The Elandspad River

SEE A MAP OF THE ELANDSPAD RIVER BEATS

The Elandspad River flows through the Du Toit's kloof mountains and has become renowned for some of the best and often technical fly fishing available in the country. The clear water, catch and release management policy and fishing pressure have combined to provide anglers with some very intelligent and picky trout. The average size of the fish is in the region of 14" with some fish up to 19" being taken in recent years.

 

Access:

Access to the stream for fishing purposes is controlled jointly by the Cape Piscatorial Society and Cape Nature Conservation, who manage the Limietberg reserve through which the river flows. Fishing is strictly controlled and must be booked in advance with the CPS. Day permits are available to both members and non members, for members season permits provide easy booking and access.

Parking.

The parking for the Elandspad River is located between the northward and southward arms of the N1 freeway, just on the Worcester side of the Huguenot tunnel. Approximately one hour from Cape Town central. This parking also serves the hikers walking the Elandspad and Krom river trails.

 

The fish.

The Elandspad is a rainbow trout stream, holding a strong self sustaining breeding population of fish.

The regulations:

The river is fished under strict guidelines, barbless hooks are mandatory, as is catch and release fishing. THERE IS A NO KILL LIMIT.

 

The Beats:

The Elandspad has five beats, although the fifth beat is really only fished by those already booked on the fourth beat, (one has to walk through the fourth beat to access the fifth).

BEAT ONE starts at the lower end of the section at the N1 road bridge and ends at the catwalk.

BEAT TWO starts at the catwalk and ends where the kloof narrows for the first time, from here on exiting the river is difficult until the end of beat three.

BEAT THREE starts at the first narrowing of the kloof and leads all the way to the cave at the start of beat four. Exiting beat three is tricky except for a few spots, the remainder of the beat is too steep to provide for access to the path.

BEAT FOUR starts the cave, an obvious feature next the the path and approximately 40 minutes walking time from the car park. The path does not progress all the way up beat four and anglers are forced to wade the river both on the way up and back down again. The beat ends at the confluence with the Kraalstroom tributary.

BEAT FIVE starts the the Kraalstroom confluence and continues for approximately one kilometre. Beat five should not be booked on it's own, as accessing the beat will disturb the fishing for anglers on beat four.

SEE A MAP OF THE ELANDSPAD RIVER BEATS

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