Emerald pools and endless stepping waterfalls describe the Jan du Toits's River, affectionately known as the JDT's. Stringent permit requirements and a lottery for access means that not many people get to enjoy this pristine mountain stream. It's not exactly teeming with rainbows, but certainly has high numbers of Cape kurper, redfin and galaxia's that have shared this water with rainbows for many years.

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Tim Rolston on the JDTs above and below

Despite the clearness of the water, the fish are very hard to spot, and have this uncanny ability to disappear in front of your eyes, despite the fact that you are 'locked on'. One second you see one and then it just vanishes. The rainbows are mostly quite pale with few spots, but in amongst them are the prettiest spotted fish in full colour with white fin tips.

Typical JDT’s rainbow trout

If you 'win' the JDT lottery, make sure you take someone who knows the river (pick me!) and get some walking exercise, as it's not for the unfit, and a certain level of bravery is required for some sections.

Lovely pool on the JDT’s

(Craig is the proprietor of a Cape Town based retail and mail order outlet Stream X. See http://www.streamx.co.za/index.htm )