Volume 5

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4 Vol 5 2012 www.africanadventures.co.za

Letter from the editor Editorial

Publisher: African Adventures Magazine (Pty) Ltd.Editor: Johan ViljoenCo-editor: Cobus SteylAdvertising: Lizel Stavast

For advertising enquiries contact:Lizel Stavast073 777 9524

For distribution detailscontact:Johan Viljoen083 469 4347

Letters to the [email protected]

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Cover photo supplied by:Sias Karsten

Disclaimer and CopyrightWhile all precautions have been take to ensure the accuracy of advice and information given to the readers, the Proprietor, Publisher, Editor or writers cannot accept responsibility for any damages, inconvenience or injury that may arise whatsoever from incorrect information. We take every reasonable precaution to deal only with honest and ethical ad-vertisers, however neither African Adventures Magazine Pty (Ltd), nor its editor, publisher, agent or employees can be held responsible for any harm, loss or damage arising from a transaction entered into pursuant to any section in this magazine. African Adventures assumes no responsi-bility to return graphics, unsolicited editorial or other material. All rights in unsolicited editorial letters, emails, graphics and other material will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purpos-es, and material will be subject to African Adventures unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. The publisher accepts no responsibility for the contented advertisements. Opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of African Adventures. No part of this maga-zine may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher.

After an extreme cold spell last month which left a large part of our country under a white blanket of snow, Spring has finally sprung. The change of season brings new inspiration to us all and I encourage all of our readers so start a per-sonal conservation drive.With more than 338 rhinos

killed this year it is no wonder that rhino poaching is at the forefront of conservation, however there are many aquatic, bird, insects and smaller mammal species that are under threat. We can all make a difference and every effort, no matter how small has a huge impact on preserving our natural heritage. We can definitely take a leaf out of the specimen angler’s book. They take optimal care in handling their quarry and releasing it safe and unharmed back in the water to fight another day. The success of their efforts is clearly noticeable in their results.With the passing of the hunting season, we can take time out to reflect back on our time spent tracking down our dream trophies. For the lucky ones who managed to harvest a once in a lifetime animal, I congratulate you with a hint of jealousy, for the rest of us – better luck next season.This is the time of year when dedicated anglers come into their own. Enjoy the countless hours you spend next to the water and appreciate those beautiful sunsets and airy misty mornings on the lake. I am grateful for the 41 000+ digital subscrib-ers that joined us in the last three months and I invite everybody to join our online community – it’s as simple as visiting www.africanadventures.co.za to subscribe.Enjoy this edition and remember to keep sharing your experiences with us. Catch a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you’ve passed on a business opportunity.

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7 www.africanadventures.co.za Vol 5 2012

Contents / Inhoud

Regulars

Letter from the editorLetter to the editorEventsDoorndraai Stories

Featured species:WaterbuckManta RayRed-billed HornbillKoorsboom

Resep van die maandSwart, blosende Worcestershiresous fillet

Hunting

Boogjag in BotswanaBossie Messe

FISHING

How to catch Karanteen forlive bait

Think like a fishWhy do we fly fish

DIVING

Get into Scuba divingTop 10 dive sites continues

LIVING

Duinduikers Toer: Luderitz, Walvisbaai, NamibGorillas in UgandaDie geskiedenis van ClarensGolden Gate

PRODUCT REVIEW

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Letters to the editor

Submit your letters to [email protected]

Goeie gehalte diens = Full Draw Archery Pretoria

Ons beplan ‘n jagnaweek by Shosholoza. Die boë en kruisboë word nagegaan. Definitief moet die “serwing” op die kruisboë vervang word. Fulldraw is die naaste, boë word in-gevat en die nodige herstel werk is gedoen.

By Shosholoza word daar eers gekyk of alles nog reg werk maar o wee, die eerste keer dat ek Christine se Stryker kruisboog span kom ons agter daar is fout. Die kabels skuur aan die onderkant en na die tweede skoot lyk dit of die kabel gaan breek. Boog word gebêre.

Om te sê dat ek die hoeders in is, is baie sag gestel. Dadelik word Nicolaas van Fulldraw gebel. Hy antwoord: “Geen probleem, bring die kruisboog Maandag in dan kyk ons wat die probleem is.” Wel, ons is by Shosholoza en die jag gaan nie af gestel word nie.

Christine gaan met my kruisboog, die Horton Vision 175, jag en ek gaan met my Bowtech Guardian jag. Die manne en dames wat nog nie by Shosholoza gejag het nie, maak plan, daar is baie wild en die pryse is van die beste, verblyf is vyf ster en nog ‘n bietjie beter en boonop is daar nog ‘n restaurant ook.

Ons jagnaweek was baie suksesvol, Christine het ‘n blouwildebees geskiet, Gerit ‘n blou-wildebees en blesbok en ek ‘n rooibokram, rooibokooi en vlakvark.

Terug by Fulldraw. Maandagoggend word die kruisboog na Fulldraw geneem. By nadere onder soek vind hulle uit die “kabel slide” is weg, dit is waarom die kabel teen die boog skuur. Met vriendelike hulp en diens word daar ‘n nuwe “kabel slide” gebou, nuwe kabel word opgesit, geen moeite te veel om die omgekrapte omie gelukkig te hou nie en die beste - dit word gedoen sonder om dikbek te wees en kostevry. Baie, baie en nog baie dankie Nicolaas vir jou en julle span - soos die kinders sê julle ROCK!

Groete Koos en Christine Booysen

PS. Ons kan nie wag vir ons volgende jagnaweek nie.

Wenbrief


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Hunting

04:30 Woensdag oggend. Boog, rooster, hoed, pyle… PASPOORT!!! Ja ‘n goeie begin tot ‘n Botswana trip is ‘n paspoort wat ten minste nog 6 maande geldig is. Dis ook belangrik om seker te maak dat jy weet wat presies jy deur die grens mag vat en wat jy liefs by die huis moet laat. Onder andere mag geen vleis, vars produkte (appels, lemoene), handgewere en so meer deur die grens gevat word nie.

Die uitsig oor die vier en ‘n half uur rit is die perfekte voorsmakie vir ‘n Afrika-jagervaring. Dis belangrik om die roete reg te kies en soos in ons geval was die Vaalwater pad onder konstruksie wat op sekere dele baie lang vertragings kon veroorsaak het. Die Naboom, Marken, Grobler Drift-roete was die aangewese opsie en ‘n baie mooi pad ten spyte van die eerste 7 km na Marken oppad grens toe wat ‘n paar slegte dele gehad het.

Maak seker jy het jou paspoort, motorregi-strasiedokumente en ‘n rustige gemoed by-derhand vir die grenspos. Hulle reageer goed op positiewe en vriendelike reaksie. Daar is ‘n koste implikasie vir die voertuie van R 250.

Ons jaggroep het bestaan uit ses boog-jagters, “die Dagga Boys”, wat verwys na ‘n alleenloper buffelbul.

Botswana verwelkom ons met ‘n mopani vlakte wat stelselmatig vloei in die semi-sanderige, hardehout en maroelaveld. ‘n Verlore donkie en boerbok langs die pad is simbolies van die yl bevolkte land. Lapalosa is slegs 34 km anderkant die grens en reg teen die indrukwekkende Limpopo wat die grens vorm tussen Botswana en Suid-Afrika. Die 6000 ha bosveldplaas met ‘n 6/7km rivierfront bied ‘n idilliese jagkamp reg teen die oewer van die Limpopo. Die krokodil op die oorkantste oewer en seekoeie in die diep water bevestig dat jy nou in die meer wilde Afrika gaan jag.

Die plaas het nege skuilings waarvan ses by water gate is en drie boomskuilings is. Die veld is baie droog as gevolg van die meer sanderige grond en bied die jagter ‘n baie goeie geleentheid om ‘n verskeidenheid diere by die watergate aan te tref. Die rooi-bokke is volop en elke trop bied ‘n verba-sende aantal trofeeramme.

Boogjag inBotswana – Quintin Cass


Hunting

Die groter bokke is meer huiwerig en die jagter word vereis om al sy kennis en vermoë in te span om ‘n suksesvolle dag te verseker. Die veld bied die jagter die geleentheid om ook te voet sy geluk te probeer as gevolg van die kombinasie van digte bosveld sowel as meer oop gedeeltes. Die gedeeltes teen die rivier bestaan ook uit ‘n sekere aantal droë rivierlope wat maak vir ‘n besondere interes-sante ligging. Die seekoeimis teen die rivier bring ‘n unieke sowel as ‘n benoude gevoel wat jou nader aan die bos laat voel.

Die enkele luiperd voetspoor herhinner jou ook daaraan om seker te maak dat jy teen sononder terug by die kamp moet wees. Botswana, so naby aan Suid-Afrika, maar tog so ‘n unieke wilde Afrika ervaring.

Om ‘n braaivleisvuur in die aand geniet ses vriende die perfekte toneel om hulle dag se goeie skote, slegte skote, bloedspore en heerlike disse te geniet met die geroep van ‘n seekoei in die agtergrond, muskejaatkat wat ‘n peuselhappie kom soek en ‘n groot vis aan die lyn! Krokodille sal mos nie die aas vat nie… sal hulle?

