Fly-fishing in the Boland

Hooked on fly-fishing 

The last thing you would expect on a Winelands farm is a dam full of trout. 

But wander past our farm dam on a winter’s morning and you might see a couple of anglers loading their rods in the hopes of hooking a rainbow or brown trout. 

Their chances of getting a bite have recently doubled with the introduction of 1200 fish to the dam. Among the new residents are 100 brown trout (Salmo trutta). “It’s the first time we’ve introduced brown trout to the dam,” says Babylonstoren entomologist and fish fundi, Arné Stander. “And it’s at the recommended ratio that needs to be maintained between the two species,” he explains. 

It took meticulous planning and execution to transport the newcomers from their first home at Lunsklip farm in the Dullstroom area. “The Lunsklip team was very professional, and their fish is of the highest quality,” says Arné.  

World-class angling experience 

“Some of the best moments on the dam are when guests get to catch a rare or a particularly large fish – and especially when it’s their very first catch,” says Morné Olivier, Babylonstoren tour guide and fly fisher extraordinaire. “It’s an experience they’ll never forget.” 

Morné, who learned to fly-fish here on Babylonstoren, says making a catch is, of course, a marvellous experience. “But the real joy of fishing is the peace – to be surrounded by nature, to experience that glorious stillness of the mountains and just concentrating on getting a good line out. All the worries of life just wash away. It’s almost like doing the dishes,” he chuckles. “You clear your head and simply unwind, forgetting about everything else.” 

Taking the bait 

For hotel guests already hooked on the sport, Morné and his colleagues host guided fishing trips on the farm dam. “Hotel guests can choose to cast from the deck in front of the boathouse, or from a skiff. For the more experienced anglers, there’s also the option of the pontoon kickboat.” His personal favourite is going out on the customised fly-fishing floating tubes. “Your lower body is protected from the icy water by a customised suit, while your lower back is supported by a special backrest. Fishing excursions last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours, depending on the hotel guests’ plans and experience. “It takes quite a bit of practice to perfect the skill of casting your line,” he warns jokingly.  

And once they’ve caught one? “Guests can choose to catch and release, or to have a Babel chef prepare their catch for dinner that night,” says Morné. 

Although fly fishing is currently only accessible to more experienced anglers, beginners can join in bass fishing on the farm’s Fynbos dam. Morné is keen to share his love of the sport with children and hosts a fishing workshop for youngsters. Here he teaches them the three main components to successful fishing: “Knowledge of the fish, presentation of the lure and knowing where to cast the lure. Once you’ve mastered these, fishing becomes catching.  

For most of us, the bait lies in the joy of mastering these skills. And who knows? You might even catch a fish along the way.