Lifer

THE RACONTEUR

MORE AT HOME IN THE BUSH THAN HE IS IN THE BURBS, CAPABLE OF FIXING ALMOST ANYTHING AND FISHIER THAN A TIN OF EXPIRED PILCHARDS, LIONEL SONG IS A CHARACTER STRAIGHT OUT OF A WILBUR SMITH NOVEL (IF THE BARD OF THE BUSH WROTE ABOUT FLY FISHING). HE’S ALSO OUR ISSUE 36 LIFER.

Photos. Stu Harley and Mark Murray

The first fish I caught was a carp at a place called Union Park dam just outside Pietersburg (Polokwane). Ironically it was I that was the hunted, as it was a place frequented by strange Walter White (Breaking Bad) lookalikes with bags of sweets waiting in dodgy hatchbacks under the blue gums...

I finished my national service in the Para battalion and went straight in to the Timbavati. Next step was the Manyeleti, where I was involved in building and running trail camps. Next stop was Savuti, Botswana where I helped run the legendary Lloyds Camp and learnt more about animal behaviour, especially how to interact with lions and how not to get killed by elephants. After that it was a move to the Natal Midlands (base camp is in the Dargle), then all over Botswana, Zambia, Lesotho, Gabon, and now Tanzania is home. I guess my real home is anywhere wild and remote.

A typical day starts with my Kilombero alarm clock

going off at 5am – namely hippo, fish eagle and goliath heron chiming in to kickstart my day. If we have clients in camp, it’s kitchen first to make sure that brekkie is on the go and the packed lunches are sorted. I then greet guests and make sure they are good with tea, coffee and rusks. If there are no guests in camp, I task staff and find something broken to fix. If there are guests, I get their fishing gear sorted if they need help and get them on their way to a great day’s fishing. Once guests have left, I find something broken to fix, take time out to admire the view and remind myself how lucky I am to be me and that I could, at that very moment in time, be stuck in traffic on the N3. As I fix the broken stuff, I wait in dire anticipation for my guests to return with great stories of an even greater day spent out in paradise. We have a raucous supper being entertained by hysterical stories that folks tell when they have a chance to relax without the strictures of society (add some good single malt to lubricate the thought patterns). I switch off the generator and crawl into bed exhausted and happy.

My home waters at the moment are the Kilombero

River and its surrounds. It’s a fascinating and challenging river to fish as it is rather unknown from a piscatorial perspective. By that I mean there are fish that have been caught, but not yet classified. Yes, we have big Tanzanian tigers, and the most incredible yellowfish, but it is the smaller, less-known species that pique my interest, and it is these fish that I most want to catch. Call me a twitcher with a fly rod. The best advice I can give is: Love many, marry few, paddle your own canoe.

I am most proud of my son Roan, who is an electrical engineer living down in Sedgefield in the Cape. The most amazing human being and I am very proud to be his dad. I am also very proud of all my amazing friends I am lucky to have.

Something I really had to work hard at is that I found out at a late stage of my life that I wasn’t being true to myself and lacked confidence and self-belief. I was depressed. I thought that I was the only one, but it turns out it is a human condition that is often created by the society that we live in. I also had PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) just to fuck things up even more. Social norms are not always normal, it would seem. So, I sought help, and a man told me a story about myself that I found hard to believe at first, but on closer inspection realised that it was indeed me. I was a book that I had never read. I am now working hard to give this book called “Me” a great ending.

Something that has come naturally to me is my ability

to see into other people. I guess it must be down to being in tourism since 1987, as I think you become a fireside psychologist after meeting thousands of people in intimate settings. You won’t believe what people have confided in me.

The most satisfying fish I ever caught was a 70kg tarpon off the Kwanza River in Angola. I have never been that emotional about a fish. Looking into its eye, I felt a primordial bond and it took me back to when animals ruled the planet, and we were bar snacks. Since then, I have never needed to catch another big fish.

