Fly Fishing in South Africa

Speaking of South Africa’s diverse natural beauty has become rather a cliché, but it is cliché which is difficult to avoid when describing the country’s wildlife viewing opportunities and outdoor activities. Breathtaking mountain ranges and green valleys with flowing streams offer the adventurous fly fishing enthusiast numerous prime fly fishing locations, from the coastal plains of the east coast to the fynbos dotted mountains of the Western Cape, South Africa has the potential to satisfy a fly fisherman’s every desire when it comes to choosing the perfect location.

Rainbow Trout

There are great books available on South African fly fishing, detailing all the hotspots and optimal flies and equipment for each region, but this article will focus on just two areas; the Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal.

KwaZulu Natal Fly Fishing in the Drakensberg

Fly fishing in the Drakensberg is becoming increasingly popular, largely due to the abundance of trout and bass in the many rivers and dams, especially the crystal clear waters in the higher parts of the Drakensberg.

You can expect to find brown and rainbow trout throughout the region, and most of them will give a good fight, making for exciting fly fishing excursions. The well stocked Bushmans and Injasuti Rivers have especially zesty trout.

Other great trout fly fishing spots in the Drakensberg are to be found west of Newcastle in the Normandien and Memel road areas, and in the numerous rivers and streams around Greytown and Lake Merthley.

Fly fishing in the Drakensberg is a great experience, no matter how the actual fishing goes, because the natural beauty of the area is good enough reason to explore this great South African destination.

Western Cape Fly Fishing in Jonkershoek (Stellenbosch)

The oldest trout hatchery in South Africa is nestled in the lush Jonkershoek valley, just outside the historical town of Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands. Here there are eight dams offering an enjoyable day’s flyfishing to both the experiences and the novice fly fisher, with six of the dams on site and two wild dams on the border of the Jonkershoek nature reserve.

When visiting this great fly fishing spot you can hope to catch rainbow trout (the dams are well stocked with these) or one of South Africa’s well known yellowfish species, the infamously elusive White Fish (Barbus andrewi). If you make a booking you can also try your luck in the river section, where wild rainbow trout can be hooked.

The great thing about fly fishing in the Cape Winelands, apart from the natural beauty, is that you can drive for five minutes and visit any one of the great wine estates for wine tasting, or even dining in a restaurant on some of the wine farms.

A Different Bicycle Experience in Peru | A Sailing Adventure in Langebaan | Road Trip Camping in South Africa | Off the Gringo Trail in Peru