Stywe Lyne Tight Lines - January 2017

On the freshwater front
The new year is off to a flying start, presenting anglers with new opportunities and challenges at the fishing water. In Rohan’s Fly Diary, Rohan Koegelenberg writes that this is a magic time of the year on the Vaal River, as insects abound and the water is teeming with emerging mayflies and caddis pupae. To hone your fly-fishing skills, it is important to have knowledge of the insect species. Rohan gives readers a basic understanding of the emerging caddis pupa on the Vaal River. Artlure expert Eben Dowd explains how to tie the Madam X, while Andries Maree and Barry Grove give advice on how to crank for bass at Albert Falls Dam and what tackle to use. Neville Barnard visited Hartbeespoort Dam after many years and was pleasantly surprised at the fine carp he landed as well as the clean water. Danie Engelbrecht explains the pros and cons of braid for traces.

Rock and surf
Moving to the seaside, Nickie Louwrens focuses on the Cape south coast, giving advice on which species to target this time of year: musselcracker, kob, white steenbras and shad. Friedel Kirstein recently visited Inhaca, a subtropical island off the Mozambique coast, and describes it as an angler’s paradise. He had a whale of a time, catching amberjack, giant trevally, kakap, blacktip kingfish and yellowfin tuna.

Competitions
We report back on the Artlure Teams Challenge presented by the South African Artificial Lure Angling Association, which was held at Loskop Dam in October 2016.

Product news
If you are a specimen carp angler, you definitely want to look out for Konger. You name a specimen product and they have got it – from big pit reels to the smallest clip or bead. We also bring you the new Daiwa Saltist 2016 series. Digigear II, Magseal, ATD, Magsealed line roller and air rotor are all features of the all-new Saltist.

All this and much more in this month’s issue of Stywe Lyne / Tight Lines – the angler’s friend.