Venue Reviews

Venue Name: Dunkeld Country Estate

Date Visited: April 2008

Duration: 1 day

Access and Vehicle required: Tar and paved roads all the way. No need for that fuel guzzling 4x4.

Species: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Golden Trout.

Type of water: Small to medium sized dams from a quarter hectare to three quarter hectare.

Difficulty: Challenging

Daily Rod Average: 2

Flies that worked: Black Fritz, Muddler Minnow, Marabou Muddler, Black Woolly Bugger.

Tips and Tactics: Head straight to the catch and release dams (maps of the dams layout are available from reception) unless you want to cook and eat your quarry. Approach the dams as you would any other, but if fishing is tough tie on a trusty GRHE and fish the weed banks.

Weather Conditions: Sunny and warm.

Area: South Africa, Mpumalanga

Fishing Write-Up: We started our trout prospecting in the dams closest the hotel having limited success with one small trout succumbing to the ever popular Woolly Bugger. We made our way up the hill, fishing the different dams as we went. Only when we reached the catch and release dams did the fishing turn on slightly. The wind was pumping and fishing flies that caused a bit of surface disturbance did the trick. We used Muddler Minnows to great effect but I'm sure Hoppers and Stimulators would've done the trick too. The water was rather murky, which coupled with the persistent wind and hot weather made the fishing extra challenging.

Venue Write-Up: Founded in 1998, Dunkeld Country Estate is situated just outside Dullstroom on the Tonteldoos Road. The 290 hectares of land is home to some fourteen species of game and many species of highland birds. Guests as well as day visitors can fish the eighteen dams, but if flyfishing is not your thing (which it should be seeing as though you're reading this review) you can keep yourself busy with horse riding, mountain biking, bird and game watching, swimming or checking out the duck sanctuary. Like I've said, there are an abundance of dams to choose from, however, most of them are designated catch and keep waters. Not such a good thing for the more experienced fishermen. On top of that, the catch and release dams are quite a walk from the main complex. Though few, they do nevertheless have some decent trout in them. The lodge offers 13 luxurious rooms, 4-en-suites and 7 self catering units. The Black Swan restaurant offers delicious breakfasts and pub-lunches as well as a la carte dinners.

Contact Info: http://www.dunkeldestate.co.za/

Mavungana rating: 3.25/10
How the Guides Voted: JB-3, JT-1, CT-4, MC-5

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