Die geleentheid om te kamp maar tog ‘n goeie ablusie fasiliteit te geniet, bied die beste van beide wêrelde. Die aande en vroeë oggende is aansienlik koeler as deur die dag langs die rivier. Die oggende is wel die beste tyd in die veld en ook wanneer die meeste diere kom drink.

Botswana bied enige passievolle jagter ‘n onvergeetlike Afrika jaggevoel! Dis ideaal om vir ten minste vyf dae of meer te gaan om seker te maak jy kan al jou planne uit-voer en die bosveld werklik inneem.

Maak seker jy reël jou permitte vroegtydig en tref die nodige reëlings in terme van kos, drankies, velle en vleis. Geen varkvleis mag teruggeneem word nie en trofees, horing en velle benodig die nodige “Sities” permitte en veearts goedkeuring. Goeie geselskap, goeie beplanning en ‘n passie vir die veld maak vir ‘n wen kombinasie om die uitstappie ‘n reuse sukses te maak. Botswana is reg en lê en wag vir jou… is jy reg vir Botswana?

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Hunting

Ek was van kleins af gefassineer met messe, weet nie of dit dalk die blink van die lem was wat my oog gevang het nie. Ek het my eerste mes van ‘n stuk staalvyl gemaak wat ek in my pa se motorhuis ontdek het. Ek was baie trots en kon voel iets in my het begin.Alhoewel ek ander beroepe in my lewe ook beoefen het, het ek by die dag agter gekom dat messe maak, my eintlike passie is.

So is Bossie Messe toe gebore in 2002. Ons is gevestig in Clarens in die Oos-Vrystaat, tussen die mees betowerende Malutiberge. My vrou het by die besigheid aangesluit in 2009 en van toe af is selfs ons administrasie mes skerp. Sy is self ‘n mesmaker en spesiali-seer in knipmesse.

Die staal wat ons gebruik is van Oostenryk en word N690 genoem. Ons gebruik ook Damascus en RWL34 (Dit is sjirugiese vleklose staal). Ons messe word nie met laser gesny nie, elke mes word volgens sy eie profiel met die hand geteken en gesny. Al ons messe word verhard en getemper by ons werkswinkel.

Ons het ‘n groot reeks messe om van te kies in ons vertoonkamer, maar maak graag messe volgens ons kliënte se behoeftes en spesifikasies. Besluit egter vooraf waarvoor jy die mes wil gebruik. Ons doen jagmesse, knipmesse, vismesse, vol eetstelle en nog baie meer. Omdat ons nie messe op groot skaal maak nie, is die kwaliteit van ons messe baie spesiaal.

– Bossie Boshoff


Hunting

Die hele doel om die mes te maak vir ‘n kliënt is sodat hy presies kry waarna hy soek en dat geen twee messe ooit dieselfde sal wees nie. Ons doen ook pakkette vir groot maatskappye en kan elke mes graveer hul persoonlike stempel.

Die hout wat ons gebruik vir die greep-van die mes is Afrika hardehout en word handgekeur, gestabiliseer en dan gevorm vir elke mes. Ons gebruik ook kameelperdbeen en vlakvarktand. Elke mes kom natuurlik ook met sy eie handgemaakte leersakkie.

Omdat elke mes met die hand gemaak word neem ons bestellings tussen drie en vier maande om te voltooi.

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Featured Specie

The Waterbuck is a large antelope found widely in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Description

Waterbuck stand 120 – 136 cm tall at the shoulder. Head-and-body length ranges 140 – 240 cm and tail length from 10 – 45 cm. Males weigh 200 – 300 kg and females 160 – 200 kg.

Their coats are reddish brown in colour and become progressively darker with age; they have a white ‘bib’ under their throats and white on their rumps. The waterproofing secretions of the waterbuck’s sweat glands produces an unpleasant odour in its meat, unless the animal is skinned carefully.

According to African myth the meat of the waterbuck is not edible, but this is untrue — whilst not especially tasty, waterbuck venison is safe to eat.

The long spiral structured horns, found only in males, sweep back and up.

Habitat

Waterbuck are found in scrub and savannah areas near water where they eat grass. Despite its name, the waterbuck does not

– Compiled by Johan Viljoen

spend much time in the water, but will take refuge there to escape predators. Waterbuck are diurnal. Females gather in herds and the males keep territories of around 1km² during their prime. They usually lose their territories before the age of ten.

Reproduction and Gestation Period

A Waterbuck normally gives birth to one calf, in summer after a gestation period of 280 days. The new born calf is hidden in brush, in long grass or in the undergrowth by the cow. The calf is introduced to the herd after about four weeks. Waterbuck can live up to 15 years.

(Kobus ellipsiprymnus)


The Karanteen, also known as the Strepie in reference to the yellow/golden horizontal stripes running along its body, is a superb bait fish that one can easily obtain. A fresh Karanteen fillet will rival any fish bait when fishing from the shore. Kob, Sandsharks, Musselcracker and Ragged Tooth Sharks love this fish when it is used as a live bait.

Remember that you are only allowed to keep 10 Karanteen per person per day and they have to be at least 15 centimeters in length.The Karanteen can be found in all sorts of areas and are common along the KwaZulu Natal and Eastern Cape coast lines. They prefer gullies, large tidal pools, and estuary systems with structure or on drop offs. The best place to target them is close up against the rocks where there is a bit of white water and weed in the water, Strepie’s main food items are red and green seaweed.

When fishing for Karanteen I would use a very sensitive 6 – 7 foot rod with a 2000 – 4000 size Grinder. If you do not get any bites within 10 minutes, move spots. Karanteen are shoaling fish and if they are in the area they will be the first fish at your bait.

ying a trace for Karanteen is very simple. All you need are two pieces of line, one for the hook (15 lb Double X) and one for the sinker (10 lb). Attach the hook and sinker lines to your swivel, make the sinker line 5 centimeters longer than your trace line. Normally it will be 10 – 20 centimeters. Then attach your sinker and hook respectively.

Once you are rigged up, take a small piece of chokka, cut it into a thin strip. Do not mallet or tenderize it. Just stick it straight through the hooks so the point is proud. then take a small piece of sardine fillet (take a piece close to the tail section), place it above the chokka and cotton 10 – 15 times around it to secure the bait.

Now you are set!

Fishing

What you will need to target Karanteen:Size 10 Mustad hooks1/4 – 1/2 ounce bottle sinkers10 – 15lb lineBait knifeSardineChokkaCottonSmall barrel or 3-way swivelsRulerBucket

How to catch Karanteen for livebait

– Gareth Roocroft

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Featured Specie

The genus Manta, contains two species of manta rays: the Reef Manta Ray (Manta alfredi) and the Giant Oceanic Manta Ray (Manta birostris), which are the largest species of the rays in the family Mobulidae, and the largest rays in the world. Oceanic mantas reach at least 7 metres in width and there are anecdotal reports of even larger specimens, while reef mantas reach about 5.5 metres in width.

Manta rays are circumglobal and are typically found in tropical and subtropical waters although oceanic manta rays can be found in temperate waters. Oceanic mantas reside in deep water, pelagic zones, making periodic visits to cleaning stations at seamounts and coastal reefs. Minimal concrete information exists on oceanic manta movements but they are generally believed to be more transient and migratory than the smaller reef mantas, which tend to be resident to shallower coastal habitats.

Most sharks, rays and skates (Elasmobranchii) have small brain-to-body ratios, but the ratio is relatively high in Manta rays and the closely related Mobula rays. Manta rays have a distinctive body shape with triangular ‘wings’ and paddle-like lobes extending in front of their mouths. The average weight is 1 300 kg.

They are generally dark on the upper surface, ranging from black to greyish-blue and brown, with pale undersides; individuals have a unique pattern of blotches and scars that can be used to identify them. The large, cavernous mouth is situated at the front of the body and contains 18 rows of teeth on the lower jaw.

Reproduction

The breeding behaviour observed for Manta rays is similar to other closely related rays. Copulation occurs near the surface, no deeper than one metre below. It begins with the male chasing the female, for up to half an hour, both often closely followed by a train of hopeful suitors. Such mating trains seem to be triggered by a full moon. The male bites the pectoral fin and then moves its claspers into the cloaca, holding it there for one minute to one and a half while copu-lation takes place.

The developing eggs remain inside the female’s body for possibly as long as 12 months and hatch internally so that she bears live young. The average litter size is one pup, and there is often a two year gap between births.

– Compiled by Johan Viljoen


Mostly fish think about food all day and all night, it is programmed in their DNA so it goes without saying that fish will behave in a certain manner instinctively. This means that you need to learn about what fish eat, learn about how what he éáts behaves, where it lives, when and where it breeds because where you find the fish’s food, there you will find fish.

Now if you understand the instinctive behaviour of fish, you will find that it will respond to a lure in an instinctive way. We call this a reaction bite which is usually triggered by something very simple like a specific move-ment of a lure, a specific colour or coloured

Fishing

Many an eager fisherman’s approach to fish-ing is to simply chuck his lure out there and hope to catch a fish and it is thought that catching a fish or even a big one, is luck. I call this “chuck and hope” and it is my belief that whilst one can get a lucky fish, it was only because unknowingly you put the right lure in the right place at the right time and in the right way.

