The Holsloot River

SEE A MAP OF THE HOLSLOOT RIVER BEATS

The Holsloot River flows from the Stettynskloof dam to join the Molenaars/ Smalblaar system at Rawsonville and then into the greater Breede River system. The upper sections below the dam are controlled by the CPS in conjunction with the Cape Nature Conservation, some 7 kilometres of river broken into six beats. Below this section more fishable water is in private hands but access can be obtained from Dwarsberg (see alternative venues). The water is remote, but readily accessible via the service road to the dam. This river is in effect a "tailwater" fishery as a result of the the dam acting as a buffer. Therefore in the hotter summer months this stream runs a little cooler than the others and the flow is more stable, being less effected by low summer levels or by the effects of sudden rains in early and late season

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.

Designated parking areas along the service road are well marked with wooden beat markers. Please be sure not to obstruct the roadway, which is used by trucks accessing the dam higher up.Take care on the dirt road in wet conditions, it can be slippery.

The fish.

As with the other streams the population of trout is self sustaining and in line with CPS policy no stocking has taken place for some time. In general the fish in this stream do not attain the size of their cousins in some of the other waters although 19" fish are not unheard of. There are some brown trout in this water, but they are rarely seen.

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 stream has six beats all clearly marked along the roadside by wooden beat markers.

BEAT ONE Approximately seven Kilometres from the gate is the first beat, this beat has some lovely open runs, as well as pocket water. Most of it is no more than moderately bushed in and fishing is comfortable.

BEAT TWO Some 1.5 kilometres higher up is the start of beat two, the water on beat two has a mixture of heavily bushed sections and quality water. The going on the beat can be tough in places, but then there are opportunities for good fish in sections that many anglers avoid.

BEAT THREE starts at the "pipe parking" a pull off that contains some pipe sections left over from the construction of the water delivery system. A beat of some 1.5 kilometres, it is a quality beat and a favourite with many anglers.

BEAT FOUR starts with a short walk off the road side and down over the water pipes to the water. The first pool offers the opportunity of fish right from the start of the day. A few long still pools in this beat are not highly productive but the runs and pocket water offer exceptional fishing. Exit from the beat requires some knowledge and planning as a wrong move can leave one stranded a long way from the road in dense bush.

BEAT FIVE marked clearly from the road side the river is most easily accessed by walking along a spur of high ground and then down the small tributary to the water. Another beat that has some very bushy sections but also some quality water.

BEAT SIX the starting point of beat six has moved, and now begins just short of the main road bridge crossing the river just before the dam. Above the road bridge you have the options of fishing the right fork up to the dam wall or crossing over to the left fork which turns into a delightful, crystal clear stream heading into the mountains on the left of the dam itself. This tributary of the main river is the Kaaimansgat River, and it can provide some wonderful fishing, although on average the fish will be smaller here.

SEE A MAP OF THE HOLSLOOT RIVER BEATS.

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