Women in Waders - Roxanne Stegen Talking to Bianca Viljoen

WOMEN IN WADERS - Talking to Bianca Viljoen

Roxanne Stegen

Woman in Waders are delighted to be interviewing one of our SA National Ladies Fly-fishing Team members, the beautiful and colorful in every way Bianca Viljoen aka Bee. Bianca was introduced to fly fishing by a friend Brian Gradidge in 2014, admirably, it took her a devoted year to land her first fish in Dullstroom. In 2015 Bianca joined the competitive fly-fishing circles, and from thereon has blossomed into one of SA’s flyfishing darlings, representing in the Nationals over the past few years and most recently chosen to represent South Africa to compete at the Commonwealth Championships near Taupo New Zealand. Sadly, though unexpectedly she was unable to compete during the tour. I’ve grown to love her more through the interview as her humility, lightheartedness and emotional expression bursts through every word.

Ok! before we dive into the juicy bits, let’s get the technical stuff out of the way! What is your preferred style of fishing and target specie?

Czech Nymphing, Trout (don’t we all target Browns) and off course the exhilarating Stream fishing for Tigers.

What gear is currently in your fly bag?

Ummmm still packed for NZ river session. I use a JMC Chest pack. In there I have;- 3 flyboxes (nymph box, dry flies and combos pre chosen) that also has a few streamer flies, Trouthunder Tippet (3x 4x and 5x) 1 spool 2 tone indicator line, black permanent marker, pencil, dry shake, dry shake liquid, loon floatant, payette paste, snake river mud, 3 neon wax sticks (black, green and pink), Dr. Slick tongs, C&F scissors holster pin on, C&F magnetic chest pin on, Smith Creek rod holder sling, 2 magnets for my net (one placed on my back and other on the side), 4 foam line holders with pre prepped tippet riggs for the river, mini medical kit, mini sun screen, Simms rain coat, 2 flemings chewy muesli bars and 4 cobble stones picked up at four different spots I fished in NZ. And my angel pin!! Oh my word this seems like alot but when your chest pack is prepped with Daniel Factor next to you…you have to pack only the minimum so I sneaked in a few extra goodies when he wasn’t looking… hahaha)

Good grief that’s one tasty pack! Any gear you cannot go without?

My angel pin, C&F Scissors holster pin (game changer especially when you use small flies and battle to see …I prefer scissors instead of nippers to cut tippet at an angle. Oh and Did I mention lip-ice? I have this habit of biting my lip when I concentrate.

Are you a brand lassy or will anything do as long as its functional?

Oh my goodness…this is a unfair question. I am sure you’ve heard the saying “if you look good you fish good” LOL…so I do like nice goodies…but in all honesty, I have learned rather to spend on quality that will last. I usually do some homework first before I buy gear.

Do you have a “go to fly? And if so please share!

I sure do. I love a scully zonker, the head is craft fur, tail zonker and the tag is orange marabou. So, like a “muishond”, the craft fur is just to hold the shape of the pattern from just about any angle, it pushes a bit more w a t e r a n d t h e z o n k e r o f f e r s g o o d movement. I also love a dry fly tied by Alan Hobson called B’sBling. B's Bling Klippies and Karoo is a pimped version of Alan’s Klippies and Karoo. Basically, its an attractor dry fly terrestrial that resembles similarities of a caddis/sedge/moth and/or a grass hopper with the natural colouring of Klipspringer hair and feathers of Karoo birds. The jazzing up Alan did is in his words “the unmistakable element of your character”, purple flash as the abdomen with a pink and purple sighter. . I must also add, I have started tying my

own flies a few months ago and nothing beats that feeling catching a fish on your own fly! I will always remember the day I caught a fish on my own fly at the Vaal on ‘n pheasant tail nymph! A continuous series of happenings that feeds the amazing!

Who has influenced and inspired your flyfishing career?

I have so many people I follow for different disciplines. My husband James and our friend Brian Gradidge who are not only my inspiration but my biggest supporters and motivators, Daniel Factor, Alan Hobson, Mark Yelland, Martin Davies, Jeremy Roschester, Derek Manson, Colen Shabangu, Rowan Black, Jan Korrubel and Denise van Wyk to name a few, the last few months NZ anglers Billy Thrupp , Cory Scott, Marlene Skeet and then last but NOT least my Mpumalanga Flyfish Association Tribe and the South African Mens and Ladies Commonwealth Team 2020, SAFFA and SASACC. There are so many other names I would like to mention. I think the key is to learn from many and allow all people to inspire. I learn from every person I associate with. “What not” or “what to” then build on the “what to” I can apply and add many other names I would like to mention. I think the key is to learn from many and allow all people to inspire. I learn from every person I associate with. “What not” or “what to” then build on the “what to” I can apply and add value. This is a life philosophy isn’t it?

Couldn’t agree more with you Bee, we never stop learning. Firstly on this topic specifically a hearty Woman in Waders congratulations! You’ve recently returned from New Zealand representing SA Ladies Flyfishing, what was the biggest personal takeaway from this experience?

