Beat 1 – 3

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Picnic Beat presents itself as an attractive piece of water with large shallow pools and runs that offer some testy fishing for some of the rivers larger rainbows.

The beat is approximately 1km in length and is best fished in the earlier part of the season due to the higher water levels and generally cooler water.

Picnic Beat can be accessed by leaving your car at the confluence of the Klip River and strolling down the road where the start of the beat is accessed via the rainwater channel that joins the river from under the N1.

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The start of the Helderwater Beat will greet you with some lovely dry fly water, where a good number of fish can be caught on most days. This section of river also widens substantially in sections, forming wonderful exposed runs and offers a good selections of trout lies. The shallow water can be comfortably waded for big rainbows.

Remember to fish both branches, when the river splits to form an island, even if the pools seem a bit on the small side.

Access to this beat is easily gained at the confluence of the Klip river and the beat ends at the weir further upstream.

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Donkergat is the start of the lower Smalblaar beats and consists of large open runs and several deep pools, some of which are too deep to wade.

Dry flies, long leaders and fine tippet are recommended for fishing to the spooky fish in the wide, shallow runs, while indicator nymphing works well in the deeper pools.

The weir on the Smalblaar marks the start of Donkergat Beat and it is suggested you park your car there too.