Species Information#2: Leerfish: The Early Inspiration
Leerfish (Lichia amia)
Fishing for Leerfish (or Leervis in South Africa) off the Hermanus Coast was one of Steve’s earliest fishing inspirations. Steve and Andy spent copious hours of night fishing in search of this game fish.
Leerfish are found in the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian Oceans, and in the Mediterranean Sea. Leerfish is one many common names for this fish, other Akya, Garrick and Leervis. Leerfish are members of the Jack family. They are normally found in small groups in summer periods, usually less than 10 fish, and can be found in larger groups during the winter season. They come close to shore in search of mullet, shad and bluefish. Continue reading
Smallmouth Bass and the 2007 Western Cape Province State of Biodiversity Review
Earlier this year, Cape Nature (http://www.capenature.co.za/) released the 2007 Western Cape Province (WCP) State of Biodiversity Review (http://www.capenature.co.za/downloads/biod%20review.pdf). The report focuses on progress in freshwater fish conservation management since the last State of Biodiversity report in 2002. The report notes that considerable progress has been made in improving freshwater conservation knowledge and identifies progress made in revising the conservation status and conservation genetics of indigenous fishes, the biology and ecology of Clanwillian sawfin Barbus serra, the identification of priority rivers for alien fish eradication and quantifying the impacts of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss in the province.
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Species Information: Smallmouth Bass; Piscatorial Enemy Number One
Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus Dolomieu)
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Species Catch: Update # 1
We will use this blog to help us remember how many fish we have caught- we operate on a strict catch and release basis.
Total Catch since we stated this Blog: November 2007
Steve
Species: Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu)
Total Catch: 7
Richard
Species: Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu)
Total Catch: 5
Total Catch prior to the Blog
12 On
A good weekend (Sat-Mon) fishing at Wiesenhof Game Reserve in Stellenboch. Started off slowly but in the pouring rain we managed to land 12 small-mouth bass, using a number of our new plastics. Steve was trying out his new bait caster rod, and got the weekend off to a good start. Wiesehof is an excellent venue for bass and trout fishing and just a mere 55km outside of Cape Town, on the R44 between Stellenbosch and Klapmuts, its a quick and easy get away for fishing. The manager, Ziggy, is an expert fisherman and is always a great sources of informaiton on tips and tricks of the trade. There are three dams to choose from, and , and we had the most luck in one of the two smallish dams, landing 11 bass in the rain. Only managed to catch one (medium sized) bass in the larger dam. We were most succesful using Gary Yamamoto 4 inch pumpkin coloured plastic worms.
Wiesenhof Small Dam
Wiesenhof Small Dam: 11 on-dad’s
Wiesenhof-Main-Dam.jpg
Adventures with a Fishing Rod
This is the blog of Steve and Richard. We wanted to create a space to record of adventures or mis-adventures while out fishing.
Dedication: Our blog is dedicated to the late Andy Confeit who inspired Steve to become a fisherman.
On Dad!!!!: This is a phrase made famous by the fishing team of Extreme Sports Angling (ESA). While there are probably different ways to interpret the phrase, the ESA crew generally use the term once a fish has hit their line. We have borrowed it for the title of our blog, we like the ring to it. All credits to the ESA crew.
Our fishing characters, can somewhat, be losely based on Santiago and Manolin; two characters in Ernest Hemingway’s epic story of the struggle between an old man and a big fish-“The Old Man and the Sea”. Santiago is the old Cuban fisherman who has been unable to catch a fish for eighty four days. Santiago has an apprentice called Manolin, whose family tell him he must stop fishing with Santiago because he is not catching any fish or making any money. Santiago is convinced one day he will begin to catch fish again and that he is just going through an unlucky time but his luck will change. Manolin takes the old man food and baitfish to help him to keep fishing.
In additon to fishing , both of us enjoy cuban rum, music, and El Hefe.
When we are not fishing, we do have day jobs. Steve is in the construction world, while Richard spends his time in the world of multilateral negotiations on sustainable development.
ON DAD!!!!!!!!!! 
