Other Venues.

Information on waters not controlled by the Cape Piscatorial Society are provided for the information of members and non members as a public service. Whilst every effort is made to insure that the information is correct the society accepts no responsibility for any omissions or errors contained in these pages.

To jump to a specific type of venue click your choice below.

Stillwater Venues:

River Venues:

Saltwater Venues:

Accommodation:

Eikendal
Located off the R44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset West, this opular day fishery & winery offers rainbow trout, two species of tilapia as well as largemouth bass. There is also a fly fishing shop on site, with advice and tuition available.
Call 021 855 2646 or email flytalk@telkomsa.net for more details.


 

La Ferme
Fly fishing for many species.  There are four very unique lined dams stocked with rainbow trout, small and large mouth bass, and carp. The trout are kept in separate dams. Kick Boats and waders welcome except during competitions. There is also a section of river.
For details visit www.laferme.co.za or call Mercedes on 021-8670120

 

Du Toit's Kloof Lodge.
This venue is not really a serious anglers haunt, allowing any method from fly fishing to spinning and bait casting. It is however a suitable venue for taking youngsters who want an introduction to some fishing, fish caught are purchased from the fishery, so that your kids can catch a fish and have it for supper.The Lodge is situated on the N1 about five kilometres on the other side of the Huguenot tunnel.

Kleinplassie Dam Jonkershoek.
This dam in the Jonkershoek reserve has on occasions produced some very reasonable fishing. Fish rearing cages in the dam make for occasional breakouts that keeps a stock of fish in the water. Recently the dam has been quite turbid. Permits are available from the gate. Inside the reserve at the very top of the road to Jonkershoek. Travel through Stellenbosch and follow signs for Jonkershoek.

Bo Vlakte Barrydale.

This venue approximately 2 hours from Cape Town, 22 km from Barrydale (40km from Montagu) on the R62, is rapidly gaining a reputation for producing excellent fishing. The spring fed dams are clear and the winter weather a lot less wet than in Cape Town itself. There is wonderful self catering accommodation and a variety of dams to fish. Also 4X4 trails, bird watching. mountain biking,and hiking trails in the vicinity.
Bo Vlakte can be contacted:
Telephone: (028) 5721905
Cell phone: 0825791265 (Johan Marais)

Theewaterskloof

The largest man made water impoundment in the Cape, this water had the reputation of the best bass fishing in the country. However low water levels, incessant abstraction and the introduction of Carp and Sharptooth catfish have seen the fishing in this water decline. However if you are not fussy about your species you could get some terrific fishing for Carp, Bass, Catfish (Barbel) all in the same day on the same water.

Voelvlei.

Approximately 110 kms from Cape Town on the road to Tulbach, this large water supply dam is a haven for smallmouth bass and is favourite spot for the art lure and bass master anglers. It can be waded quite successfully although boat access can also be had, electric trolling motors and flipper craft only. The dam holds some very good bass as well as huge carp. Even a few trout although it would hardly be regarded as a trout fishing venue, although recent reports of good trout at the inlets have been received.

Vaalvlei
Situated close to the picturesque town of Stanford lies a little bit of trout fishing paradise in a mountain and farmland setting. Experience excellent trout and bass fishing in two spring fed lakes. There are two cozy self catering cottages and springbuck for company, within a stones throw of the lakes. Extras include wine tasting, bird watching and mountain biking.
Telephone: +27 28 3410340 info@vaalvlei.co.za www.vaalvlei.co.za

DuKloof  Lodge
Stillwater trout fishing in duToits Kloof, just off the N1 after the tunnel.


Three Streams Franschoek
This fishery is no longer available for fishing, unless you are an overnight guest.


 

River Venues.


Non CPS River Fishing

 

Dwarsberg.

