THE BASIC TECHNIQUES OF YELLOWFISH ANGLING IN THE VAAL RIVER
By Piet Goosen
Translated by: J.H Mackay - Potchefstroom 1997
1. THE YELLOWFISH OF THE VAAL RIVER (and its tributaries).
There are two species of Yellowfish in the Vaal and its tributaries viz.:
- Smallmouth Yellowfish (Barbus aeneus)
- Largemouth Yellowfish (Barbus Kimberleyensis) - (Also locally known as kalwerkop).
Of the two the Smallmouth Yellowfish is the most common and is also the easiest to catch - a Smallmouth Yellowfish of 2 to 4 kg is a worthy adversary : the Largemouth Yellowfish in comparison is a much larger and a scarcer specie; a specimen largemouth is a much desired and sought after trophy.
The South African art-lure record for the two species are:
| Smallmouth: | Light tackle |
3,63 kg |
| Medium tackle | 4,960 kg | |
| Heavy tackle | 4,01 kg | |
| Largemouth: | Light tackle | 9,750 kg |
| Medium tackle | 9,310 kg | |
| Heavy tackle | 8,230 kg |
Every year, fish heavier than indicated above, are caught on bait in the Potchefstroom - Parys area. Fly fishermen who hunt for these species are scarce.
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