Oprah Winfrey, the well-loved and much-admired American television host and network chairman, actress, producer and philanthropist, is a natural at fly fishing. While her first attempt at the sport on her first camping trip in Yosemite National Park in California was filmed for her 2011 farewell season, she quickly realised that “no self-respecting trout” was going to come within a mile of so much activity. Needless to say she did not find anything to catch and release that day, much to the relief of her best friend Gayle King who was out of her comfort zone and found nothing exciting about being crotch-deep in waders, despite the beautiful scenery.
In South Africa, tourists seeking Drakensberg accommodation in this, the highest mountain range in the country, may well be looking for the solace that this sport brings to the recreational or specialist fisherman. Drakensberg accommodation, like the Drakensberg Sun Lifestyle Resort, takes visitors travelling inland by car 4,5 hours from Johannesburg and two hours from Durban.
Those looking for the authentic wilderness experience should head for the Giants Cup Wilderness Reserve, a registered site of conservation significance, which is arguably the best and most beautiful wild-trout fly-fishing destination in southern Africa.
Drakensberg accommodation near the Umzimkulwana River and self-sustaining populations of wild-spawning rainbow and brown trout will take you closer to nature and the breathtaking bliss of tuning into the environment to practice your skill.
Fly fishing is one of American actress Jane Fonda’s favourite pastimes. She loves watching her line “sail smoothly through the air to gently uncurl on the water” as dawn breaks or dusk falls. You’ll enjoy a similar experience near Drakensberg accommodation.
Fonda believes fly fishing is the perfect sport for women because they are more artistic and detail-oriented. She highlights perfecting your cast, studying the local surroundings to figure out where your target might be hiding, and learning what hatches happen when as some of the many intricacies of the sport. It’s a “mixture of the delicate, artistic, sporting, and intellectual”.
There are several other fly fishing spots to visit near Drakensberg accommodation in the area known as the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. The upper Dargle area has the kind of pristine water and high altitude that is perfect for trout fishing. At Tillietudlem, you can try your hand at fly fishing for rainbow and brown trout, plus South African yellowfish, in five dams and the Eland’s River. These waters are managed according to a catch-and-release policy for trophy fishing of fish in excess of 4 kg. Ask about their guided fishing and fly-fishing clinics.
Nottingham Road also offers the calm and tranquility synonymous with perfect fly-fishing conditions with Drakensberg accommodation near some of the finest still water and river fishing in South Africa. There, operators have exclusive access to the Bushman’s River, and the brown trout fly fishing it yields.
It doesn’t matter how experienced you are, where you come from, or what your age is. Everybody can learn to fly fish and experts are on hand to help. Rods and tackle are available for hire at this Drakensberg accommodation – flies and consumables are for your own expense.
These Midlands destinations are but a few that offer this kind of relaxation around Drakensberg accommodation, and you’ll find them on the popular Midlands Meander.
In summer, the fish are most active at dawn but the larger, deeper lakes can deliver fish all day. In the cold winter, the best fishing is often at dusk, when the water is warmest. In the brilliantly clear water, choose size 16 to 22 flies to get you closer to a successful catch.