Fly Fishing Seasons in Dullstroom | The Best Seasons to Land Trophy Trout

• Stable atmospheric conditions reduce wind and surface disturbance, leading to calmer, clearer waters.
• Water clarity improves, making sight fishing more rewarding (but requiring more stealth).
• Moderate water temperatures (10–15°C) put trout in an ideal feeding range, increasing movement and energy.

🎣 Trout Behavior:

• Fish feed heavily before the leaner winter months, often cruising shallows or hanging near drop-offs.
• This is one of the few times trout will chase down big food items on or near the surface.

🪰 Fly Selection & Tactics:

• Dry/Dropper:

Start with a high-floating dry like a Stimulator or Hopper, and drop a small nymph or emerger about 12–24 inches below. This combo covers both surface and subsurface feeders in one cast.

Top Dry Flies:

• Orange Stimulator (size 10–14)
• Shayne’s Hopper (custom variant)
• Parachute Adams
• Klinkhammer

Effective Droppers:

• Flashback Pheasant Tail (size 16–18)
• Hare’s Ear Nymph
• CDC Emergers (especially in the afternoon)

🔍 Pro Tips:

• Fish the edges of weed beds and inflow/outflow areas, especially in the late afternoon.
• Cloud cover? That’s often your cue for better dry fly activity.
• In low-light mornings, fish tend to be deeper—consider starting with a slow streamer or double-nymph rig.

📸 Bonus Insight:

Guided sessions in March–May often yield the largest brown trout of the year, particularly during overcast days following mild cold fronts.

June–August:

Cold, clear conditions. Trout become more cautious, so small, precise nymphs and long leaders are key. Midday activity peaks as water warms slightly.

🌡️ Weather & Water Conditions:

• Overnight temperatures can dip below freezing, but days are often clear and sunny.
• Water temperatures drop to their lowest levels of the year (often between 6–10°C), slowing trout metabolism.
• Low flows and high water clarity make stealth and precision essential.

🐟 Trout Behavior:

• Trout become wary and selective. They often hold deep in pools or just off structure, feeding subtly.
• Activity peaks from mid-morning to early afternoon as the water warms slightly with the sun.
• Expect fewer surface takes—most feeding occurs below the surface film.

🪰 Fly Selection & Tactics:

• Small Nymphs + Long Leaders:

Success hinges on realistic nymph imitations fished on 12–15 ft leaders with fine tippet (5X–6X mono or fluoro).

Go-To Flies for Winter:

• Zebra Midges (black or red, size 18–20)
• Flashback Pheasant Tail (size 16–18)
• Olive Hare’s Ear Nymphs (size 16-20)
• Midge Emergers (CDC or soft hackle variants)
• Small Black Woolly Buggers (slow strip or dead drift near the bottom)

Winter Dry Fly (if any):
Griffith’s Gnat or tiny Parachute Adams may take surface-feeding trout during midge hatches on still, sunny days.

🔍 Pro Tips:

• Sight fishing becomes possible due to clear water. Approach quietly, wear drab colors, and cast from a distance.
• Fish slower—both in your retrieve and in your expectations. Let the fly sink deep before starting your drift or retrieve.
• Try a double-nymph rig under a small yarn indicator with minimal splash.
• Don’t overlook the midday sun window—10:30 AM to 2 PM often produces the most action.

📸 Bonus Insight:

While winter fishing can be slower, the trout caught are often in peak condition—thick-bodied and beautifully colored. For trophy hunters, this is prime time to sight cast to a big solitary fish in gin-clear water.

September–November:

A return to activity. Mayfly and caddis hatches begin again. Trout rise confidently in the shallows. Dry fly purists love this season.

🌼 Weather & Water Conditions:

• Mornings start chilly, but days warm quickly—ideal for insect activity.
• Spring rains begin to increase flows slightly, stirring up food and oxygenating the water.
• Water clarity remains excellent but may shift during rain events—perfect for matching hatches.

