Flyfishing report: Trout - Winterberg & Stormberg

Winterberg.

Thrift is overflowing, the water is clear and although the area has been plagued by high winds and repeated cold fronts during the short gaps in between the fishing has been excellent. A group from Richards Bay were up for about a week and took 77 fish during the short periods when they could get on the water. These ranged from 1kg to plus 3,2kg.

Then last week two fish of 4kg were taken, one a rainbow and the other a brown.

Hopefully the weather will now stabilise but it is recommended that anglers booking in the cottages take plenty firewood as it can be bitterly cold and the water temperaure has already dropped to about 11°C.

While the dam is overflowing Martin recommends that anglers try the stream below which often has a good population of would be spawners at this time of year.

Regarding the FMD threat fortunately there is only one entry point to this fishery which makes the disinfection procedure to prevent FMD much easier compared with many other venues which have multiple entry points or where one must also travel through neighbouring farms. Everyone entering the property must carry out a comprehensive spray of vehicle wheels, hubbs and buckets plus footwear and tubes or flotation devices using F10 disinfectant. Boots, waders etc must also be disinfected.

The Redcliffe dams which include the popular Ventnor are open on a limited basis because of the threat of foot & mouth with large numbers of both cattle and sheep at risk. This is the wetter side of the Winterberg and is thus more favourable for the spread of FMD. There are fewer anglers than normal booking in but the dams are well stocked and a rainbow of 3,3 kg was taken recently.

Stormberg (Queenstown area).

Reg Morgan, chairman of the QFFC says that most their club waters are open and virtually all have a spray point at the entry gate. The rule is that one may only fish one dam on a property and not travel from dam to dam. This is not a major disadvantage as most of their QFFC managed dams are large.

It is more difficult to gain entry to the largest dam, Pinegrove as precedence is given to anglers who have booked the accomodation on the property.

All dams are full to overflowing and a couple of really big fish have come out of the Snowdon trophy dam. The club is now looking for a hatchery which can supply brown trout.

The annual Xplorer/QFFC Gathering is scheduled for 3 to 5 July and is fully subscribed.

The Highland Lodge waters.

Vicky Bell at Highland Lodge reports that all their dams are overflowing and with the onset of frost the weed is dieing back. This die-off has been particularly beneficial to the large Spurwing Dam which had become quite weedy. After a stormy, windy period the weather is more settled and flyfishers are taking good numbers of trophy sized fish. Most of the restocking has been completed with one more delivery still to arrive.

Somerset East.

Alan Hobson is delighted that they received 70 to 120ml of follow up rain so the dams are brim full, the fountains are flowing and the Little Fish is in good order so they look forward to an excellent winter season. Fortunately the restocking of the waters was well timed as it was done shortly after the rain and the arrival of cold weather with water temperatures down to 12°C . In the meantime the Bankberg Club has purchased battery operated spray to faciltate the required FMD precausions which are required.

If one goes to our Events page at https://www.fosaf.org.za/calendar.php you will note that the local Bankberg Club will be holding their annual trout festival from 11 to 13 September.

The Little Fish near Somerset East

Spurwing Dam, Dordrecht district.

A fine rainbow taken from a QFFC dam by Ewan Naude.