82 minute read
High Fives
MIKE DAMES
A RENOWNED HEATHEN-WARE ANGLER WHO HAS DIVED INTO FLY FISHING GUIDING OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS WITH MAVUNGANA FLYFISHING AND AFRICAN WATERS, WHEN MIKE DAMES IS NOT WITH CLIENTS WRANGLING TARPON IN GABON, TIGERS AT PONGOLA OR YELLOWS ON THE ORANGE, YOU’LL FIND HIM CATCHING HIS FAVOURITE SALT SPECIES ALONG THE SOUTH AFRICAN COAST.
Photos. Mike Dames Archive
5 best things about where you guide?
1. Feeling like I’m in a BBC nature doccie on the beaches of Parc National de Loango in Gabon. 2. Watching tarpon roll into the lagoon and hordes of jacks on a killing spree in the waves – just shows how much we’ve plundered our oceans elsewhere in the world. 3. Experiencing the ever-changing Mavungana-Pongola tigerfish seasons. Each one is different to the last, so it’s always engaging and never gets stale. 4. Being surrounded by the red cathedrals of the mountains along the lower Orange River. Damn, we are not made to survive in that place, but I feel alive every second I am there. 5. The ability to spend the majority of my time on the water with like-minded souls and to show them what makes me tick.
5 items you don’t leave home without before making a mission.
1. Spool of .77mm Maxima Ultragreen. Barbed hook in the body? No worries, come here. 2. Obviously you cannot go anywhere without a Leatherman. I like the Wingman model, nice and cheap because they sink like a tungsten jig fly. 3. Jonathan Boulton’s Orvis Helios 3 Blackout 8-weight 8’5”... 4. Savage Gear Splitring and Cut Pliers. Cuts anything, keeps my digits from getting cut, and doesn’t stop working. 5. Assassin Spinmaster backpack. I’ve had it for years; it carries more than you need and it has never been washed or taken care of. If you were to take a genetic sample swab it would expose a plethora of species.
5 bands to listen to while on a road trip?
1. Rainbow Kitten Surprise. 2. Bakermat. 3. The Blaze. 4. Metallica... when big fish need hurting [sad face]. 5. Amadou & Mariam.
5 things you’re loving right now.
1. Stranger Things. So many of our spots are named after references to the series. 2. Zane Grey’s books on hunting and fishing from back in the day. 3. One-minute long fly ties on the ‘Gram. 4. Russian Fishing 4 [A simulator game with RPG elements – Ed.]. When I can’t fish I do it on the PC. Super-realistic, so expect hours in between bites. 5. Darling Brew JUST Beer... it’s jas, bru.
5 indispensable flies for saltwater?
1. A South African version of the Clouser Minnow, obviously. 2. Richard Wale’s Stella, from tigers to leeries on top. 3. Skinny Surf Candies. 4. LeRoy Botha’s Ironman. 5. Bulkhead Hollow Fleye... Dre [Andre van Wyk], you are a god.
5 indispensable flies for freshwater?
1. Tuscan Bunny. 2. Game Changers of any flavour. 3. Muddler Minnow (add Loon Aquel and you are a dry fly, larney). 4. PTN vibes for when they don’t want meat. 5. Phlexo Crab.
5 favourite fly-fishing destinations across Africa?
1. Pongola. It’s by far the most underrated tiger fishery. It’s technical and not short of handing out a “PK”*. 2. Gabon. When you want big, angry saltwater fish, this place is next level. 3. The lower Orange River – a place that resets the soul. 4. Thrift Dam, Winterberg. Ice cold, with trout that behave like wannabe saltwater fish. 5. My home waters in the Eastern Cape for my true love – rock and surf fishing.
Mike, a client and a Longfin Jack in Gabon.
5 of the best things you’ve picked up from guiding?
1. Patience. From things going wrong to unplayable clients, just remain chilled. 2. Listening. Clients are paying you for your attention. They are actually really rad people when you get to know them. 3. Don’t judge. The client with the dream tackle will disappoint. The one with hand-me-downs will be Top Gun. 4. No space for ego. Acting like you are the shit only gets you labelled as a... 5. Observation. From people’s body language to a tiger sticking his dorsal out 50m away – use your eyes and brain. They will surprise you.
5 people you would like to guide or fish with?
1. My mate Graeme Forrer. We push the limits together, play stupid games and win stupid prizes. 2. Nathan Pahl. Nate Dawg has been there for me since day one in my guiding career. Yet we have never really fished hard together. 3. My sister, Viv Dames. Same psychological issues as me and fishes like a boss but unfortunately we don’t get to fish together often. Wish she could see what I have seen. 4. Edward Truter. Another big player who’s had my back. Albany humour and wicked smart. 5. Martin Rudman. I have met very few people that can keep up with my fish/fishing talk.
5 of the worst things you’ve picked up from guiding?
1. Those first few days once I get back from location, I can be a bit grumpy. Decompress... what’s that? 2. Lodge Podge. Two back-to-back tiger seasons where the most exercise is carrying cans of fuel and drinking lots of beer. 3. A love for sleeping. 4. Starting to enjoy watching people fish more than doing the deed myself... Am I becoming an adult? 5. A hate for civilisation/normal life.
5 flies to pack (in the smuggler kit under your driver’s seat) to cover most species?
1. Olive Over White Clouser 2. Mrs Simpson 3. Small White Foam Popper 4. Original Zonker 5. GRHE
5 fish on your species hit list?
1. Asp, a piscivourous cyprinid? Yes, please. 2. Any species of Labeobarbus (yellowfishes) across Africa. Would love to catch some of those unknowns. 3. Tropical West African leervis. 4. Nelma/sheefish. 5. Barbus ecocinus (mangar).