There should be a technical or scientific approach to the way you target fish. Hope-fully you will have a better understanding of what to look for and what to throw when and where. This subject could fill a whole book so I am only going to write a series that will allow you to think about what you are doing and apply some thought and logic to your fishing, which in turn will hopefully allow you to catch fish more regularly and consistently, rather than by luck.

There are many factors that influence fish feeding behaviour and so each and every day would provide a set of new challenges as no two days are alike.

– Mike Laubscher


Fishing

area on the lure, or even a spot, eye colour or contrast colours.

I have found that many a person is falsely under the impression that the fish are being fooled into an exact imitation of their food source, which can also be the case under certain circumstances, but the reality is that they are actually being triggered by their natural instinct to react to a specific item that they are tuned into. Most animal behaviour is like this, and they instinctively know some things without ever having to learn them, it is after all already pre-programmed in their DNA.

We have a pet Macaw at home and raised her from a baby thus she is completely human imprinted and has never been influenced by another Macaw. Yet she knows what a snake is, she knows what a bird of prey is, not only what they look like, but even their sounds, and she knows that they are danger. We never taught her that. She behaves in certain ways; that all Macaws I have seen behave in exactly the same way. Why? It is because she is programmed that way. Exactly the same goes for fish, they will behave in certain ways because they are fish.

Most lures on the market are focused towards this reaction and so will imitate and even enlarge the trigger. Bait fish, crustaceans and many other food sources that fish feed on are masters at camouflage, so when you go

under water, you need to really look more than twice to start seeing what is actually going on. In the end you will find that what you see is only a small portion of the food source. Bait fish for example, can almost become invisible in the water and when you see them you usually only see a part of them. It could just be a flash, or the eyes, or a certain marking, colour or line and once your eyes and brain get accustomed to this, you will start to notice more and more of what is around you and learn to see what you are looking for by identifying certain characteristics, which are the triggers that will initiate the reaction of the fish. Some bait fish go into certain breeding colours and the fish will hone into this colour and all you need is a lure that will imitate the same colour, shape and movement of that hot spot on the bait fish.

I was asked once why fish go for chartreuse lures, when you get no chartreuse fish. The answer is easy, most fish have chartreuse in them on their scales depending on what angle the sun shines on them and so they will flash in the water and the chartreuse lure is merely exaggerating that colour only and not the whole fish, thereby setting off the instinctive behaviour of the fish.

This bright colour works extremely well in turbid water whereas in clearer water you will need to be more subtle, like perhaps just a small stripe or dot. Many crank baits and jerk baits for example, have a red spot under


the ‘chin’ which is supposed to represent the gills and is most definitely a trigger for fish. Some lures may even represent a bleeding fish and many have two tone colours.

That is why some lures work on some days and others work on other days. Most bait fish are darker on top and lighter underneath which is why two tone lures work so well, as this is part of the bait fish’s camouflage. Many bait fish will have a stripe over their eyes to hide them and some will even have a spot on their tail to represent a false eye. In my opinion, the form and movement of your lure is everything, the colour and size will be of secondary importance and then comes feel, sound and lastly smell.

The form, which is the shape and size of your lure, is a very important factor and you need to consider what you are trying to represent. Do not forget that what you might be trying to represent may only be a part or an exaggeration of a trigger. For example, think about the size of the bait fish around then check to see if they are isolated or swimming in schools.

These are very important factors to consider. If the bait fish are isolated from each other, you would need to have your size and trigger exactly the same as the bait fish. If they are swimming in schools, then you need to make something about your presentation slightly different. Why? Think about humans, if I handed you an orange you would take it and

Fishing

eat it but if I passed you a bowl of oranges then you would select one, maybe the big-gest, the roundest, the best colour, but you would spend some time thinking about your choice.

Fish are the same, suddenly they come across a school of bait fish and then they have trouble deciding which one to select, but if there was one standing out a little from the school then he would most likely go for that fish (your lure). The difference could be size, colour or even movement like an injured fish.

The movement of you lure includes the speed at which is moves, the way it moves and what it does when it pauses. The move-ment is very important as this is a common trigger - watch and see how insects and bait fish move in the water, sometimes they even stand still, sometimes they dart and stop and then dart again. Find out at what depth the food source is located since that is where you need to have your lure.

Colours that you see on the surface will look different in the water and change as you go deeper and there is less sun for the colour to show. Colours like red will disappear completely and actually become invisible, whereas purples will hold their colour much deeper. Check the depth and colour spectrum. Some colours will cause an instinctive reaction from fish in certain seasons, others must match the colour of the bottom, like a green worm in green grass. Predator fish are not colour blind, they can see colour very well. Colours can also be exaggerated, like a bright colour in turbid water.

Lures that feel like the real thing will get the fish to hold on longer and fool their sense of touch, other lures like crank baits will instantly feel foreign to them and they will immediately try to get it loose.


http://www.bluewatercharters.co.za



With conventional tackle we make use of a weight (heavy lure or sinkers) to take the line out when we cast. The problem with using a weight on the end of the line is that when it hits the water it will scare away skittish fish like trout. With a fly fishing setup the weight is built into the line and therefore it can be presented better and not spook the fish. This is very important when we select our equipment as we have to look at where we are fishing, the conditions and what fish species we will be targeting.

Let’s look at the equipment you will need to start.

Fly rod

The function of the fly rod is to transfer energy into the line during the cast and the better the graphite, the better the action. Fly rods are classified into weights from 0 wt up to 16 wt. It is important that we match the right line and reel with the rod. Looking at the 3-5-7 and 9 wt outfits, the 3 wt outfit is ideal for small rivers and dry fly fishing, it will give you the best presentation.

The 5 wt is the perfect beginner outfit as you will most probably start fishing for trout in a small, still water system. A 5 wt outfit can also be used in rivers if you would like to take on our indigenous yellow fish. The 7 wt is more suitable on windy days on bigger lakes and targeting species where bigger flies are needed like Bass.

Fishing

– Hannes Venter

The 9 wt outfit can be used for saltwater fly fishing or big fresh water fish like Tiger fish and Barbel. The fly rod is an extension of your arm and the 9 ft is a comfortable length and is most popular. For fishing in small rivers that are over grown, a shorter rod will come in handy like a 7’6 ft (do not expect to cast a long distance with this rod as it is built for presentation). You will find that fly fishing takes you to exotic destinations and when you travel having a multi piece rod helps. The 3 or 4 piece rods work well.

Reel

Fly fishing is branded as an elitist sport, but it is not to say that it has to come at a high price. You can get, thanks to brands like Xplorer, a good quality outfit that will get you started and will not cost you an arm and a leg. If you need to reduce your setup cost, do so on the reel, the rod and the line are the most important part of the tackle.

The reel on the other hand is mainly there to store the line while you are not fishing and you will find that on the smaller outfits you will handle the line by hand and very seldom get it to run onto the reel. On the bigger outfits it is important that you get a reel with a good drag system, where the reel can take more backing. On bigger water fish you will tend to run off more line, thus you should always try and land a fish as quickly as possible.


Fishing

Line

The fly line is a very advanced line. It consists of a core with a plastic coating on the outside and the air trapped in between makes the line float. On a sinking line, the air is less and the line is more dense and will make it sink faster. On the cheaper lines the core will be monofilament and the better lines will have a Dacron core.

Dacron core line will give you less memory, that’s when the line gets twirled up. The fly line is 25 – 30 m long and you will need more line if you hook on to a big fish, so we need backing. Backing is a thin Dacron line but strong. You should fit at least 50 m on the reel upon which the fly line gets tied on. Fly line is tapered and that’s the weighted part that allows the rod to get the line out. You get lots of different lines, for now you will only need a weight forward. (On your 3 wt outfit get a double tapered line it will help with presentation.) On your 5 wt starter outfit get a 5 wt floating line in a bright colour, this will assist you with your casting. You will later need an intermediate or sink-ing line but these lines are not easy to start casting with.

Leader and Tippet

The fly line is thicker than the normal fishing line and because of the bright colour it would not work to tie the fly on the end of the fly line, so we use a leader. The leader must be tapered. This will help with the turnover and will provide you with the best presentation.

The greater the distance between the fly line and the fly is the better, but if you are struggling to present a fly with a long leader then rather shorten your leader. Always shorten the leader from the thick end. You will find that the end of the tapered leader is thin. This is the tippet section of the leader.

From changing flies this part (tippet) will get shorter, you don’t have to replace the full leader but only the tippet section. You can buy Tippet in small spools and you would find it has an X rating - the higher the number, the thinner the line and the easier it will break. You get it from 0X up to 7X.

In the next article we will talk about other equipment that will come in handy.

For more Information you are welcome to contact Hannes Venter on

082 373 2622 or click on www.tffa.co.za

Bar Global Trading CC Tel: 011 024 3615Email: [email protected]: www.wolverinesa.co.za

Hawthorne 8 inchWaterproof boot

Raider Contour Welt Boot

Raider Romeo Contour Welt Chelsea Boot

Fortis Individual Comfort System Hiker

Stillwater C3 Watertrail Shoe

Gauley C3 Watertrail Shoe

http://www.wolverinesa.co.za


&,

Once you’ve tried us...you will be caught

Boulyn kolletjieFeed / Voer

Contact George: 082 410 7843

All of your Fly Fishing needs in one shop!

