For any Sterkies beginner I would give the following advice following from my own mistakes and experience:
•Be alert at all times. The amount of fish in Sterkies is unbelievable and the fish are around every bend and corner and constantly moving along the shoreline. They take your fly when you least expect it!
•Practice your casting before you go. Fish are never very far to cast at, but the wind and rocky outcrops require quite a bit of accuracy. Also - I don't really know why, but I never imagined having to cast so close to the water's edge. Get into the mindset: the closer the better.
•Bring sun protection. During the 3 days at Sterkies I got a lovely red nose and lobster pink hands from being way too excited and forgetting half of my gear, which included sunscreen, gloves and my hat at home or in the car.
•Lastly – be prepared for any weather. During my first 3 hours on Sterkfontein I experience biting wind, then icy cold rain and soon after that full sunshine.. Pack in a rain breaker jacket and a hat. The weather changes within minutes.
These are by no means "expert" advice and simply things I will do differently the next time I head off to Sterkies.
All in all, I would recommend any one who just slightly enjoys fly fishing to make some effort to visit Sterkfontein dam. Thanks to Alfred and all the other club members who made the weekend fun and memorable.
-Jeandre van Schalkwyk