Smallmouth yellowish caught in a back eddy below rapids on the Orange River where it runs through the Richtersveld.
5 shower thoughts that have occurred to you while fly fishing?
1. When that elephant gets hooked on the back cast. Will he hit and run or give you an “in” bite? 2. Why aren’t there more village idiot fish? Have the clients wiped them out, because they appear to be extinct on guides’ days off? 3. The “women’s pheromones theory” behind why they always get the good fish can’t be true. I tied the fly on, and they literally haven’t touched it. 4. Why do we also have to send it when the fish are mostly hooked boat side? 5. Was catch and release invented before fly fishing? Because it is basically a prerequisite to joining the fraternity.
5 things (outside of the fishing) that make where you fish so special?
1. The African Waters operation in Gabon does so much to help protect Africa’s last true Garden of Eden. Check out @50_pristine_miles on Instagram, which documents their fight to remove the scarring of human plastic waste from Gabon’s remote beaches. 2. Mavungana Flyfishing and their fully-fledged tagging study on tigerfish, which are severely under-studied. 3. Just being surrounded by wildlife every day. Come on, elephants and hippos on the beach, FFS! 4. My fellow guides, without you gents I might have murdered someone and/or had a breakdown. 5. Knowing that the reason it is wild around me is that I have a small part to play in adding value to the natural world. Unfortunately, if it pays it stays.
5 of the most underrated species in your book?
1. Jack crevalle. They are everything you want a sport fish to be, yet people get over them or don’t care (maybe it’s only a Gabon problem). 2. Longfin jacks. Same as above just the jungle camo version. 3. Large and smallmouth yellowfish. True, we South Africans love them, but they deserve a star on the Hollywood Boulevard. 4. Bass. Cheap thrills, but try catch a true lunker. 5. Any large tilapia species. You might see them but they don’t want anything to do with you.
5 destinations on your bucket list?
1. Mexico. 2. Cameroon. 3. Socotra. 4. Lappland. 5. Gabon (it’s where I guide but I haven’t actually fished there).
Fly fishing for topwater tigerfish on Pongola Dam often comes with an audience.
5 things you would take up if you weren’t always fly fishing?
1. Rock and surf. 2. Spinning for kob. 3. Tie game-changers. 4. Jokes aside, I do all of the above more than I fly fish. 5. Basically see a psychiatrist.
5 essential ingredients for an incredible mission?
1. Mates. 2. Beer. 3. JBL speaker. 4. No one else for miles. 5. Preferably zero contact with the world.
5 things about fly fishing that you may never understand?
1. Fly lines... why are you being so difficult? 2. The elitist status surrounding the sport and refusal of some to try other facets. 3. Why is it so tailor-made? The rod and line that works for me will not work for you. 4. A quality spinning reel is leagues ahead in terms of engineering yet half the price of a fly reel. 5. Flies are the most effective artificial lures, yet fly fishing is the least effective method of presenting them.
5 common mistakes that most clients make?
1. Not getting acquainted with casting before the trip. We will refine it while fishing, but please, we want you to catch fish not learn how to cast. 2. Not reading the pre-trip info in terms of tackle. 3. When the guides say “get a midday nap in” we mean it. Those tarpon will eat you when the battery cells are drained. 4. If coffee is set for 5am please don’t come before 5. We are still making the coffee and it’s truly our only alone time outside of sitting on the loo. 5. Getting too competitive. A bit is lekker but don’t be sour if your mate or wife is shooting the lights out.
Your last five casts were to….
1. Sight fishing for double-digit tigers. I even “Czech Clousered” a few. 2. Feeding trout game-changers. 3. Sending tackle and redbait into the furthest submerged rock for galjoen. 4. Throwing chew toys for kob in the surf. 5. One midnight cast into the Ndogo Lagoon mouth, Gabon, with a slight bit of nervousness.
* Abbreviation of “poesklap” which translates as “a proper smack”, but if you need an exact translation we suggest you Google it.
TACKLE, GEAR & OTHER CLOBBER
LEROY BOTHA
WARWICK LESLIE
LeRoy Botha, Feathers & Fluoro member
The first fish on my little Wychwood R&S 2-weight reel was a decent witvis. When that thing tore off and the reel started singing, I knew. Very nice little toy. A few years ago, a very dear mate gifted me a J-Vice. Never knew how good a vice could be, it changed my game.
Warwick Leslie, renowned 4x4 oke
My CTS Affinity X 7-weight is a weapon, I love fishing that thing, while wearing my Soft science boots. Oh and my Fusion 19 makes me smile a lot.
Trevor Skinner, Ocean Active Dubai
My Sightline Provision’s leather hip flask, is always in my backpack.
Ed Truter, African Waters destination scout
Eze-Lap Diamond Hone & Stone. If you’re anal about keeping your hooks sharp (and you should be or else what’s the point?), then these diamond hones are the best hook sharpeners I’ve ever used. I buy the 3-pack that comes with
ED TRUTER
TREVOR SKINNER
the Super Fine Grit, Fine Grit, and Medium Grit models, and then I’m set to sharpen hooks from #16 to 16/0. I cut the plastic handles shorter, drill a hole through shortened end, and it goes on my neck-hung lanyard - shap shap!
Ark Fishduc 350 - I love it that such great quality is made by a little South African firm that’s stood the test of time. All the ARK products that I’ve ever used have been excellent and 100% Africa-proof, but the Fishduc 350 is probably my favourite. Moerse tough, long-lasting and it opens up a world of possibilities, fun, and endless adventure limited only by your own imagination.