Situated on the Holsloot river downstream of the CPS controlled water lies Dwarsberg, this venue offers several kilometres of private fishing and accommodation in lovely cottages. You can contact Dwarsberg on:

023 3491919 or e mail info@trouthaven.co.za or visit their web page on www.trouthaven.co.za

Jonkershoek fishery.
See stillwater section for details

 

The upper Berg River.

The Upper Berg River, is now no longer accessible.

The lower Berg River.

Too warm for trout for the most part , this water contains carp, bass, sharptooth catfish and other species. It provides mile upon mile of water, and for those prepared to target species other than trout there is huge potential for experimentation. Catching carp on fly tackle is still very much in it's infancy but the carp of the Berg are already developing a reputation for being extremely strong fighting fish.

The Berg river offers some exceptional fishing for Smallmouth bass.

At it's lowest point, the Berg River mouth offers saltwater flyfishing potential for Elf (Bluefish).

The Jan Du Toit's River.

This superb and unspoiled river is under the control of the Forestry department and limited visits are allowed to CPS members. The Jan Du Toit's is extremely isolated and a trip up this river is not for the unfit or unprepared. A popular hiking route, fishing can be interrupted by hikers especially during the weekends. The steep nature of the river means that the fish are often unable to locate suitable breeding partners and sections of the river hold few or no fish at all. There are however some very large fish in this water. The water has not been stocked for over 12 years and the onerous task of carrying fry up the river on one's back means that killing fish on this water is viewed in an extremely poor light, especially by those who have previously been involved with it's stocking. This is a fragile environment for trout and should be treated with the utmost respect and care.

Outeniqua Trout Lodge.

Situated in the North Western Cape inland of Plettenberg Bay, this lodge offers both stillwater and stream fishing.
The stream fishing of both the Keurbooms and Kwaai Rivers.
Further information on this fishery can be obtained from: www.outeniquatrout.co.za

Breede River.

All of the better trout streams of the Western Cape are headwaters of the Breede River system. The lower parts of the river from Rawsonville all the way to the start of the brack waters of the estuary as far as Malgas offer fishing for carp and bass, both largemouth and smallmouth.

Fishing can be accessed from private land along the river or float trips in boats, canoes, float tubes can offer some exceptional bass fishing. Flyfishing for carp is still in it's infancy on this water but there is huge scope for experimentation. The fishable sections of the Breede river add up to in excess of 200 Kilometres of river, and it offers some truly spectacular bass fishing when the water levels and temperatures are right. A simple fishing method is to access the water with canoes, getting in at one road bridge and getting out at the next. (Just remember to leave a car at the second bridge or you might be in for a long walk.)

Saltwater Venues.

Hermanus Lagoon
Close to Cape Town (about an hours drive) Hermanus lagoon can offer leerfish up to 7 Kg or more and Elf to 4 Kg have been taken. The lagoon suffers from extensive boat traffic during the summer months that can put paid to quality fishing, especially at weekend. The shoreline can be fished on foot near the mouth along the channel from Maanskyn bay and in front of Prawn flats, the remainder requires a boat.
This lagoon mostly offers fishing for Elf and Leerfish.

Bot River lagoon.
Not seen as a primary venue, this lagoon suffers from frequently becoming closed to the sea. However it can on occasions offer excellent fishing for both leerfish and elf and large mullet. A boat is essential.

Gordons Bay and Strand Coastline.
The coastline between Gordons Bay and Strand offers quality fishing opportunities for the flyrodder, fishing off the numerous rocky ledges for both elf and leerfish. Blakes beach offering one of the more popular spots.
Fishing is almost entirely dependant on the wind and associated water temperatures in this corner of the bay. Southerly and South Easterly winds
tend to produce the best fishing and from this corner of the bay they blow offshore to cross shore, an advantage for the flyrodder.

