FISHING NEWS

At the time of going to print, we are more than half way through the traditional winter season (though who is to say what counts as traditional anymore?) with hardly any snow having fallen on the surrounding mountains – barring a brief fall in the middle of June and one other mid-August. We have had some hard frosts though, with overnight minimum temperatures of the order of Minus 8 degrees Celsius, however those have been the exception rather than the norm. Noting that August and in particular September are known for late winter snowfalls, perhaps things may yet change this winter, we shall wait and see.

Lake Naverone has been hard at work this year increasing the size of both our watercourses. Our regular visitors will have noticed the changes introduced to the main lake, in which the area around the headwaters has been cleared and considerably widened, allowing for an increase in both fishing and recreational opportunities. Similarly, the lower dam has been expanded along its north eastern banks for the same reasons. Not to be left undone, our large duck pond below cottage 1 – Dove – and cottage 9 – Hamerkop, has also been increased in size. We are in no doubt this will result in improved roosting, and at the same time improved viewing opportunities, of water birds, as more of them are attracted to this spot below the main horse paddock. We have included three photographs showing these ‘works in progress’.

For the fly fishermen and women amongst us is the news that recent catches have ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous : there will always be those who don’t quite manage to net one on their first attempt, however Lake Naverone can confirm one particular guest caught twenty two trout in three days – these all off Bunny Leech lures. Still other guests of ours can boast of up to fifteen trout caught in two days – remarkable by any standards.

Whether due to the recent World Cup foreign visitor influx, or the fact that Lake Naverone earlier introduced an internet-based bookings system, we have certainly noticed an increase in the number of our foreign guests. We can attest to their positive observations about South Africa and its versatile people, their intrigue at the range and variety of our landscape scenery, and their delight at South Africa’s good weather.

Nearby Sani Pass continues to attract those with a yearning to ‘take a drive on the wild side’ and from all accounts the road is in the best condition it has been for quite some time - by ‘best’ we mean good condition, not bone-shaking condition. Opinions and views on whether the pass should or will ever be tarred over, remain as numerous and at times as heated as the ticks on a camel’s back, neither of which we ever hope to see at ‘Naverone!

Au Revoir.