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The Africa First lodge is situated on the banks of the Vaal River a hop, skip and a shuffle from where it flows into the mighty Orange River.
While guiding in the Eastern Cape, Jacques was chosen to join the first ever South African Protea team to participate in the World Flyfishing championchips in Europe in 2001. There they were introduced to nymphing techniques never used in South Africa at the time. Coming back with this new knowledge, the guys started to use these techniques on our local yellow fish, and suddenly a whole new movement of flyfishing was born in South Africa. With 1000’s of kilometres of river filled with indiginous yellows accessible to local fly fishers and with easy access to fishable water, a once marginal sport the community grew at a rapid pace. As fishing pressure increased on the Vaal close to Gauteng, Jacques saw the opportunity, and moved his guiding operation to Douglas where 88% of SA water flows past. His 22 year local knowledge developed, and he is now seen as the leading guide in SA as far as this species, techniques and flies is concerned.
With the Vaal, Riet and Orange River in the area, Africa First has access to 100’s of km of fishable water. As the seasons change, we, just like the fish, move from winter to summer spots to chase them down. We target specific areas for Small Mouth yellows, taking small streamers and nymphs in the clear pools of the Vaal. In the Orange on the other hand, Large Mouth Yellows are waking up, and taking a raft into the long slow pools might just land you a fish of a lifetime. Euro nymphing techniques will give you the opportunity to make the most of the fishing as the Small Mouths move into the rapids as it get warmer, giving you the opportunity “to really get your rod off”.
We believe that sometimes we as parents loose influence as our kids hit their teen years, we feel strenghtening that bond is important. We love teaching and develop this amazing sport of hunting and fishing. We strive to, through this sports, bond you and your kid so that you can be in the same team. For toddlers, that means getting down to their level and speaking their language, convincing teens you’re in it together takes a more creative approach.
For us, Africa First, it’s about having fun and adventuring together and creating memories that will last a lifetime!
You will be accommodated in guests rooms. The guests rooms take two people with an ensuite bathroom. The rooms will be serviced daily with bed and bedding. Breakfast will be served in the lapa daily. We will also serve dinner in the lapa. Meals will be a mix of real Northern Cape home cooking, freshly baked bread and braais.
We looking forward to host you in this gem of the Northern Cape.
Africa First prides itself in professional service and strives to provide you with a wonderful experience. In ensuring to provide top quality guidance and information to each guest; we apply what we have learned over the past 25 years. Jacques has fished in numerous international competitions and is one of the most experienced guides in the country.
