Drakensberg Fly Fishing

The Drakensberg offers some of the best fly fishing waters i

The Drakensberg offers the best fly fishing opportunities in South Africa. Fly fishing continues to increase rapidly in the Drakensberg region as it becomes more known. The main reason to for the sucess of fly fishing in the Drakensberg is the abundance of excellent trout waters both well stocked dams and pristine streaches of river. The many crystal clear rivers and dams in the higher reaches are regular favourites with the serious and skilled fly-fishermen as well as the growing number of recently initiated fanatics who embrace this most challenging and personally satisfying of angling pursuits.

Brown and rainbow trout occur throughout the region. Most put up a good fight and all make a very tasty meal, grilled or fried.

Drakensberg fly fishing information

Trout reach good sizes in the cool mountain waters and well-stocked rivers, such as the Bushmans and Injasuti, and produce a breed with an impressive fighting spirit; and there are trout farms at Van Reenen. The host at your accommodation establishment will direct you to the ideal spots.

In addition to fly-fishing for trout, bass and carp fishing is found throughout the region. Game lodges and dams near all the major centres present a number of great fishing experiences. Amongst these, Ntshingwayo Dam in the Chelmsford Nature Reserve is renowned for its carp and bass catches and holds regular fishing competitions.

Hattingspruit Dam near Dundee welcomes the fisherman intent on landing carp, bass or barbel and offers the additional bonus of being next door to a brewery!

Good trout fishing is found in the beautiful Normandien and Memel road areas west of Newcastle as well as in the streams and rivers around Greytown, where Lake Merthley is a popular spot with local fishermen.

One of the benefits of fishing in the Drakensberg region is that you are always assured of a magnificent country backdrop coupled with peace and tranquillity, no matter where you choose to make your cast. Its enough to tempt even the most jaded fisherman.

Fly Fishing venues in the Northern Drakensberg and Midlands

• Royal Natal National Park
  The park is situated about 46 km west of Bergville. It shares a common boundary with the Rugged Glen Nature Reserve. Two stocked dams are available for fly fishing - the scenic 2 hectare RNNP Dam and the 1 hectare Rugged Glen Dam -. No boats or float tubes are allowed on the dams. The Mahai River provides stream fishing. Day permits for the dams (limit two fish) and for the river (limit three fish). Kept fish may not be less than 200 millimetres.
• Cathedral Peak to Champagne Castle
  The area about 30 km south-east of Royal Natal is drained by twou rivers - the Mlambonjwa and the Sterkspruit. The Mlambonjwa trverses forestry ground but is under control of the KZNNCS which has an office on site where day permits to fish the river may be purchased. For details call (036) 488-1880.
• Injasuti
  The next valley to the south is that of the eNjesuthi River which has several kilometres of trout fishing. There is a daily rod fee and the bag limit is two fish.
• Giants Castle
  The pretty hutted camp nestles unobtrusively among indigenous trees and overlooks the Bushmans River, which can be fished for several kilometres within the reserve. The Bushmans is, of course, one of the three Natal rivers that were first stocked with brown trout in 1890. Now after 110 years the progeny of that original batch of five hundred fry are still providing anglers with lively sport. The daily rod fee is R30 and the limit two fish.
• Highlands Estates
  The farm is situated 10 km north of Mooi River on the R103. It offers fishing on a 7hectare dam from the banks or from boats or float tubes. For further information call (033) 263-2006 or 082 573 4350.
• Killarney Country Lodge
  This fishery is 17 km from Mooi River on the Giants Castle road. It has a 2 hectare dam stocked with browns and rainbows. day fishing is permitted. For full details call (033) 263-2510.
• Broad Moor Trout Lodge
  The two dams of 35 and 7 hectares are stocked with rainbows and browns. Day fishing is permitted. For information, fishing fees and directions call (033) 263-2437
• Tierhoek Trout
  Tierhoek has one large and three smaller dams of less than 1 hectare. It has day-fishing facilities call (033) 263-2439
• Highmoor Dams
  The Little Mooi River rises in the high wetlands of the Highmoor State Forest, a proclaimed wilderness area. The river has been dammed at an altitude of 2000 metres to create two still-waters - Salmo (6 hectares) and Kamloops (1 hectare). The fishing is highly rated and KZNNCS limits it to a maximum of 500 rod-days per year with no more than six anglers daily. Float tubes are permitted but, owing to the environmental sisitivity of the area, no cars may proceed beyond a designated area. This means that you will have to carry your tube and tackle for approximately 400 metres to Kamloops and double that distance to Salmo. The fishing season is closed from 1st June to 31st October each year. The latter date is somewhat flexible as it is determined by the breeding progress of the endangered wattled cranes which nest in the area.
• Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse
  This fishery on the Little Mooi River is just below Highmoor. In addition to its own section of stream it has access to other river beats as well as twenty dams. For full information call (033) 263-7430.
• Ratsey Farm
  The Ratseys are about 13 km from Rosetta on the Kamberg road. They have three dams, one of which is a trophy dam. It is a day-ticket fishery. For details of fees and directions call (033)263-7024.
• Riverside
  The 5 kilometre section of the Mooi River, between the two portions of Kamberg, is on the farm Riverside and it is open to the public. In addition to stream fishing, Riverside also has four dams ranging from 0,5 to 5 hectares in size. phone (033) 263-7245.
• Kamberg Nature Reserve
  The Reserve straddles the upper Mooi River and is the most popular fly-fishing venue controlled be KZNNCS. The total length of river available to vicitors is approximately 13 km. Kamberg also has six dams ranging in size from 0,3 to 3,5 hectares. Boats or float tubes are not permitted. A day permit is R50 per angler is required. The daily bag limit is three fish of any size per angler on the dams and ten on the river. call (033) 263-7251.
• Watersong
  This property, on the headwaters of the Nzinga River, borders the Mkhomazi Wilderness Area. Fishing is in five smallish dams covering 4 hectares in total. Day tickets are available. call (033) 263-6812
• Rawdons Hotel
  This well known country hotel is 4 kilometres south of Nottingham Road on the R103. It has seven dams with easy fishing for hotel guests right on its doorstep. There is also a small tackle shop.
• Zuivergoud Farm
  This day fishery is twenty minutes drive from Nottingham Road on district road D290. The 17,5 hectare dam holds rainbows and browns. For full details call (033) 263 - 6159