Addis Roughtote 68L. A game changing black box (another South African business that’s stood the test of time). Buy a bunch in the 68 litre size, nest them when you don’t need them. But anytime you’re fishing, camping, etc. they make great back-of-bakkie storage for everything from food to fanny-warmers, dry storage on the boat (they fit perfectly across the Ark Fishduc 350), you can wash the dishes (or your newborn) in them, and are strong enough
KYLE KNIGHT, JOHANN DU PREEZ RIVERHORSE NAKADATE
AND NIC SCHWERDTFEGER MARK SCHWARTZ JANNIE VISSER
to be seats for folks up to 115kg. Like duct tape, cable ties, and Ziploc bags, you just can’t have too many of these in your life, you’re welcome.
Mark Schwartz, disabled fly angler
My go to reel I always use is the Greys GTS 800 5/6 with Rio Intouch stillwater WF Floating line.
Jannie Visser, pre-eminent Western Cape saltie
Gear I would recommend is my Fish Cat float tube and/or my Aqua Marina fishing SUP. This opened up a whole new world on my doorstep.
Nic Schwerdtfeger, Gaula River guide
A Leatherman and my Simms waterproof waist pack. I’m unstoppable with those too for the kind of fishing that I do. I can fit a full day’s gear, water and food in the bag and I can fix/cut/plier anything with the Leatherman. Please note these are just as essential at Afrikaburn as they are on any fishing trip. They live in the Land Cruiser.
Riverhorse Nakadate, Texas-based storyteller, bass fan and free spirit
Wherever I am, the canoe is there--to chase dreams and fish, sleep in on islands and alongside shimmering forest lakes, and especially for sunset picnics with chilled wine and the beautiful woman I love.
Kyle Knight, chef and owner behind SKOUT
My 20-year-old Leatherman. This thing has fixed everything from broken rods, steam side, to opening car doors in car parks ( yes we locked our keys in, out of sheer excitement to fish). If I was allowed to wear it daily just think of the good I could do.
Johann du Preez, guide and artist
Out of all the gear I have the most used item across the board is my rusty old Leatherman. I’ve lost it several times and it always finds its way back to me.
RAY MONTOYA
GARTH NIEUWENHUIS
CAMERON MUSGRAVE
MYBURGH VAN ZYL JAMES CHRISTMAS CHRIS CLEMES
CRAIG RICHARDSON
TIM RAJEFF PJ VADAS
TIM ROLSTON
EWAN NAUDE
NICK VAN RESNBURG STU WEBB
Ray Montoya, DIY dude
Hand tied leaders built with Albrights using Seagaur fluorocarbon blue (the fifty meter spools).
Garth Nieuwenhuis, Protea fly angler
My Simms G3 wading jacket, sell a kidney and stay dry forever! This piece of kit has been absolutely indispensable in the unpredictable winter stilllwater fishing weather ensuring no matter what you can carry on fishing.
Craig Richardson, ex Protea angler now guiding in Idaho
Scientific Anglers Aptitude Smooth lines are game changer. Pick the right weight and you’re all set.
Chris Clemes, owner of Chris Clemes Cane Rods
I must say my probably longest standing piece of kit and which I use almost every trip is my Olney Crushable Felt Hat, it has been a companion for many years on trips around the world.
Beniamino Pellegrini, DIY dude
Mountain Equipment technical pants. They cost a pretty penny, but are rip proof, dull and drab and perfectly indestructible, saving your legs from kameeldoring, fynbos and harsh sun.
Tim Rajeff, owner of Echo Fly Fishing
I suck at organizing my gear. My flies, tippet, lunch, rain jacket, libations, all need to reside in the same place. A Simms Dry Creek 20L boat bag has become my best fishing friend. It has a fricken magnet that grabs the buckle so in less that 2 seconds I can close my bag and take off running or move to the other side of the boat. Oh yeah did I tell you it is waterproof?
Tim Rolston, guide and casting instructor
An Eze-Lap Model S hook sharpener, it is the best I have found for trout sized flies, although they make a large model for Salt Water applications. Hooks are NEVER as sharp as they can be when they come out of the box.
Cameron Musgrave, Cosmoledo head guide
Van Staal Titanium Pliers. I have had several pliers over the years and nothing comes close to these pliers. Bullet proof, low maintenance, zero rust, can cut any thickness of leader and nips 10lb braid easily. Ultra-light for their size and feels good in your hand. I hate trying to remove an 8/0 from a big GT and it feels like I’m using my wife’s tweezers!
James Christmas, guide
The YETI Zinger- a lot of people can’t stand the thought of too many “dangly bits” when fishing- but if you are like me and prefer not to be buying a pair of clippers every time you go fishing, then the YETI Zinger is a game changer. Salt or fresh water, this thing just lasts!
Ewan Naude, Feathers and Fluoro member and the most rugged man in Christendom
My Maui Jim Red Sand prescription sunglasses. Super impressed with the frames, the prescription lenses and the optometrist I got them from in South Africa. Maui Jim in the US got me the glasses with prescription lenses within a week.
PJ Vadas, Chef and owner of Vadas Smokehouse
Anti-chafe cream is a must in all my fishing bags, Nothing like a 6km walk back to the car after an entire day’s fishing with severe chafe. I like the natural Squirrel Nut Butter stick.
Myburgh van Zyl, chairman of the Cape Piscatorial Society
C&F Design Micro Slit Foam Chest Patch. Everyone seems to have one these days and after using one you›ll understand why. Gives quick access to the day›s selection, and the magnets allow you to lazily drop drowned flies in the general direction of the patch and sort them out later.
