A 9- to 10-foot, 5- or 6-weight rod suits South African stillwater trout and smallmouth yellowfish. Both weights handle any trout size found in SA waters. The 6-weight's advantage lies in punching casts through wind and turning over larger flies more efficiently. Fast-action rods excel in stillwater conditions where distance and wind-cutting ability matter. Nine- to 10-foot length keeps line high above water, particularly important fishing from float tubes where you sit low.

For bass, carp and largemouth yellowfish, step up to a 7-weight. These species demand more power for bulky flies, and carp and largemouth yellowfish are exceptionally strong fighters. Barbel require 8- or 9-weight rods due to their raw power. Four-piece designs ease transport to remote dams.

Recommended Specifications:

• Line weight: 5-6 weight for trout and smallmouth yellowfish; 7 weight for bass, carp and largemouth yellowfish; 8-9 weight for barbel
• Length: 9 to 10 feet
• Action: Fast
• Features: Four-piece for travel convenience

A weight-forward floating line serves as primary workhorse. This taper loads quickly, delivers distance and handles dry flies to weighted nymphs. Floating lines fish the top two metres where fish feed most. Cold-water formulations remain supple in highland conditions, preventing coiling. Floating line versatility suits beginners whilst remaining effective for experienced anglers.

Complete stillwater success demands depth versatility. Intermediate clear or camouflage line fishes just below surface without spooking fish. Full sinking lines (type 3 to type 6) probe deeper water during bright conditions. Full sinking lines maintain depth better than sink-tips during retrieves.

Recommended Specifications:

• Taper: Weight-forward
• Type: Floating (primary), intermediate and sinking lines (secondary)
• Weight: Match to rod
• Coating: Cold-water formula for South African highland conditions

Highland stillwaters experience cold mornings warming significantly by midday. Start with merino wool base layer (200-260gsm) that wicks moisture and regulates temperature. Add lightweight fleece or synthetic mid-layer, easily removed as conditions warm. A waterproof-breathable shell protects against wind and sudden weather changes. Quick-dry fishing pants or convertible trousers offer versatility.

Sun protection matters on stillwaters where reflection intensifies UV exposure. Long-sleeve sun hoody with UPF 50+ rating covers arms and torso whilst breathing. Wide-brimmed hats shade face and neck. Polarised sunglasses with copper or amber lenses cut glare, revealing subsurface structure and cruising fish.

Recommended Items:

• Base layer: Merino wool (200-260gsm) or synthetic
• Mid-layer: Lightweight fleece or synthetic insulation
• Sun hoody with UPF 50+ protection
• Quick-dry fishing pants or convertible trousers
• Wide-brimmed hat with neck protection
• Polarised sunglasses (copper or amber lenses, UV 400)
• Buff or neck gaiter
• Lightweight waterproof-breathable jacket

Breathable chest waders keep you dry and comfortable whilst accessing productive water. Technical membranes allow perspiration to escape whilst preventing water entry—neoprene waders trap moisture inside causing discomfort. Breathable waders reduce thermal transfer more effectively when properly layered underneath. Highland venues demand waders in spring and autumn. Follow proper layering principles—see our Layering and Wader Care guide for details.

Stockingfoot chest waders paired with neoprene dive booties create the ideal system. The bootie's rubber sole protects the wader stocking foot from punctures whilst reinforced toe and heel sections reduce wear. Reef dive booties feature "fin tabs"—heel bumps preventing fin straps from slipping during use. Purchase booties 2-3 sizes larger than normal shoe size to accommodate wader foot plus thick thermal socks without compressing the sock's loop-knit structure (compression destroys insulation). Use 200-260gsm merino or angora wool thermal socks, adjusting thickness to conditions. For extreme cold, two medium-weight sock layers outperform one thick layer. Never use cotton; it loses 80% warmth when 20% wet.

Recommended Features:

• Style: Breathable stockingfoot chest waders
• Material: Gore-Tex or quality breathable fabric (3-5 layer)
• Bootie system: Neoprene dive booties (3-5mm), sized 2-3 sizes over normal
• Bootie features: Rubber sole, reinforced toe/heel, fin tabs
• Thermal socks: Merino or angora wool (200-260gsm), multiple pairs
  Note: Always use protective mat when donning/doffing
• Underlayers: Base layer + thermal layer(s) per conditions, NEVER cotton

IMPORTANT: Temperature changes cause air expansion and contraction requiring adjustment.

Initial Setup:

• Inflate seat bladder FIRST, then main bladder
• The correct bladder inflation is when you can press your thumb about 1 to 1.5cm into the inflated bladder.
• NEVER step on uninflated tube, especially bladder edges (causes leaks)

Morning Setup (Cool at first, warming during the morning):

• Inflate seat bladder FIRST, then main bladder
• Under-inflate by 5-10% as the temperature rises, the bladders will expand

Midday (Warm to Hot):

• Release ~20% before leaving you boat next to the water over lunch time
• Sun expansion can rupture bladders or seams
• Check firmness, there should be plenty of room for expansion

Evening (warm at first, cooling during the afternoon):

• Over-inflate by 5-10% as temperature drops the bladder will contract
• Cold contracts air—bladders soften
• Adjust as conditions require

Post-Trip Care:

• Rinse with fresh water at trip end
• Dry completely preventing mould
• Check damage, repair immediately
• Store COMPLETELY DEFLATED in cool environment (thermal cycling damages bladders if stored inflated)
• Never place heavy objects on folded tubes
• Store in box or hang flat

Safety: Horizon Trout Stalker features three independent air bladders (main, seat, backrest). The main bladder is a urethane construction, and the seat and backrest use aircraft life vest construction. Probability of all three bladders failing simultaneously: approximately one in one billion. This redundancy eliminates need for additional flotation devices.

Woolly Buggers top South African stillwater fly boxes—this versatile pattern imitates leeches, baitfish and damselflies. Use olive, black, brown and orange in sizes #4 to #12. Damsel nymphs (Red-eyed Damsel, olive damsels) match abundant larvae, fished slowly along weedbeds in sizes #8 to #12. Dragonfly patterns like Papa Roach imitate larger prey, retrieved faster in sizes #6 to #10.

Buzzers (chironomid imitations) in sizes #14 to #18 match midge hatches in highland dams, fished static under indicators or slowly retrieved. Dry flies (Adams, DDD, hoppers, CDC patterns) cover surface feeding. Blobs and boobies in fluorescent colours act as pure attractors, particularly effective during winter. Carry patterns in various colours—black, olive, brown, orange, white—weighted and unweighted.

Essential Fly Patterns:

• Woolly Buggers (sizes #4-12, olive, black, brown, orange, weighted/unweighted)
• Damsel Nymphs - Red-eyed
• amsel, olive damsels (sizes #8-12)
• Dragonfly Patterns - Papa Roach, olive/brown dragons (sizes #6-10)
• Buzzers/Midges - black, red, olive (sizes #14-18)
• Dry Flies - DDD, Adams, Hoppers, CDC emergers (sizes #12-16)
• Streamers - Zonkers, Clouser Minnows (sizes #4-8)
• Blobs/Boobies - fluorescent orange, pink, chartreuse (sizes #8-10)
• Mrs Simpson (sizes #8-10)