Flyfishing in the Southern Drakensberg

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Flyfishing in the Southern Drakensberg

Flyfishing in the Southern Drakensberg

When one talks of fishing in the Southern Drakensberg, it's most likely flyfishing for Rainbow or Brown Trout. This area has more flyfishing opportunities than any other district in South Africa, with many rivers and dams that are most suitable for trout. The rivers; Ngwangwane, Ndawana, Mzimude, uMzimkhulu, uMzimkhulwana, Mkhomosana, Pholela, Pholelana, uMkhomazi, iNzinga, Lotheni and the Mooi River, are all crystal clear cool waters, rising deep within the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park. Wild-spawned fish of up to 3.5kg are often taken and from the dams one could bag a fish of 4.5kg and more.

The Underberg-Himeville Trout Fishing Club, formed in 1954 by landowners to provide public access to quality flyfishing, has as many as 1 000 members, has grown to become the largest flyfishing club in the country. The Club holds the fishing rights to more than 160 kilometers of river, as well as 54 dams with a surface area of more than 400 hectares. The cost of a days fishing on the trout waters in the Southern Drakensberg ranges between R35 and R250.

Many accommodation and resort facilities are available, ranging from KZN Wildlife hutted camps, to rustic farm cottages, to three star resort hotels. Many farms in the district have visitor accommodation, with access to better than average flyfishing, offering river or dam and sometimes both.

Flyfishing infrastructures range from establishments which offer flyfishing simply as one of a number of recreational opportunities, to the dedicated and highly specialised flyfishing resorts which exist only to provide flyfishing such as at Giants Cup Wilderness Reserve. For something a little diferent, try the Tsani River in Lesotho, located near the Sani Pass and full of wild spawned rainbow trout. Flyfishing excursions to Lesotho are offered by Major Adventures.

The character of the countryside and fishing undergoes a great deal of seasonal change. During summer fish are often most active at first light, though the larger and deeper lakes can fish well throughout the day. Dragonflies, caddis, trico and baetid mayflies and many midges species are all common. In winter the waters are generally very clear and small flies between 16-22 are often the only producers. Intermediate lines and very slow retrieves are popular with many of the more successful anglers.