{"id":15667,"date":"2022-11-15T13:18:16","date_gmt":"2022-11-15T11:18:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=15667"},"modified":"2022-11-15T13:18:16","modified_gmt":"2022-11-15T11:18:16","slug":"the-trout-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=15667","title":{"rendered":"The Trout Report"},"content":{"rendered":"
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That it was a cold Winter in the Natal midlands few would argue and these sustained sub zero temperatures translated into the fish staying in their uncooperative spawning behaviour beyond the normal few months.<\/div>\n
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Tough fishing it certainly was for most and those that refused to change their habits struggled to convince any fish to come out and play.<\/div>\n
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But anyone who stopped ripping and stripping and chose to selectively cast, turning to micro patterns for the Trout to nose at, reported their fair share of encounters with exceptionally large fish.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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The fishing festivals are the wonderful yardstick against which waters are measured, giving every dam a snapshot of yield from intense rod pressure.<\/div>\n
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The TOPS festivals start this still water season and with six main events now in an anglers calendar to choose from, there\u2019s no shortage of Trout in the Natal midlands, as the below chart clearly demonstrates.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Midlands Trout fishing Festivals<\/td>\nTotal Trout<\/td>\nLargest Trout<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TOPS Kamberg Trout festival<\/td>\n666<\/td>\n58cm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TOPS Corporate Challenge<\/td>\n875<\/td>\n63cm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The Hastings Exclusive<\/td>\n446<\/td>\n63cm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Boston \/Daryle Trout<\/td>\n368<\/td>\n58cm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Winter Total Trout<\/td>\n2355<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Every one of these festivals showcases how fortunate enough we are in terms of great Trout waters in Natal<\/p>\n

How successful each year\u2019s stocking is one can only know based on accurate catch records and this is why events are such an important component of our fishery management. It is the closest thing that you can get to a stock count. You\u2019ll always get feedback from friends on Trout waters, but at best this will be a picture and their personal experience. Fishery management is governed by hard data and fortunately, all the events allow us to acquire this.<\/p>\n

Every dam is different, but I\u2019m often asked by fly fishers what is it that makes any dam fish consistently well and I believe simply explained it revolves around 5 factors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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a.\u00a0Water quality,\u00a0<\/b>each water is unique in terms of nutrient levels, and the chemical composition of the water is everything relative to insect life and Trout that it can support. PH and Dissolved Oxygen are the critical factors, with the waters nutrient levels having a marked impact on weed growth and stability of the ecosystem. This dictates the kilograms of Trout the water can naturally carry, being its' Carrying Capacity. Clean cool waters that flow from a spring or mountain catchment will always provide a more stable environment for Trout.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
b.\u00a0Stocking<\/b>\u00a0should be carried out according to a waters Carrying Capacity, as mentioned above. WildFly\u2019s stocking policy revolves around a combination of stockies, that equate to one year old fish, in the 350g category and a few fin perfect cock fish pre event to stir the larger feral hens up. The majority of biomass is on 3- 6 inch fish, to try and emulate a natural environment and produce almost wild Trout, which are by far better sport.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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c.\u00a0Water levels and Temperature.\u00a0<\/b>One can dictate the other,\u00a0<\/b>and this year, the dam levels have been the fullest we\u2019ve seen in the last decade. This Winter have also witnessed the coldest continual water temperatures for some time, which is wonderful for the fish survival, but not necessarily easier for fishing. In short, full dams equals stable water conditions and \u00a0any major fluctuation in dam levels will change the habitat, affecting the survival rate of fish.<\/p>\n

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d.\u00a0Weather.\u00a0<\/b>Many old wives tales on Moons and wind direction, but a bankable fact is that a pressure change, in particular a low pressure system, will give any fish lockjaw. Wind is indicative of a pressure movement and the simple truth is that most fisherman are fair weathered, as fly casting in any wind is a miserable affair. So, how many hours and effort any angler puts in on a water will often be dictated by the inclement conditions.<\/p>\n

e.\u00a0An Anglers Ability and\u00a0<\/b>Rod Pressure.<\/b>\u00a0A fly fisher will always look elsewhere for reasons why they didn\u2019t catch, rarely attributing their prowess as a possible reason. But time and again, if you put a very experienced or knowledgable fly fisher on any piece of water they will prevail and it\u2019s no co-incidence that these individuals always seem to catch the bigger, smarter fish. So who is fishing your dam will dictate what it produces.<\/p>\n

