Raft & Catch

The Vaal is a big river with many islands and extensive opportunities for flyfishing. To get around it's best to go by raft. You can stand up in our Croc inflatables and fish the deep pools for Large Mouth Yellowfish. You can get to rocky whitewater rapids and fish for the Small Mouth. Give it a try - your results could amaze you.

You are accompanied by an expert guide who can brief you on the right flies, & techniques to bring in your catch. Both beginner and intermediate fishers are welcome. Contact us if you are interested.

Go here for the map and route descriptions.

Seasonal conditions

Between May-August the water is cold and clear and runs low over the rocks making boating best on the long pools. September to November the water warms up and may start running a bit higher, as a result of dam releases, and is generally fine for boating. December to April the water can be pushy and sometimes murky due to rain; it can also flood making fishing a no-no. Because of the abundance of whitewater rapids, this area is prime for Small Mouth catches but Large Mouth also lurk in the deep, strong currents. Barbel and carp also take fly.

The boat

We use Croc inflatables allowing you to stand up. The boat, paddles and lifejackets are provided. Paddle your own craft singly or in pairs. There is plenty of room for a cooler box and kitbag. We do provide a packed lunch. You are not accompanied in the boat by our guide, and if you want a paddler there is an extra charge. You are required to sign an indemnity undertaking the boating at your own risk. But never fear - our guide is with you all the way.

Wading and walking

Some spots are inaccessible except by boat, but once you are there you can wade or walk in most places if you wish to.

Book ahead and set your own date

The fee includes instruction, boat and refreshments or lunch. Meet at Otters' Haunt, early morning. Each guide has a small group to ensure good coaching, good chances, and peace & privacy on the river. Minimum group: 4.

HALF DAY 3.5 hours	R395	incl refreshments
FULL DAY 7 hours	R595	incl picnic lunch

Discount if you stay over two nights at Otters' Haunt

Photo Gallery

MAP of Float 'n Fly Vaal Routes

Descriptions from map

The Vaal above and below Otters' Haunt offers a vast variety of fishing grounds. To cover the whole area in a day is not possible. Here are some brief descriptions to help you make up your mind what you would like to do on our guided Float 'N Fly trails. Note that the map is not to scale and you should not try to use it to find your own way - it is purely a sketch!

UPPER ISLANDS: Starting above the golf course weir (a major hazard) we walk past the wall and descend through narrow channels which are seldom visited by Man. It will take an entire day to make it from the start to the end point at Otters' Haunt. This section is fishable at levels between 25-40 cubic metres a second (cumecs). Too low (10-20 cumecs) makes boating a grind, and too high it becomes dangerous. 20-30 cumecs is normal summer flow. Decision to go on the upper stretch is taken on the day. The other options are below. There are so many islands and channels on this stretch that it would be possible to find a spot all of your own, probably never fished before.

MIDDLE ISLANDS: The river is fuller because many of the channels have come together. Unfortunately this also means that large whitewater raftingt parties are encountered, especially on Saturdays. Best do this route on a weekday or Sunday. The fishing is good at well-known spots, but we know plenty of side channels where few anglers ever go. The route can provide half-day and full-day excursions, with a pull-out point a few hours below Otters' Haunt - it all depends on how long you wish to stay on the water.

LOWER ISLANDS: Boating parties are less of a problem, and once again there are secluded channels. This can be a good alternative on Saturdays. We put in after a drive about 7km downriver from Otters' Haunt and make arrangements for a shuttle back later in the day. Here you are in the gateway to the Bergland and the hills are beginning to close in, with the river more confined. Again how long you stay on the water depends on you - half day and full day are both feasible.

LONG POOLS: Several long pools interrupt the whitewater both above and below Otters' Haunt. At Parys there is the much-used Sandgat, a very public place; below the rapid called Big Daddy is Murder Mile - a long pool also quite busy with fishing including line fishermen. Towards the end of that pool otters have been sighted which is a good sign for flyfishing. All the way down through the Middle and Lower islands there are short pools, but once the river enters the Bergland proper the rapids disappear, the river becomes a single channel, and there are long, deep stretches with occasional riffles over shallow rocky beds. When the fish are rising, flyfishing can be good in any of the long pools (for Large Mouth especially). Floating downriver in the boat gives you plenty of opportunity try out different flies and techniques.

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GET TO THE BEST SPOTS BY BOAT!

Boat downriver accompanied by an expert who knows all the spots.

All inclusive fees cover the boating, expertise, refreshments. AND there are discounts if you stay over at Otters' Haunt for two nights!

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