I’ve been a big fan of the late, great, Douglas Adams for many years. While ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,’ is undoubtedly a classic and it can’t be forgotten that he penned the final episode of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, ‘Last Chance To See’ is my favourite of all his works.

With apologies to Doug, were the largemouth yellowfish, Labeobarbus kimberleyensis, included in ‘Last Chance To See’ he would’ve described it as: ‘The kind of fish that, if it could speak (which it can’t, because it’s a fish), would likely tell you to go away and mind your own business. Its mouth, however, would certainly look large enough to give such advice with considerable authority.”

Perhaps he would go on to explain how it is a creature that swims through a select few of South Africa’s west-flowing rivers with a sort of grumpy grace, like an underwater commuter who’s been inexplicably late for work for the last several millennia and has given up entirely on arriving in a timely manner. Its scales shimmer with a golden hue, as though it’s constantly reminding the other fish that it has a very important appointment somewhere else—just not here, and definitely not now.

When it opens its mouth, it looks like it could swallow half the river, but in reality, it’s far more interested in gobbling up small insects, crustaceans, and other things that never see it coming. The largemouth yellowfish is not particularly dangerous unless, of course, you happen to be a small fish or an angler with an over-inflated sense of your own skill.

Now, small I am, and a bit of a water baby, but a fish – not. And few things irritate me more than the second. So I steer clear of that.

Confession time then. I’ve never caught one…A largie. And have rarely looked as forward to a trip as I do this upcoming one to Diamond Rivers Outfitters’ camp on the Lower Vaal with Platon Trakoshis.

This Year Deserves A Trip

I haven’t prepared for a trip in a while, and I don’t think I’ve ever ‘needed’ one as much as I do this. It’s been a year of rapids and waterfalls, followed by quiet slow-moving sections only to be sucked into a whirlpool once more. We moved back to my old hometown after living in the Garden Route for 11 years. At the same time that our two boys were carving their groove in a new school and my wife adjusting to village life, I also took over the editorship at Zigzag, relaunching a surfing magazine that was dead in the water.

We don’t need to go on about it – you get it, we’re all in the same boat, trying to stay afloat and navigate the riffles of life. Now, the St Francis Bay I returned to is not the same as the one I left 20 years ago, but the spirit of the place has not faded, and although it’s busier, many familiar faces are still here, now with their kids. Plus there are new faces. Such as the maven of yellowfish (and more recently grunter), Marius ‘Straightstick’ Rousseau.

Straightstick and I talk fairly often about the fussy grunts of the Krom, but when I heard he was guiding for the season up at the Diamond Rivers camp, I flooded the man with questions. And he was generous with his info, amped to share that piece of river with us. Marius is, without a doubt, one of the sharpest minds in the business when it comes to targeting these yellowfish and his input on gear and tactics is gospel. I listened, tied and tweaked… Here is but a snapshot of what we’re packing.

Mariushonds Small- and Largemouth Yellowfish Fly List

Let’s start with the star of the fly box: Muishonds with circle hooks. This is Marius’ go-to and, despite misgivings and counter theories (about circles) I’ve tied up (very modest) versions of these beefy, dark streamers. The original (designed by Marius) have become the go-to for Largemouth Yellowfish, especially in the deep pools and structured areas of the Vaal. The theme among most who target largemouth yellows is: If you’re serious about landing big fish, Muishond variants are essential. Check out long-time Orange River DIYer, Ewan Naude’s ‘Ginger Ninja’ SBS here.

Aside from the Mariushonds, for Largemouths, I’ve packed a solid selection of LeRoy Botha’s MSP-style, ‘Banker’, regular baitfish patterns and Woolly Buggers in a range of sizes; soft candies and jig-style weighted ‘deep candies;’ as well as clousers and even a few oddball andino-style patterns in blacks, purples, oranges, olives and white. Just in case the usual suspects aren’t working.

On the Smallmouth Yellowfish front, Platon has been leading the tying (and digging up old boxes) charge. Diamond Rivers supplied a great fly-list and the style of fishing in this particular section of the Vaal (which used to be used for alluvial diamond mining) is well-known for its dry-dropper action. I’ve got a batch of crude foam hoppers tied in black (but with options in other colours too) that I can’t wait to throw into the shallows. It’s been fun tying ‘small’ and learning some new tying techniques. When the Smallmouths are sipping on top, Para Adams and Elk Hair Caddis are apparently deadly too, our boxes are full of dry variants as well as flying ants and the like.

Of course you can also never say no to nymphing. I’ve got some trusty Green Rock Worms, PTNs, and Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ears (with hot spots) tied up in sizes 12 to 16. On the recommendation of Diamond Rivers, we’ve thrown in some heavier tungsten versions too for when the fish are hanging in the fast water. The Vaal’s riffles can hold incredible numbers of Smallmouths, and the emphasis on adaptability is key here. Nymphs under hoppers—light in the runs, heavier in the faster water—are going to be a staple tactic.

Rods of Choice

There has been a fair bit of discussion about rods between us all – more for the sake of discussion than actual gear choice, which was fairly clear from the start: A 4wt for nymphing and dries and the dry-dropper rig (if it can handle), alternatively bring a five too for that. I’m taking the Thomas & Thomas Paradigm 8444 as well as a five as backup.

For the largies, I’m taking two 7wts with a range of line densities, from float and clear intermediate to a variety of sinkers. Throwing Muishonds and MSPs for Largemouths demands something with a bit of power, especially when you’re dredging those deeper pools. I’ll have a floating line rigged for most of the work on one, and an intermediate on the other to begin with. On Marius’ recommendation and the chance to fish at night (‘which no-one has done there’ according to him) I’m also packing a 9 with a couple of different lines. Freshwater nighttime kob-fishing anyone? Can’t wait.

Everything for each day will go into my 25l Drifter dry pack from Orial Outdoor. I’ve been testing this dry backpack for the past couple of months and have been super impressed with this Saffa pack. With an IPX8 waterproof rating, it’s fully submersible, ensuring your gear stays dry no matter the conditions. It features two internal pockets, while the exterior splash-proof pocket keeps essentials handy. Equipped with loops, D-rings and quick-dry neoprene padding I reckon it will hold up well for years to come.

What I’m Expecting

We’re hitting the prime week of the season at Diamond River Camp, which means we should have some of the best fishing conditions imaginable. The camp, nestled on 38 km of private, protected river, promises a sense of remoteness you don’t often get on the more pressured stretches of the Vaal. Between the world-class yellowfish action, the stunning landscape and evenings around the fire listening to Marius’ endless tales, this is shaping up to be a proper trip. Looking forward to connecting with big fish and disconnecting from my phone. And hoping to come back with a few pics of these: (taken at Diamond Rivers last year).