Flyfishing report: Saltwater - Garden Route

Fig 1. Is this GRFF member, with yet another beautiful kob (86 cm), the GOAT Garden Route flyfisher (See further info in the "Milestones 50+ Club" section)?

General: This report covers the period from 1 Oct to end November 2025. After several slow winter months in the Garden Route summer has eventually arrived and we all had high hopes that the fishing would also heat up. Did this happen? To find out keep reading.... to hear from the GRFF Members and the special times they had! And oh (or is that Ho-Ho-Ho?), let me not forget: "Are there any major changes that took place over the reporting period, and 2025, that I should mention? Well yes... I think it is fair to say that it is now Oh-FISH-al that the Garden Route is the undisputed Spotted Grunter capital of the world. While Spotted Grunter, Pomadasys commersonni, can be found all the way from India to Cape Town there is no better place to target them than in the estuaries of the Garden Route. We are seeing more local and international flyfishers specifically visiting our area to target these elusive fish. Many people that have been fortunate enough to also try and catch the various species of permit believe that, normally, it is much more difficult to catch a sight-fished Grunter than a Permit on fly. That said, there are a number of passionate Grunter Hunters in the area that are slowly unravelling the secrets of how to catch them more regularly. At the same time, we are seeing more flies and techniques being refined, such as people starting to use longer and lighter tippets and smaller flies etc. Why not spoil your partner and book a Garden Route Holiday to come and look at the scenery? Mmmm, and you might as well put a fly rod under the car seat, just in case.

Matt Zambetti reminded me that: "The past 2 years we have hosted our annual Salty Buggers Fly Fishing competition during December. However, during peak season the influx of beachgoers and boaters has contributed to low catch rates so a decision was taken to postpone to late January or early February when the waters are a bit calmer. Final date to be confirmed". Tight lines, till next time.

GARDEN ROUTE FLY FISHERS MILESTONES:

First (Garden Route) saltwater fish on fly:

• Ian Peacock - Spotted Grunter

Fig 2. Ian Peacock with his first saltwater fish. Ed: "And that nogal a Spotted Grunter!"

First Garden Route Spotted Grunter on fly:

• Ian Peacock

New species of Garden Route fish caught by member:

• Willie van Wyk - First Kob and Steenbras
• Deon Wilken - White Steenbras
• Niel Malan - Knysna Goby Ed: "Normally these tiny fish are Grunter food, but this one jumped onto a Goby pattern. Hooked in the mouth, but I can only assume it was looking for a quickie!"

Fig 3. A proud Willie Van Wyk with his first Kob on fly. Ed: Mooi so Willie!

Entry into the 50+ Club[Ed: 50 fish or multiples of 50 of a specific species from the Garden Route]:

• Mike Dohlhoff - Garrick, Spotted Grunter and Kob (>250 of each species)!! Ed: "In every report we have seen Mike posing, or not posing, with stunning fish. How the bugger does it I don't know, but if he is not the GOAT of the Garden Route flyfishers, then he is certainly the Breede River GOAT flyfisher. Well done Mike!"
• Please send me your details for inclusion in the next report.

BELOW IS SOME FEEDBACK PROVIDED BY MEMBERS RELATED TO THE INDIVIDUAL SYSTEMS:
As always, thanks to all the members that have kindly offered information and stories. Without you this report would have been very short and feeble. That said, there are still many shy people that are not sharing their catches and info - let's hope they will also soon come to the party.

Breede River Estuary (Witsand/Cape Infanta):
Our regular correspondent, and fishing machine, Mike Dohlhoff reported: "Morning Niel, things this side have been a lot better the last 2 months....Kob and Garrick have been available on most sessions provided you put the time in...mostly smaller class (sub 50 cm) but in between some half decent specimens as well.

Grunter have mostly been elusive but a few are coming out....the bait guys are catching some really big fish but these are generally absent from the mud flats except at very low light. The sand has some really good fish but as you are aware they are very tough.

Of note is a friend who has recently converted to the long rod managed to connect with a beautiful 86 cm Kob after much trying and refusing to give up. Proof that time on the water and persistence reaps rewards.

Another interesting thing is I have been catching several decent Garrick upriver whilst fishing for kob with very large flies on a really slow retrieve.....in the lower areas near the mouth this does not work well. Here a rapid strip and smaller flies are the ticket....poppers are still the method of choice for bigger class fish if you have the energy.

