The good old days at Roodeplaat dam
Fishermen who know Roodeplaat dam well must be disappointed by this popular stretch of water this season because it has failed to live up to its name.
Since the beginning of this fishing season in September Roodeplaat has been uncharacteristically quiet. When I first went here in September last year (2023) and came back empty handed, I thought that was because the water was still cold or that it was just a bad day for fishing. When I tried for the second time after about a week, and again drew a blank, I decided I would only come back during the second week of October, hoping the water would have become warmer.
When I went back in October, alas, it was the same story – not a single bite. I was not alone in this predicament as other fishermen also drew blanks. However, fishermen are never short of theories as to why fish are not biting at any given time. Moholo, the gateman at the Angling Grounds, a popular section of the dam, said he had heard many veteran fishermen saying the fish were not biting because they were still spawning. After trying my luck three times and still drawing blanks, I decided to go back mid-November.
Come mid-November and the story was still the same – no fish except for the odd barbell here and there. This time Moholo who is considered an authority of sorts just by virtue of working at the dam said the fish would definitely bite by beginning of December or as soon as the first heavy rains fell.
Come beginning of December, nothing, and come the first heavy rains, still nothing. Different theories started floating around, and one was that some undesirable chemicals may have entered the dam and were causing fish to lose appetite. This was the first time I was hearing such a theory – that of chemicals that did not kill the fish, but only interfered with their appetite.
Significant rain fell in December – by my judgment, enough to dilute the so-called undesirable chemicals – but the status quo remained, no bites. I am informed that those people who traditionally spend Christmas at Roodeplaat dam, fishing, had a miserable time as the fish boycott continued. Thank God, I, at the last minute, canceled my plan to spend Christmas at Roodeplaat dam, fishing.
While pursuing some chores in Hatfield after Christmas, I came across veteran fisherman Moyo – I don’t know his first name – and like many other fishermen, he had been to our popular hunting ground, Roodeplaat dam on several occasions, and had also returned home empty handed. Like many other fishermen, Moyo also had his own theory as to why the fish were not biting. “I know Roodeplaat dam well. We need floods to wash out all the water that is currently in the dam, and the fish will start biting when there is fresh water.
On the night of January 8, 2024, heavy rains pounded Pretoria, and by my estimation, pushed out all old water from Roodeplaat dam, leaving fresh water as postulated by my friend Moyo. So early morning on January 9, I was on my way to Roodeplaat dam, hoping to cover some of my previous losses. I was not alone in this school of thought, because by the time I arrived at the dam around 8.30 in the morning, there was already a significant number of fishermen, and one of my favorite spots had already been taken. Fortunately, my other favorite spot was still available and I quickly settled down for the business of the day.. As I was setting up my lines, I was keenly monitoring the performance of my neighbours and unfortunately none of them caught anything until I was done setting up. On arrival at the dam, everyone must have thought they were going to massacre the fish because they were jumping all over the place, showing that they were excited.
After three hours and still no fish, fishermen started exchanging notes. As usual optimism prevailed, with most fishermen agreeing that it was a matter of time before the fish started biting because the weather seemed perfect for fishing. “If they do not bite in the morning, then definitely they shall in the afternoon because they have to feed at some stage,” suggested one elderly fisherman who I believed was talking from experience.
All the fisherman around me were fishing for carp, while I was fishing for carp as well as barbell. By 4pm, I was the only fisherman who had caught something – two small barbells, the bigger about two kilogrammes. By 5pm most fishermen had left. I continued until 6pm, but no other fish was willing to cooperate.
Writing on his Facebook page, veteran fisherman Dolf Jooste said: “At the age of 81, this is the poorest carp catches I have ever experienced at the entire Roodeplaat dam. I will try for another two weeks, and if that fails to produce the desired results, then I will have to try other dams far away. Wish me luck.”
But then just before I left, a friend of mine called Serg called just to check on me. When I told him that I was at Roodeplaat dam, he said: “You lucky bastard. I was there last Saturday and caught several nice size carps and a few barbells as well.” I could hardly believe what Serg had just told me, but then you never know with fishing. The fish may just have been in biting mood on that particular day. But whether Serg was joking or telling the truth, for me it was time to try other dams until I heard from other fishermen that Roodeplaat was firing again.
Let's Go Fishing 