Trout Rainbow

Caught a beautiful Golde Trout on a dry fly – a Bee Imitation Fly (I’ve tried to include a pic), which I bought in a lucky packet mix of flies in a store called Canadian Tire a year before when I was in Canada on a holiday. Much to my co-fishermen surprise, especial after I had to endure ridicule as to whether this particular fly would ever catch anything in its life.

We call ourselves big fish country, this Lake has only recently been available to the public as a fishing spot and being catch and release we are able to maintain the fish holding. The water was previously named Ferndale dam by farmers/fisherman in the area. We regularly stock with 8 inch and 1 kg trout and with the catch and release policy our fishermen continually catch big trout. The biggest fish caught in our waters are 13lbs, and many 7, 8lbs fish.

Fishing on the continent of Africa is guaranteed to leave the stress of the modern day world behind. When you are looking for that complete break there is nothing more fulfilling than time spent experiencing a South African Fishing Adventure in some of the most awe inspiring parts of South Africa.

10 Top Tips For Trout Fishing
1. Know when the Trout can see you. You need to know what the Refractive Window is to prevent scaring the fish away.
2. Beware the monocular vision of your prey.
3. The colour of your clothing matters. By wearing certain colours you are better camouflaged from the fish.
4. The best time to fish for trout is, surprise surprise, feeding time. It's important to understand the particular ecosystem in which you are fishing so that you can determine when this feeding time is.
5. It is still possible to catch them even outside of their feeding times but you'll need to work extra hard to entice the fish.
6. Trout are extremely sensitive to noise. Even the faintest crunch of gravel underfoot can scare the fish away.
7. Smoking a cigarette while fishing will drastically reduce your chances of a catch.
8. Choose the correct line colour and catch more fish.
9. When the conditions are just right, you can initiate a feeding frenzy among the trout. Water temperature plays an important role in trout feeding habits.
10. Keeping a fishing diary will greatly improve your long-term fishing success.

Fly fishing only is permitted at Lake Naverone, and is available year-round on the 23ha lake and the 3 ha lower dam which are well stocked with brown and rainbow trout. In season, the 7km stretch of Umzimkulu River can be fished for wild rainbows. There is no rod fee and rods are available for hire; there is free tuition for beginners.

Try your skills on the lake or the river.

The lake and ponds both hold rainbow and brown trout, from smaller stock fish to magnificent specimens of 3kg and more. The Naverone angling record has stood at 3.75kg for some years, but Parks Board hatchery managers have netted fish of up to 4.5kg (about 10lb) for breeding. We stock with top quality wild spawn trout (80% rainbow, 20% brown) which, because of the near-perfect conditions at

Lake Naverone, grow rapidly from 50g or so at stocking, to around a kilogram within 12 months. They are also exceptional fighters, on account of their genetic makeup, so be warned that you should use at least a 6lb tipped, together with a decent length of backing, in case your fly tempts a heavier fish. Our 7km of rivers teem with wild rainbows, providing some of the best angling of its type in South Africa. The section of the Mlambonja River immediately upstream of our eastern boundary has been improved with stone weirs to retain more holding water for trout. These fish tend to be small, (mostly under 30cm), but they are superb fighters. Light tackle and fine tippets are advised

Catch the big one or at least have the opportunity to boast about it. Early morning base fishing or laid back barbell and carp fishing, right from our waterfront. Also trout fishing in the area.

Berry Lodge is the result of 4 years searching and sifting through the shacks and properties that have come available in Miena to establish a self cater fishing lodge. We wanted to capture the entire highlands experience from the views across to great lake to the comfort of coming home on a cold winters day to the roaring open stone fireplace, an atmosphere we enjoy and had to create and capture to make the experience one that we, and our guests, would want to keep coming back for.

The Lodge itself is constructed of Cedar and Pine with an extensive front veranda offering views to the great lake. Accommodation consists of three bedrooms with two Queen beds and two sets of Double /Single bunks, enough to sleep up to 10. In the main living room there is an enormous stone open fireplace, LCD TV, DVD player, CD player and stereo, Fly tying bench. In the BAR/Library room there is a combustion heater and huge armchairs to come home to, to enjoy one of the states wines. The Kitchen is new with all the usual mod cons including a chest freezer to prepare your catch for transport home, the bathroom is modern and new and has a separate shower and a corner spa.

Tackle and fly gear can be easily stored in the designated tackle room with rod holders etc. and there is also a drying room for waders and wet gear as well.

Car and Boat accommodation is superb with a full drive in drive out turning area and large undercover carport.

We are sure a stay at Berry Lodge will be one of comfort and memories and we look forward to seeing you soon.

“Fair Game Scotland” want you to enjoy Scottish hospitality and Scottish leisure. Let us take care of all your needs and requirements. The pace of your day or activity is up to you. All we need to know is what you would like to do. We will organise everything from Airport pick up to dinner reservations.

Fishing
"A bad day’s fishing is better than a good day’s work”

* Transportation to and from your Hotel or Airport

* Catering: Cooked Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner all served at the “Ludge”, should you require.

* Salmon Fishing: Demonstration and Tuition included

* Presentation and Corporate Gift: Included in our corporate hospitality packages.