I am optimistic going forward but long for our weed beds to return to the mud flats....these have disappeared over the last few years and probably explain the mostly absent tailing grunter in the shallows in daylight hours.

Some 4 or 5 years ago we had phenomenal grunter fishing but this is no longer the case .....lucky we still have above average fishing for Kob and Garrick. I found this pic of Green point a few years ago....it was at this stage that Grunter were prolific in the shallows ....nowadays it's mostly a mud desert although prawns are still abundant, the cover is missing...I wonder if any of the clever chaps out there can explain the transition? This past winter we had no big floods which in the past deposited silt on the banks so I am wondering why the aquatic grass has not returned?

Fig 4. Note the abundant Eel Grass that Mikerefers to above.

Fig 5: Chris Cawood with a peach ... 86 cm Kob! Ed: "Great determination Chris and great fish!"

Fig 6: Not to be outdone, Mike Dohlhoff with yet another stunning Kob! (Note: check the jig fly)

Fig 7: Mike Dohlhoff with yet another stunning Garrick!

Unlike Mikewho resides in Witsand at the mouth of the Breede some of us only have the opportunity to visit here occasionally.

Recently Willie van Wyk and I visited Cape Infanta for a few days of fun. Over to Willie: "I recently joined my good friend and mentor, Niel Malan, for a few missions to my favourite estuary. Still being able to count my grunt-on-fly successes on one hand; advancing from the mudflats to the sand flats seemed only slightly ambitious. I reckoned just seeing some fish would be enough for starters... Our first outing on the sand featured perfect sunny conditions and from the turn of the tide, we stalked the flats for a total of seven hours. And that was just the afternoon session!

A few hours in, my partner in crime finally went vas and by now having seen a few fish, I was starting to froth hard. It all came together for me in the space of fifteen minutes during which I had three hookups. The feeling of going tight on a Grunter in less than a foot of crystal clear water is insane. The feeling of the first two coming off after a few seconds was correspondingly sickening, to say the least. The third one stuck however and I hollered so loudly that Niel heard me about a kilometer away! Ed: "Indeed, and I briefly considered wading across to take a pic, but it was just too far away ...... I will just tell Willie I didn't hear him!"

The only Spookvlieg in our possession had paid off. That evening, it hooked into a fourth Grunter on the mud, which popped off at my feet... some rookie never checked his tippet. Ed: "I saw that large 55+ cm fish and it was indeed a pity he lost it right next to his feet. Did it perhaps get a fright when it smelled his feet and then bolted off? Who knows". "I also got my first White Steenbras on that same fly earlier, so losing the now legendary Spookie was a real bummer. In addition to those two firsts, I managed my first Kob on fly first thing that morning, making it a truly memorable day!"

James Christmas also visited the Breede briefly and chipped in with this story: "There are some species and maybe situation specific experiences with these species that can occupy a less than healthy amount of time in our hearts and minds...

Grunter on the white sand at Infanta/ Witsands...I have been fortunate to spend more than a decade putting people into their "catch of a lifetime" on the various atolls of the Seychelles. The obsession with permit was one of those species...

Grunter have come to occupy that space now that I find myself permanently on home soil... After a number of trips with numerous close calls, feeling the tug of a fish but not quite for long enough to claim it as hooked, seemed to be the sum total of my efforts for trip after trip... every rush to the fly, attitude change of the fish only fueled the fire...

This last trip, everything aligned... I managed to achieve what many consider the pinnacle of what we do - finally getting one of these unicorns to hand... As with my first permit, I think the floodgates have opened - and I'm already plotting my next assault on these elusive trophies..." Ed: Awesome, very lekker James Christmas! Congratulations. It was good to share the moment with you and then also hook my own Grunter minutes later - nearly a double-up. Now that would have been nice".

Fig 8: James Christmas with his first sight-fished Grunter caught on the Breede sand flats.

Niel Malan (Ed: "that's me") visited the area on 2 occasions and spent every sunny moment on the sand flats and the rest of the time higher up in the muddy areas. On the first trip I managed a 54cm Grunter on the sand flat and 3 in the muddy areas. I also landed 4 White Steenbras, a Cape Stumpnose and a Puffer fish - the latter I cast at in frustration after the Grunter all showed me the middle-fin! During the next trip there were very few fish in the muddy areas and I only landed a single Grunter on the sand flat.

Fig 9. Niel Malan with one of his Grunter caught on the sand flats.

