Flyfishing for wild trout and smallmouth yellowfish on more than 200km of running water in the Highlands of the Eastern Cape in a region with stunning mountain scenery, Alpine floral splendour and fine birding opportunities.
The Wild Trout Association (WTA) is an organisation of riparian owners with trouting waters at their disposal and affiliate members who provide services and facilities such as guiding and accommodation. The WTA is thus a fly-fishing marketing body that promotes fly-fishing on a sustainable basis on behalf of its members. The headquarters of the WTA is at Walkerbouts Inn, Rhodes Village.
General rules of the Association
Fish by fly only with recognised fly-fishing equipment
Fish on a catch-and-release basis only
Leave gates as you find them
Please do not drive through lands of any description, ever
Do not litter and fires are prohibited
No pets allowed
Remember that you are on private property that is precious to the owner. Treat it as such.
What does the WTA do?
The formation of the WTA brought about long-needed access to these waters and has been remarkably successful in doing so. It has taken many long years for the association to expand the scope of its access to fishing.
The WTA is responsible for the administration of the fishery, including the central booking system and other administrative functions such as data capture and processing, permit fee disbursements and marketing.
Riparian members have been encouraged to develop the necessary infrastructure to accommodate visiting fly-fishermen to the area. Fly-fishing cottages and lodges have duly been established along the rivers and in the village of Rhodes where a host of different accommodation options has become available.
In addition to making the fly-fishing resource more easily accessible, the WTA has concentrated a great deal of its efforts on making the attractions of the Eastern Cape Highlands known to the general public. Although trout fishing is the major sport practised in the region, there are umpteen other attractions such as snow-skiing, hiking, mountain biking, bird-watching, pony riding, rock art viewing and, for the hunting enthusiast, greywing francolin shooting to be enjoyed as well.
