Riaan Alleman: A PB AT RIETVLEI DAM WITH CHRIS BOYLAN

WORDS: Riaan 'Alleman' Riekert | PHOTOS: Supplied My first thought about Rietvlei Dam – why there? My last session on its bank delivered only a nasty sunburn and an empty net, a 'blank' in fishing terms. But okay, it's early in the morning and we're already at the gates at 05:30. To my surprise the gates are already open, and Chris Boylan, my bank partner for the day, is already through to find us a good spot (but in my mind I’m asking whether there is such a thing at this dam?). Rietvlei’s waters looked peaceful, but beneath the surface healthy carp lay in waiting for our baits! Chris Boylan is known among anglers for his Boulyn Kolletjie feed. He is passionate about his angling and his product, and I soon learnt that Chris knows Rietvlei Dam quite well, so was it possible that after today I would change my opinion about Rietvlei? What also made the day somewhat special was that because his own fishing vehicle was in for repairs, he had to use his wife's vehicle, and believe me, 'mommy' is strict! So Chris could fish only with what was absolutely necessary to transport, bank sticks, two rods, the few baits and dips that he knows the Rietvlei carp like, but fortunately sufficient supply of his feed. Chris' setup for the day, just the bare essentials … Today's session had two objectives – Chris with his basic tackle and fishing distance of about 115m, and then me with my Carp King Streaker 2 bait boat at a distance of 140m. Chris loaded his old stalwart combinations: on one rod he fished with a pineapple and geel duiweltjie dip on the ball with a garlic floatie and yellow, sweet dough as a backing. I noted that he placed both baited hooks into the Boulyn feedball. On his other rod he fished a clean feedball, with one garlic floatie on one hook and on the other a honey floatie. Riaan Alleman had only one combination for the day, with Boulyn feed of course, and on the hooks self-made almond boiled mealies. Chris' presentation – note the hook position, and also, very important, how neat it is. Every presentation is a masterpiece. The first lines had gone in, the coffee had been poured and now the wait began. I was just about to get comfortable and learn more about this remarkable man when his first rod went off; the fish was on and the coffee wasn’t even finished yet! Would Chris and Rietvlei prove me wrong today? Rietvlei's carp only fight when they get close, and the 2,30kg carp kept Chris busy. It was netted and although not that big a specimen, what do we anglers say? "If it smells like fish, then it is a fish"! Chris was fishing like a well-oiled clock, catching one fish after another, all between 2,3kg and 3,7kg. I was already considering throwing in the towel with my natural (nice term for “old fashioned”!) way of baiting and fishing when my line pulled away like an arrow from a bow. In typical Rietvlei fashion, the fish fought hard over the last 25m, but at least I was able to land the fish of just more than 3kg to put me on the scoreboard. It also served for me to start reviewing my less than positive opinion of Rietvlei Dam! Chris and I chatted about the dam and remarked how the fishing had changed after Covid and the lockdown – it was as if the fish had moved closer to the bank, so Riaan Alleman could now also catch big carp, not only the specimen anglers. Rietvlei is well known as a specimen venue with carp catches of well beyond the 10kg mark. Riaan Alleman is on the scoreboard – and the fish is an opinion changer. The day proceeded as planned and in-between all the healthy carp Chris and I at least got a chance to chat, and in doing so I was able to get to know the man behind the successful recipe of Boulyn Kolletjie groundfeed. Few people have as much passion for their product as Chris; I tried to get all the secrets out of him but as can be expected he was very secretive! What I can share, however, is the fact that he uses only A-grade maize in preparing the feed, something that certainly has much to do with the success story of Boulyn Kolletjie feed. Currently Chris delivers almost 25 tonnes of feed per month – this alone indicates a success story and a quality product! Chris and I were still chatting away when my line pulled off again, and it felt much different to previous runs – something was definitely up! I had a good hold on my rod and the drag was correctly set, but the fish just continued to take line, I reckon further than 50 metres. I finally got the fish turned but the fish had fought from where it was hooked in the deep so I knew this was not your standard 3kg Rietvlei carp. Twice the fish almost managed to break me up in a reed bank, but I was able to turn it on both occasions. Then, when it showed its tail Chris's exclaimed, "this is a bus"! When it was safely in the net I could see that it was my new PB, weighing in at 9,20kg! It was a beautiful Rietvlei carp, weighing in at what is mostly only available to specimen anglers fishing at 250m and beyond, so I was overwhelmed with joy! Riaan Alleman's personal best 9,20kg caught fishing a Boulyn Kolletjie feedball and one almond mealie pip on each hook. How does one summarise the day? Chris Boylan is a remarkable person and he knows his fishing. His product is A-grade and produces big fish and competition points for many anglers. Rietvlei Dam surprised me and I will definitely be fishing there more in the years to come. We caught decent bags for the day: Chris had 16 fish with an overall weight of 40,30kg, and Riaan Alleman finished with 10 fish for 33kg. With a combined average of almost 3kg per fish it was remarkable! With Chris’ help Rietvlei Dam certainly changed my opinion of it – Rietvlei you rock!

Riaan Alleman: A PB AT RIETVLEI DAM WITH CHRIS BOYLAN

A PERSONAL BEST @RIETVLEI DAM

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