Fly Fishing in the Southern Drakensberg

The Southern Drakensberg of KwaZulu-Natal affords a greater variety of fly fishing opportunities than any other district in South Africa for here flow the lyric Mzimkhulu, Pholela and Mkhomazi, the Ngwangwane and Ndawana, the Mzimkhulwana and Mkhomazana to mention but a few. Into this well-watered mountainland of towering peaks and tumbling rivers, are set the twin villages of Underberg and Himeville; long the hub of a trout-fishing mecca that extends from the Lotheni River in the north-east, to the Ndawana, and beyond, in the south-west . This is the district where, from rivers, wild-spawned fish of up to 4 kilograms are taken and, from the dams, fish of 5 kilograms.

Fly fishing infrastructure ranges from the casual, such as at the large resorts where fly fishing is simply one of several recreational opportunities, to the dedicated and highly specialised establishments that provide fly fishing only. The spectrum of fly-fishing opportunities ranges from stew-pond put and take concerns that charge by the kilo, to those that harbour wild spawning self-sustaining trout population.

The character of the contryside and fishing undergoes a great deal of seasonal change. During summer, with its afternung thundershowers, the fish are often most active at first light, though the larger, deeper lakes can fish well throughout the day. Dragonflies, caddis, trico and baetid mayflies, and many midge species are all common. In winter the nights are bitterly cold and the days bright and clear under brilliantly blue skies. Best fishing during this period is often at last light, when the water tends to bie at its warmest. Hatches are most likely to come off at dusk. Active foodforms are smaller than in summer - mostly baetid mayflies and microcaddis. In the gin-clear water, size 16 to 22 flies are often the only producers.

• Loteni Nature Reserve
  Situated on the Lotheni River about 15 Kilometres north-west of the Lotheni bridge on the road from Himeville to Nottingham Road. The Lotheni runs through the Reserve for about 8 km and carries brown trout. Day permits are available. For more information contact the camp office at (033) 702-0540.
• Vergelegen Nature Reserve
  This reserve, on the headwaters of the Mkhomazi, is one of the most unspoiled wilderness areas within the Drakensberg Park. call Cobham Forest Station at (033) 702-0831
• Himeville Nature Reserve
  This small reserve in Himeville has two dams which are regularly stocked with rainbow and brown trout by the Underberg - Himeville Trout Fishing Club. The leak in the bottom dam was mended and the dam produced some fine fish throughout the 1998 and 1999 seasons. The shallow and rather weedy top dam fishes well on a dry fly and has yielded catches in the 3 kilogram range. Boating is permitted and rowboats are available for hire. An entrance fee is payable at the gates which are open from 06:00 to 19:00.

For trout fishing and general information about fly fishing contact Midlands Reservations 036 468 1295

Accommodation in and around Drakensberg