Stockists of Shilton Reels, Bluewater Flies, Fly Rods,

Fly Tying Materials, etc.

Visit our shop at Office 2, Devon Valley Shopping Centre,

cnr 9th & Rugby Ave, Weltevreden Park

Tel: 011 475 3845 Cell: 082 804 5424

www.urban-fly-fisher.com [email protected]

Your Invitation to our Tuesday Fly Social

Every Tuesday from 7pm until 9pm, join us at the shop for informal fly tying and fly fishing chat.

Various guests will be present on different evenings, all willing to share their knowledge and experience of Fly Fishing.

Everyone welcome, no level of expertise required—from beginners eager to learn—and experts eager to share.

We look forward to meeting you all.

Richard Our opening hours are:

Tuesday 09h00—21h00 Wednesday—Friday 09h00—17h00 Saturdays & Public Holidays 09h00—13h00 Sunday & Monday (gone fishing) Closed

If you require anything outside of these hours—please phone or e-mail me—we can always “make a plan”.

http://www.urban-fly-fisher.com



UITEINDELIK! ‘n Voer wat resultate lewer

Boulyn Kolletjie voer is ontwikkel en getoets deur Chris Boylan, ‘n baie bekende naam in visvangkringe.

Van die belangrikste kenmerke van die voer is dat dit baie vining ontbind. Groot hoeveel-hede van die voer kan gemeng word aange-sien dit nie suur word deur die loop van die dag nie.

Chris is al vir meer as 15 jaar ‘n provinsiale en nasionale hengelaar en kan die belang- rikheid van Kolletjie Voer nie genoeg beklemtoon nie. Een van die groot frustra-sies wat hy ondervind het is die konstant-heid van verskeie voere en was dit een van die punte wat Chris aangespreek het met die ontwikkeling van die produk. Die voer het uitsonderlik presteer in Nasionale sowel as Internasionale kompetisies.

Hier is ‘n paar van die onlangse resultate wat opgelewer is:

• Gauteng-Noord Meesters A-span - SA Kampioene te Bloemhofdam

• Gauteng-Noord - Die Victor Ludorum 1ste, 2de en 3de plek

• Gauteng-Noord Dames A-span - SA Kampioene• Gauteng-Noord - Curriebeker Wenners.• Senior A-span - SA Kampioene• Enigste hengelaar met die voer het by

die Tri Nations in Namibië Victor Ludorum gewen.

Vir enige navrae, kontak ons:Epos: [email protected]

Sel: 082 575 6893



http://www.kakiebos.co.za


Gauteng

Pinotage on Tap15 SeptemberLanseria

Africa Aerospace and Defence Show19 – 23 SeptemberCenturion

Opdiebaal Festival21 – 24 SeptemberMagaliesburg

African Shebeen5 – 7 OctoberSandton

Mpumalanga

National FarmingConvention and Expo13 – 15 SeptemberGroblersdal

Standerton Hoëveldfees 14 – 15 September Standerton

Game Fair29 – 30 SeptemberDullstroom

Limpopo

3 Spesies Bonanza15 SeptemberForever Resort, Loskopdam

KykNet Buite-ekspo 21 – 23 SeptemberBela Bela

Rocking for Rhinos Festival22 – 23 SeptemberHoedspruit

Bokkajol Fees 28 – 29 September Nylstroom

KARP BONANZA29 SeptemberLoskopdam

Sasol Marakele Birding Breakaway14 – 16 OctoberMarakele National Park

KwaZulu-Natal

Sports and Events Tourism Exchange12 – 14 SeptemberDurban


Tiervis Bonanza20 – 22 SeptemberPongola

White Mountain Festival21 – 24 SeptemberGiants Castle

Midlands Tourism Fair22 - 24 SeptemberPietermaritzburg

Noord Wes/North West

Bosrumoer Fees 28 – 30 September Zeerust

Aardklop National Arts Festival2 – 6 OctoberPotchefstroom

Noord Kaap/Northern Cape

Kalahari Kuierfees27 – 29 SeptemberUpington

Vanderkloof Waterfees28 – 30 SeptemberVanderkloof, Upper Karoo

VRYSTAAT/FREESTATE

Pioneer Voedsel en Witblits Fees7 – 8 OktoberBothaville

CLARENS CENTENARY CELEBRATION19 – 21 OctoberClarens

WES-Kaap/WESTERN Cape

Staalwater Mountain Bike Challenge8 SeptemberCaledon

The Bierfest Cape Town13 – 16 SeptemberNewlands

Sanbona Forever Wild Weekend14 – 16 SeptemberMontaqu/Route 62

Wine on the River19 – 21 OctoberRobertson

Centenary Celebration19 – 21 October


Diving

We want to make our lives more exciting and add adventure; we seek to emulate the cosmopolitan lifestyle advertised all around us on a daily basis. Living in a concrete jungle, often in very small square spaces we crave to just get out!

Scuba diving is an activity that is often con-sidered as dangerous and only for adrenaline junkies, however, this notion is very far from the truth.

Learning to dive is really easy and exception-ally safe if you follow the rules, it is a family sport kids can start at 10 and you will never be too old to do your course. The social interaction and common passion between divers will ensure that you make a lot of new friends and start planning your life around where you can dive next.

Diving levels the playing fields - there are no ranks, when divers come together we all have the same goal/objective/passion relaxing, having a good time and fun! A good dive school should have a club which allows you to interact with other divers, making every dive trip like a holiday with old friends.

As a diver, you will experience a totally weightless and three dimensional environment, it will be the closest you can get to feeling like an astronaut. A complete feeling of peace and calmness envelopes you and nature is your only concern, it is. The under-water world is more unique than land based

environments as your interaction is up close, personal and so real you can touch it, there are no 4x4’s or game rangers between you and this amazing environment.

The vibrant colours will astound you and you will never tire of diving as the aquatic environment is exceptionally diverse, it is almost as if you are entering a different world! As South Africans we are very blessed and many of our sites compete with the top sites around the world.

For a family, this is really a hobby that will pull the members together as it is non-competitive, fun and a shared activity unlike one partner playing golf on their own while the other partner is shopping and the kids are playing computer games.

What can I expect?

Doing a diving course is about relaxing and having fun! This is what it is about after all, otherwise you would be doing an MBA. We call it recreational diving for a reason, at no point must it be difficult or stressful at all, the courses as thus designed to achieve this goal. The skills you would be required to do are basic stuff like clearing a mask and a snorkel and designed to make you a completely safe and comfortable diver.

There is nothing that you will be asked to do that a 10 year old child cannot do. Scuba diving courses usually run over two weeks,

– Mandy Zietsman


Diving

however it varies between dive school and agencies. A good dive school or club will be able to schedule a course around your requirements. A normal course would be a total of five three hour evening lectures and two weekends. There are also options to do self-study or online courses.

The scary stuff

Common fears around diving are claustro-phobia and sharks. Swimming under water is exactly like standing in your garden with a mask on. The sea is such a wide expanse it just goes on forever and ever, this fear is un-founded and will disappear the first time you try it. As for sharks, believe it or not they are scared of you! You are making a noise and do not reflect anything that they are used to or recognise as food – in actual fact you are surrounded by bubbles which is something completely unusual!

Requirements

The minimum age to start is 10 years, you have to answer a medical questionnaire and if you answer yes to any of the questions you would have to seek medical advice, other than that there are no exclusions. You would need to be able to swim and by that we mean to comfortably keep your head above water no – Olympic skills needed here!

Most schools could rent out everything you need to complete the course, however, is not necessarily the best option. To fully enjoy any sport, it helps to have your own gear, hy-giene being the first reason and the second being that divers who own their gear dive! Thus you would invest in what we call skin diving gear consisting of a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, weight belt and booties.


The price of a basic open water course starts at R 2 000 per person.

Best of all, if you find that life takes over again and you don’t have as much time for diving as you would like, there is no time limit on your qualification. You don’t have to complete another course. As they say, it is as easy as falling out of a tree… you just have to let go!

No more excuses, make up your mind and go find adventure and excitement through diving. Try it you might just like it!

Diving

What would it cost?

Like anything in life this could cost you the price of an Uno or a Porche all depending on your needs, wants and off course budget. To give you an indication, decent skin gear would cost you about R 2 500. The hard gear BC, regulator and cylinder are the more expensive items and although important to acquire, would not affect the initial experi-ence of diving and should be available to you from the dive school.

After this, if you unbelievably, impossibly find that you do not like diving, you can use it as snorkeling gear. Any reputable dive school should refund the gear if it is still in a good condition and it is replaced during the open water course.

http://www.thewhaler.co.za




Diving

Last month we introduced our list of top 10 dive sites on our beautiful coast line. This month we will feature our first two spots on the KwaZulu Natal East coast.

Whether you are an avid diver or just start-ing out, we recommend adding these sites to your bucket list.

Raggies Cave aka Shark AlleyAliwal Shoal, KwaZulu Natal

Raggies Cave and Shark Alley are two names for the same dive site found on the South coast. The site lies 4 – 5 km out to sea and you can expect sea temperatures between 24° and 16°C. It is a large cave which, nor-mally in winter months, is a meeting place

for tens or sometimes hundreds of ragged tooth sharks.

