Fishermen keep the lines wet

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The Nqweba Dam was empty for approximately a year, but the local fishing club, Camdeboo Fishing Club, is still standing strong and even growing in member numbers.

Theo Coetzee, club captain, said the club is affiliated with the Eastern Province (EP) Fishing Association and their members still compete in competitions at other dams. A farmer from Somerset East opened the gates to his dam for the club to compete in social competitions.

The club consists of about 20 EP affiliated members and 15 social members.

Coetzee said it can take between three to five years before the carp and barbers in the Nqweba Dam will be competition size, but within the next two years, there could be big fish.

A local fisherman, Ernest Jaftha, said he is positive that they will catch reasonably big fish within the next 18 months. He and his son, E-Jay (8), always caught barbers and carp on the south-eastern side of the Nqweba Dam.

Ernest proudly showed a photo of an 8 kg barber that he caught two years ago. His son boasts with his 2,2k g carp next to the dam.

Maalgat, behind Union High School. Photo: Christo Vermaak

Coetzee said the club recorded a 14 kg barber catch and an 8 kg carp catch in the Nqweba Dam. "We now just have to wait for the fish to grow big again," he said.

In the meantime, the big ones are still swimming in Maggies Put, behind the Urughart Caravan Park, and in the Maalgat, behind Union High. Coetzee said those are two ideal places to go fishing and enjoy a day next to the water, while the Nqweba Dam fish grow.

Ernest Japhta's 8 kg barber.