GETAWAY

Forget what you know about fly fishing. From the coast to the Karoo and farflung tropical islands, discover the destinations that are taking this low-key sport mainstream

Fly fishing is going mainstream and our list of destinations will get you hooked

The Bokong River, Lesotho

situated on one of africa’s most special rivers, the Makhangoa community camp is run by Tourette Fishing in partnership with the local community. With indigenous, dry fly-loving yellowfish coming upstream from the Katse dam, as well as big resident brown and rainbow trout, the fishing is world class.

For those looking for a different kind of pull, there is hiking, mountain biking and incredible bird watching (it’s a great spot for lammergeiers/bearded vultures). 8 tourettefishing.com

Rhodes village, eastern Cape

If dullstroom in Mpumalanga is the epicentre of stillwater trout fishing in south africa, rhodes Village in the eastern cape is the hq of river fishing. From the Bokspruit to the sterkspruit and the Bell river, the Wild Trout association manages several beautiful streams that run through the picturesque valleys of the drakensberg. Be sure to pop into the Walkerbouts Inn (8 walkerbouts.co.za) for a post-fishing drink, or stay at the Welgemoed Trout Lodge, 23km out of town (8 welgemoedlodge.co.za).

alphonse island, seychelles

one of the premier saltwater fly fishing destinations on the planet, alphonse Island in the seychelles and its surrounding islands and atolls (astove, Poivre and cosmoledo) offer tropical luxury and incredible angling all in one. From giant kingfish the size of pitbulls to bonefish, triggerfish, milkfish, permits and a myriad other species, you are guaranteed to add a few ticks to your bucket list. 8 alphonsefishingco.com

Breede River, Western Cape

one of the overberg’s most important estuarine systems, the spot where the Breede river meets the sea is also a favourite destination for saltwater fly anglers chasing the elusive kob (kabeljou), coquettish spotted grunter and insatiable leervis (garrick). Tackle the mud flats with your nine-weight rod, but be sure to make a long, comfortable weekend of it at the Mudlark riverfront Lodge (8 mudlark.co.za) on the Infanta side of the river.

somerset east, karoo

Fly fishing in the desert? You better believe it. With access to several trophy stillwaters, as well as trout and yellowfish streams (not to mention knowing where every bass, moggel and barbel lurks), alan hobson of Wild Fly Fishing in the Karoo is the go-to guide in this underrated local destination. It helps that alan and his wife, annabelle, also own the angler and antelope (8 anglerandantelope.co.za), the perfect place to stay while in the area. When you’re not fly fishing, be sure to visit the Walter Battiss art Museum in town and have a drink in the angler’s whisky bar (a deconsecrated chapel), before dining on local Karoo lamb or trout.

For more destinations, visit 8 themissionflymag.com n