A very popular site in summer months with tiger sharks in abundance. It is a shallow dive site, between 10 – 18 m, where divers usually kneel on the sand and watch the sharks in their natural habitat. It is recom-mended not to enter the cave when the sharks are there as you might startle and provoke them.

Common trophies sought by divers are shark teeth that are often found in the sand. On your dive you can also expect to see large potato bass, mantas, large pods of dolphins, humpback whales and smaller cave bait fish. This cave is without a doubt one of the most spectacular dive sites on Aliwal Shoal.

– Cobus Steyl

continues


Diving

Sardine RunProtea Banks, KwaZulu Natal

Situated 7.5 km off Shelly Beach, Protea Banks is the ideal site for advanced divers who want to experience a shark dive that is completely unique. Zambezi sharks make it their home during the summer months with hundreds of hammerheads also meeting in the area.

During winter months ragged tooth sharks congregate in the area to mate, making it the ideal dive site to get up close and personal

with these magnificent creatures. Aside from sharks, you can also expect to see barracuda, snappers, yellowtail, king fish and potato bass to name a few.

During the annual sardine run, game fish in their thousands feast on bait balls of sar-dines. The southern Pinnacles with a depth of 26 – 40 m are usually dived during the summer months while the northern Pin-nacles, 28 – 38 m are more popular during the winter.


For more information:

Tel: 039 973 2542 Fax: 086 603 6819E-mail: [email protected]


http://www.aliwalshoalscubadiving.co.za


Resep

Haal die fillet uit die sak en droog effens af met kombuispapier. Rol die fillet in olyfolie en plaas op die warmste deel van die vuur. Smeer met stukke botter en hou die fillet aan draai vir sowat 10 minute.

As dit donker begin lyk, skuif die fillet na ‘n kouer deel van die vuur en maak gaar volgens jou voorkeur. (Sowat 4 – 5 minute terwyl jou aanhou draai behoort medium te gee).

Haal fillet van die vuur af en plaas op ‘n sny-plank terwyl jy nog botter smeer om ‘n mooi, blink, voorkoms te gee. Gooi dan ekstra Worcestershiresous en olyfolie oor. Laat vir ‘n paar minute rus.

Plaas vars roosmaryntakkies op jou bedien-bord en plaas fillet op die bord en sny by die tafel. Gooi sout na smaak en smeer gesnyde skywe in die sous voor almal wegval.

Benodighede:

600 – 700 g fillet2 hoogvol teelepels Franse mostert 8 - 10 eetlepels Worcestershiresous (ekstra vir later)‘n goeie gooi olyfolie2 vars roosmaryntakkies (blare afgehaal en fyn gekap)

Metode:

Dag voor die tyd (of ten minste ‘n paar ure voor die tyd): Meng al die bestandele in ‘n plastieksak. Druk al die lug uit en bind toe. Masseer die sak goed sodat al die geure goed in die vleis kan intrek. Plaas in die yskas.

Omtrent ‘n ½ uur voor jy dit gaan nodig hê, haal uit die yskas om kamertemperatuur te bereik.

Maak seker die vuur is lekker warm. Plaas ‘n paar stukke koue botter in ‘n bakkie yswater om by die vuur te gebruik.

Swart, blosende Worcestershiresous fillet

Bedien 4

– Lizel Stavast

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Featured Specie

This conspicuous bird has mainly whitish under parts and head and grey upper parts. It has a long tail and a long and curved red bill which lacks a casque. Sexes are similar, but the female has a smaller bill. It is a large bird, 42 cm long, but is one of the smaller hornbills. It advertises its presence with its noisy accelerating tok-tok-tok-toktoktok call.

The red-billed hornbill is a relatively small species of hornbill found in savanna and woodland of sub-Saharan Africa. It is some-times split into five species, the Northern Red-billed Hornbill (T.erythrorhynchus), Western Red-billed Hornbill (T.kempi), Tanza-nia Red-billed Hornbill (T.ruahae), Southern Red-billed Hornbill (T.rufirostris) and Damara Red-billed Hornbill (T.damarensis), but at present, most authorities consider them all to be subspecies of a single species.

Behaviour

Breeding

During incubation, the female lays three to six white eggs in a hole in a tree which is blocked off with a plaster of mud, droppings and fruit pulp. There is only one narrow aperture, just big enough for the male to transfer food to the mother and the chicks. When the chicks and the female are too big to fit in the nest, the mother breaks out and rebuilds the wall, then both parents feed the chicks.

Feeding

This species is omnivorous, eating insects, fruit and seeds. It feeds mainly on the ground and will form flocks outside the breeding season.

– Compiled by Cobus Steyl

(Tockus erythrorhynchus)


Duinduikers ToerLuderitz Walvisbaai Namib

Living

Dis ‘n krakende koue oggend in Bloem-fontein toe my broer, Pierre, en seun, Neil, my Nissan Patrol se neus in die rigting van Namibië draai, die opgewondendheid hang stil in die lug, dis hulle eerste na die Namib Woestyn, en glo my, nie die laaste, as daai gogga jou byt, los hy nie.

Om 1 400 km ver te ry voor die toer begin, beveel ek aan om besienswaardige gebiede te besoek en sodoende die toer te regver-dig. Hulle slaap twee aande oor en besoek wynplase en die Visrivier Canyon, al is dit ‘n 250 km draai.

Ek vlieg van die verre noorde van Namibië waar ek besig is met die konstruksie van ‘n nuwe pad in Owamboland. Ek mis die opbou van so ‘n toer, die manne se skerp aanmerkings op die twee rigtingradio’s en die samesyn wat opbou vir wat voorlê. In ‘n mistige koue Luderitz sit ek en kyk die begin van die wêreldbekersokker. Suid-Afrika het net so lank gewag vir die gebeurtenis as wat ons groep beplan en uitgesien het na die Namib Woestyn.

– Sias Karsten

Gepraat van die Namib, soveel van ons ry deur die sandwoestyn en besef nie haar oorsprong kom van Lesotho en Suid-Afrika nie. Dit begin alles deur erosie in die Dra-kensberge wat in die Oranjerivier beland en so begin die 10 000 jaar reis. Die afgebreek-te sandkorrels swem saam tot in die Suid Atlantiese Oseaan by Oranjemund waarna die Benguela seestroom en Suidwestlike wind die weg verander teen die sagtelyn kus op vir meer as 200 km, waar die meer growwe kuslyn die korrels vas druk op die strand, die tydlose golwe skuur en breek, die sterkste winde in Afrika doen dan hul werk en sit die reis voort in ‘n noordelike rigting.

Die diamante in die sandkorrels is swaarder en dis die rede waarom diamante teen die kus gebied voorkom. Die sand vorm dan Kruip- en Sekelduine om enige hindernis soos bosse en koppies, wat dan tot 30 m per jaar noord beweeg, na sowat 1 000 jaar se reis en die Oosterwind hulle teëkom en verander dan in Liniêre-duine. Om die beurt


Living

hou die Suidwestelike en Oosterwind die duine nou redelik in plek.

Die duine-belt strek tot by die Kuisebrivier net duskant Walvisbaai en die vloede, veral die een elke 15 jaar, sorg dat die oorbly-wende sandkorrels weer afspoel tot in die oseaan.Van hier weer swem-swem tot by die Kus van die Dood, oftewel die Skedelkus. Hier waai die sand weer binnelands en vorm duine wat strek tot by die permanent lopende Kunenerivier, weer stroomaf tot die reis tot ,n einde kom in die Atlantiese Oseaan. Van hier is dit nog ‘n geheim...

Nou ja, dis al laat en ek staan op die balkon toe die voertuie om die draai kom en my verlos van die heimweë. Vriende van die Kaap en Pretoria sluit ook aan en die oudae word bespreek.

Ons is ‘n dag vroeg om Kolmanskop, of soos die ougarde hom genoem het, Kolmannskuppe, te besoek. Kry jou permit in Luderitz en moet dit nie misloop nie, foto’s gaan jy by die hon-

derde neem. Jy stap op sand in die huise wat een meter diep lê, die sand neem terug wat in sy pad gebou word. Dan kom Annalie van Rooyen se Kolmanskopliedjie in my gedagtes op… hoor jy nog soms… die wals op jou vloer… Na die 1908 diamantkoors, is dit onbewoond sedert 1956.

Na ‘n aand van herinnering om ‘n tafel met vriende en ons gids ‘Wittes’ Willem Beukes, vertrek ons drie ‘Duinduikers’ in die Patrol. 30 km terug op die Aus teerpad draai ons noord op ‘n slegte grondpad, nie te ver swaai ons in die rigting van die duine-belt in die verte. Bring die Patrol se banddruk af na 1 Bar, sy is nog swaar van al die drinkgoed, hout, water en 300 liter brandstof wat sy gaan verorber. Ongeduldig luister ons na Wittes se veilig-heidstoespraak, daars miere wat kriewel, nee nie daai kleintjies nie.

Die beste punt om almal te vertel op die stadium is, “NEEM net foto’s en LAAT net voetspore AGTER”. Ons het skaars die radio’s en posisie waarin ons ry getoets en ek toets my radio en Wittes se geduld met “Wanneer gaan ons duine ry?” Ons skakel in hoëbestek 4x4 rat, en spaar sodoende die sinkplaat effek wat veroorsaak word deur die Sandtonmanne wat dink dit is nog plat genoeg vir 2x4. Die duine bou stadig op en ons verloor die roes wat opgebou het sedert ons laas duinegery het. Grassade waai rond en dit was ‘n goeie reënjaar gewees, sekerlik meer as die gewone 20 mm per jaar.

