Spring Valley Retreat

Contributor WEBBER MARAIS gets in some quality family time at a new venue close to Dullstroom.

- Webber Marais

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Situated at an ideal 2077m above sea level, the small town of Dullstroom is one of South Africa’s most frequented fly fishing destinations. It was established in 1883 and, if you have visited it before, you’ll know the rich history it holds. Countless historical ruins and monuments are scattered in the surrounding area, so it wasn’t strange to come across some of these gems hidden in the blue gum forest upon our entrance to Spring Valley Retreat, a little piece of paradise 4km from Dullstroom. Here is a place where the silence and solitude are complemented by the comforts of luxury. The venue is rated so highly that it won Best Waters Award three years in a row at the prestigious Dullstroom Classic fly fishing competition. Needless to say, we were very much looking forward to our weekend away in the country.

We arrived late Friday afternoon and quickly settled into our accommodation with spectacular views over the main dam. Although there was enough last light to explore and throw a line, we were just too late to cash in on the evening rise. As the sun tucked beyond the horizon, I rounded up the boys to meet up with their mom Linda, who had already acquainted herself with the kitchen in the clubhouse and was by now cooking up a storm.

I felt content and relaxed – life could not be better. After supper, my youngest son Arno and I took ownership of the dining room table close to the cosy log fire to concoct a few patterns for the next morning’s fishing. Knowing that older brother Dian would be on a mission to land his first trout, they were off to bed before long so as not to miss the opportunity of an early-morning rise.

THE FISHING