Why is Dullstroom the trout capital?
High-altitude, spring-fed waters keep trout cool year-round, with reliable hatches of mayflies and caddis.
Fly Fishing in Dullstroom – Expert Guide to South Africa’s Trout Capital
Mastering the Dry Fly – Guided Trips. Catch big browns & rainbows with half & full-day sessions and calm, practical instruction.
Quick Answers
Fast facts anglers ask before booking a trip. Popular tactics include dry fly fishing — see our best dry flies guide.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring (Sep–Nov) and Autumn (Mar–May) offer the most consistent dry fly fishing, though waters produce all year.
Do I need a guide?
A guide ensures access to private waters, correct fly choice, and faster learning — especially for first-time visitors.
What makes Dullstroom the trout capital?
- Cool highland climate
- Spring-fed waters
- Year-round Rainbows & Brown trout
Just 2.5 hours from Johannesburg, Dullstroom sits high in the Mpumalanga highlands and is widely regarded as South Africa’s premier fly fishing destination. Cool, misty air, spring-fed waters, and scenic stillwaters and streams create reliable conditions for rainbow and brown trout throughout the year.
The elevation keeps water cool and clear—ideal for trout. Between private estate dams, public waters, and nearby rivers, Dullstroom offers options for technical dry-fly sight fishing, productive nymphing, and streamer tactics on deeper stillwaters.
- Location: Mpumalanga highlands (±2.5 hrs from Johannesburg)
- Waters: Private stillwaters, public dams & short streams
- Species: Rainbow & brown trout
- Best seasons: Spring (Sep–Nov) & Autumn (Mar–May)
- Popular tactics: Dry flies, emergers, nymphs, small streamers
- Guided trips: Local expertise for venue & fly choice
Seasons & Monthly Conditions
Dullstroom fishes year-round, but each season favours different tactics. Use this quick view, then dive deeper in the full Seasons Guide.
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Conditions: Cooling water, stable weather
- Best For: Big dries, dry/dropper
- Flies: Stimulators, Hoppers, Adams
- See tactics →
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Conditions: Clear, cold, technical
- Best For: Nymphs, sight fishing midday
- Flies: PTN, Zebra Midge, Black Bugger
- See tactics →
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Conditions: Warming temps, hatches start
- Best For: Dry fly & emergers
- Flies: Parachute Adams, Klinkhåmer, VR Caddis
- See tactics →
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Conditions: Storm gaps, stained water
- Best For: Terrestrials along banks
- Flies: Foam Beetle, Ants, Hoppers
- See tactics →
Meet Your Guide
Local knowledge. Patient coaching. Dry-fly obsessed.
Shayne Prinsloo
Fly Fishing Guide • Dullstroom & Vaal River
I help anglers of all levels catch more trout with calm, practical instruction and venue-specific tactics. Expect clear explanations, careful water selection, and proven dry fly, dry/dropper, and nymph approaches tailored to the day.
- Speciality: Dry-fly sight fishing & presentation
- Venues: Laverpa, Valley of the Rainbow
- Best seasons: Spring & Autumn
- Lessons: Beginner to advanced coaching
- Languages: English, Afrikaans
Patient Instruction
Venue Knowledge
Safety-First
Waters & Venues in Dullstroom
Dullstroom offers a mix of private estate stillwaters, well-managed public dams, and short stream sections. Two favourites our guests love: Laverpa and Valley of the Rainbow.
Laverpa
- Water: Three clear stillwaters with channels, reeds & drop-offs
- Strengths: Midday dry-fly windows, sight fishing edges
- Flies: Stimulators, Parachute Adams, Klinkhåmers, small emergers
- Access: Day permits; bank fishing only
Valley of the Rainbow
- Water: Multiple dams + seasonal river pools
- Strengths: Variety in a single day; scenic banks & structure
- Flies: VR Caddis, beetles & ants (summer), PTN/HE (winter)
- Access: Day permits; accommodation on site
- Permits: Many venues require advance booking/day permits.
- Bank only: Most stillwaters are bank fishing only.
- Best light: Early & late for sight fishing; midday dries in autumn.
- Leaders: 9–12 ft; 5X/6X for emergers & picky fish.
Techniques That Work in Dullstroom
Clear water and changing light call for smart presentation. These proven tactics help you catch more trout in every season.
Dry Fly: Sight Fishing & Match-the-Hatch
- When: Spring & autumn, overcast days, evening glass-offs.