🐟 Trout Behavior:

• Hungry from winter and newly energized by warming temps, trout patrol shallow margins and open water alike.
• Surface feeding increases significantly as mayflies and caddisflies return in force.
• Fish are more opportunistic and less spooky than in winter—allowing for more aggressive presentation.

🪰 Fly Selection & Tactics:

• Dry Fly Heaven:

This is the season for classic topwater presentations, making it ideal for dry fly purists.

Best Dry Flies for Spring:

• Parachute Adams (size 14–16)
• CDC Mayfly Emergers
• Elk Hair Caddis (tan or olive)
• Purple Haze variants
• VR Caddis (custom pattern for Valley of the Rainbow)

Spring Nymphs:

• Pheasant Tail Nymph
• Hare’s Ear Nymph
• Olive Caddis Larva (size 14–16)

Tactics to Try:

• Dry/dropper rigs with a small emerger below a buoyant dry
• Light tippets (5X-6X) help maintain delicate presentation
• Leaders - 12-15 foot sometimes as long as 20 foot

🔍 Pro Tips:

• Fish later into the day—hatches often intensify after midday and carry into the early evening.
• Don’t hesitate to move: trout are more spread out in spring and may be found both in deeper channels and near structure.
• During rain showers, switch to slightly brighter or larger dries to improve visibility and trigger reaction takes.

📸 Bonus Insight:

Many local guides consider early November the “secret season” in Dullstroom—perfect water levels, heavy hatches, and trout that are both aggressive and forgiving. A dream for beginners and seasoned casters alike.

December–February:

Storms can temporarily cloud water, but terrestrials dominate between rain spells. Look for rises along banks and structure.

🌦️ Weather & Water Conditions:

• Daily highs often exceed 25°C, with frequent afternoon thundershowers.
• Rainstorms can briefly stain or muddy the water—perfect for larger, more visible flies.
• Oxygen levels stay high due to regular water movement and summer runoff.

🐟 Trout Behavior:

• Fish take advantage of abundant surface food, especially during calm periods between storms.
• Terrestrial insects (ants, beetles, hoppers) fall or get blown into the water, triggering aggressive surface takes.
• Trout feed close to the banks, under overhanging vegetation, and near submerged structure.

🪰 Fly Selection & Tactics:

Top Terrestrials:

• Foam Beetles (black or tan)
• Ant patterns (red or cinnamon, size 14–18)??
• Grasshoppers (Shayne’s Hopper or Stimulator variants)
• Drowned Ants and Black Gnats

Tactical Tips:

• Use longer leaders (12–15 ft) with 4X, 5X or 6X tippet for natural drifts near structure.
• Cast close to grassy banks, overhanging reeds, and shallow shelves where terrestrials might fall in.
• After rain, switch to darker, buggier flies with flash or movement—like Woolly Buggers or Zonkers.

Bonus Nymphs for Murky Water:

• Hotspot Hare’s Ear
• Chartreuse Copper John
• Orange-bead Black Bugger (dead-drifted)

🔍 Pro Tips:

• Early mornings and late evenings tend to offer the best dry fly activity before/after the heat of the day.
• Watch the wind—a sudden gust can load the surface with naturals (ants, beetles, etc.), leading to surprise hatch-like feeding.
• In heavy rain, let the storm pass, then fish the clearing edges where visibility returns.

📸 Bonus Insight:
The summer terrestrial season often leads to some of the most explosive topwater strikes of the year—ideal for dry fly fanatics and visual-action seekers. While inconsistent weather may keep you guessing, the rewards are worth it.

Arguably The best seasons for fly fishing in Dullstroom, South Africa

Spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May) are the prime seasons for fly fishing in Dullstroom, South Africa. During these months, water temperatures consistently fall within the ideal trout feeding range typically between 7°C and 14°C making conditions perfect for active rises and reliable dry fly action.

Check out:

Not sure which flies to pack? See our Dry Fly Pattern Guide For Dullstroom.