Somerset East Trout

**Bryan** · 21-07-14

I have been reading good things about the fishing in the Somerset East area including the 14lb trout taken in the Little Fish River last year and some of the unspoilt fishing for Smallmouth Yellowfish in the rivers fed by the Orange/Fish tunnel.

So, while I was up in Graaff Reinet visiting family last week I decided to make an effort to get out there to give it a try. We had a pretty full schedule so I was only able to get one night out there with the family and stayed at a beautiful place called Glen Avon Farm which had some lovely dams located onsite. The farm has an extremely rich history and the setting is pretty spectacular. Well worth a visit if you are ever in the region.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to get out to the rivers that are fed by the tunnel system to target some winter yellows on dry but I was pleasantly surprised by the trout fishing on offer in the region. I haven't fished for trout in earnest for some time as the wares on offer in the close proximity to Jo'burg just don't excite me too much. I would much rather be catching anything wild, be it tiny trout or yellowfish (and preferably in a river) than catching 1.5lb stockies. Although I love fishing so if that's all on offer I'll take it too :biggrin:

The water quality here is pristine and there is an abundance of food so the fish put on weight quickly, are fin perfect and in excellent health. I must say the fish I caught were probably the hardest fighting trout I have ever caught with multiple jumps, stamina, a few good runs and decent size too. We were blessed with two superb days of 25 and 28 degrees

in the middle of winter, can you believe but the water was still very well chilled so the fish were lively.

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Here are two of the better specimens that I picked up.

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I will definitely be back to explore the area again further when next out there and hopefully to sample some of the river fishing on offer.

**gkieser** · 21-07-14

Sweet Mary there are some good fish there!

Thx for the report!

**smallstreams.co.za** · 22-07-14

Wow, some nice fish you landed - congrats!! Thanks for the report!

**Korrie** · 22-07-14

WOW very good fish.
Well worth the effort

**JadeDsantos** · 22-07-14

Great fish! Its a really special place fishing in he Karoo. The few times I have been I loved it. Failed to find any hogs like that, but they definitly are around! Nice one! J

**Andre** · 22-07-14

It looks like a dam I fished near Dordrecht. Same scenery. Some lunker trout there.

**Stones** · 22-07-14

Some nice trouts there B!

You've lost weight

**Bryan** · 23-07-14

Thanks guys. Really enjoyed it and keen to explore more when there again...

Stones, may have lost a little :wink: Counting the days until it warms up enough to hit Sterkies again!