Overview

HABITAT

The largemouth yellowfish occurs in the Orange and Vaal Rivers and their larger tributaries in Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa. In the latter country, it is found in Eastern Cape Province, Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North-West Province and Northern Cape Province.

Is predominantly found in deep pools of large rivers, as well as in the slow-moving water before weirs and river dams. Abundant water weeds, overhanging riparian vegetation and other forms of plant cover seem to be essential for its well-being.

Overhanging trees and cliffs also offer something to the Largemouth Yellowfish and they can be found here as well.

FEEDING

The Largemouth Yellowfish will feed on a variety of insects, insect larvae, plankton, algae and other organisms until it reaches a weigh of about 1.5 kilograms. They then become almost exclusively piscivorous, but will still take crustaceans and crabs and so forth.

Geer and equipment

RODS

Horizon TRS 9 wt for most of the largemouth yellowfish fishing (yes you are fishing a big river with biggish, heavy flies); and the new 10 ft Horizon Tactical Competition 6 wt for targeting smallmouth yellowfish and other smaller species in the shallow runs.

LINES

The Rio InTouch Coldwater Striper floating line worked fine for swinging the bigger, heavy flies and I fished it most of the time; as recommended by Garth Wellman I also fished an Airflo Forty Plus type 5 sinking line to load the rod quickly and to get down in faster, deeper water (where he typically caned fish); and various floating, intermediate and sinking backups for my 6 wt outfit.