The last day I was at the Breede I bumped into Ruan Jacobs. He mentioned that he caught a few shad and a Kobbie near the mouth that morning and soon after we left the Grunter must have moved down to the muddy areas and he started catching them over the channel on surface flies. Ruan said: "Hi Niel, Dis Ruan (die ou wat met jou op die sandbank gepraat het). Wou net jou update vir die GRFF report. Die prawn walk is besig om plaas te vind en het 10 grunter 'n session gevang. Ook n paar leervis en kabeljou gekry. Fishing is great hier en ek hoop julle het ook n paar gekry". Mooi so Ruan, well done!

 
Fig 10: One of Ruan Jacob's smaller Grunter he caught, but it is such a pretty picture that I decided to rather use this one.

Fig 11: Ruan Jacob'sCape Stumpnose.

Goukou River Estuary (Stilbaai):
Our regular contributor Philip Meyer said that: "The fishing in Stilbaai has been silent, still, and quiet lately. I headed out to my "secret spots," only to realise that these spots are apparently secret to the fish in the Goukou as well - they clearly have no idea where they are or how to get there.

The river has changed dramatically since last season: more sandbanks, more weed beds, shallower, and noticeably saltier due to the lack of rain. When we moved to Stilbaai in 2018, my son caught 13 octopuses in the river over just two months (all released). There was redbait growing on the rocks and plenty of cuttlefish around. It feels like the river is going through this cycle at the moment.

The water is sitting at around 21C and is very clear. There are some Grunter around, though not many, mostly in the deeper holes. My sons had a few good grunter sessions on bait over the past month, but the fish were all in deeper water and fairly small (35 - 40 cm), schooling fish. The bigger ones seem to be solitary, and in my opinion, they're resident fish - there aren't many, but they're there.

Right now, large schools of mullet are drifting lazily on the surface, completely unconcerned about predators. I'm sure there's more action at night. I haven't seen a Leerie recently, but I'm certain they're close - probably hunting near the river mouth. I'll go check it out soon.

I did, however, manage to land a Blue Stingray, foul-hooked in the snout on a pink Clouser. This flatfish is the only fish I've caught recently, apart from some Mullet. The snorkel and goggles are ready - time to take a look at what's really happening down there'. Ed: "Privately Philip added: " Dis maar n kak report, maar dit is hoe die visvang nou hier is".

Fig 12: Philip Meyer's only ray of hope during the reporting period.

Gourits River Estuary (Gouritsmond) :
No information received.

Kleinbrak River Estuary:
Martin Fourie said that: "Caught this Grunter in Kleinbrak on an Ironman. Nearly skipped the session due to bad weather, so glad I didn't. What a great moment since this was my second Grunter ever and the previous one was just over 10cm, so it feels like a first. Ed: "Well done Martin Fourie and thanks for the info. A massive upgrade!"

Figure 13. Martin Fourie's second, and PB, Grunter.

Benno Klinck mentioned that fishing in Grootbrak was slow, but "I did however manage to get my first Grunters in Kleinbrak. One on the tried and tested Ironman and another on a Goby pattern I tied." Ed: I like Philip Meyer's comment on Benno's tiny Grunt (picture not included) Dit is special Benno, baie cute met mooi pienk lippies en astrante rugvin, vis met attitude!" Indeed.

Fig 14. One of Benno Klinck's Grunters.

Niel Malanadded: "I had a quick session at Kleinbrak on my way to the Breede, but the tide was still much too low. That said, I did see a few decent fish and had an aggressive follow. Definitely worth trying here again on a pushing tide.

Grootbrak River Estuary:
Benno Klinck kindly provided feedback on the situation at the Grootbrak estuary. He said: "Hi Niel, Grootbrak fished slow over this period. Only caught a couple of Garrick while casting blind. The mouth has closed up again and algae is already on most of the flats". Niel Malan added: "I had a quick session at Grootbrak on my way to the Breede. The tide was dead low so not ideal, but seeing it was sunny I decided to take a quick stroll. Well, in the end a not-so-quick stroll - I walked right around the island and did not see a single Grunter. At least got in a few steps.

Touwsrivier Estuary (Wildernis):
Rens Techman reported that there are "Leeries all around at Sedgefield and Touwriver". Ed: "Noted that the mouth of the Touws River is currently closed".

Swartvlei River Estuary & lake (Sedgefield):
Johann Rademeyerreported: "Hi Niel, only got home a couple of days back and haven't spent much time fishing. I had 2 sessions with mates on Sedgefield. Got 2 Kob, loads of smaller Garrick with one very nice fish for my mate Brett that was visiting from the States. I also managed to have a good session in the surf on fly getting quite a few young Garrick and Shad in between the waves".

