Waters of the Wild Trout Association are found at the southernmost tip of the Drakensberg Mountain range which extends from Lesotho. This range continues as the Stormberg Mountains in the Dordrecht and Molteno districts where the westernmost waters are found near the R56 adjacent to the "Friendly N6" route.
The most important river in the region, the Kraai, has its origin on the slopes of the escarpment less than 150km from the Indian Ocean and joins the Orange River at Aliwal North which eventually flows into the Atlantic at Oranjemeund, more than 1200km to the west.
Highlands
To facilitate navigating the region, the Eastern Cape Highlands have been sub-divided into four administrative regions i.e. Lady Grey, Barkly East, New England and Rhodes. These regions are based on geographically convenient boundaries formed by the various catchment areas, access routes and location of day permit vendors.
To facilitate navigating the region, the Eastern Cape Highlands have been sub-divided into four administrative regions i.e. Lady Grey, Barkly East, New England and Rhodes. These regions are based on geographically convenient boundaries formed by the various catchment areas, access routes and location of day permit vendors.
Rhodes
The geographical centre of the greatest concentration of running water in this region is the historic village of Rhodes. Established in 1891 and named after the arch-colonialist, Cecil John Rhodes, the entire village was proclaimed as a National Monument in 1997 to preserve its "olde worlde" character and charm. It is also the headquarters of the Wild Trout Association located at Walkerbouts Inn. Under normal conditions, more than 200km of Association members' running water can be fished within an hours drive of the village of Rhodes on the headwaters of the Kraai River in the Bell River, Bokspruit, Sterkspruit and Joggemspruit catchment areas.
The geographical centre of the greatest concentration of running water in this region is the historic village of Rhodes. Established in 1891 and named after the arch-colonialist, Cecil John Rhodes, the entire village was proclaimed as a National Monument in 1997 to preserve its "olde worlde" character and charm. It is also the headquarters of the Wild Trout Association located at Walkerbouts Inn. Under normal conditions, more than 200km of Association members' running water can be fished within an hours drive of the village of Rhodes on the headwaters of the Kraai River in the Bell River, Bokspruit, Sterkspruit and Joggemspruit catchment areas.
Barkly East
The Barkly East area has a long history of producing good trout, particularly on the Langkloofspruit, a significant tributary of the Kraai River.
The Barkly East area has a long history of producing good trout, particularly on the Langkloofspruit, a significant tributary of the Kraai River.
New England
The age old practice of naming places after lands of yore prevailed for this region. It is also the home to the only trout hatchery in the region, located on the farm Balloch.
The age old practice of naming places after lands of yore prevailed for this region. It is also the home to the only trout hatchery in the region, located on the farm Balloch.
Lady Grey
The Karringmelkspruit is the westernmost boundary of running waters holding trout in the Highlands. A delightful stream found in a deeply incised sandstone gorge is the backbone of the Lady Grey Region fishery.
The Karringmelkspruit is the westernmost boundary of running waters holding trout in the Highlands. A delightful stream found in a deeply incised sandstone gorge is the backbone of the Lady Grey Region fishery.
For further information please visit www.wildtrout.co.za
