Dry Fly Success On The Vaal For Smallmouth Yellows

Being successful when targeting yellowfish on dry means much more than just fishing a specific pattern. It requires a thinking and practical approach, says ANTON HARTMAN

- Anton Hartman

When you think about small mouth yellow fish on dry flies on the Vaal River, the first question most anglers ask is what fly to use to catch these surface-eating fish. Truth is that catching them is way easier than you think. Most anglers have had their first dry fly experiences at Sterk fontein Dam where things can be very easy but also very frustrating. On a good day at Sterkies, 30 different anglers will use 30 different flies and the majority will catch fish on them. After their successful day, they will all race home and tie 20 of their newly found secret weapons, only to find that, the following day, they see the same number of fish and cannot catch a single one on the same fly. So, in my experience, understanding the conditions and the fish’s feeding habits are way more important than a very specific fly on a good day.

There are a few differences in approach between Sterkfontein Dam and the Vaal River: mainly flow, field of vision, and understanding the conditions on the day regarding the hatch and how the weather affects it.

FINDING THE FISH: FLOW