ROCK AND SURF
FISHING REPORT 28TH MARCH 2009.
Shore anglers have not been treated kindly this summer season as many of the expected fish that frequent the KZN coastline, namely big sand sharks have simply not appeared although a few smaller specimens have been landed.

Anglers targeting shad have had a reasonable start to the season with quite a few specimens being landed at most known shad spots. With autumn on our doorstep anglers can start looking forward to the garrick run and hopefully a sardine run will materialize this year. Anglers fishing for natal snoek have had some really good fun on the piers and at Umgeni Mouth.

These fish have now stayed in the Durban area for some time now and most anglers are rigged up with the right equipment and relevant spoons to effectively target these fish. The ‘drop shot’ method is also proving to be very effective in targeting these fish. The average size of the snoek has not been too big but seems to be hovering around the 1kg to 2kg mark.

Terry Nel from Tacklenet, change in conditions has helped bring the shad on the bite and a number are being caught at Glenmore Beach at Leisure Bay and also Port Edward. Fishing over the weekend produced eel tail barbel, spotted rock cod, a lemon fish of 44cm and plenty of stone bream at spots from Glenmore to Southbroom.

Fractions SA
Fractions SA in association with Midrand Estates are having a trout Festival on the 25 & 26 April at Midfield Trout Dams. Mark Yelland, a top Protea fly fisherman, will host the Fly Fishing Clinic. SMS the word CLINIC and your email address if you are interested in attending the Fly Fishing Clinic and we’ll forward you the application forms needed. Bookings for the Fly Fishing Clinic:
Steg Neveling 082 490 5725, steg@fractionssa.co.za
Yvette Neveling 082 490 5726, yvette@fractionssa.co.za.

Fly Fishing guides
If you were planning to go away for the Freedom Day weekend,
there is still plenty of time to move your weekend away to another one of the many long weekends in April.

You simply cannot afford to miss the Fly Fishing Clinic, to be held on 25 and 26 April 2009 at the Midfield dams. On 25 April, all Fly Fishing enthusiasts will gather at 08:00 for a short introduction by Mark Yelland Thereafter all participants will be divided into three groups, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.

These three groups will rotate at the three dams and will spend at least 1 hour with each of the three fly fishing guides, one of which will be Mark Yelland. All the different aspects of fly fishing will be covered and advice will be dispensed. After the clinic, you can apply your newly acquired skills to fish the three dams and trout can be caught and bought at R40/kg. Mark as well as his two approved guides will be there to give further advice.

Trout festival
On the Sunday there will be a small competition that will start at 8:00, with prizes and give-aways and the day should end between 12:00 and 2:00. There is limited space available, so booking as soon as possible is essential. Men, women and kids of all ages are welcome. The equipment required is a fly fishing rod and reel. If you would like to attend the clinic and do not have a rod and reel, please contact Steg Neveling, he’ll be available before the clinic to recommend the correct rod and reel to you. In addition to the Fly Fishing Clinic there will also be a Trout Festival with various food stalls, a place to sit and enjoy your meal, a jumping castle and a variety of stalls selling all kinds of interesting goodies including fly fishing goods. Entrance fee for the Festival will be R20 for adults and R10 for children under the age of 14.

The Marlin Ski Boat Club
is hosting The Port Edward Ski Boat Festival on the 1st & 2nd May 2009. 1st Prize for the heaviest couta is the Explorer 465 MPB with 2 x Yamaha o/b motors and all the extras – ready to go to sea.
Worth over R200, 000.00.

This competition is open to Ski – Boats only. Early bird entry fee (by 28th Feb 2009) is R190.00 per angler. For more info and entry forms go to www.marlinskiboatclub.co.za.

The Durban Ski- Boat Club Festival
The Durban Ski- Boat Club Festival is being held on the 25th & 26th April   2009. The main prize for the biggest cuda is a Seacat 565
with 2 x Yamaha 70hp motors, trailer, complete with electronics,
safety equipment plus fishing rods
and reels worth over R352, 000.00, plus other prizes
worth over R550, 000.00.
Early bird registration before
31st March 2009–R225.00, thereafter R295.00.
This promises to be, as the last few years,
a magnificent competition.
Visit www.durbanskiboatclub.co.za
for an entry form, or forpre – entries contact
Durban Ski – Boat Club
Tel: 031 337 9506.

TRADING HOURS
The trading hours of The Kingfisher over the festive season are as follows: Mon - Fri. 8:00am - 5:00pm Sat. 8:00 - 1:00pm .

KINGFISHER CLINIC
The Kingfisher at 53, Hunter Street, Durban hosts a free Fishing Ski Clinic on their premises once a month by Markham Pollard.

These monthly clinics are there to help beginners and experienced anglers to see what the sport is all about and how to target certain species of fish. It also shows anglers what equipment to use and also elaborates on safety. Over and above this they also hold Rock and Surf clinics run by Ivan Stopforth and a Drop Shot clinic by Lloyd Pereira.

These Clinics are very informative and covers all the basics, including equipment, knots, bait presentation, and tactics. Remember guys, the crayfish season opened on the 1st March. Please make sure that we stick to the rules and look after this resource.

The clinic on marlin fishing at The Kingfisher on 14th March by Andy Jones has been cancelled due to unforseen circumstances, we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
To book for one of these free clinics
phone the Kingfisher on 031- 368 3903.
Any info about fishing, fish caught or competitions in your area send info to kingfish@iafrica.com or fax 031- 368 4137, attention, Mike.
For the latest KZN fishing news presented by O.J., tune into East Coast Radio at 5.40am Monday - Friday.