Best Flies for Fly Fishing in Dullstroom, South Africa

Best Flies for Fly Fishing in Dullstroom, South Africa

Dullstroom is one of South Africa’s most iconic fly fishing destinations. Nestled in Mpumalanga’s highlands, it offers crystal-clear stillwaters and cold-running streams ideal for targeting rainbow and brown trout. But to hook into a trophy fish here, you’ll need the right flies for the right conditions.

Here’s a breakdown of the most effective flies for fishing in Dullstroom throughout the year.

🐛 1. Woolly Bugger

Best For: Trout (rainbow & brown)
Why it works: One of the most versatile streamer patterns. Imitates leeches, baitfish, or dragonfly nymphs. Deadly when retrieved slowly in stillwaters.

Top colours: Olive, black, brown, and orange

Fish it: On sinking or intermediate line, slow strips or short twitches

🪶 2. Pheasant Tail Nymph (PTN)

Best For: Selective trout in clear water
Why it works: A realistic representation of mayfly and stonefly nymphs. Great for sight-fishing or indicator nymphing.

Use in: Streams, tailouts, and near reeds or rocks

Tip: Fish as a dropper under a dry fly

🦟 3. Zebra Midge / Bloodworm

Best For: Early morning or winter stillwaters
Why it works: Mimics chironomid larvae and pupae which make up a large portion of a trout's diet.

Top colours: Red, black, silver, and wine

Use under: A strike indicator or with slow retrieve

🐜 4. Ants, Beetles & Dry Terrestrials

Best For: Summer and windy days
Why it works: When bugs get blown into the water, trout can go wild. These are key patterns on windy afternoons.

Top flies: Foam Ant, Parachute Beetle, Hopper patterns

Fish it: With a floating line, near edges or drop-offs

🐞 5. Damsel Nymphs

Best For: Stillwaters with lots of weed beds
Why it works: Trout love to ambush damsel nymphs as they migrate. A must-have fly in warm months.

Colours: Olive, tan, light green

Retrieve: Very slow, long pulls with pauses

🐝 6. Adams Dry Fly

Best For: River trout & small stillwaters
Why it works: General mayfly imitation. Great for calm days when fish are rising.

Use: On a 5wt floating line, short casts

Match it with: PTN or Zebra Midge dropper

🎣 Bonus: Dragonfly Nymphs & Big Buggers

Why: Late summer and autumn bring big trout looking for protein. Large, meaty flies like Dragon Nymphs or big olive bugger variants will provoke explosive takes.

Fish these: On sink tips near drop-offs or reeds.

Seasonal Tips for Dullstroom Fly Fishing

Need the Right Gear?

Western Accessories stocks a full range of fly rods, fly reels, leader, tippet, and premium hand-tied flies ideal for South African waters like Dullstroom.

👉 Shop flies and fly tackle

Tight lines and happy casting!