| Date of Report: Friday, 11th September 2026 |
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Name: Dave Walker Email: dave@wildtrout.co.za Phone: 082 475 5775 Maclear. Dean Naude reports that the streams are high and dirty after heavy rain last week, but he expects the higher reaches to be fishable by the weekend. This is really good news as early September usually means very low flow before the onset of the first spring and early summer rains. There is also good news regarding FMD as all the cattle have been vaccinated so farmers are not demanding that visitor’s vehicles be sprayed, especially tyres and that anglers’ footwear etc must also be treated. The farm dams managed by the club are full and clear and were restocked with rainbows last December and with browns in April. Despite this there has been little fishing in these waters over winter. Unfortunately, the 8 to 11 October Ladies event has been cancelled as bookings were disappointing and there was some hesitation by potential entrants because of concerns about the FMD situation. Also note that as is normal all PG Bison waters which are in forested areas remain closed until the danger of fire is over. This is usually in the October/ November period. General information on the fishing in the Maclear area can be accessed by going to the Maclear Fly Fishing Club’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/p/Maclear-Fly-Fishing-Club-100057624511870/?_rdr. or website at https://www.maclear.co.za/activities/fly-fishing. Rhodes Dave Walker of the Wild Trout Association reports that unseasonal winter showers and good snowfall kept the streams flowing well throughout winter. Recent rain has further replenished the catchments, and the nearby Bell River is currently running high. See photo below. Regarding FMD, strict precautions still apply to anyone visiting the area to fish WTA waters. Details are available at https://www.fosaf.org.za/read-Current-491.php. For those preferring stillwater angling Loch Ness provides good sport but a 4x4 is preferred for a trip up to this high-altitude dam. It should be noted that the rainbows in the dam are all wild bred in the feeder stream and this water has not had to be stocked for many years. Barkly East Andrew Clark reports that they have had good early rain and even some snow, so all the streams are flowing strongly. Their streams were closed for fishing in April but have reopened on September 1 and should provide good sport once they fine down a bit. The Kraai River of course is in spate now and will take some time to clear. There are about 6 dams stocked by the club and all dams were restocked with large fingerlings in March and have already grown now to 30 to 40cm and look like fat rugby balls. See photos below. All anglers visiting farms need to have their vehicles sprayed with disinfectant at the Matla Energy fuel station which renders this service in town. Tickets for club waters at R150,00 are available from Andrew Clark at 084 5166471 or andrew.clark@bkb.co.za. Lady Grey Lupela Lodge state that their stretch the Karringmelk is running well after good early rain but there have been few bookings by anglers recently. The trout population may be on the low side, but this may not be a bad thing as this stream like many others in the area tends to be overpopulated at times.
Bell River at Rhodes today.
Maclear district.
Diepsruit, Barkly East district.
Stockies from the Barkly East dams. |