MY CAMERA. ONE DAY WHEN I’M A RAISIN FROM SUN EXPOSURE AND MY NUTS TOUCH MY KNEES I’LL HAVE MY IMAGES. IT’S NOT JUST GRIP AND GRINS IT’S THE PLACES THAT FLY FISHING HAS TAKEN ME THAT I WANT TO
REMEMBER. - STU WEBB, GUIDE
Alan Hobson, guide and owner of the Angler & Antelope
Underwater camera to take that dorsal fin ***k you picture. Fin freedom and the release gives me such a kick.
Nick van Rensburg, former guide and one half of FlyBru
I’ve been finding a bunch of application in Rio’s Sink Tip range. From their Replacement Tips to their MOW tips, they offer so much versatility, and great function for a lot of South Africa’s fisheries. For example, I love using Rio’s 10-foot Replacement intermediate tip on my 9-weight floating line, to pull the fly under the surface just that little bit more. From the Orange river to your local bass pond, having a few of these can make all the difference.
“TROUTHUNTER FLUOROCARBON. I JUST TRUST THE FUCK OUT OF IT. ABRASION RESISTANT, KNOTS WELL AND HAS HARDLY EVER FAILED ME.” - JEFF TYSER
MCCOETZER & JEFF TYSER TUDOR CARADOC-DAVIES
GERALD PENKLER LIONEL SONG
DANIE PIENAAR
Lionel Song, location scout and guide, Majestic Rivers
I would have to say that my machete/panga is my essential piece of equipment that I carry crossways in the small of my back. I call it my one percenter, as it might be the 1% chance I have of surviving a croc attack.
MC Coetzer, former Proteas fly fishing captain
Good leaders and tippet material are important for me. Rio leaders for fresh and salt are great and there is no better tippet material for salt and freshwater applications than Trout Hunter Fluorocarbon. It’s expensive, but it’s definitely the best out there.
Jeff Tyser, Boston-based DIY dude
I’m really no gear junkie, but I’d have to say TroutHunter Fluorocarbon. I’m sure there are some much more scientific reasons, but I just trust the fuck out of it. Abrasion resistant, knots well and has hardly ever failed me. The way I see it, if you can’t trust your weakest link, who cares about the other gear?
Gerald Penkler, Holland-based DIY dude
My eyes are almost permanently shaded by the Smith Optics Guides Choice sunglasses. Yes they are great at spotting and protect the eyes, but secretly it is the sexy raccoon tan that I am after.
Tudor Caradoc-Davies, The Mission editor
Orvis Carry-It-All rod bag. I don’t even own this bag, but I have borrowed from two friends who do own one so many times for international trips that I must have used up my credits by now and it’s time to get one. It takes at least four rods, plus all your reels, lines, tippet and other bits and bobs and is accepted as carry-on by most airlines.
Danie Pienaar, Head of Scientific Services SANPARKS & DIY tiger on fly guy
Fibreglass fly rods. Why? They suit my style of fishing and casting, they are great fish fighting tools, they come in all colours of the rainbow (for the fashion conscious) and they are pretty robust and cost effective. This is a deep
rabbit hole and I now have 3-weight, 5-weight, 6-weight, 8-weight, 10-weight and 12-weight glass rods (makes are Glass Canon, Echo Big-water, Echo Bad Ass Glass and North Fork Composites), love them all and prefer a glass rod length of about 8 foot maximum.
Francois Botha, guide
GLoomis GLX Cross Current 12-weight. 25 year old tech that still outcasts, outfights and outperforms any other rod. If you are worried about the physical weight of a twelve, maybe you should consider going for bonefish instead of GTs and Tarpon
Patagonia x Danner River Salt boot. By far the most comfortable and durable wading boot I have ever worn – It’s not exclusively for wading and I use it for everything from hiking to sun tanning on the beach.
A.J. Gottschalk, Florida-based creek cocktail king
Beer for the flats skiff, always longneck bottles. That way you can put it in your back pocket and won’t kick it over or get your line wrapped around it on deck.
Gerhard Uys, New Zealand-based Saffer
Fishpond Thunderhead Submersible Lumbar Pack. It is large enough for all my gear, food for the day, and a rain jacket to keep out the New Zealand elements. It is submersible and totally waterproof.
Stephan Dombaj, Fly Fishing Nation
The old 990-4 Sage Method - the lightsaber. I use it for a limited range of things, but in its niche (permit with 14lb 14ft leader), it reigns supreme. Mako 9700 reel - an impressive piece of kit. Again, super niche, but this is where the odd-balls excel. A lot of competition over trout and every day stuff.
Jimmy Eagleton, pioneering Western Cape Saltie
The Jetboil portable stove - still going as strong as the coffee it’s brewing, year after year.
Peter Coetzee, Feathers & Fluoro founder
Danco Premio titanium pliers. I went with the “fly” size because I was worried about weight. Titanium is quite heavy and I didn’t want the weight bugging me on hikes. They just did two weeks with me in the Maldives, which is largely deep wading, and so they spent most of every day submerged in salt. The novelty of titanium not being able to corrode just never wore off and every day I’d have a look at them with a dumb smile. Cutter position on top absolutely makes them, as you can be so precise. It’s worth noting the cutting blades can corrode, but the surface rust was easy to wipe away and I just kept them lubricated with silicone lube.
