Warren Prior, Author at Baha Adventures

29Jan 2013 by Warren Prior No Comments

The Xplorer XPS-S Large Arbor Fly Fishing Reel

[caption id="attachment_1027" align="alignleft" width="300"] The Xplorer XPS-S with a decent wave garrick[/caption] The Xplorer XPS-S Large Arbor Fly Reel is Xplorer's premium range of salt water reels. They're designed to have BIG FISH stopping power and having fished with the reel I would certainly stand by that statement. Upon picking up this reel I was immediately impressed by the build quality. It is a fantastic looking reel which is CNC machined from bar stock aluminium. It has a black, hard anodized finish which means it appears as a slick black on your fly rod. I assume this comes from the good old days of fly fishing when reels were finished in black to make them less reflective and therefore prevent the reel from glinting which can easily spook fish. This may…

27Jan 2013 by Warren Prior No Comments

A Photoless Casino Session

Fly Fishing, Salt Water

It's not often that the Baha Boys return from a trip photo-less. In fact it's Nick who often bellows the words, "Pics or you're lying". So I guess this is what makes our weekend trip to Casino beach just so strange. For me it was nothing more than a great morning out. I was up well before 5am but we only headed for the water at 6am since Nick was worried about the tides. We walked onto the beach where a slight north-easter was blowing chopping up the surf a little. Thankfully it was an easy wind to fish in since it was to some degree blowing across us and not directly into us. And for the first time ever the beach was crowded with bait fisherman who had sadly laid…

13Jan 2013 by Warren Prior No Comments

Lesotho 2013

Fly Fishing, Fresh Water, Trip Report, Trout

[caption id="attachment_964" align="alignleft" width="225"] Ian kitting up his bamboo rod[/caption] After a week of nervous weather watching our day of departure for Lesotho arrived and, as expected, it was raining. The four of us climbed in the Jeep and began the three hour journey that would take us up Sani Pass and into the Mountain Kingdom. Although none of us were new to fishing in the rain, navigating a pass that had been eroded by daily downpours (and was more the likely slippery and wet) was an obstacle that lay in the way of our fishing. We were also a little nervous that the river would be too high and that the trip would be in vain. We made our usual first stop for fuel and coffee and quickly learned that any slowing of…

05Jan 2013 by Warren Prior No Comments

The First Trip Of 2013 – Durban Harbour

Fly Fishing, Salt Water

[caption id="attachment_938" align="alignleft" width="300"] Warren's First Fish Of 2013, A Southern Pompano[/caption] After Nick's severe mocking of me, post his springer smashing session, it was time for some serious payback. As such I was both excited and nervous as we headed down to the Durban harbour after squash on Saturday afternoon. The plan was too find the springer and to fish into dusk, and even the dark if fishing was good. We arrived at the harbour at around 2pm and were kitted up and on the water by 3pm. This meant we had at least 4 hours of (hopefully good) fishing ahead of us. The only concern, food was limited. After chugging out of the yacht mole we fired up the engine and headed for our favourite springer spot. Sadly a few…

29Dec 2012 by Warren Prior No Comments

A Morning At North End

Fly Fishing, Fresh Water, Trout

Since I was camping at Lotheni for 5 nights and the river was (sadly) unfishable we headed into Underberg for the day. After a quick cup of coffee with Alan we shot across to North End due the thatch gazebo which offered some shade for Sharon in the 30 degree plus heat. On arrival (at 9am) I noticed two other fisherman on the water. I quickly kitted up one of the boats and then rowed out onto the water. The other fisherman looked less than pleased that I was there (I guess the boats are a little noisier than float tubes) but after a brief chat all was resolved and we got down to fishing. Apparently they'd landed just one 4 pound rainbow between the two of them that morning. And with…

