Target Species: Small Mouth yellowfish , Large Mouth yellowfish

Sight fishing is without doubt the pinnacle of any form of sport fishing. Casting dry flies to cruising slabs of gold in the crystal waters of Sterkfontein is most definitely the finest inland fly fishing available in South Africa. Often referred to as freshwater bone fishing; firstly due to the slow stalk, sight, and cast methods used and secondly the blistering run of the small mouth yellowfish , sight fishing on this high altitude water is a truly unique experience. It is addictive!

Situated on the Drakensberg Escarpment, roughly 2000m above sea level, Sterkfontein is an impressive piece of water by any standards. This, the third largest Dam in South Africa has a shore line of over 100km’s offering a multitude of bays, points, peninsulas and rocky outcrops from which to fish.
The season at “Sterkies” runs from Nov to March.

As the waters edge over the 18oC mark towards the end of November, cruising yellowfish begin to feed higher in the water column in preparation to spawn. It is from this time onwards that one can almost exclusively fish dry flies to cruising yellows in search of a meal.

From late December, as the waters pass the magical 21oC mark the cruising fish move into the shallows prior to spawning. Here, watching shoals of over a hundred fish cruising the shallows is a common occurrence.

During these months massive caddis hatches, or scum lines kicked up by the winds, trapping a myriad of insect life, trigger surface feeding mayhem.