PIONEER SSPA Festival 2025

PIONEER SSPA FESTIVAL 2025

The Swartberg Stock Theft Prevention Association (SSPA) Festival remains a standout event on the trout fishing calendar.

SSPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing stock theft by patrolling the Lesotho–South Africa border, establishing communication networks with Lesotho residents, and maintaining a cross-border operational radio system.

To continue fencing and patrolling efforts, SSPA must raise R1.3 million annually. The primary fundraiser is the annual SSPA Fly Fishing Festival, supported by membership subscriptions.

Each year, returning teams are given priority to re-enter, making new entries nearly impossible, rumor has it that team spots are even willed to family members! Anglers are granted access to private dams typically reserved for landowners and their guests.

• Teams: 15 teams of 5 anglers each
• Fishing Schedule: One dam per team per day over the weekend
• Dam Allocation: Randomly drawn in pairs from a hat
• Scoring: Catch-and-release only; fish over 50 cm are measured in a gutter lined with a tape measure and photographed. Each team’s top 5 fish per day are scored at 1 point per centimetres.

After the draw, some teams head home to strategize while others indulge in the traditional whisky and fresh milk ritual.

The Xplorer Pop-Up Mobile Shop is a beloved feature, offering gear, flies, and outfits. Whether topping up fly boxes or replacing forgotten equipment, anglers appreciate this remote retail gem.

Despite challenging weather, fishing conditions were strong. Fish over 50 cm are common in Swartberg, and 60 cm+ catches were recorded across most dams.

Results & Recognition

• Winning Team: On the Fly with 10 fish totalling 574 cm
• Runner-Up: 565 cm
• Third Place: 555 cm
• Biggest Fish: 67 cm, caught by Richard Amm at Hopewell Dam

The closing ceremony honored top teams, individual anglers, and riparian landowners. This was followed by the annual fundraising auction.

Auction Highlights included:

• Half lambs
• Accommodation packages
• Weekend getaways
• Fly rod and reel outfits
• Xplorer Guide Crafts
• Locally produced cheese and butter

The most coveted item—use of the Hopewell Dam cottage for the 2026 festival—fetched over R17,000. The auction raised vital funds to support SSPA’s operations for another year.

Xplorer Fly Fishing is proud to be a major sponsor, contributing vouchers and fly tackle for prizes and auction items. The Xplorer team had a solid showing with fish measuring 58 cm, 61 cm, 63 cm, and 65 cm caught and released.

Thanks to the organizers and the entire community for another exceptional and well-run event. The collective effort makes the SSPA Festival a resounding success year after year.

We look forward to SSPA 2026!

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