managed to fish for 3 days. Our strategy entailed using inflatables to drift different sections of river each day. For the first section we planned a 9km drift that probably offered the best fishing opportunities with deep, fast-flowing sections with good structures in the water where largies love to hunt. The second section offered 5km of deeper, slower water with a lot of rock and boulders and tree coverage on the banks. We decided on the longest stretch on the first day as the weather prediction was not good for the following days. On our first morning we were up early, all wide-eyed and bushy- tailed with excitement to get on the water. With the inflatable ready and fly rods rigged we set off on our first day on the water with good weather conditions in our favour. But the fish make their own rules and true to the Orange River these fish change their game daily. It’s always a hunt to get the fish as they change their feeding spots every day - one day you catch 30 fish and the next day you catch only one in the very same spot! The morning session was quiet and slow as the fish were just not responding to our offerings. First Noel and Berto had to get acquainted with the approach to largy fishing and the technique used. It takes some time getting used to accurately casting a big largy fly on a 9-weight rod over a long distance. The pool section where we started the day in hope for a big largy didn’t deliver any fish, but once we reached the rapids and faster water Berto got his first smally. Casting against the reeds the fish grabbed the fly as it dropped into the water. With a massive tug of war to keep the fish out of the reeds Berto managed to land a magnificent smally specimen, one of his lifetime biggest fish and only the first of many personal bests to come. After this smallie a few smaller fish got to the net, but nothing spectacular. We arrived at a chest-deep section of river with moderate flow where we anchored to work it thoroughly. I knew there were big fish in this section, but you still need to work the water properly in order to get them. Here we drifted nymphs under an indicator, a technique well known to competitive flyfishers such as Noel and Berto who expertly employed it to land several fish in just a short while. Berto van Rensburg with a big Orange River smallmouth yellowfish and his first for the trip. We refer to these big lip yellowfish as a botox yellowfish We moved downstream about 50 meters and anchored at a similar section of river between the weed beds. After only a few casts Noel hooked into a fish that made his 8-weight rod look like a toothpick as it pulled extremely hard and swam straight for the weeds. Noel used his skill however and expertly played it away from the weed beds and into the clear. After a long and hard fight Noel managed to gently steer the beast of a fish to the net. I could not believe my eyes as the fish lay in the net with a size 10 bloodworm in its mouth - the biggest smally that I had ever seen! With much elation and high fives going between Berto and Noel we were all in awe of such a massive fish that weighed in at 5,9kg. We quickly took a few photos and released her back into the system. This was definitely one of the highlights of the trip and a privilege to witness. It was a once in a lifetime experience for Noel and Berto and definitely one of their dream goals reached. After this amazing fish was released, we made our way further downstream as we still had a long way ahead of us. The next few kilometres of fishing were great as we landed quite a few smallies on big baitfish patterns, with Berto landing his personal best ever smally of just over 4kg! The sheer beauty in colour and shape of these fish is so impressive and is burnt into one’s memory. These fish are certainly built for power and speed. Noel Wewege with a massive trophy smallmouth yellowfish of 5,9kg. This is a fish of a lifetime and a great accomplishment indeed Berto van Rensburg with his personal best smallmouth yellowfish pulling the scale well over 4kg Noel Wewege with a good size and excellent specimen smallmouth yellowfish. These where the average size fish caught for the day We came to the second half of our drift where the river totally changed as it flowed right against the mountain face - amazing how the river changes from one section to another. The one moment you are fishing on sandbanks and a few hundred meters down you are fishing in deep cracks in rock slate against the foot of a mountain. There is always the presence of baboons and fish eagles with their cries and shouts to be heard - so beautiful and unspoilt on the Orange River! While being amazed by the beauty of the surroundings we came to a narrow section of river with dead trees on the bank overhanging the water. Berto made a few positive casts next to the trees and suddenly had a fish on, bending his rod to the maximum. I knew it was a largy pulling so hard… but the hook pulled out and the fish was gone. That was a bummer, but not 10 meters further downstream Berto was on again as the fish pulled his rod to the maximum. The speed the fish swam was mind blowing and it seemed like Berto was not going to be able to stop her before she reached the weed bed, but Berto used his skill and experience as a provincial standard angler and got the fish under control and into our net. With adrenaline running through our veins we shouted and high fived in celebration of this huge Largemouth that registered just on 7kg. I had goosebumps all over! Noel and Berto had set out to reach certain goals and on their very first day had each reached them, a perfect day, an amazing experience and a day to remember! Berto van Rensburg with a massive and personal best size largemouth yellowfish weighing in at 14lb. This is a great accomplishment Noel Wewege with a good specimen of Mozambiques tilapia or more commenly known as a blue kurper, taken on a streamer fly The rest of our drift was just a pleasure to experience the beauty of the surroundings with casual fishing as we made our way back to camp. The next day the weather changed and so did the fishing. We didn’t experience a good day like that first day again and the weather became miserable. We did the same drift again but just couldn’t get a largy to commit to our flies, and the wind speed up to 40kph fishing became challenging, with even the smallies becoming a real challenge to catch At midday on our second day we worked a pool and fished the weed beds on the bank with largy streamer flies. The Mozambique Tilapia (Blue kurper) were very active and aggressive in the heat of the day and willingly attacked the big streamer flies with confidence so we managed to land a few good size fish, a great by-catch to the yellowfish. Even on a 9-weight fly rod they gave a hard fight. Berto van Rensburg holding a beautiful Tilapia with auther and guide Rohan Koegelenberg in the background The last of the day and a tired angler indeed We made the drift back to camp and worked extremely hard just to land a fish or two. Noel landed a smaller smally right at the end of our second day, which was a big reward for all the effort put into the day. That night we went to bed very tired from a hard day’s work, and the next morning we woke to a different world with dark, cloudy skies and strong blowing wind, definitely not the best fly fishing weather! Noel with a special specimen of a male Orange river smallmouth yellowfish on a cloudy and cold day Noel managed to land a beautiful smally but other than that the river just switched off. And for us our adventure also came to its end. And that is how the Orange River works - the one day is the best day of your life, and the next day you catch nothing! This was again one of the best experiences of the Orange River catching the biggest fish of a lifetime. Except for the beauty of the river, the cries of fish eagles, and big fish caught, this amazing experience has a way of mending friends together in a special way. These friendships will always have a special bond and it is one memory that will always stay with Noel and Berto from Kimberley, the memory of their Orange River Experience. *Rohan Koegelenberg is owner of Rapid Hunter Yellowfish Guided Safaris offering standard, day guided fly fishing trips to the Vaal River at Parys and Warrenton and to other destinations. Rohan Fish Flies ties and supplies exclusive, custom-tied flies. Add him to your Facebook or visit: www.rapidhunter.co.za; Tel. 079 874 7380. Noel Wewege holding a beautiful smallmouth yellowfish with Berto van Rensburg as his fishing companion and good friend