Chum

THE FEATHERS AWARD, NEW CLOBBER, AN EISHKOM DODGE, A SMALLSTREAM ROD, BOOTS, HOOLIGANS & MORE

CHECK OUT…

… Fly Revolution a new entry into the local fly fishing scene. A collab between chommies Kyle Ovens and Gavin Schneider, Fly Revolution have a great selection of caps, Ts, Basotho-inspired technical hoodies and bespoke flies by some of South Africa’s best fly tyers, like LeRoy Botha, Philip Meyer and Gordon van der Spuy. flyrevolution.co.za

ENTER…

… the second iteration of THE FEATHERS AWARDS if you have caught a fish on the African continent that’s worth bragging about. We’re not just talking about big fish, though those do earn some solid points. We’re looking for any catch that is remarkable, whether it’s massive, rare or incredibly difficult to pull off on fly. Have you managed to catch a behemoth gundu (page 20) or maybe huge Niger barbs like last year’s winner Ed Ghaui? Perhaps you have climbed down a sheer cliff face to target jutjaw like Jimmy Eagleton or managed to nail a bellman on fly like Jannie Visser. Send a photo and a short description of what went down to info@themissionflymag.com

SWITCH ON…

… with Denise van Wyk’s fly tying light pouches. As Ed Herbst writes, “With South Africa’s coal-fired power stations in urgent need of repair and the return of daily two-hour periods of electricity-free ‘load shedding’, South African fly tyers need a specifically-designed rechargeable lamp to enable them to continue working during these periods of enforced darkness. Denise van Wyk – @ denise_flyfish of @hooksundercover has the answer. It’s ideal – compact and well-engineered and fits any vise stem. It comes in a case the size of a toiletry bag which is sewn by her mom. It would work just as well in a wilderness setting because it can be charged with a solar panel. Her father was an engineer in the mining sector and it shows - in her choice of components and the basic design concept. The prototypes were tested by professional fly tyer and guide @anthea.piater.” You can contact Denise at denisevanwyk@ gmail.com or through her Instagram pages.

FOLLOW…

… the hooligan running Durban Recrimerrcial, possibly the funniest local fishing Instagram account. Sure, it’s not fly fishing specific, but the memework is out of the top drawer.

instagram.com/durbanrecrimmercial

LUST AFTER AND TRY WIN…

… Ed Herbst’s Ultimate Small Stream Rod. Derek Smith (right) who has been building synthetic fly rods for more than three decades has taken on a new challenge and it’s all in aid of a very special charitable cause – raising funds for a new emergency room at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town. He has agreed to a request from revered South African fly fishing expert Ed Herbst to build a special rod specifically aimed at small stream fly fishing. It will be based on a one piece, fiberglass 3-weight blank made by CTS in New Zealand. The goal will be to build a low-mass, low-flash rod with the ‘Palm Grip’ as defined by Cape Town split cane rod maker, Stephen Boshoff. The basic details can be found in Ed’s article ‘The Search for the Ultimate Small Stream Fly Rod’ on Tom Sutcliffe’s ‘Spirit of Fly Fishing’ website. Details of the raffle - which will be held just before Christmas - will be carried on Tom’s monthly newsletter – if you would like to subscribe, email him at sutcliffe@mweb.co.za

THE BABER SCOPE

YOUR FISHING FUTURE ACCORDING TO YOUR STAR SIGN AS READ BY BABERMAN, THE LEGENDARY GRUMPY CATFISH

Scorpio (The Scorpion): October 23 – November 21

You’re an interesting little creature aren’t you? Your symbol is a blerrie scorpion, but you are actually a water sign. You are a longgamer, who likes power and planning, which is why you are happy to hide in a bush on the edge of a pool for three hours waiting for the right fish to pass. Then you vat hom! You’re also the star sign most closely linked to genitals. We didn’t call you a dickhead, but there’s a sting in the tail of 2021 for you so somebody else definitely will over the festive season.

DROOL OVER…

… the Vans Ultrarange EXO HI Gore-Tex MTE 3. These good-looking, lightweight, all-weather boots feature the UltraRange EXO MTE-3 outsole with All-Trac™ all-weather rubber for maximum traction, a GORE-TEX internal bootie waterproof membrane that allows moisture to escape while keeping you dry and 3M Thinsulate™ insulation for warmth without weight. They also sport a triple-density UltraCush™ EVA midsole with molded heel and toe protection and a molded asymmetrical TPU arch cradle for comfort and support. As more and more non-fly fishing brands get deeper into the outdoor market, it’s just a matter of time till BIG SNEAKER puts out a wading boot.

vans.com

Sagittarius (The Archer): November 22 – December 21

Somewhat conveniently, you’re referred to as ‘The Archer’, yet your symbol is actually a Centaur (notorious drinkers of the ancient world), half man, half horse, armed with a bow and arrow. So your mother was a mare, your father smelled of Klippies and you were raised by a Bronze Age militia. Cool, cool, cool. You love to travel but are almost impossible to keep up with what with the four-legged perambulation advantage. At least you have a sense of humour and can nail a bow and arrow cast.

Capricorn (Goat): December 22 – January 19

A seagoat with big-ass horns on top and a mermaid tail for the bottom half Capricorns are the perfect non-binary surf and turf star-sign. Great leaders, good at climbing, prominent lateral lines and a solid bleat, you’re also a leeeetle intense and overly business-like. We advise taking a break from the workaholic vibes and take a fly fishing chill pill in the weeks ahead. Do that, and as Baberman, I will ensure you catch something that reinforces your rep as the G.O.A.T.