- Presentation: 9–12 ft leaders, soft landings, micro-mends.
- Flies: Parachute Adams, Klinkhåmer, CDC Emergers, Elk Hair Caddis, VR Caddis.
- Water: Edges, slicks, rise forms near structure & weed lines.
Pro Tip: See a “sipper”? Drop one fly size and 1X of tippet.
Nymphing: Precision in Clear, Cold Conditions
- When: Winter & clear mornings.
- Rig: 10–12 ft leader, 5X–6X tippet; small yarn indicator/sighter.
- Flies: PTN (16–18), Hare’s Ear, Zebra Midge (18–20), soft hackles.
- Drift: Short, controlled; lift on micro-pauses.
Pro Tip: In ultra-clear water, ditch the indicator and go short-leader euro.
Stillwater & Streamers: Cover Water, Trigger Aggression
- When: Low light, wind lanes, after rain stain.
- Retrieve: Fan casts; count down; mix strips & pauses.
- Flies: Woolly Bugger (black/olive), Zonkers, Damsels.
- Lines: Floating (top 1–3 ft), intermediate for drop-offs.
Pro Tip: If they follow without eating, speed up the last metre—or stall completely.
Dry / Dropper: Two Zones, One Cast
- When: Autumn & spring along edges.
- Setup: Buoyant dry (Stimulator/Hopper) + 12–24" dropper (PTN/CDC Emerger).
- Leader: 9–10 ft; 4X to dry, 5X/6X to dropper.
- Targets: Weed lines, inlets/outlets, shelves & drop-offs.
Pro Tip: If the dry twitches or stalls, lift—emergers get inhaled quietly.
Flies That Consistently Work in Dullstroom
Pack these in multiple sizes/colours for year-round success.
Parachute Adams
Top all-round dry for mayfly hatches & sippers.
Dry Fly
Pheasant Tail Nymph
Year-round producer in rivers & dams.
Nymph
Woolly Bugger
Covers water fast—great in wind & stain.
Streamer
CDC Emerger
Subtle rise forms in clear water.
EmergerEssential Gear for Fly Fishing in Dullstroom
Balanced setups = better drifts & more eats.
Rods & Lines
- Rods: 3–5 wt (9 ft). 4 wt = all-rounder.
- Action: Medium/medium-fast for soft landings.
- Lines: WF floating (90%); intermediate spare spool for drop-offs.
Leaders & Tippet
- Leaders: 9–12 ft tapered (start 3X).
- Tippet: 4X–6X mono; fluoro (5X–6X) for droppers.
- Knot: Loop to fly for more movement on emergers.
Fly Box
- Dries: Parachute Adams, Klinkhåmer, VR Caddis (14–18).
- Nymphs: PTN, HE, Zebra Midge (16–20).
- Streamers: Bugger/Leech (6–10, black/olive).
- Terrestrials: Hopper, Beetle, Foam Daddy (8–12).
Tools & Treatments
- Floatant & desiccant, forceps, snips, sharpener.
- Small split shot; yarn/foam indicator or sighter.
- Polarized glasses (amber/copper).
Clothing
- Base + fleece + shell (weather swings).
- Cap/beanie, buff, sunscreen; gloves in winter.
- Grippy boots for banks; waders optional.
Optional & Rentals
- Rods, reels & leaders available.
- Pre-tied dry/dropper leaders.
- Photography on request.
Do I need waders for Dullstroom?
Not essential for stillwaters (most are bank-only). Waders help in winter and on short stream sections.
Mono or fluoro for tippet?
Mono for dries/emerger drifts; fluoro for nymph/droppers where sink & abrasion resistance help.
Best “one-rod” setup?
10 ft 4 wt with WF floating line; add an intermediate spare spool.
Dullstroom Moments
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to fly fish in Dullstroom?
Spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May) are prime—cooler water and consistent hatches.
What flies work best in Dullstroom?
Parachute Adams, Pheasant Tail Nymphs, Woolly Buggers, CDC Emergers, Damsel Nymphs, plus summer terrestrials.
Where are the top venues?
Laverpa and Valley of the Rainbow lead the pack. Private estate dams and short stream sections also produce.
Do you offer guided trips?
Yes—half and full day options with on-water instruction. Booking is essential.
What gear do I need?
3–5 wt rod with floating line, tapered leaders, and size 14–18 dries or nymphs. Waders optional.
Is Dullstroom good for beginners?
Absolutely. Easy access, forgiving water, and patient instruction make it perfect for first timers.