FRANCOIS BOTHA
JIMMY EAGLETON
PETER COETZEE
A.J. GOTTSCHALK
STEPHAN DOMBAJ
Greg Ghaui, East and Central African-based guide
My gear item of choice would have to be my side street sourced made to measure rubber tyre sandals. Sized and fitted on site from rubber tread of choice, they wear in so comfortably I can run, walk, wade and swim in them. They cost under three dollars and can be repaired or maintained with a couple of spare tacks. A single pair did 5 full years on the farm and on location in Tanzania, Cameroon and the CAR before the sole eventually perished!
Scot de Bruyn, guide
I bring a portable solar panel for charging my Bluetooth speaker/phone, which has saved many a slow day on the water.
Matt Gorlei, former guide and one half of FlyBru
I would 100% endorse a pair of trusty Simms Gortex waders, specifically something top end – G3/G4. An investment piece of gear that if looked after, regardless of how often you fish can last up to 10 years. I have a 12 year old pair, colour faded with a few patch and UV glue repair jobs but still 100 percent good for a week’s fishing trip in the cold.
Fred Davis, Feathers & Fluoro founder
Never turn your nose up to a rod or reel because it’s old. My 10-weight Scott Heliply - probably now older than the most social media influencers - is bullet proof and still has the best lifting power of any rod I’ve fished. It throws a beautiful loop too! Also, get yourself good goggles and good boots. If you can’t see it, you can’t stalk it. And if you can’t stalk it, you can’t catch it!
Trevor Sithole, Alphonse Fishing Co guide
I love those orange floating Xplorer landing nets. It is so perfect for everything I do both in the freshwater or saltwater environments, Trout or permit, bonefish, triggers, I use the same net. It’s my go to.
David Karpul, Protea fly angler
I think if I had to pick a single piece of gear that I think is great, but that is not generally known about or used, I’d have to say the Logic Analyser Test Hook Clips tool I use for making knots. In light tackle I tie penny knots and clinch knots super quickly and easily, and the thin nose means you need almost no tippet to get the job done.
Gabriel Botha, filmmaker
Abel Pliers - These are the embodiment of “only buy it once.” My particular pair has been passed down from my old man. With over 20 years of hard use they aren’t showing any signs of giving up. I doubt I’ve ever gone on a trip without them in my bag.
Linda Gorlei, Protea comp fishing queen
Wychwood Hover line – was gifted it by a Scottish mate years back and just love how it casts and how versatile it actually is. I tend to use it more when fish are rising than a dry fly line as I seem to have more luck with it on various flies – most likely because I’m just too lazy to change to the dry line sometimes
Andre van Wyk, Feathers & Fluoro member and the most legendary guide that never was
Simms Wet Wading socks. I went through a multitude of socks before finding these and they are a god send. Spending 10 plus hours a day with your feet in the water, having the wrong socks can ruin your day quicker than a poke in the eye. I have no idea how or why they work, they just fucking do! Added bonus - they dry stupidly fast, so they are fresh for the next day’s wading.
Platon Trakoshis, Feathers & Fluoro member
Patagonia Men’s Terrebonne Joggers. Wearing tights under shorts has become very common, but I find they are too tight and clingy, and can be uncomfortable pulling leg and other hairs with the constant need to readjust. These joggers do everything that normal tights do but feel loose and are more comfortable, they dry faster, still have stretch and have a narrow ankle sleeve which tucks into socks/gravel guards. I’ve worn them on streams and in the salt and they are by far a better option.
Mark Murray, manager at African Waters
HPA Heavy duty ring pliers - yes they are for lure fishing, but these combined with a pair of Big Game Hunter braid scissors will outlast any fancy fly fishing specific pliers - and I have used them all throughout my guiding career! I don’t go anywhere in the salt without them!
Brian Chakanyuka, Alphonse Fishing Co. media guru
An ice cold Seybrew. There’s nothing better than having a cold beer after an awesome catch to get your heart rate back down.
Marina Gibson, international fly angler extraordinaire
Apart from the obvious rod, reel and line, I’m a huge fan of my Golden Trout Lanyard, I wear it every time I go fishing or teaching and I feel naked if for whatever reason I forget it. I bought it years ago and it holds all my essential tools like my forceps, nippers, Monomaster for my unwanted line and dog whistle.
Brett Bellairs, owner 131 A Gallery
I’ve got the Thomas & Thomas Zone 9-weight and it’s the perfect mid-range rod for anything from pin point casts at grunter to tackling larger estuary species. Bang for your buck and a quality build.
Leonard Flemming, Feathers & Fluoro member
I love the Lemmel coffee pot because it’s super light, water reaches boiling point quickly and it comes in a fairly durable pouch that I hang on my backpack, saving packing room inside the backpack.
MATT GORLEI
PLATON TRAKOSHIS GABRIEL BOTHA
FRED DAVIES
MARK MURRAY BRETT BELLAIRS TREVOR SITHOLE
DAVID KARPUL
LINDA GORLEI
BRIAN CHAKANYUKA MARINA GIBSON ANDRE VAN WYK
PAULO HOFFMAN
JO STEPHENSON
MARLIZE BLOM HEYNS TOM SUTCLIFFE
RYAN JANSSENS
Marlize Blom Heyns, Protea fly angler
Shilton reels. You can use them in any situation, they are easy to maintain, and you can basically have them for life if you look after them properly.
Jo Stephenson of Jo Stephenson Fishing
The piece of equipment I recommend is my Kayak, I have a Nucanoe and a Hobie. They allow me to get to places to fish that can’t be accessed by the bank!
Paulo Hoffmann, Fly Fishing Nation
Patagonia R2 TechFace Pants - best traveling pants I’ve worn. Keeps you comfy from 0-25 degrees. I also love this custom carved flask made for me by a client and good friend. I am not superstitious, but this thing has always brought me luck on a salmon river…or maybe it’s the rum or whisky inside of it.