Met 30% suurstof tussen die sandkorrels van die duine begin die voertuie al hoe harder werk en jy sien die aandele klim in die brandstof bedryf. So werk ons die duine deur, al grootter en die gras raak minder. Dié woestyn mag wel die kleinste in die wêreld wees, maar een van die oudstes op 80 miljoen jaar, maar gou sien jy net duine om jou en niks daarvan maak meer saak nie,


Living

die duine kombers lê uitgestrek so ver die oog kan sien. Die mooiste prentjie as jy 12 gemsbokke sien wat hulle skaars maak oor die naaste duin.

Met aankoms by ons eerste kampduin, pak ons die nodige af,slaan tent op (die wat in twee sekondes opslaan anders bly maar by die huis) en kry drinkgoedjies, met eish ja, en ‘n stoel om almal om die vuur te ontspan en kyk hoe die Kok van Desert Magic Toere ‘n heerlike aandete voorberei. Sy regterhandman sit die stort op en grawe die toiletdrom in die sand in, tot die goedjies word weer uitgeneem. Dan sit hy die “geyser” 20 liter Jerrykan water op die vuur sodat die Dames die nodige kan doen, ja hier is hulle ook eerste.

As jy nog nie klein genoeg gevoel het in die duine-wêreld nie, kyk op en sien die melkweg wat so verborge is in ons stede se ligteskerm. Na ete raak die mense minder om die vuur en die Duinduikers maak seker geen hout word gemors nie en die vuur is ordentlik dood gebrand, wil mos nou nie iets laat brandslaan nie, hik.

Die koel lig van die see se kant help met die opstaan en pak terwyl die gidse ontbyt voor-berei, vyf ster vir dié omgewing - spek, eiers, brood, pap en melk op sy beste met yogurt aan die kant. Toets die radio’s, val in posisie want ONS GAAN DUINE RY!!! Net om die draai kom ons by die ou stootskraper en sy waens wat die diamantjagters agter gelaat het, geharde manne gewees, of hulle het nie van beter geweet nie.

Nog ‘n duin of tien wat al hoe groter raak en ons kom op Suzy die platneus Ford trokkie af met haar Dekota vliegtuig bande aan, waar Moshe Kahan haar agterweë gelaat het met meganiese probleme. Koue rillings gaan deur jou as jy jou voorstel hoe moeilik die lewe moes wees, was dit nie vir die groot vliegtuigbande, sou niks in daai tyd hier geloop het nie. Die middagete is voorberei en ons maak magies vol terwyl die kinders met ‘n sandplank die duin af. Die pa’s staan naby want die dokter is ver, al is die verkeer nie swaar nie.


Living

Verder kom ons op ‘n gemsbokskedel af en word herhinner hoe kras die wêreld hier is. By Sylvia Hill aangekom sien ons hoe die robbe wat weg van die water teen die duin afgly om spoedig terug te keer na hul habitat, ons sit op die laaste duin en bewonder die see en kinders wat op die strand rond hard-loop, nie eens hulle is braaf genoeg om in dié koue see te swem nie, loop enkel diep en dit lyk of jy rooi kouse aangetrek het.

Opstaan met die sterk wind van die ooste en jy weet jy gaan min uitklim vandag. Gooi gou brandstof in en verminder die banddruk na 0.8 bar, jy gaan dit nodig kry vandag. Ons klim sommer ‘n groot duin vir ontbyt en die dag se rigting is gemerk… ONS GAAN DUINE RY en sommer grotes. Al kus langs speel ons en die sand begin brul met die afgaan aan die skerpkant van die duine, beskryf kan ek nie, dis iets wat jy self moet gaan hoor en beleef, ‘n leeu onder die voorwiele sal die naaste beskrywing moet wees.

Ons toets die vermoëns van bestuurder en voertuig deur diep sandgate en die lae voertuie begin sukkel oor die kruine. Plek-plek staan nog ‘n bossie wat van die oggendmis aan die lewe bly en versteende sand steek kop uit tussen van die duine. Die grootste gat is voor ons en almal raak stil toe Wittes sê dat almal moet hier deur, as jy nie weet waar jou voertuig se rooilyn is nie, sal jy nou uitvind.

Af kom jy gejaag in die gat met sy koeltelyn sodat jy nie die anderkant sien voor jy onder in sak en die neus begin opwaarts beweeg nie, knyp vas en hoop jou oë pas aan sodat jy kan sien jy moet regs op draai met jou voet in die hoek, want die eindelose duin voor jou sal die rem werk doen. Met ‘n sug wat in ‘n kreet ontaard kom jy bo aan en nog 10 liter minder in gewig.

Aangekom by Moeb Fishersbrunnkamp, staan die Jakkalse bedelend rond vir ‘n afval stukkie kos maar hou hulle maar weg, hondsdolheid gee dié aasdier ook te veel moed. Middernag maak die Duinduikers weer seker almal is in die kooi en die vuur is nie meer nie, om 12 sê ons nag en lê agteroor… asof iemand die fan aangesit het regvoor ons tente, draai die wind en slaan ons tente met soveel krag dat daar min geslaap word. Die nag word om gewens.

Die oggend is nie beter nie en ontbyt is glad nie op die spyskaart nie, almal sit al douvoordag klaar gepak in die voertuie. Kyk maar na die sand op hulle 10 000 jaar tog na die Kunenerivier. Die gidse pak swaar op en ons leen ‘n hand waar ons kan, of is dit… wil. Af strand toe, ry ons al met die see langs, die golwe leun verkeerde kant toe met die wind, maar steeds beur hulle strand toe. Uitklim waar ‘n klomp walvisbene lê is van korte duur, die sandkorrels eet ons sagte enkels en praat met sand in die mond?... nie weer nie.


Living

By Meobbaai aangekom lê die ‘Lady van Meob’ se karkas in stilte. Sy was een van die landingsbote wat gedurende 1896 en 1936 goedere en passasiers van skepe na die strand moes bring. Die ou gebou word nou gerestoureer vir die nageslag na die wind die beste uit hulle gehaal het. Alles van yster word deur die blik-wurms verorber. By Holsatia myndorp gaan dit glad nie beter nie en by Charlottenfelder geniet ons weer middagete na daar vele foto’s geneem is. Die gereedskap van die mynwerkers wat in rye geplaas is voor hulle opgeroep is oorlog toe, staan nog so en wag vir hul meesters wat nooit terug gekom het na die diamant pryse geval het nie. Ongerepte, maar naakbare natuur omring die gebied en almal dink oor die rowwe lewe wat hier agter gelaat is. Die wind het gaan lê en ons geniet die aand naby die see.

Af see toe en by die wrak van die 95 meter lange Eduard Bohlen hardloop ‘n paar jakkelse weg vir wie dit ‘n tuiste is. Op 5 September 1909 strand die 2 273 ton skip in digte mis op haar vaart van Swakopmund na Tafelbaai.

Wat jou dadelik opval is dat die wrak +-500 m van die strand begrawe is in halflyf sand, glo die strand wat oplig as gevolg van aardplate.

Ek het die wrak in 2004 die eerste keer gesien en sien die agteruitgang. Van hier, al teen die see, hou Wittes tyd sodat ons Langewand haal op laaggety anders gaan ons duine moet ry tot dit by ons ore uitkom. Vir stilhou en foto’s neem is daar nie tyd nie, kyk net dat jy min tot geen brekende golwe raak ry nie en bid dat ‘n papwiel nie nou sy kop uitsteek nie. As jy op die strand staan en die klein glowe trek die sand onder jou voete uit, asof jy nie eers daar is nie, verstaan jy wat dit gaan doen as jou voertuig nou gaan staan. Op ‘n duin sit en kyk hoe die see jou voertuig verorber en ‘n storie uitdink vir die versekeraars, dis wat jy gaan doen as jy nou moet stop.

Met ‘n sug van veligting kom almal deur en na ‘n besoek aan die wrak Shawnee swaai ons weer duine in. Van ver sien jy al die duin wat kop bo ander uitstaan, Wittes wys ons hoe en net die geharde voertuie en manne vat die monster aan. Na Hannes van Grabouw met sy 4 liter Toyota die moed bymekaar skraap en sy hoogtevrees opsy sit, trek die man toe-oë weg en hou vir niks terug nie.

Na die manhaftige vertoning en sy deurset-tingsvermoë om die vuur elke aand, verdien hy sy Duinduiker hemp en dra hom met trots. Al brullend ry ons ‘n lang duin af en ry die skerpduine holrug Conceptionbaai verby.


Living

‘n Gids wat sy sous werd is, se tydsberekening is uitstekend en so bring Wittes ons aan by Sandwichbaai wanneer die middagson goudbruin strale betowerend gloei, som-miges raak skoon stil… seker omdat vanaand die laaste aand is, sommige oor die strafdop se uitdeel… Nuwe vriende is ou vriende na slegs vyf dae en nagte. Hier om die vuur bedank ons Blasie Franken van die Suide en Hannes Grobler die Noorde, vir die reëlings om ons almal bymekaar te kry en so ‘n on-vergeetlike toer saam te beleef.

