Flyfishing report: Trout - Winterberg & Stormberg

Winterberg.

Thrift

Martin says that Thrift is still overflowing quite strongly but there have not been many anglers visiting of late. No monsters have come out recently and the average size being caught is 3,5 to 4lb. There have also been some fierce winds plaguing the area which have had an adverse effect on the few flyfishers who have arrived. He is doing his best to persuade anglers to choose the December to February period when trout fishing elsewhere is at a low ebb. The reasons being:

1. The Winterberg is one of the coolest parts of the country.
2. His fish are selected for warm water tolerance anf therefore often do better when the water is warmer.

Remember that  everyone entering the property must carry out a comprehensive spray of vehicle wheels, hubbs and buckets plus footwear and tubes or flotation devices using F10 disinfectant to combat FMD. Boots, waders etc must also be disinfected.

Regarding his Makhanda hatchery although he is short of fingerlings he has ordered 10 000 from Hogsback Hatchery to supplement his stock

The Redcliffe waters.

All the dams are overflowing following excellent rains but there have been few bookings. Note that there is a new dam at Ventnor which has been opened for fishing for a year now.

Stormberg (Queenstown area).

Reg Morgan, chairman of the QFFC says that vitually all the dams are full to overflowing. The rainbow stocking has been completed and  the three Snowden dams were stocked recently with 3cm to 6cm browns. As mentioned last month they plan to have about 5 new dams available in the Molteno/ Hofmeyer/Steynsburg area for members in a year or two.

Also in the planning stage is yellowfishing in the Kliplaat River mainly above the Waterdown Dam which is full of this species.

Another stocking with sterile Chinese grass carp will take place this year to combat the excessive aquatic weed in some of the club dams.

Note that some farmers may still require anglers to disinfect for FMD before entering their property.

Also check the QFFC’s new website at queenstownflyfishing.co.za.

The Highland Lodge waters.

Vicky Bell at Highland Lodge reports that the dams are full and overflowing the restocking completed as another Cool Weather Season comes to an end. They will watch the weather and probably close until autumn when the weather cools.

Somerset East.

Alan Hobson at the Angler & Antelope says that the exceptional rains continue. Fountains are full and water is lierally pushing out of the ground everywhere and the upper Litte Fishi is running well. This very wet period has made the dams a bit cloudy and the fishing harder work but water temperatures are still around 16°C so the outlook is good for the next month.

With the advent of warmer weather Alan will also be visiting his local bass dams.

Foot & Mouth remains a problem in the area mainly because of lack of control of cattle grazing municipal lands and which also enter town. Fortunately Alan has good spraying equipment for disinfection of vehicles and equipment so he and his clients can still access farms.

A brownie from the Little Fish.

Into a Thrift fish.

A QFFC dam.