Fig 15. Brett Ayotte with a lekker Garrick.

Diffie de Klerck mentioned that: "Got my PB grunt yesterday. Summer is lekker!" Ed: "Mooi so Diffie!

Rens Techman was of the opinion that there are "Leeries all around at Sedgefield and Touwriver". Ed: "How he knows, I don't know (Hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie) as he seems to have opted to rather work than fish. Bad decision Rens".

Fig 16. Diffie De Klerk with his new PB Grunter!

Mariska Bartlett caught a nice juvenile leerie on one of Philip's Clousers. She said she saw good numbers of Grunters.

Goukamma River Estuary:
No information received. Please refer to the previous reports where you will find LOTS of info! 

Knysna River Estuary:
I heard from Craig Smiththat he has seen virtually no Spotted Grunter over the normal mudflats, but that he reckons they will be arriving soon. Well ...................... Apparently Smokey disagrees.

Talking of Smokey..... Smokey reported that: "Howzit, only fished a few quick sessions in Knysna with Craig, Kyle and once with Simon.... have landed 8 grunts I think, can't remember. Some big fish around which is kiff." Ed: "This big guy has a habit of finding the big fish - I only get the small ones. Well, perhaps one day when I grow up...".

Fig 17. Smokey with another big Grunter.

Matt Zambetti added "Got my first Bartailed Flathead on fly. Walking the sand in Knysna almost stepped on a 35cm flathead. He turned and slowly swam away without a care. I lobbed a small Clouser about 10ft past it. The bugger grabbed it without a second thought! After a short fight I had him in my hands. Unfortunately didn't manage a photo". Jared Odell remarked "Nice, haven't seen one yet in Knysna". Ed: Looks like a special catch for that system Matt. Well done!

Deon Stevens added: "I got 5 Grunter over the past 2 weeks fishing solo and with Steve Berkhout's group, and a couple of Garrick. Over to Steve Berkhout: "The previous (and first time) that I fly fished anywhere on the Garden Route I tried on my own, I fished from the sand bank at low tide in the middle of the Knysna Lagoon into the main channel and had a few chases of what looked like small Leerie but ultimately I blanked. They seemed to follow the fly all the way to the rod tip but no cigar. This time I fished with Deon Stevenin mid-November. We fished Plett for 2 days and Knysna for 1. I got my first Grunter and first Garrick in Knysna. Then in Plett I lost a Grunter right at my feet and missed 2 or 3 Garrick. See also: Flyfishing Knysna and Plettenberg Bay for Spotted Grunter and Garrick - https://youtube/LC9fPoNUMws?si=NG_JAx8OsMjThVwQ.

Fig 18. Steve Berkhout with his first Grunter caught in Knysna.

Fig 19. Steve Berkhout with his Garrick caught in Knysna.

Adam Harris reported that: "On Saturday 22nd Nov, Cornel took me out on his boat and we fished Knysna for the day. Hit the water early to catch the tides. Managed a small Leerie under the Red Bridge early in the day, then later another at the sandbank above the train bridge. Loads of juvies around but tough fishing. We landed three fish the entire day but had a blast. Thanks to Cornelfor a great day out on the water!"

Fig 20: An excited Adam Harris with one of his juvenile Garrick.

Lastly, Niel Malan fished Knysna once and blanked - a normal session.

Keurbooms and Bitou Estuaries (Plettenberg Bay):
Niel Malan, Deon Steven, Deon Wilken and Steve Berkhout's groupfished this system during the reporting period. Between them they managed to land several juvenile Garrick, a few Southern Mullet and some Spotted Grunters.

Deon Wilken informed me that: "On 20 October, armed with some 'Sage' advice from a few fellow GRFF members last night, I managed to entice a few nibbles today. Lost a few mullet but bagged a baby Steenbras (my first on fly) and a modest Grunter, before the seal arrived. Both on the Goby fly pattern we learned to tie recently. Water nice and warm in Keurbooms". Ed: "That is awesome Deon, what a good session and I am glad that the Goby fly has produced again. Personally, I have also bagged a few more Grunter on that fly and Marius Rousseau, see next section, reported that it works well: "Ja, as jy hom reg gooi en hulle sien hom dan eet hulle - dit is 'n game changer daai".