Met so effe kopseer pak ons die oggend en speel die laaste duine deur, visfabriek verby tot voor Walvisbaai, Annalie van Rooyen se liedjie, “Soos ou vriende, Ons sal saam reis na môre, soos ou vriende doen……” sein oor my radio en almal raak stil toe ons die laaste duin afry.

Bande opblaas word net uit die sanderige deel gedoen en die volgende toer is op almal se lippe, vir oulaas eet ons saam in Walvisbaai en roep mekaar koebaai.

Tot ‘n volgende keer.


Clint Steytler083 2844 [email protected]: 086 644 9357

Andre Senekal082 771 [email protected]: 086 644 9357

2 Year WarrantySee our website for a Service

Centre near you!

www.hisunsa.co.za

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400cc UTVR62 500.00Water cooled, 4-stroke, 1-cylinderMax. power – 17kw(22.78hp)/7500rpmMax. torque – 23N.m/6500rpmL x W x H – 2670mm x 1340mm x 1870mmGround Clearance – 300mm

700cc UTVR84 900.00Water cooled, 4-stroke, 1-cylinder Max. power – 25kw(33.5hp)/5000-5500rpmMax. torque – 49N.m/5000rpmL x W x H – 3010mm x 1460mm x 1940mmGround Clearance – 245mm

700cc UTV Double CabR97 500.00Water cooled, 4-stroke, 1-cylinderMax. power – 25kw(33.5hp)5000-5500rpmMax. torque – 49N.m/5000rpmL x W x H – 3950mm x 1440mm x 1900mmWheelbase 2870mmGround Clearance – 279mmFuel Capacity 31 L

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Featured Specie

Die woord Acacia is afkomstig van die Griekse woord Acantha wat ruggraat of doring beteken.

Die spesie naam Xanthophloea ook van die Griekse woord xanthos wat geel beteken en phloios wat bas beteken.

Dit is ‘n boom wat kan groei tot ‘n hoogte van 25 m. Die hoogste koorsboom in Suid-Afrika is egter 30.5 m hoog en staan op die plaas Antonvilla in die Messina distrik. Die bas kleur is lemmetjie-groen tot groen-geel en is glad met ‘n geel poeier op die opper-vlakte. Die boom het lang reguit dorings wat in pare voorkom, dit is maklik sigbaar om ‘n jong boom, maar verdwyn amper soos die boom ouer raak. Die boom het dubbel-veervormige, saamgestelde blare.

Dit kom natuurlik voor in laagliggende, moerasagtige gebiede en vloedvlaktes in die verre Oostelike en Noordelike dele van ons land (Wildtuin en Noord-Oos Natal). Die koorsboom laat genoeg sonlig deur sodat ‘n grasperk nog steeds pragtig onder hom sal groei.

Die wortelstelsel is nie aggresief nie. Die koorsboom is maar gevoelig vir ryp en sal nie orals in Gauteng groei nie. Neem gerus die kans en plant ‘n paar maar beskerm hulle teen ryp die eerste paar jaar.

Vroeë pioniers in Suid-Afrika het geglo dat hierdie boom koors veroorsaak aangesien die mense wat in die gebiede gereis het waar die bome voorkom koors ontwikkel het. Die bome kom voor in gebiede wat moeras-agtig is waar muskiete broei wat malaria dra wat wel die oorsaak van die koors was.

– Saamgestel deur Johan Viljoen

(Acacia xanthophloea)


Start your Gorilla Safari with a warm welcome at Entebbe International Airport.

There’s a short transfer to the hotel where you are briefed about your safari. You are advised to change your money to the local currency and to go shopping at, or visit some of Kampala’s landmarks with the help of the guide. Accommodation is provided with various options from bed and breakfast to medium and luxury hotel accommodation, depending on your budget.

You will depart early the next morning heading in a South Westerly direction. Enjoy a stopover at the Equator where you will have the opportunity to stand in two hemi-spheres at the same time – don’t forget the camera to show your friends at home. The

Living

... it will bring tears to your eyes– Sonia Kolver

drive includes travelling through savannah grasslands seeing banana plantations and herds of Ankole cattle with their long horns. You then ascend into the Kigezi highlands, known as the “Switzerland of Africa”, with terraced farming and mountain scenery to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Get a good night’s sleep as tomorrow you will be going gorilla tracking.

You will be woken up early in the morning and your guide will take you to the park for a briefing before the tracking begins. You must take your lunch and some water as the tracking can take 2 – 6 hours. Prepare for a steep walk in the dense rain forest through different animal’s trails. This is an unforget-table experience and not to be missed. The


Living

gorilla is a shy and peaceful animal and it’s an opportunity of a lifetime to photograph these beautiful animals. This is one of the things that should be on everyone’s bucket list. Seeing the gorillas in their natural habitat is unbelievable and almost guaranteed to bring tears to your eyes.

To quote one of the guests, “We walked for about three hours when our dream came true: we met up with the Nshongi group, a big silver back family with the mothers and their babies.” Your guide will be with you all the time to interpret the flora and fauna and gorilla behaviour. Gorillas in the Mist dreams, with you in the lead role, for you that night.

The next day after breakfast you will depart Bwindi National Park for Lake Mburo National Park, where you will enjoy a game drive as you enter the park. The afternoon you can either go on a boat trip on Lake Mburo or you can just relax and reminisce about the gorillas.

Sadly your trip has come to an end as you are driven back to Entebbe to catch your flight back home.

The best time for gorilla tracking is April, May, June,

October and November.

Travel tips to Uganda:

• Get a Yellow Fever shot before you go.• According to the High Commission of Uganda, South Africans need a visa

for Uganda.

We’ve got some wonderful specials for November 2012

Book your Gorilla experience with A2B2Z Journeys today on

www.a2b2zjourneys.co.za orcall Sonia on 083 680 7981


So het die einde van ons tweede dagreis oppad na die beloofde land van Cahora Bassa aangebreek.

Die vrouens en kinders is uitgesproke gedaan, want hoe verder ons gery het, hoe smaller die paadjie en hoe skaarser die brandstof.

Tog is ons verlig toe ons die eindbestemming uiteindelik bereik. Dit is ‘n groot opstal op ‘n skiereiland van Cahora Bassameer omring met groen grasperke en groot skaduryke bome wat uitkyk oor die pragtige meer.

Dit sien ons egter nie, want dit is al donker toe ons uiteindelik voor die groot huis stop. Kiertsregop op die voorstoep staan die ver-welkomingskommittee ons en inwag. Gereed om ons te help om die bagasie en proviand in te dra.

Baie versigtig vra my kleindogter: “Ouma, gaan ons by hierdie mense bly?!”

So kies elke familie hulle kamer. Die kamer wat bestem word as my drie kleinkinders se slaapplek, is egter oortrek met muskiete. Die drie wit matrassies is swart van die muskiete. Alhoewel al drie kindertjies getag is met Tabbard voetbandjies teen insekte, wis die hongerige muskiete dit nie. ‘n Halwe kannetjie

Peaceful Sleep, maak die muskiete nog meer paraat, en hulle wag net dat ons kroos kom lê…

Die gevolg is, mamma Magda maak al drie ons kleinkinders tuis op ‘n groot krismisbed in die hoofslaapkamer. Veilig onder haar vlerk!

Die volgende oggend voel almal verfris en reg om die omgewing te verken. Toe vrouens en kinders opstaan, sit die mans reeds lankal op die meer in die boot en wag vir die tiervisse.

So spandeer die vrouens en kinders ons dag luilekker in die snikhete son, in en om die swembad. Dis eitlik ‘n rotspoel wat mooi saamsmelt met die idilliese omgewing. Met ‘n watervalletjie wat inval in die poel met die louwarm water. Die water van die poel word gepomp vanuit die Cahora Bassameer. Dit is ‘n koele lafenis in die snikhete Mosam-biekse son.

Binne my en Brand se kamer is ‘n lui dakwaaier en geen gordyne. Slegs twee enkelbeddens… ons is mos hier om te hengel? Daar is gaas voor die vensters en ek kan die baljarende kinders dophou vanuit my kamer.

Nog ‘n seën in die groot vakansiehuis is die kombuis. Dit is ‘n massiewe kombuis met plek vir almal se kos en proviand. Hier kry elke familie sy kosmaak beurt, om die ander

– Lynette HaasbroekCAHORA-BASSA SE PADDAKOOR

Living


Living

te beïndruk en hulle beste maaltyd voor te berei. Een van die pluspunte van die groot kombuis is na my mening die ysmasjientjie wat gedurig blokkies ys uitspoeg. Die temperatuur is ondraaglik hoog en die kraanwater en wyn is louwarm.

Voor die agterdeur van die plaaskombuis is ‘n tipe komposkassie. Die komposkas word heeldag klam gehou met kombuis afval. So word ware organiese erdwurms gekweek wat dan later weer vir aas gebruik word. Erdwurmtelery voor jou agterdeur! Een oggend vroeg toe die vrouens en kinders hulle tuismaak langs die swembad, sien ons tot ons ontsteltenis die swembad is oortrek met stringe paddaslym! Paddavissies in wording!

