Fly Fishing Through the Wilds

There’s something timeless about flyfishing. It’s more than a sport. It’s a conversation with water, with wildness, and with yourself. After more than 40 years running Barefoot Safaris, guiding travellers through Southern Africa’s wildest corners, flyfishing remains one of my deepest passions — and one of the best ways to connect with the soul of a place.

From the tiger-filled waters of the Zambezi to the clear shallows of Sterkfontein Dam, from the high-mountain streams of Rhodes to the untamed Orange River, each destination has its own rhythm, its own beauty — and its own lessons to teach.

Let me take you there.

Zambezi River, Zambia — The Tiger’s Den

If you’ve never tangled with a tigerfish, you’ve never truly tested your nerves. The Zambezi, especially the wild stretches we fish in Zambia, is pure electric wilderness. Mornings begin with mist lifting from the water, fish eagles calling from the trees, and the low rumble of hippos in the reeds. But once your fly hits the current, everything shifts.

The take is instant and explosive. These fish don’t nibble — they attack. With razor teeth and raw power, tigers will shred your line and your pride if you’re not ready.

Opinion: Tigerfish are arguably the most thrilling freshwater fish to catch on fly. They demand accuracy, strength, and speed — but reward you with stories you’ll retell forever.

At Barefoot Safaris, we run remote flyfishing safaris into prime tiger water. Think long, quiet drifts, chasing boils and drop-offs, and targeting predators that have survived unchanged for millennia.

Sterkfontein Dam — Home of the Golden Ghost

High in the Free State, Sterkfontein Dam is a place that feels almost surreal. Gin-clear water, sweeping sandstone cliffs, and golden fish gliding silently in the shallows. This is yellowfish country — and it’s world-class.

Here, you sight-fish to smallmouth yellowfish using dry flies and delicate nymphs. You creep along the banks, scanning the glassy water for movement, then cast with precision. And when that yellow turns on your fly and takes, you’ll feel the pull all the way into your shoulders.

Emotion: Few moments compare to a well-presented dry fly being eaten in ankle-deep water. It’s addictive, almost meditative, and incredibly rewarding.

We run full yellowfish-focused trips at Sterkfontein — no rushing, no crowds. Just wild fish, wide skies, and water that asks you to be present in every cast.

Rhodes, Eastern Cape — Trout and Tradition

Tucked away in the southern Drakensberg, the little village of Rhodes holds a special place in South African flyfishing lore — and in my heart. With its stone cottages, dusty roads, and snow-fed streams, Rhodes is a quiet world of its own.

The rivers here — the Bell, Bokspruit, Riflespruit and others — run cold and clean. They hold wild trout, both rainbows and browns, and reward patience and finesse. Casts need to be soft, drifts drag-free, and your mind quiet.

Emotion: There’s something healing about standing in a highland stream, alone with the sound of flowing water and the hope of a rising fish.

We don’t just fish Rhodes — we live it. Our trips combine fishing with storytelling, conservation, and respect for the fragile ecosystem that gives this region its charm. And after a long day on the water, there’s nothing better than a warm fire, a good whiskey, and a chat with locals who’ve lived this life for decades.

Orange River — Wilderness on the Water

Then there’s the mighty Orange River, one of Africa’s great arteries, carving its way through stark desert landscapes and hidden valleys. We focus on the middle and lower sections — remote, raw, and breathtaking. This is drift-style flyfishing at its best.

Over multiday trips, we paddle down the river, camping under the stars, and casting from the raft or shoreline for largemouth and smallmouth yellowfish, barbel (catfish), and the occasional mudfish or tilapia. It’s an immersive experience — no phone signal, no rush, just you, your rod, and the rhythmic pull of the current.

Opinion: The Orange River isn’t just a fishing trip. It’s an expedition. It strips life down to the basics — clean water, wild fish, and good company.

We provide everything — boats, meals, gear support, expert guides. All you need to bring is an open mind and a willingness to get a little dusty.

Why I Still Do This

People ask why I’m still out here guiding, still casting, still chasing fish after four decades. The answer’s simple: because this never gets old. Because watching someone hook their first tigerfish, or land a yellow on dry, or fall in love with a river they’d never heard of — that’s magic.

At Barefoot Safaris, we don’t do “packages.” We craft experiences. We slow things down. We teach. We share stories. We help people see Africa not just as a place, but as a living, breathing, wild space that deserves our respect and care.

Opinion: Flyfishing isn’t about numbers. It’s about moments. And Africa delivers those in spades.

Come Fish With Me

So if you’re looking for more than a getaway — if you’re looking to reconnect with the wild, with water, and maybe even with yourself — come cast with me.

Whether it’s the roar of a tigerfish in Zambia, the stillness of Sterkfontein, the chill of a Rhodes stream, or the wide-open flow of the Orange, these places have shaped who I am. I’d love to share them with you.

Come barefoot. Come open. Come ready to fish.