| Date of Report: Monday, 20th October 2025 |
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Name: Andre Burger Email: pafly@netactive.co.za Web: http://www.presentafly.com Phone: 083 632 8729 Eastern Free State. The Ash River fishery previously managed by Mavungana has been taken over by Josh Wampach (cell 0839766173) of the recently opened Ash River Outfitters at Clarens. He states that the river is in a state of recovery as the tunnel feeding it from the Katse Dam in Lesotho was closed for about 6 months for servicing and only reopened in March. From what we hear a fair number of rainbows survived in the deeper pools so we trust that flyfishing in this attractive water will soon return to normal. There are several other well-stocked stillwaters in the Clarens area which are normally only open to anglers who have also booked accommodation at the venue. However, De Molen, which has access to both the Klein Caledon, which is fishing well and its own stillwaters does sell day tickets as does Craigrossie. Andre Burger also recommends the Welgevonden fishery in the Fouriesburg area for dependable trout fishing. Much of the flyfishing will be focused on Sterkfontein once the waters have warmed up but currently the water is still too cool for the start of the yellowfish season. Lesotho. Keith Clover reports that the Bokong River at the Makhangoa Community Camp has benefitted from early rains and yellows have started to enter the lower reaches but sometimes drop back in to the estuary at the Katse Dam which is close to the camp as the dam is full. Once the weather warms up again and more rain falls greater numbers of yellows will enter the river and the summer migration will move well upstream. At the same time there are reasonable numbers of trout both in the river and the nearby dam. The Makhangoa Camp bookings are already fairly full but possibly easier at the Rosehip Cottage where no guiding is provided.
Bokong River rainbow, Lesotho |
