Flyfishing report: Trout - Winterberg & Stormberg

Winterberg.

Martin states that fishing at Thrift is staggeringly good. For example a visitor on a short trip took took 18 fish between 1,5 and 4,5kg which included 5 browns up to 2,6kg. One of the fish was taken from the river below the dam which is flowing very strongly.

The dam itself is a bit discoloured at present due to the exceptional rains but it is oveflowing strongly and there is some excelkent fishing to be had in the 3km river downstream from the overflow using weighted nymphs on a sinking line.

At Redcliffe on the other side of the Winterberg Ventnor is the dam to fish as it has a good population of 750g to 1kg rainbows with some browns also. The small Theaden Dam which has only been restocked recently  is showing promising results but Delton will have to be comprehensively restocked.

The cottage at Ventnor is very comfortable with ensuite bedrooms and solar power but booking must be done through Martin and fishing in the dams is reserved for anglers using the accommodation.

The bad news is that the office in Grahamstown which housed all the permits for stocking trout in the Eastern Cape has burnt down so all the records going back 20 years have been lost. Exactly what will be done in future is unclear but it is almost certain that the trout industry will once again have to step in to resurrect some sort of order to the system.

Stormberg (Queenstown area).

Reg Morgan, chair of the Queenstown Fly Fishing Club (www.qffclub.com.) says that all their club managed dams are full and in fact the excellent fishing they have had over the last two years has continued. It is also pleasing to see some big browns coing out, around 55cm, from Snowdon trophy dam and Pine Grove.

Restocking is underway today with 10cm to 15cm rainbows and it is hoped that fish will be available later on for the new dams in Molteno and Steynsburg areas. Then in the New Year stocking with browns will take place.

All club waters will close on 13 January and will reopen on 1^st March

 Xplorer will be sponsoring the annual Gathering next year - See http://www.fosaf.org.za/calendar.php and this has been already fully subscribed with three teams on the waiting list.

The Highland Lodge waters are now closed until March after yet another succesful season with plenty of trophy sized fish taken. As all the dams are full to overflowing and Vicky Bell is confident that water levels will be optimal when fish recommences in autumn.

Reg Morgan who is chair of the Eastern Cape region of FOSAF states that their AGM has been postponed to January and once again will be held at the AFC clubhouse at Gubu.

Somerset East.

Alan Hobson of the Angler & Antelope Guest House in Somerset East reports that although daytime temperatures are increasing the cool nights and regular rains have kept the water temperatures reasonable for this time of year, so the trout waters are still doing well. Not only Mountain Dam and the nearby Charlton dams but the Naude’s River which though a bit discoloured is also fishing well. The trout in the Little Fish are growing out exceptionally quickly and for good sized fish his fertile dams up towards Cradock are consistently producing fish over the 2kg mark.

With the higher day time temperatures his lower altitude bass waters are attracting clients and although some of these dams also have yellows, they are into spawning mode, so this species is being given some space.

Spurwing Dam – Highland Lodge

A typical Stormberg rainbow.