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Chasing the Dragons of the Bokaroo. An incredible adventure into one of South Africa’s true wilderness areas to hunt for the biggest Largemouth Yellowfish in the country
Welcome to Diamond River Outfitters Vanderkloof experience, your premier operation for fly fishing the breathtaking and vast Vanderkloof Dam.
Nestled in the heart of South Africa, 220km from Bloemfontein, Vanderkloof Dam boasts serene arid landscapes and turquoise waters filled with Yellowfish, making it a mecca for flyfishing enthusiast.
Renowned for its thriving population of Largemouth yellowfish, this true wilderness offers an unparalleled opportunity to target trophy Largemouth with odds stacked in the Fly fisherman’s favour.
Diamond Rivers seamless operation embraces the quirky and lovely small town of Vanderkloof, its incredible family friendly restaurants, warm and welcoming locals and spectacular scenery from the Boutique hotel.
Guests can expect 4 nights of absolute comfort in well appointed rooms, with Air conditioners to keep you cool in the warm summer evenings, Nespresso machines for the first kick to get you going, and hearty farm style breakfasts on the patio overlooking the glorious dam each morning.
Diamond Rivers professional guides and tailored fleet of fly fishing skiffs ensure you get to the best fishing spots In comfort and have the ideal platform to maximise your day on the water.
Vanderkloof is truly a wonder of the South African Fly fishing scene; between sessions targeting structure along the banks and pinnacles for Largemouth Yellows, guests can switch to cruising Smallmouth Yellowfish that are incredibly partial to a dry fly. The action is non-stop for the day, broken only by a hearty lunch pack on the boat or island where you can cool off with a swim and a beer to celebrate a glorious day out in nature.
Diamond River and our guests have already produced incredible fish from 15-22lb on a regular basis. We have the team, equipment and experience to get you the fish of your dreams and Vanderkloof is without a doubt the destination for anyone serious about catching a lifetime fish.
Peak Season runs from October through to December and from March to May when water temperatures are cooler and the Largemouth activity is at its peak.
For Dry fly fishing enthusiasts, the best time to target Smallmouth Yellows is from December through to April with the opportunity to target Largemouth during the earlier and later parts of the day.
Trip Itenerary:
Day 1: Arrival at the
hotel in Vanderkloof Town and gear preparation. Depending on arrival time, we
will get an introductory session on the lake for a late afternoon close to the
Town. The first afternoon will get you comfortable on the boat and the casting dialled
in for the days to some.
Day 2-4 An early morning
start with a full breakfast overlooking the dam and the longer boat haul to the
secluded bays in the main dam. This is where things get serious! We mix up
fishing from the boat to bank structures and parking on the many islands and
coves to walk and stalk the banks. Your guide is your spotter and will generally
take the high position and call out the fish to you, in position and ready to
make the first cast count. This is a sight fishing paradise, and you will
likely see many hundreds of fish a day, mostly Smallmouth Yellows but
in-between the Smallies lurk the behemoths, waiting for their chance to pounce.
Day 5: Breakfast at
07:30am and departure. Guests are welcome to fish the dam or river for the
morning before departure.
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