Flyfishing report: Trout - Winterberg & Stormberg

General.

Snow and some heavy falls of rain in much of the area has filled dams and flushed out the algae and other problems caused by inversion in some of the dams during autumn. If you can brave the cold there is some excellent fishing on offer this winter.  

Winterberg.

Martin states that the fishing in the 87 ha Thrift dam is phenomenal with most anglers averaging 5 to 8 trout per day and because of the cold and windy conditions it is often a short day compared to summer. Over 60 ml of rain accompanied by snow has fallen in the catchment and water is pouring over the spillway so anglers should take the opportunity to fish the Swart Kei below the dam as many fish will have gone over the spillway. A photo of the water flowing over the causeway at the top end of the dam is shown below. Fortunately this water is clear and has flushed out the disclouration caused by the autumn inversion.

On the other side of the Winterberg all the Redcliffe dams are overflowing. There are now 5 dams which are well stocked with the addition of the new upper Ventnor dam. A couple of good sized rainbows have been caught in the small Theaden dam. Also, the stream below the dams is worth a try.
There is accommodation close to the popular lower Ventnor dam.

Stormberg (Queenstown area).

Alex Junod says that the recent cold front delivered both snow and some good falls of rain so most of the dams are full to oveflowing. It has been quiet period with not many anglers on the water in the cold weather and in any case all the dams are closed for the week before the Gathering. With the dams well stocked and full all this is good news for the 2025 QFFC/Xplorer Gathering from 3 to 5 July. Seven of the ten team places availble have already  been booked so only three places remain open. Your contact person for booking is Alex 0828530512.

More information may be gleaned from the club’s website at www.qffclub.com.

The Highland Lodge waters.

Vicky Bell states that her dams (total 40ha) are all still full after the snow and rain and the cold weather has dealt with the excess weed growth. The stocking of dams will be completed next week. This of course is also the start of the main fishing season and the venue is well booked for next couple of months.

Somerset East.

Alan Hobson at the Angler & Antelope Guest House states he is looking forward to a great winter season after all the rain and snow and the waters he and the Bankberg Club manage are back at their best. After completing the stocking with fingerlings, he has also added a top up with yearlings.

The wet conditions will be of particular benefit to the flow of the Little Fish River which has the potential to produce some good stream fishing with trout of a surprising size coming to the net.

Water flowing over the causeway at the top end of Thrift.

Typical winter scene at Thrift with the cottages in the foreground.

The Little Fish, Somerset East district.