Tom Sutcliffe, author and general fly fishing legend
I seem to have an affinity for snakes or snakes have an affinity for me, not that it matters much either way. I have had a number of encounters and three friends bitten by snakes (all survived but one of the snakes died of gin poisoning). So, my first piece of equipment are my Warwick Mills Turtleskin Snake Gaiters. They are lovely things that weigh as much as a handkerchief. Not cheap but piece of mind does not have a price to it. The other thing I recommend is a tiny diary, literally half the size of a cell phone that fits in your top pocket with a propelling pencil that has a clip that fits into it. The point of this is to record the really unusual events of the day. You will remember what you caught for sure, but you will never remember when and where and under what circumstances. For example, I had a lovely day on the Bokspruit River on a day which was out of heaven fish wise. The section is known as Black Rock. Just as I thought the day could not get better a whole covey of bald ibis flew across and landed in the cliff opposite. I made a note of it and have since written about it. What you caught etc is easily forgotten. So this is not a diary, but a reminder of those really unusual events.
Ryan Janssens, photographer
I bought a Laowa 100mm Macro manual focus lens for my Dorado trip in Argentina and I am loving it. It’s pin sharp, allows for insane detail and close up and doubles up as an awesome medium-long lens.
Anthea Piater, Vaal and Zambezi guide
Korkers Buckskin wading boots - they are light weight and have high ankle support, perfect for wading on the Vaal, and they have OmniTrax soles so you can alternate between a felt and Vibram sole.
We offer a range of guided trips to destinations in and around South Africa. We run short sessions in prime weeks to make sure you have an incredible and memorable fishing experience with the X-FA team.
Orange River Drift Camp | Remote Lesotho Camp | Eastern Cape River Camp | Queenstown Trophy Trout Experience | Barotse Tigerfish Drift Camp
FLY FISHING MASTERCLASSES
Our business started 14 years ago hosting small Euro Nymphing Clinics in order to help raise money for the World Fly Fishing Championships. Today we are running more clinics than ever before. Ranging from day classes to full weekend masterclasses, these expert-run clinics are suitable for all anglers from beginners to well-seasoned anglers.
Range of Waders, Boots and Float Tubes Range of chest packs and vests Range of Boxes and Accessories
Best Range of Specialized Lines Professional Fly Selections Competition Fly Hooks Great Range of Flies Wide range of standard and specialized Rods
ONLINE AND RETAIL SHOP
At X-Factor Angling we pride ourselves in stocking a big range of the latest and greatest in the tackle, fly patterns, and fly-tying materials. Our staff are passionate anglers and with their international competitive experience, you can rest reassured that you are getting the best advice. Our Linksfield retail shop is open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm by appointment only.
GOTY 2022
TIPS
NO FLY ANGLER IS AN ISLAND, SO WITH THAT IN MIND WE ASKED A BUNCH OF FRIENDS OF THE MAG FOR THEIR ADVICE. SOME OF IT IS TECHNICAL, SOME ESOTERIC, SOME MIGHT SAVE YOUR LIFE OR MAKE YOUR DAY. IT COMES FROM GRIZZLED VETERANS AND FRESH-FACED NEWBIES. ALL OF IT MAKES SENSE AND COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO YOUR FISHING.
JANNIE VISSER
Jannie Visser, pre-eminent Western Cape saltie
Local is lekker so get to know it. As my situation changed with kids etc, fishing trips are few and far between. Early morning sessions before work or over the weekend can be extremely good. Don’t dream of far off expensive places, this past year I had some of the best sessions ever on my local water just because we fish it often and know it very well.
Riverhorse Nakadate, Texas-based storyteller, bass fan and free spirit
3/4ths of our bodies and this earth are water, so if you really want to roam and rule the world, find yourself a vessel, be it a sleek skiff or even an ultralight packrat that’ll ride in your backpack. This will forever change your stars.
Trevor Skinner, Ocean Active Dubai
‘Hit it like it owes you money.’ Old saltwater proverb
Mark Schwartz, disabled fly angler
Even a puddle could potentially hold a fish, never go anywhere without your gear.
Beniamino Pellegrini, DIY dude
True deep sleep is achieved on a yoga mat with a balledup puffie as a pillow, miles from anywhere.
Danie Pienaar, Head of Scientific Services SANPARKS & DIY tiger on fly guy
When fishing for tigerfish in smaller rivers, have your shit together from your very first cast. The biggest fish often jump on your fly first. Also, keep moving. Cover the pool horizontally and vertically and then move to the next spot. You have a far better chance of connecting with a good size fish this way. Oh yes, and also strip-strike and keep your rod tip (preferably an 8-weight glass rod) down while fighting a decent size tigerfish if you want to have a better chance of landing them. And always remember, tigerfish are drinking buddies with hippo and crocodiles (see 1st point again).
Chris Clemes, owner of Chris Clemes Cane Rods
Never forget to pack a fly rod, you never know what opportunity might come along, even if it’s just a conversation starter with another fisherman who also hoped there might be fishing to be had.
JOHN THOABALA
Alan Hobson, guide and owner of the Angler & Antelope
Convert your net into a floating net. Deconstruct your net, slide the netting off, take a slice of pool noodle and use duct tape to wrap the foam around the frame of the net, put it all together and voila! You now give the fish a better chance of survival by keeping it in the water until you are ready with the photo shenanigans for the shortest possible time out the water. Keep the fish in the net, in the water, until it has completely recovered, before releasing it.
