The Witte River

SEE A MAP OF THE WITTE RIVER

The Witte River flows through the highest valley of the Bain's Kloof mountains outside the town of Wellington.
It is the only dedicated brown trout stream under the control of the Cape Piscatorial Society and although no stocking has taken place on the rainbow trout streams for a good many years the Witte hasn't been stocked at all.
It is a special river, perhaps held more dearly to the hearts of true Western Cape anglers than the other streams. Not because it produces the most fish because it doesn't, nor because it is easier to fish, it is not, it is however a remote place of clear water and beautiful spotted brown trout. Something unique and special.

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.

Official parking for the Witte River is at the top of the Bain's Kloof pass, at Erste Tol. There are however other off road parking spots along the pass, which can offer alternative routes to the river.

The fish.

The Witte River is home to some wonderful, self populating brown trout, a rarity in our waters. An experimental tagging program conducted in the 1980's proved beyond doubt that properly done, catch and release fishing produced far less fatalities than many people at the time believed possible.

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 Witte River is divided into six beats starting from Baviaans Kloof junction.

BEAT ONE Runs upstream from the junction with baviaan's kloof to the "hotel" (the hotel no longer exists but the buildings at Erste Tol designate the end of beat one.

BEAT TWO runs from Erste Tol to the hikers hut, and is manly steep sided, exit from the river to the path can only be safely gained in a few spots.

SEE A MAP OF THE WITTE RIVER