fishing


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Still water fishing on Riverlea is available on three dams, all of which are stocked with Rainbows and Browns. The dams are old ( 35 - 50 yrs ) and well established.
HESKETHS

(25 acres) is variable in depth and offers good nymphing and dry fly fishing. The inlet has a proliferation of channels and holes in the weed which makes for challenging and exciting fishing. There is extensive bank fishing.
LLYN COTHY

(12 acres) is a consistently deep dam with an abundance of sub-surface life. Bank fishing is good.
GOOSE DAM

(2 acres) is a shallower dam and the trout surface-feed aggressively.
Riverlea offers 6km of frontage on the Umzimkulu. The river contains a wild, self-sustaining population of Rainbow Trout which was introduced in the early 1900's, and provides the ultimate in wild Trout fishing.
Riverlea offers 6km of frontage on the Umzimkulu. The river contains a wild, self-sustaining population of Rainbow Trout which was introduced in the early 1900's, and provides the ultimate in wild Trout fishing.
Fly Fishing Facts

The dams on Riverlea are stocked annually with Rainbows and Browns ranging from fry to 6 inches in length. Fish are stocked at an approximate rate of 150 / hectare. Fairly substantial natural spawning also takes place in the streams above the two main dams. The dams are stocked in May when the water temperature is low, thereby reducing possible stress to the stockies. The weather is stable and cool and there is no chance of losing fish to flooding as there is no winter rainfall in the area. All these factors help to ensure a high survival rate amongst the trout. The emphasis at Riverlea is on producing still water fish that grow fast and are as wild as possible.

  • Bag Limit
    – one still water fish per rod per day.
    – one river fish per rod per day.

  • Seasons
    – the fishing is year round in the dams.
    – the river is closed between 31/5 - 01/09.

  • Rod Fees.
    – R50.00 per rod per day for non-resident guests.

  • Access to Water.
    Guests staying in Clearbrook have sole access to Heskeths dam and the lower three kilometers of the Umzimkulu. Guests staying in Heronwood have sole access to Llyn Cothy and the upper three kilometers of the Umzimkulu. The Goose Dam is available to all guests. Should only one of the establishments be full at any particular time then those guests have full access to all the water on Riverlea. Guests are welcome to swap beats amongst themselves should they so wish.

  • General Information.
    Boats are provided on the two big dams; however, guests are welcome to bring their own. Float tubes are encouraged. Resident fly fishing expertise is available as well as a guiding service.