What the WTA is?

An organisation of riparian owners and affiliate members serving a wild spawned fishery

What is the Wild Trout Association?

The Wild Trout Association (WTA) is an organisation of riparian owners with productive fishing waters running through their lands, together with affiliate members who provide services and facilities such as guiding and accommodation. Established in April 1991, the WTA functions as a fly-fishing administration and marketing body that promotes fly fishing on a sustainable basis on behalf of its members.

The WTA administers access to more than 200 kilometres of running water within an hour’s drive of the village of Rhodes on over 40 different beats.

What does the WTA do?

The WTA was formed to bring organised access to the exceptional fly-fishing waters of the Eastern Cape Highlands, and has been remarkably successful in doing so over more than three decades.

Administration of the fishery

The WTA administers the central booking system for all beats, handles day permit sales, processes catch returns, and distributes permit fees to riparian members. The Rhodes Info Centre (RIC) in Muller Street, Rhodes, serves as the central hub for all permit and beat administration.

Marketing & promotion

The Association promotes fly fishing in the Highlands through festivals, expos, workshops, an active website, and a comprehensive printed guidebook (now in its 2026 edition) and social media. Contributions from writers such as Ed Herbst, Tom Sutcliffe, Miles Divett, Peter Brigg, Fred Steynberg, Tony Kietzman and Peter Baxter have given the Highlands a well-earned reputation among South African fly fishers.

Infrastructure development

Riparian members have been encouraged to develop accommodation, access tracks, and signage that allow visiting fly fishers to reach and enjoy the water. WTA-standard green beat signs now mark access points across the catchment.

Conservation & research

The WTA conducts electro-fishing surveys, river health assessments (SASS), and co-operates with researchers and conservation bodies to monitor and protect the fishery.

Community & economic development

Independent research by Dr Mario du Preez and Deborah Lee of Nelson Mandela University found that fly fishing tourism in Rhodes contributes close to R6 million annually to the local economy and supports more than 30 jobs.

Where does the WTA operate?

The WTA’s waters are in the Eastern Cape Highlands, on the southern border of Lesotho. The area spans the magisterial districts of Barkly East and Dordrecht. The headquarters is the village of Rhodes, declared a heritage conservation area in July 1997.

The Kraai River — fed by the Bell and Sterkspruit joining at Moshesh’s Ford — flows westward through deep sandstone gorges before eventually reaching the Atlantic Ocean at Oranjemund, more than 1,000 km downstream.

Catch policy

Catch and release, with respect for the fish to ensure their viability is encouraged. See more information on Catch and release here