| Date of Report: Thursday, 29th October 2026 |
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Name: Andre Burger Email: pafly@netactive.co.za Web: http://www.presentafly.com Phone: 083 632 8729 Eastern Free State. With higher temperatures and some very hot days Andre’s focus has switched to yellowfishing in Sterkfontein Dam where water temps always take some time to increase in this vast and deep dam. Although the trout dams in the Clarens and nearby districts are usually well stocked there is concern that the early summer season will be short due to the sharp rise in temperatures. Josh Wambach Ash River Outfitters in Clarens (josh@ashriveroutfitters.co.za) is in agreement regarding the trout section of the Little Caledon which has fished well until now, but the sustained heat and limited rainfall could place the trout under increasing pressure. The previous drought which was accompanied by very hot weather resulted in a severe drop in the trout population which has taken some time to recover. The Ash River on the other hand should remain comparatively resilient during this El Nino period with a strong, cool flow decanting near Clarens from the Katse Dam. For example, at the time of writing water temperature was still at an excellent 11°C. Lesotho. Keith Clover reports that at Makhangoa’s main camp on the Bokong the yellowfish migration up the river started earlier than usual. The trigger for this was the good August and September rain and there are now substantial numbers in the river. The resident trout population also welcomed the early rain so good numbers have been netted amongst the yellows.
The Little Caledon.
Ash River rainbow. |
