Fly Fishing Fresh Waters ...
With over 150km of Africa’s most pristine fresh water river frontage, the RHODES / Barkly East district offers pure, unspoilt, tourism-wise fly fishing. The WILD TROUT ASSOCIATION and BIG MAC (Mosheshs’ Ford Angling Club) manage these waters while some waters are privately managed. Most of these rivers and streams originate 9000 – 10 000 ft above sea-level as pristine, freestone and rock-based highland streams. Fishable rivers are the BELL RIVER, KRAAI RIVER, BOKSPRUIT, RIFLESPRUIT, STERKSPRUIT, KLOPPERSHOEKSPRUIT, KARRINGMELKSPRUIT and VLOEIKRAALSPRUIT.
Wild River Trout
Trout in the upper reaches of these rivers are eager to rise to a variety of aquatic and terrestrial dry fly imitations. The fish average between 9 – 14 inches, awesome fun on a light 3 – 4 weight outfit. The occasional 18 – 22 inch trout lurk in the clear pools of these upper reaches, requiring extreme stealth and a good guide to catch.
Linecasters specializes in up-stream nymphing. In the lower reaches of these rivers trout average 5 – 10 lbs and hold a South African wild trout record of 10.2 lbs. Upstream nymphing these lower sections has proved to be highly effective. A 17 – 23 inch trout can be considered a trophy. The trout in the rivers around Rhodes were introduced over eight decades ago and feed and breed naturally. No re-stocking or feeding has taken place whatsoever. The larger trout are cunning and selective. Rainbow and brown trout share these rivers with largemouth and smallmouth yellowfish, minnow, rock barble and the occasional mudfish.
Indigenous Largemouth and Smallmouth Yellowfish
From October to March an abundance of smallmouth yellowfish can be found in the lower reaches of these rivers. These fish are a strong and cunning fly fishing quarry. The smallmouth average between 2 – 4 lbs, with a few reaching sizes of up to 15 lbs. Specimens of between 4 and 6 lbs are not uncommon. Sight fishing to these awesome fighters can make a Rhodes fly fishing trip unforgettable.
Catching one of our elusive largemouth yellowfish is extremely rewarding. The average specimen weighs from 3 – 5 lbs but can grow up to 30 lbs or more. These yellowfish can only be found in the middle to lower reaches of the Kraai River during the winter months when river levels drop and the waters are crystal clear. If low, clear levels occur in the summer they will then also be easily hooked and landed. The yellowfish and trout live in relative harmony with each other. Both species can be caught in the same riffles, runs and pools.
The yellowfish regularly take selective dry flies off the water surface, but nymphing is still the most productive way to hook and catch them. Occasionally yellowfish can be spotted moving in shoals of 4 to 30 fish through shallow rapids from one pool to another. The often crystal clear waters make sight fishing possible.
Recently dry fly fishing to the smallmouth yellows with sawfly, adult larva patterns, and beetles, from December to March has proven highly successful.
Trout in Lakes and Dams
The lakes in our area boast a very high PH level. Both rainbow and brown trout are commonly caught on fly and trophy fish of 8 – 12 lbs are common and tend to be ferocious fighters. Fish in the lakes and dams feed naturally and can be caught from the banks as well as from float tubes and kick boats.
The dams, except for one or two larger ones, average between four and six hectares. Prolific hatches of trico, buzzers and blue damsel occur in the summer months, which is when the waters come alive with rising trout. Trout are stocked as fingerlings and fend for themselves naturally. No feeding is done.
The magnificently beautiful mountainous region of Rhodes / Barkly East is distinguished as one of Africa’s most pristine, unspoilt, tourist-wise trout fishing areas. Rhodes has under the management of the Wild Trout Association and Big Mac (Mosheshs Ford Angling Club) over 150km of river frontage (some waters are privately managed). Some of our acclaimed rivers are the famous Bell River, Kraai River, Bokspruit, Riflespruit, Kloppershoekspruit, Sterkspruit and Karringmelkspruit. Originating at 9000 – 10000 ft above sea level, these rivers and streams emanate as pristine, freestone and rock-based highland waters.