The villages of Dunkeld and Birnam lie idyllically beside each other in one of the most beautiful and picturesque areas in the the whole of Perthshire, if not Scotland. Flowing majestically between the two is the world famous river Tay. This is an area steeped in history and tradition. Dunkeld is the ancient Scottish capital, indeed, as you stroll along the river bank you will find the world famous Birnam Oak, the last surviving tree of the wood in Shakespeare's Scottish play, Macbeth. “I look'd toward Birnam, and anon, methought, The wood began to move.” Here too is where you will find the famous salmon fishing beat of lower Newtyle.

Ian Redford, formerly a Scottish International Footballer, ex Dundee FC, Glasgow Rangers, Dundee United and Ipswich Town, now a 2 handicap golfer, is the co-owner of lower Newtyle and founder of Fair Game Scotland.

“Fair Game Scotland was born through my idea to provide a means for people to savour a taste of traditional Scottish leisure. My whole working life has been in professional sport and, over the years, I have travelled throughout the world and have experienced what many countries have to offer in terms of leisure pursuits. To me, the tranquillity, breathtaking natural beauty, tradition and diversity of the Scottish countryside has never been surpassed.

Lower Newtyle has been in the Redford family for over thirty years. There’s a fine tradition of friendship and hospitality and, in our charming fishing “Ludge”, many tales have been told over the years about fish caught and the characters who have graced the Newtyle water. Here we have one of the few beats on the river Tay which has managed to retain that unique and charming atmosphere which is so good for the soul. I call it the Newtyle therapy!

Jock Monteith, our resident Gillie, has his heart very much in the Tay. As a boy he was taught to fish and learned all about the river through his mentor, the late and legendary, Willie Laird (“Willie the Gillie”). Nobody today knows the water better than Jock and no-one will try harder to get you a fish than Jock “The Otter”.

Of course, first and foremost, you want to catch a Salmon, but you also need to relax and unwind. You want to be able to sit in the warmth and comfort of the “Ludge”, eat good food and drink fine wine or a “hae a wee dram” whilst relaxing in our tranquil and picturesque surroundings.

When you leave you will want to feel you have enjoyed the experience of landing a Salmon but, more importantly, you will want to leave feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on the world. Once you’ve had the Newtyle experience, you will begin to appreciate the things that really matter. Being able to unwind, relax and enjoy the moment is FAIR GAME!”

Ian Redford.

Knockhill fishery is a single loch fishery establishment providing anglers with the opportunity to fly fish for trout while enjoying a peaceful atmosphere and scenic views within a rural green-belt location in the Royal Deeside.

Knockhill fishery is a highly maintained and professional fishery providing some great fishing from the beginner to the professional angler.

The river meandering through the property creates a number of excellent and exciting fishing spots, including the feeding of five well-stocked dams containing rainbow, golden, and the elusive brown trout. The pools below the 100 metre waterfall not only challenge the connoisseur to test his skills against wild trout, but is also home to breeding colonies of the endangered Bald Ibis. For the non-angler there is hiking, bird watching, picnicking, and above all, tranquility.

All our rustic, though luxury cottages are equipped with fireplaces and braai's with ample wood supplied, what more does a couple need to experience an enjoyable, quiet and tranquil romantic evening. Though the cottages are fully equipped for self catering and serviced once a day, catering, by prior arrangement, is available.

Guests may make use of the recreation facilities. Hiking, a short 4x4 trail to waterfalls, bird watching, rod hire and fly fishing tuition is also available.

GPS Coordinates:
a) At Reception:
S 25 deg 34.081 min E 030 deg 20.785 min

b) At Turn off onto the sand road:
S 25 deg 33.348 min E 030 deg 18.939 min

Truly a piece of HEAVEN ON EARTH!! The Kashmir Valley snuggled away within the majestic Himalaya Mountains… I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been able to visit this area and even more fortunate to have fished these crystal clear glacier rivers. My guide’s name was “Wali” and he has lived in this area is whole life, as has his parents and his parents, parents, in fact he says that his family has been there for more than 100 generations. Due to the remoteness of this location my good guide and now my friend, Wali does no own a fishing rod and has been fishing these waters his whole life with a hand line since he was a lad. Now lets just understand something, these are wild brook, brown and rainbow trout that inhabit these beautiful waters. Hand Line! I was amazed and shocked to say the least. Nevertheless I was indeed out done by my friend Wali at the end of the day, even with 10 years flyfishing experience and with all my expensive and fancy equipment. Should one every wish to venture out to extreme locations to catch truly wild trout in remote locations this is for you and Please let me know because I want to go with, again!

A 50m walk to the Machadodorp Municipal Fly Fishing Waters offers excellent river & dam trout fishing for Rainbows, Goldens and Browns. There is also a children's play park.

The cottages are equipped with luxury bedding, towels, cooking equipment, fridge & freezer, braais, fly-tying desk, books, garden games and board games. Duckworth's Dargle Delight Cottage, with Jetmaster log fire and loft room, sleeps 6 and Wickham's Fancy Cottage sleeps 4. Both cottages have TV and Home Theatre System so please bring your favorite cds and dvds.

Tuition in fly fishing and fly tying can be arranged.