Terms & Conditions
These terms apply to booking requests, casting lessons and use of this website. Please read them before submitting a booking request or confirming a casting lesson.
About Us
Ash River Outfitters is a fly-fishing guiding service and shop based at 899 Market Street, West, Clarens, 9707, Free State, South Africa. We offer guided pontoon drifts, walk-and-wade fishing, equipment rental with guided trips, and private casting lessons. Services are delivered in person in and around Clarens on the booked date. Contact: josh@ashriveroutfitters.co.za or +27 83 976 6173.
Bookings and Confirmation
- A guided booking request is provisional and creates a temporary pending hold. It is not confirmed until Ash River Outfitters has approved it, the required 50% deposit has been received and a confirmation has been issued.
- After approval, the requested date is held for 24 hours while awaiting the deposit. If payment is not received, the date may be released.
- Same-day guided booking requests may be submitted, subject to availability and approval.
- Casting lessons are confirmed instantly when an available slot is booked and are payable on arrival.
- Ash River Outfitters may decline a request or propose another date, time, location or activity where availability, access, weather, river or safety conditions require it.
Prices and Payments
- Advertised prices may change without notice. The price on an approved and confirmed booking will be honoured unless the client later changes the booking.
- The guided-trip deposit is 50% of the full booking total, including approved equipment rental. The balance is payable on arrival or may be paid by EFT beforehand.
- All prices are in South African Rand (ZAR).
- Accepted payment methods are card (on arrival) and electronic funds transfer (EFT).
- The full casting-lesson fee is payable on arrival. No deposit is required.
Cancellations, Refunds and Date Changes
Full details are set out in our Refund & Cancellation Policy, which forms part of these terms. In summary:
A client may cancel an advance booking. The 50% deposit is normally retained as a cancellation charge once the guided booking has been confirmed, but any charge must remain reasonable under the Consumer Protection Act. The amount may be adjusted after considering the nature of the booking, the notice given, the reasonable prospect of filling the space and other relevant circumstances. Where a client has paid more than the required deposit before cancelling, any amount due for refund will be calculated after applying the reasonable cancellation charge and any lawful, non-recoverable costs. No cancellation charge will be imposed where prohibited by law, including applicable cases involving the death or hospitalisation of the person for whose benefit the booking was made.
A confirmed booking may be moved once without an additional charge if the client gives at least 14 days' written notice and the alternative date is available. A further change, or a request made within 14 days of arrival, is treated as a cancellation unless Ash River Outfitters agrees otherwise.
Weather and Operating Conditions
Ash River Outfitters decides whether weather, river flow, water conditions and access are safe and suitable. The guide may alter the fishing location, route, timing or method. If Ash River Outfitters cannot operate the activity safely or suitably, the first remedy is a rescheduled booking or credit. If no mutually suitable alternative date can be agreed, payments for the affected activity will be refunded. If the activity is safe to proceed but the client elects not to attend, the normal cancellation policy applies.
Late Arrivals and No-Shows
A late arrival does not extend the activity, which ends at the scheduled finishing time. A no-show forfeits the booking and payments made, subject to applicable law. A no-show casting lesson is forfeited, although no unpaid fee can be retained.
Meeting Point and Transport
Clients meet at the Ash River Outfitters shop and travel to the fishing location together. Final meeting and travel instructions are supplied with the confirmed trip information. Unless specifically agreed otherwise, transport is not included and clients may be required to travel in their own vehicle or follow the guide to the water.
Participation and Safety
- The minimum age for guided fishing is 12. A responsible adult must accompany every minor.
- Each adult must accept the safety rules and activity indemnity separately. A parent or legal guardian accepts for a minor.
- Participants must provide accurate emergency, medical, mobility and experience information relevant to the activity.
- Participants must follow the guide's instructions and use the required safety equipment. A life jacket must be worn on the pontoon whenever instructed.
- Responsible alcohol consumption is permitted, but the guide may refuse or stop participation where safety or behaviour is a concern.
- Fishing takes place outdoors and may involve moving water, slippery or uneven ground, changing weather, hooks, wildlife and other inherent risks. Fish sightings and catches are not guaranteed.
- Clients remain responsible for their personal belongings.
Equipment Rental
Rental equipment is available only with a guided booking and remains subject to availability and approval. The guide selects the appropriate outfit. The client must use the equipment with reasonable care and is responsible for loss or damage caused by negligence, recklessness, deliberate conduct or use contrary to instructions, subject to applicable law. Normal wear and tear is covered by the rental charge.
Liability and Consumer Rights
These terms and the activity indemnity explain the inherent risks of fishing and require reasonable compliance with safety instructions. They do not exclude or restrict any liability or consumer right that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted. Nothing in these terms removes rights provided by the Consumer Protection Act or other applicable South African law.
Website Information
Ash River Outfitters takes reasonable care to keep website information accurate, but fishing conditions, access, availability and operational details may change. Website content does not guarantee a catch, a particular fishing location or specific conditions. The Ash River Outfitters name, logo, photographs and original website content may not be copied or used without permission, except as allowed by law.
Photography and Privacy
Booking does not give Ash River Outfitters permission to use an identifiable participant's photograph for marketing. Permission is requested separately after the trip. Personal information is handled in accordance with our Privacy Notice.
Governing Law and Contact
These terms are governed by the laws of South Africa. Questions about a booking or these terms may be sent to josh@ashriveroutfitters.co.za or +27 83 976 6173. Nothing in this clause prevents a consumer from using any complaint process or remedy available under applicable law.