Thank you. I was chosen to be the Ladies Team Manager. This honor was another level of thought adding to the responsibility as a representative angler but also it organize. It contributed to my own personal growth. We are all unique beings with own personalities that can add so much value to the people we associate with. Meeting people from around the world previously only seen on social media, fishing in totally different and mind-blowing rivers and lakes. The event, the Commonwealth Championships, is the ideal gathering for “fishing in friendship”.

One cannot ignore that amidst this great adventure to New Zealand you and the team were dealing with the COVID-19 global pandemic, we’ve learned that you had to deal with social distancing, limited numbers at prizegiving as well as quarantine on your return home. How have you internalized this?

Lots of emotions pop up thinking back only weeks ago. The harsh reality of the unexpected! When we left South Africa, we stocked up with face masks and hand sanitizer for when we travel. Our team had prearranged training days out at different venues. For that we were quite isolated from people. Because we were more than 100 people who attended CFFC event the a m o u n t o f p e o p l e g a t h e r i n g w a s monitored.

Not more than 50 people were allowed to dine together. Names were recorded at the table where you sat and with whom. Everywhere we went was recorded, the venue you visited would have a book where you write your name in with a contact number should you have been exposed in any way to the virus that record will be used. Its internalized but it will haunt me forever. After training sessions out on the rivers and lakes being actively prepping for this event days before arriving at Wairakei Resort Taupo, my team mate and roomy Lucinda van Niekerk suffered a severe sinus infection. That unfortunately had to be reported as the organisers of the event were clear that we report any signs that could relate to COVID.

We were then instructed by authorized agents acting on behalf of the NZ Ministry of Health to isolate separately pending test results that took days to be made known. Thank goodness for technology. Having meals using Whatsapp Video call, limited family members, friends and newly made friends who knew of our situation, dropping off spoils at hotel doors, conversations at a distance, sending messages and voice notes supporting us. After prepping for months, travelling and psyched-up we could not partake in the championship, coupled with people understandably treating us at a distance were mentally challenging.

Not ever having to deal with such a pandemic this unique situation was dealt with at best at the time, being a bench mark for the measures put in place to avoid possible positive testing and spreading. Faced with cancelled flights more than once, spending literally hours online to numerous call center’s trying to get flights back home one cannot put in words what goes through your mind. Survival instinct kicks in. Adhering to regulations that was put in place and the reality of the seriousness of the situation. Friendship, family, perseverance, love and a good sense of humor were the lifelines when looking back now are priceless and, in a way, numbed the disappointment of not being able to compete and the anxiety caused by the reality of the situation. We could at least attend the casting competition on the last day and the closing ceremony with the rest of our team as well as our very supportive South African Mens team. The amazing fishing and site seeing pre comp are now memories that light up the total experience. So with that I would like to acknowledge my team mates of the South African Ladies Fly Fishing Commonwealth Team 2020, Marlize “Blom” Heyns (Captain), Renthia De Waal, Greer LeoSmith who made us proud during the Championship and Lucinda van Niekerk. Small things like a sandwich with butted corners, looking at the washing machine during its cycle washing clothes, apples and pears, semi raw egg, and never-ending horrible music while waiting in line on a call, all contribute to memories with a smile. We all as individuals have strengths and skill that was put together to make a difference. It was a privilege to have had this experience with you.

The “land of the long white cloud” looks incredible, what do you think it is about fishing in NZ that attracts so many anglers across the globe?

So many things attract anglers! NZ is one of the destinations with the most amazing rivers and lakes to fish. The character of the NZ people, their humbleness is a reality. Their conscious efforts to preserve, nurture and upkeep their environment is something we all can learn from and apply. When you step into that space one cannot but have utmost respect for what will be a guaranteed mind blowing and humbling experience.

For those inspired to follow in your footsteps and represent SA, give the Woman in Waders readers where to start and how one gets selected?

Firstly, join your local fly-fishing club and province. It is the platform where I have grown and learned so much, every session. T h e S o u t h A f r i c a n F l y - F i s h i n g Association “SAFFA” functions as the coordinating body for various Member Associations representing recreational and c o m p e t i t i v e f l y a n g l e r s encouraging development in fly fishing be it at National, Provincial and learner level. Not only is this a platform for you to meet likeminded anglers with passion for the sport but also a platform for you to go out and fish different venues and disciplines i.e. rivers, lakes and still waters with members, learn from them and of course the fly tying gatherings are so much fun.

With the lockdown so many clubs and associations have arranged fly tying via the use of technology, smart way to these forums going. To get into more detail, within your province there are training events arranged, guest anglers are invited to share their experiences and expertise. Specific prescribed trials are held during the year and teams are selected to represent and participate then on national level, every province has an opportunity to host. Being affiliated, participating and performing you work on your ranking. When national teams are selected you are invited to participate at a trial weekend where various applicable skills are tested. Being a team player is of course also a huge factor in this selection.

As a Woman Fly fisherman in SA, you’re speaking our language in propelling woman Fly fishing forward what’s the single bit of advice you’d offer any newbie?

Stay true to yourself. We all have our own way of fishing and coupling your unique way with adding little bit here and a little bit there, you will develop and enjoy this amazing sport even more! Emphasis on enjoying the journey all the way!