Trout Fishing in Africa

An appropriate objective would be "In how many countries can I catch a trout", rather than how many or how big a fish. My present total is 13 countries, which includes South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe, with almost but not quite a score for Lesotho, Zambia and Malawi.

Trout fishing does not loom large as an activity in Africa mainly due to lack of suitable waters and the climate. In South Africa my experience has been confined to fishing small artificial dams and lakes for rainbow trout of ½ to 1 lb size. These sites are found in National Parks, or developed as an attraction by

businesses such as country clubs, fishing clubs, wineries, farmers and backpackers. The most favored region is from Johannesburg to Durban, particularly in and around the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains.

The Royal Natal National Park has a dam which is stocked every three weeks with rainbow trout. Day tickets are sold at the Visitor's Centre.

The best fishing is found in the Trout Triangle which extends from Belfast, Machadodorp, Waterval Boven, Dullstroom and Lydenburg. In the heart of the Eastern Transvaal (2 ½ hrs drive from Joburg) is the village of Waterval Boven and the Boven Trout Lodge with 12 double ensuite rooms and sleeps 36. Tariff is from R295 pp/sharing. Fishing is done on several well stocked dams and on a few kilometers of the Elands River. The Waterval Boven Trout Association manage the fishery, which is like fishing on a golf course. Also in Mpumalanga flows the Sabie River which is stocked with rainbow and brown trout. The Sabie Trout Angling Club was founded in 1949 and supply day fishing permits and offer membership. The pristine clear waters are a challenge to the fly fisherman. Mount Lebanon Park backpackers located at the base of the Drakensberg has a beautiful dam full of rainbow trout to attract customers.

Zimbabwe has good rainbow trout fishing in the Nyanga National Park located in the Eastern Highlands bordering onto Mozambique. Dams are well stocked and the Pungwe River is exceptional. Two dams have brown and brook trout requiring a special license, details being available at the Park HQ.

Fotos:
Top foto: Mt Lebanon Backpacker's trout dam
Middle foto: Stocking a pond with rainbow trout, Natal National Park
Bottom foto: Early morning catch on the Pungwe River, Zimbabwe (all caught on a homemade Red Setter feathered lure).