ABOUT FLY FISHING

The most important fly-fishing areas in the Highlands of the Eastern Cape are those upstream of the confluence of the Karringmelkspruit and the Kraai River , where several species occur, some of which can be taken on a fly. In the Middle Kraai catchment both indigenous Smallmouth (Barbus aeneus) and Largemouth yellowfish (Barbus kimberleyensis) are often caught. The former exist as far upstream as Rhodes on the Bell River , Knockwarren on the Bokspruit and Knighton on the Sterkspruit.

Brown trout (Salmo trutta are occasionally taken on the Bell River however a section of the Vlooikraalspruit known as the Willow Stream has a section dedicated to the species. The more opportunistic and less secretive rainbow trout (Oncorhynxcus mykiss) are found throughout the Middle and Upper Kraai catchments. They have even been netted downstream in the Gariep Dam, on the Orange River, although these fish may have originated in Lesotho ). Both species were introduced into the area shortly after the trun of the century and so should be considered virtually indigenous.

Another indigenous species, which occurs in the Kraai catchment, is the Sharptooth catfish, or Barbel (Clarias gariepinus). Of species unlikely to be taken on fly are the Chubbyhead barb (Barbus anoplus) and the Rockcatfish or Klipbaber (Austroglanis sclateri). The Kraai and its tributaries therefore provide a variety of fish to entice fishermen to this friendly and spectacular upland area of southern Africa .

These fishing waters can be accessed through the Wild Trout Association ( www.wildtrout.co.za ). River beats and still waters are to be found in the Eastern Cape Highlands located on the southern border of Lesotho . This area straddles the magisterial districts of Barkly East, Dordrecht , Lady Grey and Maclear including the village of Rhodes . Rhodes is at the geographical centre of the most fishing in the entire region.

The terrain is rugged and has numerous streams at over 2500m above sea-level that drain into sizeable rivers. Narrow streams in the headwaters eventually tumble down waterfalls & rapids which gradually descend into more readily accessible valleys lined in place with indigenous trees & exotic willows. The mighty Kraai River flows from the junction of the Sterkspruit and the Bell River at Moshesh's Ford to eventually enter the Atlantic more than 1000km downstream at Oranjemund.