| Date of Report: Wednesday, 12th August 2026 |
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Name: Dave Walker Email: dave@wildtrout.co.za Phone: 082 475 5775 Maclear. The streams reopen for fishing on September 1. For the first time in many years, it has snowed in Maclear and not just on the mountains to the west. In addition, they have had some heavy rain so all the streams are in spate and in 2 weeks’ time they should be fine on the upper reaches rather than the thin waters one expects on opening day. The majority of farms have completed the initial FMD vaccinations and are therefore open except some farms to the NE towards Naude’s Nek. The PG Bison waters as usual will remain closed until good early summer rains have fallen, and the danger of fire has passed. Unfortunately, the 8 to 11 October Ladies event has been cancelled as bookings were disappointing and there was some hesitation by potential entrants because of concerns about the FMD situation. General information on the fishing in the Maclear area can be accessed by going to the Maclear Fly Fishing Club’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/p/Maclear-Fly-Fishing-Club-100057624511870/?_rdr. or website at https://www.maclear.co.za/activities/fly-fishing. Rhodes Dave Walker of the Wild Trout Association reports that as is normal the streams remain open throughout winter and fortunately after soft soaking rains in autumn plus the current snowmelt the streams are flowing well. However, strict precautions apply to anyone visiting the area and wishing to fish the local WTA waters. These may be read on our site at https://www.fosaf.org.za/read-Current-491.php. Loch Ness has provided some good fishing for those hardy souls who are prepared to brave the cold conditions of this high elevation dam. It should be noted that the rainbows in the dam are all wild bred in the feeder stream. Barkly East Andrew Clark reports as is normal the streams are closed between end-April and September 1. At present the streams are looking superb and local anglers cannot wait to start fishing again in September. There are about 6 dams stocked by the club and although some good-sized fish have come out recently fishing has been hard in the cold weather with low water temperatures. For anglers visiting farms all vehicles need to be sprayed with disinfectant at the Matla Energy fuel station which renders this service in town. Tickets for club waters at R150,00 are available from Andrew Clark at 084 5166471 or andrew.clark@bkb.co.za. Lady Grey Lupela Lodge state that their stretch the Karringmelk has remained open for fishing through winter but because of the cold few have booked over the 2 months. All vehicles coming onto the property will have to be sprayed with disinfectant while fishing equipment such as boots etc will also have to be disinfected. The stream is flowing well for this time of year and the outlook for September once it warms up is promising.
Snow in Rhodes . Langkloof River, Barkly East.
Pot River Maclear. |
