Will & Dre

Hyacinth is a common problem experienced at fishing waters in and around South Africa and many people have been battling with this intruder plant over the past decade. Bon Accord wasn’t overseen and during a few occations in the 2010 fishing season we were left with a sea of hyacinth obstructing each and every available fishing spot. It is with great excitement that I announce that most of the hyacint have been removed since, and that fishing can once again be enjoyed by young and old.

I do however have to point out that there is still a small amount of hyacinth present, mostly a problem when the wind picks up forcing these plants to the side.

Sadly the conservation of all other areas around Bon Accord dam are lacking.Papers, bottles, cans and other litter can be seen lying around the once beautiful grass banks while staff members strole past leisurely picking up the minimum required.

The first day of the new year is a good day to start fishing, and that’s exactly what we did!

Rigging up for a fresh start

Being an angler, early mornings every now and then is inevitable, so it was early rise on the first day of the new year to do some last minute preparations before hitting the road. We have decided to fish Bon Accord dam because it is so close and because it was back to work again on Monday.

By the afternoon all was set up and we had already made a feeding spot a bit further down the so called “hotel” side of the Bon Accord dam, but it was only by 5 ‘o clock that we had the first one in the net. It was a barbel, caught on Andre’s rod, brought to the dry ground by my brother Riaan, since Andre was away at that time. Although the barbel was not very big it put up quite a nice fight.

Andre with Bon Accord Barbel

During the day we all had a few runs but somehow most of the the fish escaped. Riaan caught a few plastic bags and a baby carp. Andre also caught a baby carp just a moment or two later, which just shows that Bon Accord dam is full of fish life.

Riaan caught nice size plastic bag

He also caught a small carp

Not a good way to start a year, but luckily non of us blanked, as I caught a small carp just after dusk. Mind you, I have serious problems recalling this event. Luckily Andre took photo’s to remind me.

I caught a typical Bon Accord Carp

After that nothing much happened. It started drizzling and a few Bon Accord crabs came out of the water to the light. Andre’s bait was taken by something which we believe was a barbel, because he used bait fish.

One of those Bon Accord Crabs

The next morning I went to pick up my friends, who were to join us for the day.

In the past Bon Accord dam’s water was seriously infested with Hyacinth. This seems to be much better now but the banks were quite polluted by careless anglers who, despite the fact that dustbins are provided, simply throw their garbage in the grass beside the dam.

Dirty banks

Despite the very wet conditions, it was a good and fun first outing for 2011!

Great buddies who joined us