John Thoabala, Mavungana Flyfishing guide, Dullstroom
If fishing in the cold mornings (Dullstroom weather) take a flask filled with tea or coffee to keep yourself going.
Lionel Song, location scout and guide, Majestic Rivers
The best piece of advice to my guests is this ; “When you stop thinking about crocs, they start thinking about you.” Always fish defensively in dangerous waters.
Johann du Preez, guide
Not all spiders like to be touched and monkey tastes better that you’d think.
LIFE SKILLS
TECHNICAL TIPS
Ed Truter, African Waters destination scout
Embrace the three-cast (and related 13-minute) rule. Never make more than three casts without some form of positive feedback. If no feedback (e.g. fish movement in your ‘radius’, a follow or strike), make a change, which can be anything from subtle (e.g. changing the angle of presentation, slightly longer pause between strips, adding 50cm of leader, sitting down behind a bush, etc.) , to major (e.g. changing the fly, the sink rate of the line, your location, etc.). The 13-minute rule is similar but refers to engaging with a potential date - if no positive feedback, move along (though it could probably be the 3-minute rule).
Ray Montoya, DIY dude
When sight fishing flats, don’t look for fish, look for anomalies in existing patterns.
Garth Nieuwenhuis, Protea fly angler
Learn to tie a penny knot, stupid strong in both mono and fluoro. YouTube is your friend. Get the muscle memory grained in with some old tippet whilst relaxing at home for a week and you will spend less time fiddling and more time fishing for the rest of your life, an absolute no brainer.
Craig Richardson, ex Protea fly angler now guiding in Idaho
Standardize your leader so even when you don’t know where it landed you have an idea of where it should be.
Tim Rajeff, owner of Echo Fly Fishing
If I am nervous, if the conditions suck, if I have to cast far, my mantra is to delay most of my casting force until the very end of the casting stroke. My brother Steve says, “wait until the rod has reached twelve o-clock before you apply the power”. Try it, a late power application will help your cast and cure haemorrhoids.
Tim Rolston, casting instructor and guide
Get proper casting instruction from a certified instructor as early on in your career as possible. Most people end up spending hours and more money trying to fix ingrained faults than they would ever need to spend on getting it right first time.
Trevor Sithole, Alphonse Fishing Co guide
Fly casting instructors will always say a good fly caster should not look at their back cast, but should feel the line instead. Yes that does work to a certain extent but at the same time if you are new to fly fishing and do not know what to feel, it’s hard. I always advise my guests to look at their back cast, because with enough practice when a fish suddenly arrives from the wrong direction, there is a good chance you will put the fly where it needs to be.
Tony Kietzman, guide and trout bum
Get as close as you can and shoot line rather than false casting, apart from alerting fish, every time your loop crosses your shoulder something can go wrong, these mess-ups square themselves with each false cast and are generally a series of loops which we turn into knots when trying to disentangle them.
Marina Gibson, international fly angler extraordinaire
Learn to double haul before you go on your first saltwater trip! The DH takes your casting into a new realm and you’ll be able to get more distance, reduce your false casts, and get your fly to your target much quicker. It helps to learn how to side cast properly as it’s likely that you’ll have windy conditions during your trip. Side casting with a double haul for the win!
James Christmas, guide
Practice casting until your back cast is a mirror image of your forward cast. So many great opportunities are missed because if a great fish suddenly appears behind you and you struggle with the back cast, then often all you are left to do is smile and wave…
Jono Shales, Exmouth Fly Fishing
Learn to cast backwards while looking backwards and learn to shoot line into your back cast. This is the foundation of distance, speed and accuracy casting.
Nick van Rensburg, former guide and one half of FlyBru
Always have a pair of low light sunglasses packed in your bag. On days where the light fluctuates, these can really change the game. Personally, I’m a Costa fangirl, but a decent pair of yellow lenses really doesn’t have to break the bank, especially if they’re just kept handy for times of need. They’re also great for eye protection at dusk and dawn, where unprotected eye balls are susceptible to a cheeky poke.
Myburgh van Zyl, chairman of the Cape Piscatorial Society
Check. Your. Fucking. Knots.
ED TRUTER
MC Coetzer, former Proteas fly fishing captain
Pay more attention to leaders. Most of us do it when we fish for Trout, but they are equally important in the salt and too many guys simply tie on basic tapered Maxima leader. Try fishing for Grunter with a good tapered leader (something like a 10foot Rio Saltwater leader tapered to twelve pounds + 3 foot of 10 lbs Trout Hunter Fluoro and 3 foot of 8 lbs Trout Hunter Fluoro), and you’ll notice the difference in accuracy and presentation immediately.
Gabriel Botha, filmmaker
When fishing is tough don’t simply think about what you should be doing but rather what others wouldn’t do - fish the overgrown beat, throw a popper in the rapids, swim to that impossible spot etc. Unusual things tend to happen when you do something unusual.
Tudor Caradoc-Davies, The Mission editor
Either move or cast, don’t do both. I can’t tell you how many shots I have stuffed up by trying to edge forward or readjust my footing while trying to cast.
Stephan Dombaj, Fly Fishing Nation
Learn to fish the fly, not the line! This revelation, as obvious as it might seem, requires a lot of refinement on the gear and skill end.
Anthea Piater, guide
When fishing the Vaal, don’t be shy to swop to a dry fly when there’s a hatch. There’s nothing more rewarding than catching a surface smashing Smallie.
Peter Coetzee, Feathers & Fluoro founder, DIY dude
Look far. When wading deep, try spotting at the end of your visual range. It’s not the comfortable place to look, but it will buy you the most amount of time to approach and position. I’ve often waded deep parallel to guys who haven’t done this, and watched fish a long ways off flee and move off.
