Fly Fishing

Dullstroom is arguably the fly fishing capital of South Africa, offering some of the best still water and river fishing around. Fly fishing is an angling method of catching trout and other fish species, using artificial flies made out of natural materials such as hair and feathers or other synthetic materials, to attract targeted fish species. Flies can be made either to float or to sink and vary in size and colour.

At Walkersons Private Estate we have 11 dams that are regularly stocked with Rainbow trout and from time to time also Brown Trout. All dams are stocked every 3 weeks, with fish ranging from 800g to 1.5kg, to ensure good fishing all year round. We also make use of “growing-out ponds” from which we stock trophy size fish of up to 3.5kg, into our dams to give anglers the chance of catching “the Big one”. Although anglers may bag 1 fish per property per day out of some of the dams, we encourage ‘catch & release’ with barbless hooks. The bigger dams are ‘catch & release only’ and are clearly marked.

For the more skilled angler, Walkersons Private Estate also offers river fishing on ±4km of the Lunsklip River, with 20 weirs as well as large sections of free-flowing stream.

The river supports a thriving, naturally reproducing population of Rainbow- and Brown trout.

To allow the river fish to spawn undisturbed, the river on Walkersons Private Estate is closed for fishing from 01 June to 01 September annually.

Fishing on the Lunsklip river at Walkersons Private Estate is strictly on a ‘catch & release’ basis with barbless flies.

River fishing on the Lunsklip River at Walkersons Private Estate is limited to homeowners, house guests of Homeowners (provided the Homeowner is present on the Estate), and overnight hotel guests. All river anglers must be in possession of a valid Walkersons River Permit. See the River Fishing Permits section for details.

A relevant fishing permit must be in the possession of all anglers whilst fishing the dams and rivers at Walkersons Private Estate

The Bailiff reserves the right to check all fishing equipment and to ensure that all anglers adhere to the rules. He is required to report any misconduct to management immediately. Your support in this matter will be appreciated.

1. Only traditional English type fly fishing tackle is allowed, i.e. Trout Rod, normal centre pin reel and tied fly, knotless landing net, barbless hooks.

a. All anglers are required to have and use a knotless net when landing fish.
b. Only barless hooks or hooks that have the barb removed are permitted.

2. The following are not allowed to be used or brought on to the estate:

a. Fixed spools, spinning reels, baiting/lure casting reels.
b. Spoon and spinners.
c. Keep nets.

3. Try not to remove the fish from the water. Do not over exhaust the fish. If you catch a trophy size fish allow it to recover in the net for 5-10min before handling the fish. Always wet your hands before handling the fish.

4. Only Homeowners are permitted to keep fish.

5. Each Homeowner may not kill more than 2 fish per day and only from non-catch and release dams. (see point 25 below). We do however strongly encourage “Catch & Release”.

6. Driving up to dams is not allowed. Please ensure that you park in appropriately designated parking areas or on the sides of the roads.

7. Children below the age of 10 may not fish unless they are accompanied by an adult.

8. No fishing is allowed after sunset.

9. Fishing is done entirely at your own risk.

10. Please respect your fellow fisherman’s space and avoid over-crowding (keep a minimum of 20m – 30m between anglers).

11. Please do not leave any litter at the dams.

FISHING THE RIVERS ON THE ESTATE

12. A Walkersons Private Estate river permit is required to fish the rivers. These can be requested from the Walkersons Private Estate permit website and cost R300 per permit. These permits are not transferable and valid for 1 year from date of issue.

13. Only Homeowners and their guests (provided the Homeowner is present on the estate) and hotel guests are permitted to fish the rivers.

14. It is an offence to fish in the rivers without a valid Walkersons Private Estate river permit.

15. The river is closed for fishing from 1 June to 31 August annually.

16. River fishermen should stay well clear of others already fishing the river. Only one angler per beat (stretch of river) unless you are fishing together.

FISHING THE DAMS ON THE ESTATE

17. A Walkersons Private Estate fishing permit is required to fish the dams.

18. Each homeowner is provided with four Walkersons Private Estate Homeowner fishing permits. Should you have more than four people fishing at any time, you will be required to purchase additional Visitor Fishing permits.

19. Homeowner permits may only be used by homeowners and their guests (provided the Homeowner is present on the estate).

20. No day visitors are permitted to fish on the estate unless they are the guest of a homeowner and the homeowner is present on the estate.

21. Rental guests are required to purchase Walkersons Private Estate Visitor fishing permits should they fish in any of the dams on the estate.

22. Permits can be purchased online at the Walkersons Private Estate permit website and cost R250 per person per day. All fishing permits issued for more than two days will be issued at a 33% discount.

23. Children 12 years and under do not require a fishing permit.

24. Float tubing is only permitted on Long Final (max 2), Child’s Play (max 2), Piscador (max 1) and Raws Water (max 1) Dams.

25. There are 11 fishing dams on the Estate:

- Island (catch and release only)
- Boundary
- Plum Orchard
- Half Moon
- Piscador (catch and release only)
- Production (catch and release only)
- Long Final (catch and release only)
- Raws Water (catch and release only)
- New Dam
- Child’s Play (catch and release only)
- Yellow Bill

26. All Bass caught can be kept or given to the Bailiff. Please DO NOT return Bass into dams or rivers.

27. Any fish found in your possession on departure from the Estate will be deemed to have been poached and will be dealt with as a criminal offence.

28. Breaking ANY rules could result in a fine or suspension of a fishing permit.