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WOMEN IN WADERS FISHING GUIDE ANTHEA PIATA
Showcasing a SA Girl Guide
Amidst our torrid thoughts of never casting a line to an actual live fish and every discussion dominated by COVID-19, we were so energized to see a positive spinoff on this month’s edition of the SAFlyFishing Mag. I immediately recalled a recent convo with the delightful Denise Van Wyk which led us to stalking our newly found SA Girl Guide Anthea Piater. Anthea is no stranger to fly fishing and have been completely captured by her passion for fishing , not to mention her love of wine!
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Fly Guiding Parys Area for Smallmouth Yellowfish – Anthea Piater
Fly guiding for Smallmouth Yellowfish on the Vaal River is a whole new venture for me, and it’s been a truly exciting one to say the least! I run my guiding operation in the Mid Vaal area, having moved to Parys with my husband Lloyd just over 5 years ago. It was only last year when I made the leap to pursue guiding full-time, and never realised just how much value it would add to my own journey of self-growth and development as a fly fisher, all the while still finding my feet and learning along the way. I can only hope that the knowledge and experience I’ve gained from personally fly fishing the Vaal for close to ten years can be imparted onto other anglers.
The advice and mentorship I’ve received from other guides, my husband, fly fishing friends and my incredible teammates at GNFFA has been invaluable towards taking the step and making it a possibility. An invaluable lesson off the Natal coast my dad taught me when I was just six years old, while showing me how to scale and clean a fish, was to inspect the stomach contents to determine what had been on the menu for that day. Little did I know then how invaluable that lesson would be later in my life, while on the eternal pursuit of catching fish on fly.
The packages I offer can be completely customised to meet client specific needs, depending on what they personally want to get out of the experience. Some anglers focus on technical aspects and learning something new whilst others just fish for recreation while enjoying a day out on the river immersed in nature. Both beginners and
encourage people who are keen to learn about fly fishing and/or how to target Vaal Smallies to book a day with a guide! For me there really is nothing more rewarding than assisting someone who has never caught a Yellowish, let alone ever picked up a fly rod, to get stuck into their first Smallie and experience first handed the power of a super-charged yellow fresh water rocket for the very first time! It is an utterly unforgettable experience!
I’m available most days of the week for half/full day sessions, or a two-day option with stay-over is available on request and tailored accordingly.
A Czech/Euro or Indicator rig are the predominant methods used when targeting Smallies on the Vaal, while wet wading through the river, navigating the shallow rapids and deeper tail offs. I supply leader and tippet material for my clients and assist w i t h r i g c o n s t r u c t i o n a n d k n o t demonstrations. Whatever method a client prefers to use I am happy to assist with and encourage them opportunities to try different methods.
Fly selection and their correct position in the water column also plays a pivotal role for a successful day of fishing, and is one of the things you can expect to be covered when on a guided day out with me - if you understand how and specifically on what a fish feeds, you will understand how to target that fish more successfully.
I also tie my own flies and have various fly packages available for purchase, for both Smallmouth and Largemouth Yellowfish, and can custom tie for any order.
Other things to expect on a guided day out include reading water and finding fish lies, best methods of fly presentation, photography for your keepsake, and a fullon lunch supplied with refreshments. But most importantly, and what I strongly believe is an essential lesson for any angler, is teaching clients correct and safe fish handling - from fighting fish, netting fish, and how to release them safely. Let them go and let them grow!
If you’re interested in making a booking you can contact Anthea on 0824032741, or drop a mail at anthea@thenaturalagent.com, be sure though to follow her on Instagram @anthea.piater!
Stay Safe, and tight lines
