Sediba lodge is approximately 300km from Johannesburg and 12km
from Clarens on the road towards Fouriesburg. Surrounded by the Rooiberg
mountain range, it is situated on a 300 hectare game farm and offers an
abundance of wildlife. There is one big dam in front of the lodges which is
well stocked with Trout.
There are also many other activities to be experienced
close to Sediba such as horse riding, white river rafting, quad biking,
absailing, hiking, golf, 4X4 trails, mountain biking and of course spectacular
fly fishing in the area. The Little Caledon River is nearby as well as the Ash River
if you want to target wild Trout in the rivers.
Accommodation
Sediba Lodge which is owned by Matt and Sheila Silcock is
very tastefully furnished and offers all the comforts one could wish for away
from home. The accommodation has a very
warm and upmarket feeling to it and the views from all of the lodges are
nothing but spectacular.
There are 3 lodges on the property, the North, South
and Mountain lodge. All have en suite bathrooms, fire places which include wood
and coal, full DSTV bouquets, heaters and electric blankets to fight the cold
of winter.
Fishing
We arrived on the Friday afternoon late and I headed out to
the dam to make a few casts before the cold and darkness set in. There was a
thunderstorm brewing and whilst trying to avoid the impending lighting, I saw
some activity in a couple of areas but unfortunately I couldn't persuade any fish
to take my fly.
The dam is beautiful and has some very nice structure that I
suspect hold some big fish. The water was very clear and there are some rather
deep sections too. I spoke to some of the other guests who were there and they
caught some nice fish on the Friday and Saturday.
We spent most of our time fishing in the Ash River which is
about 30km from Sediba lodge towards Bethlehem, and Sediba lodge will soon be
offering guided trips to the Ash River through a guiding service to target the
huge resident wild trout that call the Ash River their home.
Conclusion
Once you have been here you will surely return as Sediba feels
like a home away from home. The hosts are very friendly people and will make
you feel like you have known them for years. I think you will have to look very
hard to find other accommodation that offers so much for so little.
Sediba is
not only a place for the avid fly fisherman but also for the family looking for
a peaceful weekend away with the breath taking Freestate mountains as your
backdrop. Clarens offers more than most country towns with everything from art
galleries to curio shops, to some fantastic restaurants.
Recommended Equipment
5wt 9ft rod
with a floating and intermediate line for Stillwater fishing.
7wt 9ft rod
with a floating line and sinking line for the Ash river.
2wt rod with
a floating line for the Little Caledon river.
Recommended Flies
Peacock
Woolly Bugger, Papa Roach, San Juan worm, Midge patterns and DDD for the still
waters.
Zak nymph,
Hot Spot PTN, GRHE, RAB and Elk Hair Caddis for the Little Caledon River.
© 2013 Hunter Hennie. All Rights Reserved.
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