Breede Exploration

[Bombasstic]

I have been wanting to explore the Breede by tube from Worcester to Infanta for a good few years now and I think it is time to make a start.
Before I start to make any serious plans, I want to do a small trip as a test run from the bridge on the Worcester / Villiersdorp road (at High Africa) to a low water crossing (drif) about 5 km down the river (thumb suck).[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]
The following are just a few zoom ins of the trip.[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND][ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND][ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND][ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND][ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND][ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND][ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]
I am thinking of doing it this coming Saturday or Sunday. Anyone game to join me?

Remember . . . . Life is a journey, not a destination.

[jmgravenor]

I would. If there are plenty reeds though...not a chance am I fishing. Have had enough of seeing reeds everywhere.

[Bass_Assasin]

I agree with JM.. fished the breede 3 days in a row now. I didn't get a single fish in the reeds. all my fish were under fallen trees, in the shade.

[Bombasstic]

What a pair of plonkers :blue-rolleyes: - that is why it is called exploration - so that one can see what there is :eusa_doh: . I'm sure we will find a shady tree or two.

[Frogstar]

Before I start to make any serious plans, I want to do a small trip as a test run from the bridge on the Worcester / Villiersdorp road (at High Africa) to a low water crossing (drif) about 5 km down the river (thumb suck).

Hi Bombasstic,

I did this exact drift a few years back. It was awesome. We didnt get anything that day, not sure why but Im sure if you time it right it will be a cracker drift with plenty good fish

you gan read about my trip here http://blog.floattubes.co.za/index.php/t...ede-blank/

[breedesmallie]

Guys when you are fishing the reeds the secret is to look for something different on the reed line. That is where the big mommas are hiding. Small changes on the reed line for example a fallen tree along that line or a small change in vegetation along that line, you must look for small changes and most of the time you will get mr or misses bass there. The biggest problem with guys fishing a river system are that they fish it the same way they fish a dam and that is a big mistake. there are a huge difference between the two. Most people fish a river all along the bank and forget about all the rocks and stumps and what ever you get away from the banks.

[Capiez]

That stretch from above Malgas to Infanta would be very "interesting". Not sure if I would do it. There are massive bull sharks patrolling that section and they are curious.

While fishing off a boat for grunter and kob a few kilometres upstream from the mouth a big boy came to visit. Very curious. Came right up to the boat to have a look.

[Bombasstic]

Yes, I was thinking it might be best to end off at the pont. Over the weekend I was told about guys fishing Kragdrade and losing every 3rd fish to shark. :eusa_shifty:

[Bass_Assasin]

bullsharks have been spotted at the pont. I would not go near there on a tube. especially if the water is stained

[Brenden]

bombastic, I used to float that section of the breede for many years, I know it well. the trick to that section is to fish it after the first good rains in april. when they close the sluice from brandvlei the water starts to get clear then this secion fishes very well. while it is stained and dirty its tough fishing. Also there is a window period between October and November before they open the sluices for summer when it fishes well. also be very careful if you go down the wrong channel, if I can give any advice always keep left if you face downstream as you can get trapped and becomes a bummer if the water is flowing strong. smallies and largies but barbell have taken over there too. we used to get 25 to 30 fish days on that section. goodluck

[Frogstar]

bombastic, I used to float that section of the breede for many years, I know it well. the trick to that section is to fish it after the first good rains in april. when they close the sluice from brandvlei the water starts to get clear then this secion fishes very well. while it is stained and dirty its tough fishing. Also there is a window period between October and November before they open the sluices for summer when it fishes well. also be very careful if you go down the wrong channel, if I can give any advice always keep left if you face downstream as you can get trapped and becomes a bummer if the water is flowing strong. smallies and largies but barbell have taken over there too. we used to get 25 to 30 fish days on that section. goodluck

Great info there Brenden. is there a site we can use to check when the gates are closed and how long after do we need to wait for it to clear.

[Brenden]

no frogstar, I don't know who to call at the dam, but I used to have a mate that drove over there after the rains and checked for us. as soon as the rains let up in October and it warms a little you can go. if you get a three day warm spell then pack your stuff. in spring the smallies stack up in the rapids and a shallow running orange or gold crank did damage as well as spinnerbait. in the slower pools I fished flukes etc. I also found that in april and may the fish stack at the back of the pools or runs. why I don't know really. a good tip is to position yourself 30 meters from the end of a pool or where it starts to become shallow. this is known as a push. cast across the current with a spinnerbait and fish across the current letting the bait fish in a semi circle and back to yourself. in my beginning years I watched a video of a chap doing this in USA rivers and applied it on the breede. it worked very well in the fall which is our autumn. for all you know they could close the sluices after these rains, but I think it is still a bit early

[Bombasstic]

Thanks for the info guys - just what I'm looking for. Specially the one about "going down the wrong channel" because I have waded out from the drift already and the current was quite hectic. I don't think I would be able to kick my Pisces against it if I did take a wrong channel.
I am going to chat to the guys at High Africa (at the bridge). They take groups down the river all the time and will no doubt be able to pass on some great info re the channels and possibly even a contact for the sluices.
I drive over the river all the time so I will keep an eye on the water colour.