Sewe klein paddatjies word uit die swembad geskep en oor die rand geslinger om hulle pad terug te vind na die Cahora Bassameer. Die stringe paddaslym word sonder ser-emonie uitgesmyt op die groen gras om die swembad. Dis sulke laaaang stringe witterige slym, vol swart kolletjies paddaeiers. Met ander woorde: massas paddas in wording!

Geen probleem! Later baljaar ons kroos weereens in die lekker louwarm water. Gun elke padda sy plesiertjie gedurende die nag!?

Later die aand kwaak die paddakoor vrolik voort.

Nog ‘n African Adventure op sy beste!

Clarens Centenary CelebrationDate: 19-21 October 2012

Art Route & Seminars, Food Demonstrations, Adventure Race, Book Festival, Traditional, Rock and Gospel Concerts, Rose High Tea & Much More.

For more information contact Alna Belendez-Bieler:082 334 1843 or email: [email protected]

For more information visit our website: www.clarenssa.co.za & like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ClarensCentenaryCelebration?ref=hl

Book Festival, Traditional, Rock and Gospel Concerts, Rose High Tea


http://www.clarenssa.co.za


Living

– Veronika van Schalkwyk

Tydens die 1820’s tot 1830’s het Tsjaka en Msilikaats, twee Zoeloe halfbroers, met ‘n moord- en rooftog deur die Vrystaat en Transvaal gevaar met die doel om alleen oorheersing oor die ander nasies te verkry. Die uiteinde was dat die Sotho’s van die Vrystaat en die Tswana’s van Transvaal, wat vredeliewend was, gevlug het na waar hulle nie uitgemoor of ontvoer word nie.

Die gevolg hiervan was die Defacanè met groot hongersnood wat die agtergeblewenes in die gesig gestaar het en al uitkoms was om die berge in te vlug wat op daardie stadium alreeds deur die Khoi-San bewoon was. So het die Berg Koninkryk, Lesotho, ontstaan.

Die Voortrekkers in die Kaap het na beter omstandighede vir ‘n bestaan begin soek en so het die Groot Trek in 1837/38 afgeskop. In joernale deur hul nagelaat, staan geskryf dat die gras in die omgewing so ruig en hoog was dat hul dit kon vasbind bo-op ’n perd se rug. Die area was ook ryk aan groot troppe wild, veldheuning en water. So word dit as die land Kanaän beskou met die gevolg dat Berg Horeb asook Ararat daarna vernoem is. In daardie jare het Engeland ook mense vandaar gewerf om die grens tussen “Baso-toeland” en die Vrystaat op te pas teen in-dringing van die Sotho’s deur grensplase aan hul te gee. Gewoonlik was diegene weens

gesondheidsredes, veral borskwale, hierheen verplaas.

Boerdery het die hoofbedryf geword van die Engelse en Voortrekkers wat hulle in die omgewing gevestig het. Gou was dit bekend as ‘die spens’ weens die goeie oeste sowel as die florerende skaap- en beesboerderye.

Paul Kruger, Kommandant-Generaal van die Transvaalse burgermag, het ‘n leeue aandeel hier in Clarens gehad tydens die Basoetoe-oorlog met onder andere die Slag van Naauwpoortsnek. Nadat vyf van sy man-skappe een nag in September 1865 in die laer vermoor is, het die manskappe dadelik gereageer met ‘n slagting van Sotho’s in die nek, bekend as Naauwpoortsnek by Clarens.

Die Anglo Boere-oorlog breek uit in 1898 en die area bly nie ongeskonde nie, omdat die Boere ook huis en haard moet verlaat om te gaan veg. Met die baie holkranse oral in die berge, was dit ideaal vir die vrouens en kinders om weg te kruip en sodoende die vyand te ontwyk. Sommige holkranse het gesinne gehuisves met die nodigste kos en klere en andere weer die diere.

Die perdehospitaal, deur boervrouens bedryf, is een voorbeeld van baie oorlogstaaltjies. Na die oorlog het die meeste boere, sonder huis en boerdery, verarm. In hulle soeke na ‘n heenkome, het baie hul gevestig in wat


Living

vandag as Clarens bekend staan. Vir baie jare nog, tot so onlangs as 1994, het sommige inwoners steeds hul eie beeste, skape en pluimvee in die dorp aangehou.

Die jaar 1912 het meegebring dat dorp-stigting nodig was weens die hoeveelheid huisgesinne wat reeds daar gevestig het. Die benaming sou nie moeilik wees nie want weens President Kruger se leeue aandeel om die area te beveilig, sou sy naam verewig word. Die besluit om Clarens as naam te gebruik het gespruit uit sy tyd in Clarence, Switserland, waar hy ná die Anglo Boere-oorlog in ballingskap was en daar gesterf het. Beide plekke is geleë in en tussen die berge, in die winter met sneeu bedek.

Die Lesotho-Hoogland Waterprojek neem ‘n aanvang met baie buitelanders wat weens die dam- en tonnelbouery hul hier kom werk en vestig. Uitbreiding vind plaas deur die aanleg van die dorpie Larola vir die water-skemawerkers en Clarens figureer op die kaart, word meer bekend as gevolg van die waterskema, maar nog is daar geen verdere noemenswaardige uitbreiding nie.

Geleidelik het die dorpie kunstenaars gelok wat hul hier gevestig het juis vanweë die besonderse natuurskoon en daarmee saam het gastehuise, kunsgallerye, meer besighede, veral met kunsprodukte, hier ont-staan maar ook restaurante, want besoekers

veral uit stede het meermalle hierheen gekom. Ook as gevolg van die rustigheid en sorgvrye omgewing.

Vanaf die jaar 2000 was hier ongekende groei met baie pensioenarisse wat hier kom aftree het, nuwe besighede, maar veral gastehuise het geblom.

Toerisme aantreklikhede sluit in ATV (Quad) toere, wildbesigtingstoere na die wildernis-gebied van Golden Gate asook die pale-ontologiese geskiedenis met dinosourus voetspore en beendere wat oral in die berge besigtig kan word met ‘n gids. Die Khoi-San, ook die eerste bewoners van die gebied, se tekeninge is ook op baie plase in oorhang-kranse te sien. Afri-ski-oord in Lesotho is maar 120 km van Clarens en bied ook vir besoekers aan Clarens ‘n dag se uitstappie in die winter om die oord te besoek vir ski in die berge.

2012 en Clarens groei steeds – ook omdat die Clarens inwoners hul beywer om in samewerking met die Kgubetswana woon-buurt, die dorp bekend te maak as gasvry, misdaadvry en om die bekoorlikheid en rustigheid van die platteland te behou.




Central reservations: 012 428 9111Golden Gate Switchboard: 058 255 1000

Functions and conferences: [email protected]

www.sanparks.org

Golden GateHighlands National Park



Phone: +27 (0)11 021 7849 • Cell: +27 (0)71 352 6341Email: [email protected] • www.hallmarque.co.za

29 September 2012Clarens Golf Estate

Prices:Adults: R100 ppPensioners: R90 ppChildren 5-12: R50 pp(Children under 5 free)

Performance times:12h00 Matinee performance19h00 Evening performance

~ Durban Symphony Orchestra~ Campus Dance Studio~ Winsome Fuller Dance Studio

in 29 September 2012Clarens Golf EstateClassicsClarens Golf EstateCCClllClCClCClC aaalallallal sssasaasassssssssssssss iiiccciciiciici ssscsccscClarens

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ST FORT COUNTRY WEDDINGSSandstone Farmhouse 1913

Cell: +27 (0)71 352 6341Phone: +27 (0)11 021 7849

Email: [email protected]

http://www.hallmarque.co.za

http://www.hallmarque.co.za


We specialise in sourcing the wedding venue to

suit your dreams!

084 576 [email protected]

www.weddingsinclarens.co.za

Wild Horses Mountain Lodge offers luxury, five star accommodation in the Northern Drakensberg at the Sterkfontein Nature Reserve. With its panoramic views of the majestic Platberg Mountain and the vast Sterkfontein Dam, the lodge is a masterpiece of architectural design in local sandstone.

It offers affordable luxury accommodation, exquisite cuisine and a variety of activities centred around the dam and the abundant wildlife of the reserve and mountains.

Contact: Cell: 083 64 000 24

Tel: 058 622 7000Email: [email protected]

Website: www.wildhorses.co.za

http://www.kalm.co.za

http://www.weddingsinclarens.co.za

http://www.wildhorses.co.za


Cnr Main and Van Zyl Streets

Clarens

Tel: 058 256 1864Open Mon – Sat from

9:00 – 18:00

OLD STONEBOTTLE STORE

ClarensAffordable luxury B&B

accommodation

has been in the Roos family for five generations

Affordable accommodation 8 cosy chalets – each with our unique character – self catering

Dormitories – fun filled budget accommodationCamping – under the stars

Specialising in horseback adventures for over 21 years

Hiking trails, mountain bike trails, horse riding trails

Helena: Cell: 083 744 4245 Christo: 083 628 5055www.bokpoort.co.za

– Clarens

http://www.bokpoort.co.za



http://www.lasport.co.za

http://www.sniperafrica.com


Date post:	25-Mar-2016
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Volume 5

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