Sandvlei Lagoon.
This is one of the most interesting fishing venues in Cape Town being home to a wide variety of both freshwater and saltwater species in the same impoundment. Large Leerfish occur here and it is more than possible to take fish in excess of 10 Kg, however, the lack of tidal flow makes it difficult to predict where the fish will be. Top spots are near the mouth, from the "boat pond" up to past the "scout hut" and off Park Island. The waters amongst the houses of Marina Da Gama offer some respite from the wind in the summer. You are most likely going to have to spend a good deal of time to get fish here, but the rewards could be spectacular.

Milnerton Estuary.

Almost completely unfished this lagoon is very small and enters the cold Atlantic just North of the Cape Town harbour. On occasion it used to offer some very good fishing for both Elf and Leerfish. Fishing the channels from above the golf course to the sea can produce results if the water is warm enough. Recent problem with sewage has led to a decline of fish numbers, with very few species being recorded during surveys. After a sewage farm upgrade, summer 2009 showed a marked increase in fry, so it may once again become a visiting place of predatory fish.

Berg River Mouth.

The harbour at the mouth of the Berg river offers a good place to launch a boat to head out after Snoek which congregate in St Helena Bay from May to August. Summer months also see good fishing for Elf in this estuary.

De Mond

This beautiful and picturesque estuary about two hours from Cape Town, lies within a small nature reserve. Bait collecting is not permitted and there are very healthy populations of bait fish, and other food, prawns and crustaceans. Access is strictly controlled. You will require licenses to fish, and the reserve is only open between 7.00 and 15.00.
Flyanglers mostly target the leerfish, Grunter and Mullet of which both bullnose and stripped mullet can be taken. More and more anglers are targeting the mullet and grunter in this clear lagoon, but it is fishing for the dedicated and patient angler. Kob are also taken from time to time.

Breede River Mouth.
This is a very large estuary with saltwater tidal movement up to 40 Kilometres up river of the mouth. Famed for it's huge Kob, 100 lb fish used to be common here, there is also good fishing to be had for leerfish and elf, as well as grunter, mullet and perhaps Kob.
Most flyanglers target the leerfish or grunter, pushing tides opposite the hotel offer superb fishing for marauding shoals of leerfish, however fishing can be had much farther up the river. A boat is essential to make the most of this fishery.

Knysna Lagoon

A very large lagoon offering the same species as others mentioned here, but with the warmer water there are also Skipjack (Elops Machnata) to be targeted. The lagoon is huge with numerous side channels and islands and predicting the various tidal movements is an exercise in itself. Favoured fishing spots include the "bay of biscay" opposite Crab's creek, the channels off Belvedere, Ashmead channel and in front of the old "Tapas bar".
Leerfish can be taken with large poppers, or streamers like woolhead mullets, Skipjacks are found in very warm water and often take better on smaller patterns, marabou bendback, small woolhead mullets and the like. Grunter can be targeted in numerous channels and flats with crab and prawn imitations and good fishing can be had for mullet in a wide variety of spots.
It is possible to fish a number of these spots from the bank but a boat offers the angler much greater freedom and some of the bankside spots are very soft making wading treacherous.

Keurbooms and Bitou Estuaries.

Entering the sea at Plettenberg bay, these estuaries offer fishing for the same species as the Knysna lagoon. The Bitou and Keurbooms confluence can be fished from the bank with ease and this estuary is one where the bank angler can fish many of the better spots without need of a boat. Some of the favoured skipjack spots above the Aventura camp ground require boat access however. This is a very popular holiday destination and peak holiday periods almost invariably see a downturn in the fishing, probably as a result of the intense watercraft traffic.

 

Accommodation
 

Merwida Lodge
A beautiful country lodge in Rawsonville. Close to the streams and local restaurants. Only ten minutes drive from the best fishing in the Limietberg reserve. The perfect place to take a fishing break in comfort. Call 0233 491435

Angler & Antelope - Somerset East

The perfect stopover on the way from the Cape to Rhodes.Various accommodation options and a big range of wild fly fishing
Members of the CPS qualify for a 10% discount on accommodation.
More Info Here

 

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