The Garden Route is a wonderful, scenic, 300km route meandering along the eastern coast of South Africa's Western and Eastern Cape. It stretches from Mossel Bay to Tsitsikamma. With it's lush green vegetation and with the road hugging the beautiful beaches throughout the journey it is one of the most popular holiday routes for both local and international travelers.
Whether you fly fish or not this area is a must-see for anyone visiting South Africa. It boasts amazing natural beauty, excellent accomodation options in the wonderful towns along the route, and plenty of activities for all ages.
When it comes to fly fishing though, the area is quickly becoming one of the most attractive destinations to fish in salt water in South Africa. With local guides having cracked the code to fly fishing for the most prized species in the estuaries and off-shore, the fly fishing options have opened up tremendously.
Some of the species on offer include the mystical Spotted Grunter (Grunt/Spotty), Garrick (Leerivis,/Leerie), Giant Kob (Kabeljou), Bonito, Shad, to name a few. Fly fishing for these species in the incredible landscapes on offer is something truly special and rivals some of the most beautiful fly fishing destinations in the world.
With spectacular fly fishing guides offering awesome adventures wading through the estuaries or casting a fly from the boat off-shore you are guaranteed to have fun even though the landing of these often tricky to find and fool fish can be quite challenging. It makes the fly fishing experience even more rewarding when you finally land the fish you have been aiming for.
Other activities to consider while not out fly fishing include enjoying the local cuisine and wines of the area, swimming in the oceans, estuaries or rivers, kayaking, visiting the Knysna Elephant Sanctuary or Birds of Eden, Relaxing on the beautiful beaches, or simply lazing around and reading a book with a view.
If you are interested in experiencing this awesome adventure on the fly then get in touch and will curate the perfect trip to fit your needs and wants. We will find the right route, guides, and accommodation to fit any budget.
My favourite fishing experience is South Africa is without a doubt wading in the beautiful knee-deep estuaries, sight fishing for the stunning Spotted Grunter. Here is a picture of the first one I landed on fly and one I will remember for the rest of my life. Get in touch so we can try to get you on to yours.