The only 100% proven fact behind anglers on your water is that the more people who fish it, the less it will produce. Rod pressure is irrefutable, the consequence being the Trout becoming fly shy with any sustained angling pressure, regardless if you practice catch and release.<\/p>\n

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As the Summer roles on, it\u2019s always a good strategy to close dams for Trout fishing or run the risk of losing your quality fish. Big fish are unfortunately almost impossible to replace (unless you want dumb pellet fed specimens floating around) and the sad truth is in our hot months of December \/ January \/ February, most of the fish caught will not survive due to the low oxygen levels in the warm water\u2026.especially after any prolonged fight. They don\u2019t float as is commonly misconceived, but rather keel over and sink, so mortalities are almost impossible to register.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
And with the Yellow fish season in full swing, you should really be focussing your energy on these incredible warm water prize fighters.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
So here\u2019s to what has been a great Stillwater Trout season and raising a glass to Celebrate each Moment!<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"\"<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

That it was a cold Winter in the Natal midlands few would argue and these sustained sub zero temperatures translated into the fish staying in their uncooperative spawning behaviour beyond the normal few months. Tough fishing it certainly was for most and those that refused to change their habits struggled to convince any fish to come out and play. But anyone who stopped ripping and stripping and chose to selectively cast, turning to micro patterns […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":15691,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[92,23,57],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15667","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fly-tackle-box-2","category-fly-fishing","category-fresh-water"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/the-trout-report-banner.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":10842,"url":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=10842","url_meta":{"origin":15667,"position":0},"title":"Breaking Records – TCC Final","author":"Gareth","date":"November 10, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Getting to the final in any event can be a little nerve wracking, especially when qualifying for the first time. Fishing isn\u2019t seen as a competitive sport\u00a0by some, lending\u00a0itself more to recreation and relaxation as an activity, but try telling that to the intrepid bunch of fly fishers who have\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Airflo\"","block_context":{"text":"Airflo","link":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?tag=airflo"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Breaking-Records-TCC-Final-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Breaking-Records-TCC-Final-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Breaking-Records-TCC-Final-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Breaking-Records-TCC-Final-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Breaking-Records-TCC-Final-1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Breaking-Records-TCC-Final-1.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10560,"url":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=10560","url_meta":{"origin":15667,"position":1},"title":"Self Isolating Trout – TCC Leg 3","author":"Gareth","date":"October 27, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A few anglers thought that the Trout were adhering to the Covid regulations this last weekend as they certainly were reluctant to come within casting distance, let alone out to play. Weather is always a go-to excuse, but 34-degree heat and Trout do not mix well, let alone the toll\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Airflo\"","block_context":{"text":"Airflo","link":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?tag=airflo"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/self-isolating-trout-copy.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/self-isolating-trout-copy.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/self-isolating-trout-copy.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/self-isolating-trout-copy.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/self-isolating-trout-copy.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12317,"url":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=12317","url_meta":{"origin":15667,"position":2},"title":"Lazy Boyz","author":"Gareth","date":"March 29, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"To tube or not to tube is a shouldn\u2019t be a dilemma. Although targeting Trout from the bank and stalking a fish is the way to go on arrival at any dam (as long as you get their at the proverbial crack of), to not jump in your float tube\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Fly"","block_context":{"text":"Fly","link":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?cat=22"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Lazy-Boyz-Banner.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Lazy-Boyz-Banner.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Lazy-Boyz-Banner.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Lazy-Boyz-Banner.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Lazy-Boyz-Banner.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Lazy-Boyz-Banner.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15031,"url":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=15031","url_meta":{"origin":15667,"position":3},"title":"Habits 7 of Successful Fly Fishers \u2013 Part 1 Winter","author":"Gareth","date":"July 1, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Mindset might be everything, but I\u2019m no shrink and I\u2019m not going to pretend that the positive laws of attraction are going to get you more fish. But what is proven, is if you fish with confidence, you don\u2019t second guess what you\u2019re doing all the time and hence stick\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Fly"","block_context":{"text":"Fly","link":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?cat=92"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Banner-copy.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Banner-copy.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Banner-copy.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Banner-copy.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Banner-copy.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13388,"url":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=13388","url_meta":{"origin":15667,"position":4},"title":"TCC 2021 Leg 1","author":"Gareth","date":"July 28, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"After 20 years of watching fly fishers pit their wits against the wiles of feral Trout, you would think that we\u2019 d seen it all, yet every year at the TOPS Corporate Challenge something happens that beggars belief. 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