sound and then ferociously attack the
lure, which is working up and down in the
water usually a few feet below the float.
Takes can be quite spectacular and very
strong equipment is needed if you want
to stand any chance of landing one.
The last species worth mentioning is
the humble mudfish (Labeo capensis).
Constantly living in the shadow of its
revered live-in partner, the muddy never
seems to get much credit. If the yellows
were absent, anglers would have been ad-
equately provided for with this pint-sized
lump of muscle. It has a modest maxi-
mum weight of around 3.5kg and its fight
is slower and more dogged than a yellow-
fish. What it lacks in top speed, it makes
up for in torque! If you get a decent-sized
one, prepare to slog it out for 10 to 15
minutes. Mudfish are caught regularly
while fishing for smallmouths, and once
landed most captors develop a respect
and fondness for this B-lister.WHEN TO GO
Most fishermen who take on the chal-
lenge of the Richtersveld do so during
September to October and then from
March to May. If you can handle the
heat in January, the better fish are often
located at the heads of deep pools where
well-oxygenated water from extensive
rapids abruptly slows. For specimen
largies the prized spots are acute drop-
offs where the fly is presented either at
the base or more shallow inclines, allow-
ing the fly to work down and across the
current. They are predominantly bottom
feeders except in low-light conditions
where they feed right through the water
column and can even be caught on dry
flies in the evening.IN SUMMARY
After a day’s fishing on the river, the
sight of tents huddled around a coil of
rising woodsmoke is a welcome one. Our
new home for the night, set up by the
forward party while we were fishing our
way down. It’s time to relax, tinker with
kit and share the day’s events with my
comrades. After a generous braai meal
with freshly baked bread in the embers
and covered in African bee honey, it will
soon be time for bed. Oh, and if a bath is
required, it can be taken in the river. No
unnecessary luxuries here – after all, this
is a genuine African river safari.TCFF | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 | 31