Fly Fishing

Fly Fishing in South Africa

Fly fishing is the sport of choice for those that love combining the beauty of the outdoors with the excitement of reeling in an impressive catch. South Africa is a land of natural abundance, and it is not surprising that it has so much to offer in the way of fabulous fly fishing.

Did you know? While its claim to fame is fly-fishing, it is significant to note that Dullstroom is the country's top trout fishing area. Fishermen come from all over South Africa to sample the abundance of the waters and the beautiful trout that come from these.

This is an incredible art that was initially developed as an angling method to catch only salmon and trout. However, it has been adapted as a great method to include pike, carp and bass, amongst others. This makes it flexible and varied enough to try on a much broader scale.

When compared to more traditional fishing methods, fly fishing has several differences. In addition to the actual method of casting, fly fishing rods are also different in that they are much lighter with a heavier line. The fly fishing rod is sometimes tapered too. At the end of the line is an almost weightless ‘fly', which acts as the fish lure. It is as beautifully crafted as it is effective in enabling the angler to cast it so gently that the water is hardly disturbed when it hits the surface. The fish are not frightened off by a splash and are more likely to bite.

Did you know? South African fly fishing locations are well regulated with no boats or floating tubes allowed.

There are a number of spectacular fly fishing spots in South Africa, where enthusiasts and beginners alike can experience the joys and challenges of this incredible style of angling. South African locations are well regulated, and no boats or floating tubes are permitted. Most locations will charge a nominal daily conservation fee.

The Drakensberg Mountains in KwaZulu Natal are home to an impressive collection of spectacular dams and rivers, where there are plenty of bass and trout to be caught. In fact, the northern Drakensberg Mountains alone offer nearly 25 unique fly fishing locations, and most of these have more than one dam or river from which to choose. The southern Drakensberg Mountains also have lovely fly fishing locations that invite anglers back year after year (See Fishing Lodges in KwaZulu Natal).

South Africa's game and nature reserves offer some remarkable fly fishing opportunities. Tours and packages that combine world-class fly fishing excursions with game drives and other wildlife activities are available. The more commercial fly fishing locations in South Africa will often include fly fishing training for beginners and assistance for those looking to fine-tune their techniques.

Just outside Cape Town are several glorious South African fly fishing opportunities. Here, far away from the bustling city, the gentle sounds of the stream, the clean fresh air, and the absolute quiet make for an incredible day spent on the water's edge. While less commercial than the Drakensberg locations, the fly fishing opportunities in Cape Town are just as appealing because of their isolation and solitude, allowing you nothing but time to enjoy the fantastic fishing.

Because of the inherent unpredictability of the rivers and streams in terms of their water levels and so on, many South African fly fishing enthusiasts have resorted to stillwater fly fishing in manmade dams that average a size of around 17 acres. They are incredibly fertile and have impressive rates of reproduction. Some of the trout caught in these types of dams have weighed in at over 14 pounds.

South Africa caters to fly fishing enthusiasts, regardless of whether they prefer the untainted beauty of natural mountain streams or the convenience of manmade dams. Please see here for Big Game Fishing in South Africa.