Sadly, the Yokanga 2019 season has already come to a close.
We did not have the
bigger numbers that we sometimes get on the Yokanga but the three-week season
will go down in the record books as having one of the highest percentages of
big fish that we have ever had. In the first two weeks the average weight was
over 20lbs. The quality of the fish was undeniably excellent.
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| Another quality salmon from the Yokanga |
The weather was
unusually cold for the most part and unusually wet too. Just as water levels
were getting to an ideal fishing height for the beats, rain each week pushed the
height back up again. Looking for a needle in a haystack was the expression used
by many of our regulars!
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| A rare sunny day at Crows Nest pickup point |
Despite less than ideal
conditions, a total of 41 fisherman landed the following large salmon over the
three weeks:
50 salmon of 20-29lbs
17 salmon of 30-39lbs
1 salmon of 43lbs
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| Matt H with a 32lber from Home Pool one evening |
Barely an evening went
by without someone being given a grey 30lb Yokanga cap and there were many delighted
guests who landed their largest salmon ever. Congratulations to Colin J who
landed his personal best which was a monster 43lb fish measuring 46.5 inches by
26.5 inches.
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| 30lb and 40lb caps at the end of Week 2 |
As many will have
heard, there was a tragic accident in the second week when head guide, Red
Sergei, drowned in a boating accident. With 25 years’ experience on the river and
a favourite guide among fishermen, he will be much missed. Our thoughts are
very much with his family. Following the accident, the police have opened an
investigation and have effectively closed the season prematurely after just
three weeks.
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| Red Sergei will be much missed |
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| Farewell to the 2019 season |
Henry Mountain and Peter
Rippin
