Rising at Sterkfontein Beacon near Breyten, in Mpumalanga province, it flows 1210 km (750 miles) southwest to its confluence with the Orange River at Douglas in the arid central plains of South Africa. The Vaal is the major tributary of the Orange River and its middle section forms most of the Free State's northern provincial boundary.

For many years the Kimberly region in the North Cape Province has been known to a selected group of anglers as home to the most prolific small- and large mouth yellowfish waters in the world. The abundance of small and large mouth yellowfish, combined with the pristine environment makes it one of Southern Africa's best freshwater fishing resources. 

It is one of the last areas where anglers can still successfully target the endangered largemouth yellowfish, with specimens of up to 20lb being caught every season.

We have 2 miles of private river frontage on our game ranch with access to another 26 miles of fly and course fishing. Fishing can be done either from the river bank or from a flat bottomed boat known as a float. The float has a small engine and can be trawled or anchored up or down the river. We also have stocked lakes on the ranch with very large carp and catfish. We have both common and mirror Carp from 10kg up to 46kg. Our private river section is always pre baited one week before a fishing party arrives. The last week in February 2004 three English carp fishermen in 4 days netted 1600lb of carp and catfish.

Further upstream the river is faster & shallower, and thus ideal for fly fishing. With a good pair of waders and low water you can walk across.

We don’t supply fishing tackle but tackle can be purchased from the nearest large town. It is always best to bring enough with you. Bait can be bought from the ranch.

Fish species available:

Smallmouth and Largemouth Yellowfish

The main quarry is the Small mouth (Barbus aeneus) and Large mouth (Barbus kimberleyensis) yellowfish, whilst anglers can also target carp and sharp tooth catfish (barbel). As a sporting fish, the yellow fish has few fresh water equals. Lightning speed and stubborn unyielding endurance makes this gracious predatory fish a worthy opponent.

The carnivorous largemouth yellow fish remains a symbol of true power and determination. It is the largest scaled fresh water fish in South Africa and the Kimberley area is now the accepted premier destination for the species. It requires clean flowing water and reaches sexual maturity at 7yrs. These fish congregate around structure (reeds & rocky outcrops) similar to bass, from where they pounce on their prey.

We use bigger flies like zonkers and woolly buggers, imitating small baitfish when targeting theses brutes, and live bait (where legal) such as baitfish and insects. Anglers focusing on these areas will be rewarded with one of the strongest freshwater game fish around. The Smallmouth yellowfish record is just over 7kgs. 

Catch and release is an accepted policy when catching Largemouth yellowfish.  Eating a Largemouth Yellowfish is frowned upon, but the Smallmouth is considered good table fare.

Carp

Carp (Cyprinus carpio) are exotic to Africa, introduced in the 1870’s from Britain. It is a highly adaptable fish which has found a fertile breeding ground in South Africa wherever it has been introduced. The result is that most, if not all, waters in South Africa have a healthy population of carp. In South Africa, Carp in the 10kg-plus class are regarded as common.

Carp fishing is the single most popular fishing activity in South Africa, with tens of thousands of people targeting it every year. Visitors from the U.K. and Europe enjoy carp fishing in South Africa as the fish are big and react well to the refined, Euro-styles of carp fishing.

In South Africa, as elsewhere in the world, carp baits are based on maize and wheat products and an amazing number of bait flavourings and colorants. Bank fishing in still water is the norm although boat fishing for carp has grown in popularity.

Sharptoothed Catfish

The Vaal River also holds health populations of Sharptoothed Catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Catfish are the largest non-scale indigenous sport fish in South Africa. The current IGFA world record is 36kgs. Catfish, also called (incorrectly) "barbel" in South Africa, are able to breathe air as well as water and in very dry periods can move overland. They are strong fighters and occur throughout the country. They are predators but will also feed on detritus and any dead animal. It is however a proven fact that a catfish prefers fresh bait. During winter catfish slow down and the summer months are considered the best times, with late summer considered the best.

Catfish is excellent table fare (just like its American cousins).
Catfish take an amazing variety of baits, but fresh fish from its home water is considered to be the best. Insects and prepared baits also work well and artificial lures such as spinners, crank baits and flies also take their fair share every year. A rule with catfish is: "the bigger the bait, the bigger the fish”.

Mudfish

Two species of Mudfish are highly popular with anglers, the Rednosed Mudfish (Labeo rosea) and the Orange River Mudfish (Labeo capensis), also called the Vaal muddie.

The muddie is referred to as the "V6" of freshwater because of its fighting qualities. The national records are just over 2 kg each. It is a scaled, slightly elongated fish. It is considered an excellent fish for making fish curry as the curry mixture softens the many small bones. The flesh is excellent white meat.
Muddies are herbivores so baits are small balls of cornflour or baking flour mixtures impaled on a small Kahle-style hook. The baited hook is kept on the bottom with a set slip-float rig. The bite is either delicate or violent, and as muddies are mostly caught beneath a boat or next to the bank, the fight is furious. A reel with a super smooth drag is essential.

Season

With an extended fishing season, the best fishing is in summer from September/ October to April/May. Anglers specifically targeting Largemouth Yellows will have more success late in the season up to June.