Zandvlei Trust

ZIMP - Fish

2005.

photograph by Peter Kruyt

Dave Todd with the Leervis he caught in Zandvlei in March 2005. He emphased that the fish was released and that all responsible anglers should do so in the name of conservation.

The big one that got away

Article from the April/May 2005 Marina News text by Dave Todd.

I hear much about the caring for birdlife, but not much about taking care of our fish resources. Being a keen sports fisherman I spend a fair amount of time on the water fly fishing and have had some really pleasant times in our channels as well as the main vlei. although having caught more than 250 on fly here, I have yet to kill one, being a firm believer of "catch and release". Dont get me wrong. 

I know some will want to keep their first- especially the younger set. No problem there. There are many Carp in our waters along with Mullet and lesser numbers of Kurper, Elf and Bass. The fish which I believe most need our help are the Leervis (Garrick – in Kwazulu Natal). These fine fish you will often see slashing at mullet during the summer months. The picture shows a good specimen I caught and released a couple of weeks ago. It was in excess of 20kg certainly larger than our average. While reviving it before taking some photographs I had a chance to look over this fine gamefish. These fish are far too special to kill. In fishing circles it is often said "fish are too valuable to catch only once".

Live and let live.

These fish spend some of their lives in the sea and enter estuaries to breed. They migrate up the eastern coast between here and Kwazulu Natal, so not only would we kill a fish – we would break a life cycle.
Anyway my suggestion is to do as the hunters have done; "hunt with a camera". I know full well that one never has a camera when needed. In the case of my recent fish I called my good neighbour Peter Kruyt by cell phone. Peter had no hesitation and it is his fine photography  that records the catch on this page. Meanwhile the fish swims free to chase more mullet. 

As residents of the Marina we need to do our share. Another fishing friend and long time Marina resident Richard Borden has done just that. Seeing a guy  landing a good Leervis he fetched his camera and took  the pic, allowing the angler to release the fish.

What I am suggesting is we as residents could do the same good neighbourly thing. In a time of email and digital cameras, getting a print to somebody is a case of punching  a few computer keys. Parents can provide a more direct service to children or grandchildren ; humour them when they call take the picture and lets save this valuable fish resource. "Quick to kill, slow to grow and survive" A fish of that size would be – how many years old?

As much as children might resist releasing a fish  they have caught just watch their faces as it swims away as they experience a very special feeling of pride!

Over fished waters.

There are so many stories about over fished areas all over the world. Too late people wake up. Folks trust me, we have a very special resource in our Marina. I have travelled to many international fishing spots both as a sport fish skipper as well as an angler and have seen first hand the huge benefits in releasing fish. Places where catches were declining now with sensible conservation provide tremendous fun for all young and old.

My thanks to our fellow users the canoeists One hears much of competing interests in our waters, but I must say from what I have experienced there has been a great sense of sharing. We need to respect their set courses and they us as we anchor/drift and fish. Thanks guys and gals. It was pleasing in the school holidays to see the young anglers rods over their shoulders and eyes bright with anticipation. With all the less desirable distractions of our modern life, can there be a better way for them to spend there time? In my case I had two of the best fishing buddies my son and daughter and now my grandchildren.

 Have you ever been out on the main vlei before the sun rises behind the Hottentotts Holland Mountains? You look across flat calm water seeing swirls of mullet and carp. Far above we hear the cry of the African Fish Eagle, and see a group of otters swimming out of the gloom inquisitively cruising near the boat or maybe even the crashing of a Leervis storming mullet. It does not get better than "Another tough Day in Africa's Marina da Gama" – and if we handle it correctly it will stay that way for years to come. See you on the water and tight lines.

See a previous similar catch below.

Peninsula Canoe Club Members participating in the data collection programme.

 

updated

2003