27Dec 2012 by Warren Prior No Comments

A Raging Lotheni

Fly Fishing, Fresh Water, Trout

[caption id="attachment_926" align="alignright" width="300"] A Very High Lotheni River[/caption] It was with much anticipation that I walked down to the Lotheni River, ready to end 2012 (and start 2013) with several wild brown trout. Sharon and I had booked 5 nights in the nature reserve from boxing day into the new year. Camp was set up and I was ready to enjoy 6 days of trout bliss. On our drive in I could see that the river was high, but looking down on a river from above is always a little deceptive. It was therefore only when I stepped onto the bank that I realised that the river was literally raging. In fact it was impossible to cross in places and, despite having fished it often, it was unrecognisable to me.…

17Dec 2012 by Warren Prior No Comments

Midmar Bass Bashing

Bass, Fly Fishing, Fresh Water, Trip Report

[caption id="attachment_888" align="alignleft" width="300"] Launching At Midmar[/caption] Amazingly it had been 8 years since Nick and I last visited (and camped) at Midmar Dam in the Kzn Midlands. Yes, it's not as scenic as the mountains and bass are not as fondly thought of as trout by most fly fisherman; but we're not most fly fisherman! So when a long weekend popped up just before Christmas we packed the vehicles, hitched the boat, and took the families up to Midmar for a relaxing weekend with a "little" fly fishing. We arrived at around 6pm on Friday evening which left us just enough light to pitch the tents and get camp ready before darkness fell. Then the beers came out, the fire was lit, and we began the usual discussions of…

05Dec 2012 by Warren Prior No Comments

Some of my Favourite Columbia Items

Reviews

Columbia Bahama II Long Sleeve Shirt [caption id="attachment_854" align="alignright" width="150"] Columbia Bahama II[/caption] Over my many years as a fly fisherman I've gone through piles of fishing shirts. That was until I came across the Bahama II by Columbia Sportswear. It is without a doubt my absolute favourite fly fishing shirt and I now have several in my cupboard. Although it does come in a short sleeved model I tend to stick to the long sleeved version to protect me from the sun. Thankfully this shirt succeeds in keeping me cool in even the hottest conditions thanks to the fabric and ventilation which is located around the arms and shoulders. It is of course also quick drying which proves useful in both hot and rainy conditions. This shirt is made…

04Dec 2012 by Warren Prior No Comments

The Kingdom – A DVD Review

Fly Fishing, Reviews

[caption id="attachment_803" align="alignright" width="300"] The Kingdom Screenshot[/caption] Following on from Touching Gold, Safari and Film Africa take us on a journey through the beautiful and remote Lesotho highlands in search of the countries large, elusive and very wild Trout. SFA'a unique style can be seen throughout the DVD and is easily recognisable if you've previously watched Touching Gold. I find that fly fishing DVDs tend to come in two main formats; those which try to teach you something and those which share an experience with you. This DVD certainly falls into the second category and leaves you wishing that this was an experience you were part of. Tourette Fly Fishing guides are seen stalking both wild Rainbow and Brown Trout in the crystal clear streams of the Lesotho Kingdom. Throughout…

04Dec 2012 by Warren Prior No Comments

Touching Gold – A DVD Review

Fly Fishing, Reviews

[caption id="attachment_800" align="alignright" width="300"] Touching Gold Screenshot[/caption] Touching Gold is the first fly fishing DVD filmed and produced by Rayno Egner of Safari and Film Africa. In association with Tourette Fly Fishing it transports the viewer to Free State's famous Sterkfontein Dam, regarded as one of the best sight fishing venues in Africa. Although Sterkfontein was originally fished for Trout (and contains many other species including Bass and Largemouth Yellowfish) this DVD shares with us the magical experience of sight fishing for Smallmouth Yellows. Anyone who's fished (or visited) Sterkfontein will be aware of the sheer size of this body of water as well as it’s incredible clarity. It can be hugely intimidating to anyone new to the venue and this DVD goes a fair way in giving a few…

Author: Warren Prior