Fishing information

                                                      by Gordon Stupart 

• Most suitable equipment – 4 or 5 weight rod with a weight forward floating line. Intermediate lines can also be used in the larger dams. There is no real need for a sinking line.
• Leader and tippet should be about 10 to 12 foot long, with the tippet 6 lb breaking strain.
• Flies Winter – Egg Patterns, Orange Woolly Buggers, Black Woolly Buggers, White Death, Mickey Finns, Polystickles, Midges (Emergers) and Matukas.
• Flies Summer – DDD, Mayfly Patterns (Dries & Nymphs), Caddis (Dries & Nymphs), Woolly Buggers (Black, Olive and Chartreuse), Gold Ribbed Hares Ear, Midge Patterns (Dry, Emergers & Suspender Midge), Red Eyed Damsels & Filoplume Dragon Fly patterns.
• In winter, look for the fish near the inlets to dams and where the water flows out of the dam. Most fish will not be feeding excessively and you need to either present a fly right on the nose, or induce a take out of aggression.
• I also firmly believe that a dropping barometer adversely affects the fishing, so if a cold front is approaching, fishing can be very difficult.
• The water is also very clear in winter and if you are able to make a long cast, this will increase your chances, as the trout are less likely to see you. Also try to crouch and walk quietly up to a dam.
• Optimum water temperature is between 16 and 19 degrees, for trout to be most active.
• In winter, forget early mornings and very late in the afternoon. The fish will usually only come on the bite from about 10am to 4 pm.
• Try to encourage barbless flies, as this will increase the fish’s chances of survival, if released.
• I would suggest that you consider stocking the smaller dams with smaller fish, but in larger numbers (About 600 to 700 gm), for beginners and kids and make your 3 big dams the trophy dams, possibly catch and release only, with larger fish ( 1,5 kg plus)

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