Testimonials

FEEDBACK FROM OUR CLIENTS:

Rob Coetzee - East London, RSA

It was a windy and bitterly cold spring morning that saw Harm and me gearing up to catch what must certainly be South Africa’s premier fresh water game fish on fly – the Large Mouth (LM) Yellowfish. We persisted in spite of the dreary conditions, and managed to catch a few mid-size LM’s by lunchtime.

After a quick relocation, the weather settled down to a balmy and very pleasant afternoon on the river. Then just before dusk it happened; a memorable cast, a ferocious take and a heart-in-my-throat battle that ended with my best LM to date – 10.2 lb’s of sleek African gold!

What a privilege to cast a fly in these untouched waters. And what a pleasure to spend the day in the company of someone as dedicated, knowledgeable and passionate about fly-fishing as Harm. I can’t help but think I’ve gained a fishing buddy for life. Thanks Harm!

Russell Bickel - Pennsylvania. USA

On 31 August 2008 I spent several hours fishing with Harm from Adventure Flyfishing. I thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful hospitality and caught a exceptional 14 lb Largemouth Yellowfish, Many thanks!

Bob Cuyler - Houston, Texas

June 21, 2008. A first! A wonderful afternoon's fishing with Harm. I took 5 Largemouth Yellowfish on a black streamer. Harm was very personable and highly skilled at putting me on the fish. Must do this again!

Congratulations on your catch Bob. I enjoyed your company and hope to guide you again in future.

John Stotka - Washington, USA

On our arrival the 26th of March 08 we were stunned by the beauty of our surroundings and the excellent accommodations. Although non hunters we soon realized that hunters in our group were in hunters paradise. a Highlight of my stay was a full day guided fishing trip to a beautiful river near Kimberley. We flyfished for a native fish called Smallmouth Yellow fish, a beautiful golden sided bonefish like freshwater species. I caught and lost many fish the largest a 5lb 20 inch beauty. My guide was very knowledgeable and provided excellent gear.

I had a terrific day fishing with you John. It was a privilege to fish with somebody that enjoy nature and Fly-fishing as much as I do.

Luka Geertsema - Pretoria, South Africa

One spends many hours looking at big fish other anglers have managed to defeat. Then fishing trips are planned and executed to the letter, only to find that again the weather does not share your ideals, or suddenly the water levels has changed. But still you insist on pursuing you goal, that monster lurking somewhere in the shadowy corners of the Vaal.

On Saturday 11 August 2007 I was lucky enough to be guided by Harm Vorster of Adventure Flyfishing based in Kimberley who regularly puts anglers into big Yellowfish along the Vaal in the Northern Cape. Although I've made several trips to the Kimberly and Potchefstroom area and enjoyed blissful fishing days on the Vaal, but still a trophy Largemouth Yellowfish evaded me.

Then one morning (like many before) after many years, kilometers, sunburns, early frosted mornings, you again find yourself casting a fly to what seems to be a likely hiding spot of the monster from the deep. Three slow but jerky strips later you again feel the fly catching on to a water plant. Frustration almost blinds you and then suddenly the plant takes off to the right at a speed that will make Schumacher’s Ferrari look like a donkey cart. You are ripped back to your senses when the loose fly line explodes from the stripping basket and through the rod eyes, with you having to make sure those knots do not sabotage the moment.

You realize that you have struck into a big fish when it doesn’t even stop after stripping half your backing from the reel. Now you hold on for dear life and you cannot remember how many meters of backing is supposed to be on your reel……sudden fear! Finally the train slows down and you have a chance to breathe again. You start to regain line although the fish is not moving, you are actually dragging the boat towards it! You become more assertive, applying more pressure; you have to see what this fish looks like?

After three hours (actually only a few minutes) the fish is close and you realize you are about to cry victory and start relaxing a little. Then from deep below the dark green water you grab a glimpse of it. Your body goes numb, the fish surfaces and its huge mouth, head and hump breaks the surface. It is a monster! The size of which is frightful. You notice the fly barely securely hooked through enough lip. You cannot believe you exerted so much force and suddenly all your moves are with the greatest of care not to loose your precious catch.

Panic strikes and you are not sure how you will land the fish, the “monster viskoors” have a numbing effect on your body and mind . Finally you lip grab the golden monster and lift it, only then you realize how heavy it is! It feels like another hour when the required photographs are taken and suddenly you have this incredible sense of sympathy for the monster which has suddenly turned into a “her”. Urgency takes over and your only urge is to release this beauty immediately. The fish is weighed measured, tagged and finally released.

You almost collapse and a whirlpool of emotions. Exhilaration and exhaustion overwhelms you. Euphoria replaces adrenaline and you float around trying to understand what exactly had just happened. The golden monster now has my name, number Z99.

Weight: 8 Kg

Fork length: 80 cm

Girth: 51 cm

Thanks Harm, it was worth every cast!

Lucky Luke.

Dave & Anne Wiens - Oregon, USA

Truly spectacular fishing in a idyllic setting, the best guide I had the opportunity to fish with.

Congratulations guys, catching a trophy Largemouth each is a extraordinary achievement, it was a privilege to have you as clients.

Francois Joubert -

Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic

During June 2005 Myself, my brother and a friend joined Harm Vorster of Adventure Fly-fishing for a days fishing on the Vaalriver near Kimberley. The day started early and cold but the excitement of fishing for Largemouth Yellowfish and the expectation to possibly hooking a good sized fish made up for the cold. Although I wouldn't normally go fishing in winter the trip was just the right motivation to convince me that I shouldn't stop fishing during winter but that there are still a lot of fun to be had during the colder moths of the year.

As a guide Harm was well prepared for the days fishing supplying fishing equipment, inflatable boats and a delicious lunch pack. It soon became apparent that he knows the river and the fish like the palm of his hand therefore improving our chances for success over a short timeframe of only a day's fishing. I also learned a lot about the behavior of the fish, the tactics to use and the areas that need to be targeted to catch Largemouth Yellowfish successfully.

With the help and advice of Harm I was able to catch 2 beautiful Largemouth that was captured on film and released to fight another day. It was a privileged to finally become part of the exclusive group of anglers that has caught a Largemouth Yellowfish. I would recommend any fly fisherman to make a days guiding by Adventure Flyfishing a part of his experience on the water.

Thank You Harm.

Simon & Catherine - London,England

All that I can say is that it was the most perfect day to catch as many fish possible in the shortest period of time. We had loads of fun, thanks for the casting tips.

Congratulations with your catch Simon, Well done also to Catherine on catching her first fish or should I say first 3 fish on fly. I enjoyed your company and hope to see you soon.

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