Dullstroom Happenings

Flyfishing

• Dullstroom Dams .
  1. From 1 September 2005, both Town Dams are open to all members of the public - the lower dam is strictly a catch and release trophy dam.
  2. Access to the dams will be through the Caravan park gate and Oaklane private gate only.
  3. Flyfishing only - No bait fishing or spinning allowed.
  4. Catch limits apply to Upper Dam only, subject to the following note - anglers may fish on a catch-and-release basis as well as taking their catch limit.
  5. The Lower Dam is a catch and release only water - no fish may be taken under any circumstances (A R200 fine will be levied for each fish not returned to the water)
  6. Float tubes are permitted only on the Upper Dam, at an additional cost, subject to a maximum number of 4 float tubers per day. No boats or powered craft of any kind are permitted. Float tubers are requested to fish no closer than 50 meters to bank anglers.
  7. All fish that are taken are to be cleaned at the water's edge and entrails returned to the water.
  8. You are obliged to produce your permits at the request of any Dullstroom Dams bailiff
  9. All anglers must be in possession of a valid Mpumalanga Angling License - which they are required to produce when buying tickets (Available from Village Angler only)
  10. All anglers must be in possession of a valid permit to fish the Dullstroom Dams. These are only available from the locations listed below:
      • Town Dams - Caravan Park Main Gate

 

• Mavungana Flyfishing: 013 254-0270. Still water & river fishing. Guiding & instruction. Equipment hire & tackle. Hacker's Haven (signposted from main road) Jurassic Pond C&R trophy day waters. At the new Bird of Prey Centre just before the village coming in from Belfast is a beautiful spring fed three hectare lake. Well stocked with Rainbow and Brown trout. Stirctly catch and release, booking at the Mavungana Flyfishing Centre.
  Day fishing outings are on offer, with the assistance of a Mavungana guide. The rates are available from Mavungana. We also do day fishing on a beautiful farm called Onvervallei, where we own 2km of the upper Crocodile River. Fishing is entirely catch & release. High clearance or 4X4 vehicles only. Booking is essential. All rates are available from Mavungana Flyfishing..

 

• Elandskloof Trout Dams: 013 254-0136. Fishing in 10 dams: Rod fee includes 2 fish. Camping, chalets, pool. 9km direction Belfast, left to Machadodorp, travel for 5km.

 

• Dunkeld Country Estate : 013 254-0814 (13 Trout Dams )
  Fishing permits available @ Dunkeld Reception

Tackle sales and hire:

• Mavungana - Main Rd 013 254-0270; 07:00 - 17:00

 

• Village Angler - Next door to Poacher. 013 254-0045 09:00 - 17:00, closed Tue

 

• Vaid's Blue Shop - Slachtersnek St 013 254-0173 Mon-Fri 08:00-17:00;closed between 1 & 2; Sat 08:00-13:00; Sun 09:00-12:00
  
  
• Flyfishing Magic - Glenshee (The Valley of the Fairies), Machadodorp. - Glenshee is approximately 6kms from Machadodorp, on the R36, Carolina Rd.
  Glenshee waters consist of 2 trout dams and a bass dam that is suitable for float tubes and kick boats. 
  Glenshee has it's own hatchery and the waters are stocked regularily with Rainbow and Golden trout. Our 2kms of river are being upgraded presently and will soon be available for fishing.
  Day fishers are welcome.
  Rod fees are presently R100 per day (2010) which includes a bag of 2 trout and 2 bass.
  Caravan and camping facilities are available and there are club caravans available for hire.
  Contact: 013 256-9349. http://www.glensheea.webs.com
  
  

A FEW WORDS ON CATCH AND RELEASE

We understand that fish may be damaged during catch and release if appropriate caution is not taken, so we provide the following guidelines for catch and release:
• Use barbless or de-barbed hooks
• Play the fish to the bank as quickly as possible to minimize the fish's exhaustion
• Try not to handle the fish out of the water
• If possible, unhook the fish without removing it from the water - you may get a little wetter this way, but your fish is much more likely to survive
• If you need to weigh the fish, do it in the net (which should be knotless)
• Under no circumstances should you handle the fish's gills or squeeze it's lower body
• Preferably use pliers, forceps or a "Catchum" tool to hold the hook and "shake" the fish off in the water - a fish is much less likely to suffer damage by thrashing around in the water while you hold a hook, as opposed to being held or laid on the bank
• Once unhooked, if the fish does not swim away quickly and strongly, then support the fish in an upright position while it recovers
• If deep-hooked or gill hooked, then rather cut the line and release the fish - a fly cost a few rands - a trophy fish can cost hundreds to replace and, anyway, it deserves to live to fight another day!