The Largest Angling/Fishing site in Africa
17th October 2011
Unspoiled waters of the Orange River - Trina Richardson
It started out as an en route stop to the junior nationals in the Cape. Fishing for yellows on the Orange. One or two nights would do the trick.
Well the internet was searched and yellow fish and the Orange River were researched until a byline came up saying amazing fishing and cheap
accommodation. We booked for 4 nights, it was cheaper than staying home.
We got chatting to Tony who stated good fishing in unspoiled waters near Prieska – in fact Niekerkshoop. He was the only fly fisherman in the area
and had access to the Orange via a couple of farms for a small daily fee to the farmers. There was also ample accommodation and cheap!
The main drawback I could see was travelling 30kms to the river. Also provisions had to be pre-ordered, bread etc was delivered once a week.
OK we were on. Two adults and four teenagers from Sandton headed for Niekerkshoop, Northern Cape.
The trip took about 7 hours what with food stops, getting lost in Kimberly, fuel stops and carving up road kill - for fly tying.
We excitedly followed the directions given by Tony and true to his word he was waiting at the side of the road for us to herald the way.
Oh dear, Niekerkshoop and Sandton are light years apart. The houses are all old style railway type that anyone less than 50 could never imagine living in.
The boys were horrified! Yells of ‘don’t stop’ and ‘just drive on’ were shouted in unison. Of course we had to stop, we had booked and our hosts were welcoming us.
Folks from Joburg feel threatened. The parking wasn’t secure and what about the trailer and look at the neighbours just waiting to get us.
We were terrified. Poor Tony looked at us in astonishment – surely Joburg was the dangerous place, no crime of note happens in Niekerkshoop.
Next stop into the house. It was great, huge rooms, bathrooms and showers, kitchen with microwave etc. It was fine, if a little 50s.
All four boys shared one room with space to move. Fly tying stuff came out and we all settled down.
Right let’s fish!. It is 5 0’clock, plenty of daylight still, lets go. This caught our host Tony by surprise, surely tomorrow… not a chance, now.
So off we go the 30 kms on good gravel roads to the farm Lowerland, owned by Hennie and Riza Coetzee.
Fearsome "Bull" 
Tony was right, the fishing was awesome. Everyone caught yellows in the next 2 hours. The waters are truly virgin.
One of the juniors had only been fly fishing for 2 months – he will never be the same! Access to the river was through
a field of young bulls who also shared the water with us. Vaalies at risk once more! The bulls had no interest in us at all.
Tony had arranged for us to go to another spot the following day, however, the kids were not interested, they knew this was the spot.
We spent the next day on the same stretch of river with the most splendid results. Not necessarily easy, but definitely rewarding.
By the second day we were ready for the next farm, Eben. An hour’s drive, but yet again amazing fishing. A lovely set of rapids,
plenty of room for all and best of all brilliant fishing. Not only yellows but moggel too. Loads of fish were netted and loads broke loose.
Another splendid day. The farmers came down to the river at the end of the day, Fanie and Lisbe Cilliers, to see the fishing.
The kids put on a show second to none, all catching at the same time, helping net for each other and then releasing.
Lisbe wanted to see the bait and was absolutely amazed at the tiny false ‘goggas’.
Of course, our final dinner had to be a braai. Tony and his wife Tiena,
Tiena’s sister and brother-in-law Corrie and Piet joined us bringing kudu steak and melktert. A superb finale.
What a trip. Beyond our wildest dreams. We shall return…..
The House 
Niekerkshoop town in the background
More photo's below
Gareth again with another beauty - caught on floating line, brown czech nymph at Eban Farm
Gareth with a lovely healthy yellow fish caught at Eban Farm on a floating line and brown czech nymph.
Picture of 3 of the juniors (Ricky, Craig and Keegan) setting up first thing at Elandskloof stillwater. They were thankful for their sponsored jackets, it was freezing that morning and stinking hot by midday.
The Largest Angling/Fishing site in Africa
17th October 2011
Unspoiled waters of the Orange River - Trina Richardson
It started out as an en route stop to the junior nationals in the Cape. Fishing for yellows on the Orange. One or two nights would do the trick.
Well the internet was searched and yellow fish and the Orange River were researched until a byline came up saying amazing fishing and cheap
accommodation. We booked for 4 nights, it was cheaper than staying home.
We got chatting to Tony who stated good fishing in unspoiled waters near Prieska – in fact Niekerkshoop. He was the only fly fisherman in the area
and had access to the Orange via a couple of farms for a small daily fee to the farmers. There was also ample accommodation and cheap!
The main drawback I could see was travelling 30kms to the river. Also provisions had to be pre-ordered, bread etc was delivered once a week.
OK we were on. Two adults and four teenagers from Sandton headed for Niekerkshoop, Northern Cape.
The trip took about 7 hours what with food stops, getting lost in Kimberly, fuel stops and carving up road kill - for fly tying.
We excitedly followed the directions given by Tony and true to his word he was waiting at the side of the road for us to herald the way.
Oh dear, Niekerkshoop and Sandton are light years apart. The houses are all old style railway type that anyone less than 50 could never imagine living in.
The boys were horrified! Yells of ‘don’t stop’ and ‘just drive on’ were shouted in unison. Of course we had to stop, we had booked and our hosts were welcoming us.
Folks from Joburg feel threatened. The parking wasn’t secure and what about the trailer and look at the neighbours just waiting to get us.
We were terrified. Poor Tony looked at us in astonishment – surely Joburg was the dangerous place, no crime of note happens in Niekerkshoop.
Next stop into the house. It was great, huge rooms, bathrooms and showers, kitchen with microwave etc. It was fine, if a little 50s.
All four boys shared one room with space to move. Fly tying stuff came out and we all settled down.
Right let’s fish!. It is 5 0’clock, plenty of daylight still, lets go. This caught our host Tony by surprise, surely tomorrow… not a chance, now.
So off we go the 30 kms on good gravel roads to the farm Lowerland, owned by Hennie and Riza Coetzee.
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Fearsome "Bull" |
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Tony was right, the fishing was awesome. Everyone caught yellows in the next 2 hours. The waters are truly virgin.
One of the juniors had only been fly fishing for 2 months – he will never be the same! Access to the river was through
a field of young bulls who also shared the water with us. Vaalies at risk once more! The bulls had no interest in us at all.
|
|
|
Tony had arranged for us to go to another spot the following day, however, the kids were not interested, they knew this was the spot.
We spent the next day on the same stretch of river with the most splendid results. Not necessarily easy, but definitely rewarding.
By the second day we were ready for the next farm, Eben. An hour’s drive, but yet again amazing fishing. A lovely set of rapids,
plenty of room for all and best of all brilliant fishing. Not only yellows but moggel too. Loads of fish were netted and loads broke loose.
Another splendid day. The farmers came down to the river at the end of the day, Fanie and Lisbe Cilliers, to see the fishing.
The kids put on a show second to none, all catching at the same time, helping net for each other and then releasing.
Lisbe wanted to see the bait and was absolutely amazed at the tiny false ‘goggas’.
|
Of course, our final dinner had to be a braai. Tony and his wife Tiena,
Tiena’s sister and brother-in-law Corrie and Piet joined us bringing kudu steak and melktert. A superb finale.
What a trip. Beyond our wildest dreams. We shall return…..
The House |
Niekerkshoop town in the background |
More photo's below
Gareth again with another beauty - caught on floating line, brown czech nymph at Eban Farm |
Gareth with a lovely healthy yellow fish caught at Eban Farm on a floating line and brown czech nymph. |
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