Mountain Trout Lodge AKA Waterfall Trout Lodge
Self-Catering Trout Fly Fishing Lodge Between Carolina and Badplaas
Sep 1, 2009
Mountain Trout Lodge was changed to Waterfall Trout Lodge for a year or two, but the name has changed back to the original Mountain Trout Lodge as GPS information showed only the co-ordinates for Mountain Trout Lodge. To avoid confusion, the owners decided to revert back to the original name. The closest town is Badplaas, which is renowned for the holiday resort built around a sulphur fountain in the valley of the Seekoeispruit (Afrikaans for Hippo River).
There are no shops or fuel available at the lodge and tourists can replenish their supplies at Badplaas (approximately 15 kilometers away) or Carolina (approximately 30 kilometers away).
Accommodation at Mountain Trout Lodge
All accommodation at Mountain Trout Fishing Lodge is self-catering although plans are underway to erect facilities for campers. Highly professional and friendly staff services the units daily. Electricity is a given at all the units and they are fully equipped to cater to even the most discerning traveler. The units do not have television sets, which add to the charm of the lodge as guests spend the cold winter evenings around the built-in fireplaces.
There are no lock-up facilities available to store valuables and guests should make provision to safeguard their property when not in the lodge. All the units are structured in such a way to ensure privacy of the occupants and enhances the feeling of exclusivity at the lodge.
The hosts of Mountain Trout Lodge, Charles and Lindi Van Noppen, go out of their way to ensure every guest receives personal attention and adds to the general relaxed atmosphere reigning at the lodge. All queries are handled professionally and quickly and guests can be assured that their hosts will do anything possible to ensure they have a pleasant stay.
The accommodation offered at Mountain Trout Fishing Lodge includes:
- The self catering guest house, which is a short distance from the main trout dams and sports three bedrooms, two bathrooms, lounge dining room and kitchen. The guesthouse faces the mountains and is ideal for a large family or group.
- A double story thatched lodge overlooks one of the trout dams and can accommodate 10 people. It has five bedrooms (one in a wooden loft and one in an outside rondavel), three bathrooms (two showers, one bath and three toilets), a fully equipped open plan kitchen and dining room and a lounge with a comfortable fireplace. As the thatched lodge is built against the slope of the mountain, guests can expect temporary loss of water in the early mornings during mid-winter as the water may occasionally freeze in the pipes.
- The lodge overlooks a trout dam where the fly fisherman can see the brown, rainbow and golden trout frolicking in the clear water from the well-kept lawns surrounding the dam. A garden table with sufficient chairs is placed a comfortable distance from the dam's edge and nestles close to an outside braai/barbecue facility.
- The Fisherman's cottage accommodates four guests and has two bedrooms, a bathroom and open plan kitchen and lounge with a fireplace. The cottage overlooks a trout dam and has a beautiful view of the mountains a short distance away.
- Attached to the main building of the lodge, a flat let with two bedrooms, an underground shower, bathroom, kitchen and lounge offers accommodation to four people. This flat let overlooks the main trout dam with a view over part of a pine forest.
- A small cottage with one bedroom, shower, bathroom and kitchen also overlooks the main trout dam and accommodates two guests.
Mountain Trout Lodge nestles close to a mountain range between Carolina and Badplaas. Anglers can choose between six well-stocked dams and 1.5 kilometer of river fishing in the perennial Seekoeispruit. Three of the dams are reserved for expert fishermen and all the dams contain trophy-sized trout.
Fly fishing equipment, including an assortment of flies, are for rent at the lodge and the staff will clean and fillet the catch of each day upon request. Day visitors are allowed, but according to the hosts, Charles and Lindi van Noppen, their numbers will be limited in future to ensure the exclusivity of the lodge is not compromised.
Other Activities at Mountain Trout Lodge
Besides fly-fishing, the lodge offers a short walking trail to a waterfall in the mountains surrounding the lodge. The walk is relatively easy and hikers are rewarded with spectacular plant and bird life along the route. Arrangements can also be made to visit the hatchery on the farm, which hatches approximately 150 tons of trout annually.
Other activities offered in the area include horse riding, quad biking, off-road trails and a golf course.
Reservations are essential and can be made by contacting Charles Van Noppen on +27 83 417 0185
Another trout lodge in the Badplaas area is Skurweberg Trout Hideaway.
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