Niel mentioned: "I was away for a few weeks during the reporting period but managed to fit in 9 sessions. I opened the reporting period with a Grunter and a Knysna Goby on the first session, where after the Grunter became very scares and I had several blank sessions and had to settle for 3 juvenile Garrick and 3 Southern Mullet. Then on 30 November I went out again and saw good numbers of Grunter so I fished the entire day. So long that my Garmin's battery even went flat. I fished a new experimental fly and managed to land 6 Grunter. All sight-fished and a new session best for me. Needless to say, I enjoyed every moment.

Steve Berkhout: "I fished with Deon Stevenin mid-November. We fished Plett for 2 days In Plett I lost a Grunter right at my feet and missed 2 or 3 Garrick".

Groot Rivier - Nature's Valley:
No information received. Please refer to the previous reports where you will find LOTS of info!

Kromme River Estuary:
Marius Rousseau, our regular respondent, reported that: "Hi Niel some good Grunter fishing here on the Kromme. I got 7 on the sand today and a Mullet and over the past month I have been fortunate to bring a number of fish over 60cm to hand, it is the best post winter season I have experienced so far. Andreas Yiarroulis has caught 25 Grunter since I guided him in October on the three or so occasions, he has been down here from Johannesburg his best day landing 8 sight fishing. Ian Peacock caught a big Grunter on his guided day out his first saltwater fish on fly. Marchandt Pawson has also caught a large number of fish in this period. Miraanother friend of mine has also caught a few Grunter on the sand.

Dredging is in full swing on the Kromme to deepen the main channel and the big Dredger is starting up soon this to pump huge volumes of sand out to the Beach area in an attempt reestablish the St. Francis beaches. The impact this will have on the River will hopefully be positive".

Fig 21. A pretty Blacktail that fell for one of Marius Rousseau's flies.

Fig 22. Well done on a beaut of a Grunter Marius Rousseau!

Fig 23. Andreas Yiarroulis with one of many Grunters he caught during the reporting period.

Rock and Surf:
Johann Rademeyer reported: "Hi Niel, only got home a couple of days back and haven't spent much time fishing. I managed to have a good session in the surf on fly getting quite a few young garrick and shad in between the waves".

Fig 24. A pretty Garrick caught in the surf by Johann Rademeyer- very special!

Off shore:
Anthony Dinham reported that: "Hi Niel, been exploring some of the inshore shallow reefs around Mossel Bay as the weather starts to improve. Some interesting species landed, with the highlight being a good sized Santer. Still amazed at how hard these fish fight and how aggressively they hit a fly. A lot of fun on a fly rod". Ed: "Awesome, thanks Anthony, love the offshore species".

Fig 25: Anthony with a lekker Santer.

Niel Malan added: What a beauty Anthony! Still on my bucket list. I will be at Mossel Bay point Caravan Park Friday and was wondering if it would be worth exploring a few gullies?" Robin Fick replied: "Try on the exposed reefs in front of Hartenbos. Picked up one there among the Elf. Anthony: "Elf have been loose that side hey, even get a bit annoying at times. Definitely. Depending on tide you can fish that whole area in front of caravan park right around to harbour back entrance. There's a promenade that goes from the restaurants at the point right around. Blacktail, Roman and Santer all very achievable amongst others". Ed: "This is just an example of the benefits of being on the GRFF Whatsapp Group - lots of wisdom and people willing to share information. Ok, so perhaps you will have to offer them a cold beverage at the next get-together, but a small price to pay".

Robin Fick reported that: "Plenty Bonnies at Mossel Bay. Been nice size and putting up long and strong fights. Water 20 degrees". Ed: "Do you perhaps have a picture for me Robin?" Fick Robin: "No, too busy fishing"! Ed: "Lekker Robin!" Matt agrees: "Offshore the Bonnie's are starting to get really active".

Rivers:
No info received. Please refer to the previous reports where you will find LOTS of info!

Still waters:
Matt Zambetti reported: "Hi Niel, 2 great freshwater trips for GRFF for the period - a bunch of guys went to Calitzdorp and pinned a number of yellows - Anthony Dinhamwas the fish whisperer working out how to best tempt the patrolling fish to take his flies. The dam is worth a visit. We also had a day out at Portland Manor fishing for bass - a lot of effort has been put into improving the quality of the dam with the reeds at the edges and the chickweed brought under control. This has made much more of the dam accessible and many small bass were landed - a few monsters spotted in the clear tea coloured water".

For more GRFF info and interaction also see:

https://chat.whatsapp.com/HACHmHcoEcbE00DnOdBdNs