16/09/2026
A Weekend of Fishing, Camping and Fellowship
From Friday, 11 September to Sunday, 13 September 2026, I had the opportunity to camp at Ouplaas Fishing Resort, situated at the Vaal Dam on the Wilge River side.
The SAAM GOOI SOCIAL CLUB fishing competition was held from Saturday, 12 September to Sunday, 13 September, giving me the opportunity not only to participate in the competition but also to experience the resort as a camper and fisherman.
I arrived on Friday and camped at the resort until returning home on Sunday afternoon. The Barefoot Teams were represented by myself and Willem de Lange as well as his wife Toni de Lange.
After spending the weekend there, I came away impressed by what I can best describe as a well-managed, welcoming and surprisingly hidden gem on the Vaal Dam.
A Well-Maintained Waterfront Camping Experience
The waterfront camping areas are neat and well maintained, with spacious stands that make fishing comfortable and easily accessible.
For the serious angler, being able to fish directly from your camping area adds tremendously to the experience. At the same time, there is enough space and tranquillity for families simply wanting to enjoy a relaxing weekend outdoors.
The natural surroundings contribute greatly to the atmosphere of the resort. Large eucalyptus trees provide welcome shade, while the peaceful environment creates the kind of relaxed setting that makes camping and fishing so enjoyable.
As a pensioner with restricted mobility I was deeply thankful to Hendrik the son of Abri the owner who assisted me through the course of the weekend with some of the practical challenges that I experienced.
Clean and Modern Ablution Facilities
One of the aspects that impressed me was the standard of the ablution facilities.
They are modern, clean and practically designed, which makes an extended camping stay considerably more comfortable. What impressed me most was that the facilities are easily accessible to a person in a wheelchair due to the ramps at the ablution facilities.
Hot water was made available through a donkey and I personally never lacked hot water for the duration of my stay.
Good ablution facilities can make or break a camping experience, and Ouplaas has clearly given attention to this important aspect of the resort.
Excellent Hospitality
Our hosts, Abrie Duplooy and Hendrik, were professional, attentive and welcoming throughout the visit.
From the booking arrangements through to arrival and check-in, everything was handled smoothly.
Their hospitality reflects the pride they take in managing the resort. They are approachable, helpful and willing to go the extra mile to ensure that visitors enjoy their stay.
That personal attention adds tremendous value to the overall Ouplaas experience.
The breakfast and coffee they served was excellent and worth the price of R80.00. I did not even need to take a great meal in the evenings due to the solid breakfast they served.
Excellent Fishing Opportunities
Naturally, fishing is one of the main reasons people visit Ouplaas, and the conditions during our stay were excellent.
The fishing stands are well positioned, and the variety of fish that can be caught makes the venue attractive to both competitive and social anglers. During the competition the yellow fish were very active. The challenge were to get some proper size muddies and carp.
An interesting feature of the resort is that they keep detailed records of fish caught at Ouplaas. They have established resort records for the different species, and substantial prizes are offered to anglers who manage to break those records.
Currently at the time of this post the records that stands are:
Barbel 166.94kg
Grass Carp 16.10kg
Largemouth Yellowfish 8.18kg
Carp 6.023kg
Muddies 2.01kg
This adds another exciting dimension to fishing at Ouplaas. You never know when an ordinary fishing session may produce a record-breaking fish. Abri has indicated that for the person breaking a record they angler will receive a free weekend at Ouplaas for 6 persons.
Affordable and Pensioner-Friendly
The pricing at Ouplaas is reasonable, particularly considering the quality of the facilities and the waterfront access.
An additional benefit is the midweek discount available to pensioners, making the resort accessible to those who have the flexibility to visit outside weekends and peak periods.
It is encouraging to find destinations that still make an effort to accommodate pensioners while maintaining good standards.
Family and Pet Friendly
Ouplaas is not only a destination for dedicated fishermen.
It is a family-friendly and pet-friendly resort, allowing the smaller members of the family to join the camping adventure as well.
This makes it suitable for families who want to combine fishing with a relaxing outdoor getaway.
Improved Road Access
Access to fishing and camping destinations around the Vaal Dam can sometimes be challenging, particularly when travelling with caravans or smaller vehicles.
The gravel road leading to Ouplaas is currently being upgraded and maintained.
The improvements mean that the road is now increasingly accessible to smaller front-wheel-drive vehicles as well as vehicles towing caravans.
Clear direction signs along the gravel road also guide visitors directly to the resort, making it relatively easy to find.
My Recommendation
After many years of experience within the industry and visiting different venues, I can confidently recommend Ouplaas Fishing Resort to my friends, family and fellow anglers.
What impressed me most was the balance Ouplaas has managed to achieve.
It offers the serious fisherman a genuine fishing destination while still providing the cleanliness, comfort and atmosphere required for an enjoyable family camping experience.
The combination of spacious waterfront stands, good fishing opportunities, clean facilities, beautiful natural surroundings and hospitable management makes it a venue worth visiting.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Ouplaas Fishing Resort offers a professional, family-friendly fishing and camping destination that successfully balances comfort, nature, affordability and good fishing opportunities.
I would happily recommend Ouplaas to:
• Dedicated competitive anglers
• Social fishermen
• Pensioners looking for an affordable midweek getaway
• Families wanting a relaxing weekend away
• Campers and caravan enthusiasts
• Pet owners wanting to take their companions along
• Anyone who simply enjoys spending time outdoors beside the water
Our fishing competition over the weekend of 12-13 September 2026 gave me the opportunity to experience Ouplaas firsthand, and I returned home on Sunday afternoon with a very favourable impression of the resort.
Ouplaas is one of those places that may still be unknown to many people - but once discovered, it has all the ingredients to become a favourite Vaal Dam destination.
Herman Bouwer
Barefoot Fishing
