23 – 28 March:
We had an impromptu visit from the Wildfly crew the other day as they worked on a Lesotho project. Although we only had a single night available for the crew between groups, some great fishing was had.
After a quick introduction and briefing, tackle was set up, and the guys headed off to fish the estuary just below camp. The river was still running strong and the rainclouds were looming overhead, but Jeremy Rochester was soon into a strong fighting rainbow. The fishing was wild and swinging big streamers down the fast runs proved to be very successful with all the guys lading some really big rainbows. After filming, the guys settled in in front of the fireplace to enjoy a whiskey and reminisce about the days fishing, and the adventures that await. After saying farewell to the Wildfly crew the following day, there was yet another surprise – TF guide Stu arrived in camp with the group (Jay Smit from Jay Vice fame) who were supposed to be trout trekking on the Khubelu river.
Heavy rains, and high water levels, caused a change of plans, and the trek had to be put on hold. So instead the guys opted for the comfort and warmth of the Makhangoa Community Camp, and to target the big trout in the area. The river was flowing strong, but clear enough to swing big streamers through the fast runs. The fishing was not easy but everyone caught some trophy rainbows as well as the odd yellowfish. Jay and his merry band of anglers made their way upstream as soon as the weather cleared to search for some wild river trout while the rest of the party, fisherman visiting from Swaartberg in Natal, stayed in camp taking advantage of the perfect conditions targeting large rainbows and yellowfish in the estuary and river.
It has been an absolutely fantastic season here at Makhangoa Community Camp as we break new ground fishing through autumn and into winter. The trout fishing has been absolutely world class, complimented by some epic late season yellowfish sessions. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has joined us on this incredible adventure. None of this would be possible without your support. On behalf of Tourette Fishing and the Makhangoa Community we would like to express a heartfelt thanks to all our guests, and we look forward to seeing you back in the future.
We have our first family group, 3 couples and 7 young children, coming in today which should be great fun. Trout fishing, kayaking on the river, pony treks and river hikes are all on the cards!
Cheers for now.
Pierre
3 – 6th and 6 – 12 April 2015
We had a whirl- wind three night stay with three families and 7 young kids over Easter. What a great experience for everyone. With kids kayaking on the river, riding ponies and donkeys, endless swimming and river hikes, combined with the fathers trying to fit in some fishing between their family duties, the Easter weekend was spent in true family holiday fashion. The Makhangoa Community Camp, offers a really unique mountain experience and we look forward to welcoming more family groups in the future. Apart from the fun family times, some great fish were landed as well.
The change in focus from purely fishing however did not last long as the next groups arrived. We have just completed a record breaking week at the Makhangoa Community Camp with some very big rainbows being landed.
Leonard Flemming broke his personal best by landing a hefty 12.5 pound rainbow trout while stripping a large streamer through a fast run on the Bokong River and also managed to land a few more rainbows in the slower glides and pools. The yellowfish were around but they were super skittish in the cool clear water and presenting a fly to a feeding yellows proved to be very challenging.
The next group of anglers were also treated to some exceptional fishing in the estuary, as well as the river, where large schools of big rainbows were moving into the system to start their annual spawning run.
The fishing was, to say the least, off the charts. More records were broken with many large rainbows being landed both on dry fly as well as streamers. Henk landed a beautiful wild river rainbow of 9 pounds, Schalk and Tony landed their personal best river rainbows, and on the last day Tony succeeded in landing the fish of a lifetime and broke the camp record with a 15 pound rainbow hen caught on a large black woolly bugger fished deep in the estuary.
The trout season at Makhangoa Community camp is still running strong and we are looking forward to some more great catches as we welcome more guests to this spectacular area.
The Makhangoa Community Camp , is not only a fly fishing haven, it is a nature lovers paradise with clean air, great fishing, walking trails, mountain biking, trail running, horse riding, pony trekking, cultural village tours, and much more. It is an experience unlike anything else, and not to be missed.
Look forward to having you here.
Cheers for now
The TF and Makhangoa Community Team
