Orange River Safari
The Complete Fly Fisherman|August - September 2019

Travelling fly fisherman, biologist and outdoor writer Jason Rodd packs his bags and leaves England to join a few friends on a true African river safari.

Jason Rodd
Orange River Safari

The longest river in South Africa, the Orange, rises in the Drakensberg mountains of Lesotho a mere 200km from the Indian Ocean and flows westward some 2200km before spilling into the Atlantic Ocean at Alexander Bay. It defines the lower limit of the Kalahari and forms the boundary between Namibia and South Africa. Although the Orange River has abundant fish stocks throughout its length, for the finest fishing one must venture to the Namibian border where it flows through a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier National Park.

The Richtersveld is an incredibly harsh environment with summer temperatures soaring up to 53 degrees Celsius and an average annual rainfall of little more than 55mm. Despite this, life thrives here as a result of water carried to the area by the Orange River and moisture from the damp morning fog that rolls in from the Atlantic called Ihuries or Malmokkies by the locals. Biologists describe this ecosystem as the Succulent Karoo. It is home to small antelope and troops of chacma baboon, as well as the secretive African leopard. But it is perhaps most famous for its unique succulent desert flora, the variety of which is unsurpassed anywhere in the world with 33 species that exist only here. As a biologist it is hard to stop waxing lyrical about the incredible diversity and unique adaptations life here exhibits.

Overlooked by rugged mountains, the Orange River (or Gariep as the local Nama people call it) moves like a mighty snake twisting through a lonely desert landscape. These are not your average mountains; no, they loom like frozen monsters in their final moments seemingly unweathered and still alive. Some appear to crouch like an ancient Nama hunter, while others have stopped suddenly, tall and proud. They are both beautiful and imposing. As the sun bounces off them and reflects back onto the water, it is obvious how the river inherited its name.

ANOTHER WORLD

この記事は The Complete Fly Fisherman の August - September 2019 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は The Complete Fly Fisherman の August - September 2019 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

THE COMPLETE FLY FISHERMANのその他の記事すべて表示
It's Called Evolution
The Complete Fly Fisherman

It's Called Evolution

Our quarry constantly has to adapt to the ever­changing conditions of their environment. It goes without saying then, that we, too, need to revise our fishing strategy to remain successful on any given day. Anton Hartman explains.

time-read
4 分  |
Jan/Feb/Mar 2021
At The Gates Of Antarctica
The Complete Fly Fisherman

At The Gates Of Antarctica

Mauritia Kirchner falls in love with the far­flung Falkland Islands.

time-read
7 分  |
Jan/Feb/Mar 2021
Six Of The Best Largemouth Flies
The Complete Fly Fisherman

Six Of The Best Largemouth Flies

Fly­Tying Field Editor Murray Pedder lists the top six largemouth yellowfish flies for the Orange, Vaal, Vanderkloof and Gariep dams.

time-read
10 分  |
Jan/Feb/Mar 2021
Ascending caddis pupa
The Complete Fly Fisherman

Ascending caddis pupa

The ascending stage of a caddis makes easy prey for both trout and yellowfish – the reason why Arno Laubscher propagates tying a pattern that imitates it.

time-read
4 分  |
Jan/Feb/Mar 2021
In Search Of Natal Yellowfish Top Scaly Rivers Of Kwazulu-Natal
The Complete Fly Fisherman

In Search Of Natal Yellowfish Top Scaly Rivers Of Kwazulu-Natal

Carl Freese shares his favourite home rivers for hunting KZN scaly.

time-read
8 分  |
Jan/Feb/Mar 2021
A Rod Maker's Thoughts: Why Bamboo?
The Complete Fly Fisherman

A Rod Maker's Thoughts: Why Bamboo?

Stephen Boshoff elaborates on his passion for bamboo.

time-read
10+ 分  |
Jan/Feb/Mar 2021
Rhodes AN ICONIC TOWN AND HOME TO fly fishing legend: Fred Steynberg
The Complete Fly Fisherman

Rhodes AN ICONIC TOWN AND HOME TO fly fishing legend: Fred Steynberg

Like the prodigal son, we return to Rhodes to meet up with old friends and revisit rivers filled with memories and wild rainbows.

time-read
10+ 分  |
Jan/Feb/Mar 2021
The TCFF Charity Initiative: FLY FISHERS GIVING BACK
The Complete Fly Fisherman

The TCFF Charity Initiative: FLY FISHERS GIVING BACK

After two and a half decades of publishing TCFF, we are honoured and blessed not only by the support of our readers, but also our industry in the main.

time-read
2 分  |
Jan/Feb/Mar 2021
IN MEMORIAM: Gunga Donn
The Complete Fly Fisherman

IN MEMORIAM: Gunga Donn

It’s always tough to lose a friend, but when that friend is a fishing buddy with whom you have shared boats, banks and lodgings, it is particularly distressing.

time-read
7 分  |
Jan/Feb/Mar 2021
In pursuit of Weza
The Complete Fly Fisherman

In pursuit of Weza

Sean I'Ons relates how it took 40 years for a story of a fishery and the people he got to know along the way to come full circle.

time-read
5 分  |
Jan/Feb/Mar 2021