The Dirt Road Wild Trout Association Title Fly Fishing Festival 2021 written by First Second Name Photos: other name Dave Walker

The Wild Trout Association was formally established at a meeting at the thenDrakensberg Hotel on the 14 th April 1991 at the behest of the “variously labelled” Martin Davies who still hasn’t lost his passion for trout.

The 2021 festival will accordingly be an opportunity to acknowledge the 30th anniversary of the association that will not only be a signal event in participants’ annual fly fishing calendar but one of historical significance as well.

Sadly, many of the luminaries that put their shoulder to the wheel from way back are no longer with us but it would be appropriate to mention some of their names nonetheless. The late Fred Croney was unstinting in providing coverage in the Daily Dispatch. The late Brian van Holdt held the Eastern Cape flag high at many FOSAF meetings. The late Ronne Pitt perforce even engaged in pugilistic defence of the association. All of these gentlemen have many pages of the support of the Wild Trout Association that space does not permit mentioning, save to say that all there efforts are much appreciated as part of their legacy lives on in the Eastern Cape Highlands.

The monumental contributions made by many others, especially Ed Herbst and Tom Sutcliffe must also be mentioned and we hope to see them back in these parts before too long.

The event consists of four days of fly fishing and five evenings of participants talking about their passion as well as much other chin-wag stuff. The fishing this coming summer has all the makings of being “a good one”, especially in view of the Covid-induced absence of fishermen having left them free t o f e e d , s p a w n a n d g r o w w i t h o u t disturbance!

The first WTA event held in Barkly East in 1992 with from l to r, Charl Tauber – Knighton, Debbie Robertsen – Middle Drumbo, Dave Walker, Margie Frost – Balloch and Ed Herbst taken at the Drakensberg Hotel.

Full package includes:

5 evening meals, 4 days of fishing, 4 lunch-packs, a goodie bag participation in the auction as well as bar banter at no charge plus

The assistance of a guide can be arranged each evening during the event. Ensure that you make contact with the beat organisers to make the appropriate arrangements on a daily basis.

Fishing beats & guides will be allocated each evening in consultation with participants.

Accommodation;

Self-catering accommodation should be arranged with Margie Murray at the Rhodes Tourist & Information Centre: Tel. 045 971 9003 or e-mail: info@wildtrout.co.za

Although the festival includes 4 days of fishing, participants are welcome to arrive earlier and fish in the Eastern Cape Highlands - after all, a week’s fishing beats a week in the office any time!