About Maden Dam
Maden Dam lies in the otherworldly Phiri forest, close to King William’s Town and 80 km from East London. Whilst its size is nothing to write home about, it is both incredibly pretty and highly regarded amongst the fly fishing fraternity.
Did you know? Regular fishing events take place via the oldest fishing club in the country - the Frontier Acclimatisation Society - which you will find in King William’s Town.
What makes Maden Dam, named after the dam’s engineer, James Maden, particularly fascinating is it ability to remain cool enough to support a trout population despite its low altitudes. This is because the dam is fed by a cold water stream coming off the surrounding mountains.
The other fascination is the historical dam wall and outlet tower, on which there is a curved marble plaque that includes the details of the people who officially opened the dam and those responsible for laying the coping stone in 1910.
The dam is small and no boats are allowed on its waters, which does hinder the fishing somewhat. But nothing prevents fishermen from floating a tube or fishing from the bank, although the latter is somewhat limited because of the propensity for weeds on the beds surrounding the dam. Which is one of the major reasons there are so many fish, as they feed on these weeds.
Perhaps Maden Dam is best known as the starting point to the Amatola Hiking Trail, one of the Eastern Cape’s toughest hikes set predominantly in indigenous rainforest on the Amatola Mountain slopes. The hike ends near Hogsback.
Need to Know
WhereMaden Dam, King Williams Town, Amatole Region, Eastern Cape, South Africa
WhenDaylight hours.
OvernightStay in King Williams Town Accommodation, Eastern Cape
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