Monday, 21 October 2013

Sediba Lodge Review

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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