If you want to fish near Stellenbosch, this is THE river: incredibly colorful trout and typical Cape biodiversity !
Where to fish at Jonkerschoek ?
Cape Town may not be famous for trout fishing, but it is home to some beautiful clear rivers where you can catch wild Rainbow Trout with exceptional colors!
Jonkerschoeck Nature Reserve (located near Stellenbosch, 45 minutes from Cape Town) is one of the few places where lure fishing for trout is permitted, a technique that is not very common in South Africa due to the prevalence of fly fishing and local fishing traditions (English heritage or American influence?). This is for me, one of the best place for trout fishing Western Cape.
"You will fish in a typical Cape region environment, the fynbos. It's truly an environment to discover as you can only find it in the Cape!"
In a few words, fynbos is an endemic flora composed of bushes and flowers like Protea. It's truly an environment to discover as you can only find it in the Cape!
Read also:Elandspad river, an otherwordly fishing session near Cape Town
A piece of advice: start early!
From Cape Town, it's almost essential to get up early to seek the morning coolness because in the middle of summer, it's common for the thermometer to read over 35°C.
"Morning fishing is a must in Cape Town, for both the fish and the angler."
So, we set out around 6 am from the city center to arrive at the water's edge at 7 am. At this hour, it's still cool, and it's important to dress warmly despite the heat that awaits us in the afternoon.
This valley is managed by Cape Nature (fishing rights must be acquired) and the Western Cape region. This reserve is part of a set of small reserves where nature reigns supreme, and you can find all the famous plants of the Western Cape (protea, silver trees, fynbos...). After arriving at the water's edge (be careful, the roads are gravel! It's better to walk from the gate if you have a city car).
Fly fishing of course !
For fly fishermen, it's, of course, possible to fish on the surface, especially with dry flies (and even exclusively with dry flies) and sight fishing.
"Morning is the best time because the fish are still willing to rise and take March Browns or the very numerous grasshoppers."
Morning is the best time because the fish are still willing to rise and take March Browns or the very numerous grasshoppers (flies like Parachute Black or DDD are very good).
After 10 am, it becomes difficult to get them to rise because they hide in the foliage to escape the sun.
However, for fly fishermen, there are also rivers reserved exclusively for fly fishing, where you can book sections ("beats") for the day, and I have also explored them. You can find all the information in two other articles titled Smalblaar and Elandspad.
Which flies ?
Regarding flies, I recommend the same basics as in my fishing on the Smalblaar:
Small size 14 parachutes
Medium-sized DDD
Size 16 Cadis
The marvelous giant mayfly that you can only find in South Africa, which all rainbow trout love.
"My favorite: a wonderful giant mayfly that the South Africans recommended to me: the rainbow trout love it. A hit!"
Good to know / Where is the fishing spot ?
Jonkershoek National Reserve is located just 10 minutes from the center of Stellenbosch. You can book your entry online or at the gate. Please note that during the summer months (December to February), there are many hikers and cyclists, and the number of entries is limited. Additionally, you can request a day fishing permit (R70).
Also to visit in the area
Of course, don't miss the town of Stellenbosch, its vineyards, and hiking trails. If you venture a bit further, you can go to Franschhoek (a charming town with Huguenot heritage in South Africa) and even take the R45 route (which is beautiful) to Theewaterkloof Dam. There, you can find carp and bass fishing opportunities.
Please take the Jonkershoek fly fishing article down, it is a hidden gem and not well known, it must remain that way otherwise it will get overfished and will not be nice anymore