Lionel with one of the stunning Selous yellowfish found at Majestic Rivers (majesticrivers.com), the fishery he currently manages.

My go-to drink is a good single malt.

It’s OK for an angler to lie when he has been caught banging his neighbour’s wife.

One place, never again would have to be repeating my haemorrhoidectomy.

My handiest survival skill is panga fishing in the rapids. A skill I would like to master is Excel.

I could die tomorrow with a massive shit-eating grin

on my face, no regrets at all. However, having said that, I trade in the currency of freedom and memories. The first is priceless and the second is the justification of my existence. I believe one should live totally in the present to be mentally healthy. Memories are the marrow in your bones that keep you wanting to make more.

My entire life has been one big adventure, but being hijacked with my stepson and driven away in the boot of a BMW, and then managing to escape courtesy of my Leatherman, rates right up there as0 one of the biggest adventures.

Technology has changed the angler’s approach

exponentially over the years, and now I feel it has become water golf. I still like the idea of minimum gear, flies etc. when out for a day on the river. Fish haven’t changed much, but as fly anglers we have. I still get the overall kick of being away from other people and immersing myself in the environment, not necessarily just the fishing. If I could change one thing in fly fishing, it would be the elitist stigma that our originators started. By this I mean that only certain species count on fly. There are still fly fishermen out there who haven’t caught yellows on fly.

Looking back on my life, I don’t think I would change

a thing, even the heartache needs to be experienced to quantify the joy in one’s life. I believe everything happens to you for a reason. Things will always get better.

The last fish I caught was a small tiger.

“I AM NOW WORKING HARD TO GIVE THIS BOOK CALLED “ME” A GREAT ENDING.”

POP QUIZ

CUTTING EDGE OR BLUNT INSTRUMENT? SLICK AS A WHISTLE OR A RUSTY TROMBONE? TAKE OUR QUIZ TO SEE WHAT (IF ANYTHING) YOU PICKED UP FROM THIS ISSUE. INCLUDING CRABS.

Stu Harley stares into the void as he he tries to get to grips with the meaning behind Lionel Song’s favourite parable of the Irishman who fucked one goat.

1. Rolf Nylinder’s approach to dealing with mosquitoes is one of (page 14)?

A. Mind over matter. B. Peaceful Sleep over Tabard. C. Long sleeves and mozzie coils. D. Garlic and Holy Water.

2. What is the weight gain condition Mike Dames has to be wary of as a guide (page 26)?

A. First Year Spread. B. Skiff Mid-Riff. C. Lodge Podge. D. Boepensvark Lark. E. Guide Slide.

3. Which of the following profound statements from this issue came from our Lifer Lionel Song (page 108)?

A. “Memories are the marrow in your bones that keep you wanting to make more.” B. “Chiaruscuro refers to how light plays on the fly.” C. “We tend to get stuck reading the instructions – learn the rules but trust your gut.” D. “Have unwavering confidence in your proposition, but be emotionally prepared for rejection.” E. “Ride the waves as they come, both in fishing trips and in real life.”

4. While in the Maldives, which object did Peter Coetzee stare at with a dumb smile each day (page 46)?

A. His dreamy fishing partner Andreas. B. His Salomon Gore-tex hiking boots. C. His shrine to Hindu water god Viruna. D. His Danco Premio titanium pliers.

5. According to casting expert and owner of Echo Fly Rods Tim Rajeff, what will cure haemorrhoids (page 46)?

A. Getting up from your desk at regular intervals. B. A late power application in your cast. C. A session on the Bokong catching smallmouth yellowfish on fly. D. A diet high in fibre and real foods.

6. For Junior Protea angler Tom Walters attempting to pick up Italian girls was conducted via (page 76)?

A. Sign language. B. Morse code. C. Barry White mix tapes D. The international love language of Euro nymphing. E. Memes.

Answers: 1. A, 2. C, 3. A, 4. D, 5. B, 6. A