Editorial

Winter road trips are somehow just that much more special than those taken in summer. Standing around outside garage shops in the pre-dawn, stomping your feet in a futile attempt to shake off the cold while holding a steaming coffee cup in both hands is part of a seasonal pleasure that is hard to describe.

Our winter landscape never disappoints either. When the sun is low to the horizon the entire landscape radiates in pastel shades that deny its frigid ruggedness. After dark it is illuminated by the glowing streaks of veld fires. Road trips can be dusty affairs and no matter how new your truck the stuff settles everywhere until even your teeth are coated with it. The experienced angler knows that the only tonic for this is regular hits of “Old Brown”, that peerless local anti-freeze.

While river-run trout are left to do their funky thing, our yellows abide the season with a clenched-jaw lethargy that prevents all but the most desperate punter from taking a shot at them. Not all is lost and if you’re brave enough to negotiate lake ice winter offers abundant trouting. It’s enjoyed by those with a high tolerance to hypothermia and an abnormal craving for trophysized fish.

If your inclination is to travel, and if your budget allows for it, then you could do worse than to consider tigerfish and bream, the current pin-up darlings of social media. In the northern hemisphere it’s already high summer and despite some deep concerns about unusual weather patterns the traditional angling season is in full swing.

This edition of SA Flyfishing Magazine proudly brings you the richest content available in a local publication of its type.

We take a look at stillwater trout angling with a unique method of fishing midges. The Queenstown and Kokstad Fly Fishing Clubs are featured. These two clubs are known for their trophyproportioned fish. The views aren’t bad either.

Shaun Dickson and Gillies McDavid report on the recent “A- Nationals” and make the point that "comp" anglers are no different to the rest of us. The A-Nationals winner himself, Brett van Rensburg, continues his excellent series of articles that challenge and help you to improve your angling abilities.

Peter Brigg and Terry Babich talk flies while the Women in Waders profile a lady fly tier of great charm and ability. We take a light-hearted but enlightening look at the Law of Rivers and we show off some local fishing destinations.

Our friend in British Columbia, Luke Saffarek, writes to us from the Spatsiki Wilderness and shares the less glamorous aspects of running a wilderness lodge.

Campbell Lyons has been researching a special project for months. The piece is a fascinating, well-researched and detailed historical account of, well #spoileralert, why don’t you just read it for yourself?

I meanwhile leave on a Southern Berg road trip tomorrow and I can hardly wait.

Savs