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Fly Fishing at Leliekloof Lodge

An Interview with Ockie Schoeman

Preparing for the 2026 Fly Fishing Season


We’re ready, will you be ready for the 2026 fly fishing season?

Over the past three years, Leliekloof Lodge has been hard at work restoring Aquarium Dam for fly fishing. In earlier years, rainbow trout thrived in both Aquarium Dam and Kloof Dam under the care of Dries de Klerk. Unfortunately, natural challenges caused the trout population to decline: invasive grasses overtook Aquarium Dam and released toxins harmful to fish, while carp in Kloof Dam muddied the water and disturbed the ecosystem.


But things have changed.


Thanks to the support, expertise and sponsorship of fly fisherman and conservationist Ockie Schoeman, Aquarium Dam is now free of invasive grasses and home to a robust strain of rainbow trout that are hardy, healthy and fighting fit; ready for the 2026 fly fishing season.


Sonelle de Klerk sat down with Ockie to talk about how he first discovered Leliekloof, the journey to restocking the dam, and what guests can expect when the season opens.


Fly Fishing at Leliekloof Lodge
Fly Fishing at Leliekloof Lodge, Aquarium Dam

SdK: Ockie, how did you first hear about Leliekloof?


OS: About three years ago, I was chatting with Martin Davies, Head of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science at Rhodes University; I asked him where he believed the most fertile waters in South Africa were. After a long conversation, and about a bottle and a half of very good whisky, he said without hesitation: “The best and most productive dam in South Africa is at Leliekloof.” I immediately made the effort to get hold of Dries, and that’s when things started moving.

SdK: Once you made contact, how did you and Dries tackle the grass problem in Aquarium Dam?

OS: I approached Francois Claassen from De Rust Hatchery in Cape Town to conduct a scientific assessment of the dams at Leliekloof. Based on his findings, we secured the correct permits and introduced grass carp to Aquarium Dam to naturally control the invasive weeds and grasses.


SdK: It took about a year to a year and a half for the grass carp to clear the dam. Dries then built a nursery for trout hatchlings, and we released the young trout in May 2025. The strain you’ve introduced is known as the “Martin Davies Strain Rainbow Trout.” What makes this strain special?


OS: The strain comes from Kurt Andersen at Glenara Farm Hatchery in Hogsback. We call them the Martin Davies Strain Rainbow Trout because they have exceptional colouration, are hardy in warmer temperatures, and grow significantly larger than standard rainbow trout. If you want trout of 4kg and up in your dam, this is the strain to have.


SdK: You visited us recently and spent a few days fishing at Aquarium Dam. Were you satisfied with what you saw, and do you think the trout will be a good size by the 2026 season?


OS: We had an incredible time. In one afternoon alone, we caught numerous medium-sized trout, it was perfect. And yes, by next year they will absolutely be at a very good size for the opening of the season.


SdK: Thank you, Ockie, not only for the interview, but for the part you played in helping us restore Aquarium Dam. We look forward to welcoming you back soon.


Fly Fishing Season 2026: Save the Dates


Whether you’re a seasoned angler or planning your first trout weekend, we're ready, are you?






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