Freshwater

Smallmouth yellowfish

Pez amarillo de boca chica (yellowfish)

Labeobarbus aeneus

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

1–4 lb.

Depth

1–10 ft in riffles and runs.

Best time

All day in summer; mornings and evenings in the heat.

Found in

2 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Golden-olive to bronze barb (river carp) with large scales, a small mouth set underneath a rounded snout, two pairs of short barbels and a forked tail. Fins often orange-tinged.
Typical size: 1–4 lb.
Maximum size: About 20 in and about 17 lb (7.8 kg).
Diet: Insect larvae, snails, small crustaceans and algae picked off the rocks and gravel.
Behavior: Schools in riffles and runs, feeding on the bottom; a fly-fishing favorite because it fights like a trout but harder.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Southern Africa and African Lakes & Rivers. Native to the Orange–Vaal River system (South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia); introduced and established in the Gouritz and Olifants (Limpopo) systems. Also does well in dams.
Habitat: Native to the Orange–Vaal River system (South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia); introduced and established in the Gouritz and Olifants (Limpopo) systems. Also does well in dams.
Depth: 1–10 ft in riffles and runs.
Fishing depth: Bottom of fast riffles and gravel runs.
Best season: Spring through autumn, about September to May; best when the river is low and clear.
Best time: All day in summer; mornings and evenings in the heat.
Best tides: No tide — clear, low flows are best.
Best weather / conditions: Stable weather and clear water.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Worms, corn kernels and dough baits are used by bait anglers.
Best artificial lures: Small nymphs (the main method), small spinners and tiny jigs.
Tackle setup: 4–6 weight fly rod or light spinning rod.
Hook size: Barbless size 10–16 nymph hooks.
Line: Floating fly line, or 4–8 lb mono.
Leader: 4X–5X tippet (about 5–6 lb).

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Native to the Orange–Vaal River system (South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia); introduced and established in the Gouritz and Olifants (Limpopo) systems. Also does well in dams.
Rig up: 4–6 weight fly rod or light spinning rod. 4X–5X tippet (about 5–6 lb).
Pick your bait: Worms, corn kernels and dough baits are used by bait anglers. Lures: Small nymphs (the main method), small spinners and tiny jigs.
Fish it: Euro-nymph or tight-line weighted nymphs along the bottom of riffles, keeping contact with the fly; strikes are subtle.
Time it: All day in summer; mornings and evenings in the heat. No tide — clear, low flows are best.

Fishing techniques: Euro-nymph or tight-line weighted nymphs along the bottom of riffles, keeping contact with the fly; strikes are subtle.
BigJoe's tip: Fish the 'seams' where fast water meets slower water at the bottom of riffles — schools of smallmouths line up there.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Slippery rocks and strong currents — wear studded boots.
Regulations: South African fly-fishing clubs and the yellowfish working group promote catch-and-release; follow provincial limits and use barbless hooks. In South Africa you need a provincial freshwater angling license, and many dams, rivers and nature reserves add their own permits and rules; neighboring countries sell their own licenses.
Conservation: Keep fish in the water for photos and release them quickly.

Tap an area to open its fishing map.

Sources & photo credits