Anticipate. Always prepare for what you expect to find around the next corner. I force myself to do this now, as frustrating as constantly changing rigs might be. Walking around a corner to deeper water with wave action? Tie on that heavy fly. Walking a river bank to the next set of rapids but passing an area with a calm bay? Tie on the trouser worm. We all know how fleeting a shot can be.
- TONY KIETZMAN
PREP WORK
Greg Ghaui, East and Central African-based guide
My advice would be for someone traveling to fish and in general to stack the decks in favour of variety and versatility. Not more gear/tackle/clothing etc but more versatile gear that covers a larger base. So much only becomes clear when faced with what is actually in front of you that planning and packing beyond a point is just baggage. Apply the big broad strokes and leave space to shake and move on the ground/water.
Scot de Bruyn, guide
Always bring a variety of lines when going on a trip. Weather is not your friend and it’s hard to predict conditions in advance. I always bring 5-6 different lines and spares on every trip.
JIMMY EAGLETON
Jimmy Eagleton, pioneering Western Cape Saltie
There is no such thing as bad weather for Western Cape salties. Only the wrong clothing.
Justin Rollinson, FlyCastaway guide
A good pair of polarized sunglasses of your preferred brand, preferably with glass lenses. We are going fishing not to a pool party.
Marlize Blom Heyns, Protea fly angler
Dress for the occasion. We know us South African peeps are strong and like to be tanned, but always have a rain jacket or fleece close by. You cannot beat Mother Nature, I have tried, I promise.
MARK MURRAY
Ewan Naude, Feathers and Fluoro member and the most rugged man in Christendom
Observe more. Don’t rush to fish. See what the water is doing. Fish ultimately give themselves away before you make the first cast.
Myburgh van Zyl, chairman of the Cape Piscatorial Society
Slow down, in every sense. Unless you’re running down a Rooster Fish, there’s no need for you to operate at a pace higher than “Mild” on the water.
Peter Coetzee, Feathers & Fluoro founder, DIY dude
It’s not golf. Not everything will be found walking. Some of my most special fish have come as a result of spending hours in a spot waiting for something to happen. One particular session involved just sitting on some turtle grass for a few hours until fish appeared.
Scot de Bruyn, guide
Learn to read water! Whether it be river/ lake or tides. Spend some time observing rather than fishing. You will learn faster as your blinkers will be off.
Andre van Wyk, Feathers & Fluoro member and the most legendary guide that never was
Slow the fuck down, whether it’s walking, wading, casting, tying flies, tying knots, watching a piece of water.. all of it benefits from stepping back and slowing down
Mark Murray, manager at African Waters
When fishing, Slow down!!! All the answers are right in front you. Don’t just start bombing out casts like there is no tomorrow!
Ed Herbst, South African small stream legend
If a pattern had proved unsuccessful, I would change it at the end of a run and before moving to the next promising stretch. A friend advised me to change the fly at the beginning of the new stretch and to carefully watch the water while doing so. Often, during this period of quiet observation, a trout would reveal itself.
John Thoabala, Mavungana guide, Dullstroom
Always read the waters before you thrash/splash the water with your line and chase all the fish to the other side of the dam or downstream!
GO SLOW
“IT’S TAKEN ME A LONG TIME TO REALISE THERE IS A GREAT EFFICIENCY GAINED IN TACKLING UP AT THE VERY LAST
MOMENT.” - TOM SUTCLIFFE
BRIAN CHAKANYUKA
PHOTO FINISH
Gerald Penkler, Holland-based DIY dude
Take 5 mini breaks during your fishing day to take photos. This makes me take a step back, appreciate the surroundings and capture a story rather than a few hero shots.
Platon Trakoshis, Feathers & Fluoro member
Taking photos of fish is something everyone is doing. But far too many have fish that look beaten, tired and not so healthy. This usually happens when the fins are all flattened and generally the fish just looks unhappy. Here are two tips that are better for the fish and the photo. 1. When you land a fish keep it in the water, don’t lift it out onto dry land or the bottom of the boat. It has just fought for its life and needs to breath, so keep it in the water until the camera is ready. It’s like you doing a 100 meter sprint and at the finish line someone stuffing a wet cloth over your mouth and nose. 2. If the fish’s fins are not standing up, as the photo is about to be taken, lift the fish out the water and give the fish a gentle shake. It’s fins will pop up and it just looks so much healthier and what it looks like in water making for an overall better photo.
Brian Chakanyuka, Alphonse Fishing Co. media guru
Always! I mean always check your memory cards and battery are in your camera before heading out. The worst feeling I’ve had is getting to the flats and realising I forgot my batteries on my desk.
Ryan Janssens, photographer
The wider the lens angle, the bigger the fish... Don’t make the mistake of shooting your trophy fish with a long focal length, the camera removes 10lbs :). Save the long lenses for detail and artys shots, get right up in there with a wide angle if you want to emphasize a trophy fish.
SAFETY FIRST
Kyle Simpson, Alphonse Fishing Co. guide
My first aid kit with my goodies inside, dental floss for an after lunch floss. Nothing like a good floss. And Myprodol.
Jeff Tyser, Boston-based DIY dude
Don’t put your water bottle in the same waterproof backpack as your 30K camera.
Andrew Harrison, KwaZulu-Natal-based Scalie molester
Make a decent wading staff that you can attach to your belt while standing in a river waving you stick. I’ve seen my arse too often on slippery boulders but a comedy show for my son. Have buggered shins as evidence.
Linda Gorlei, Protea comp fishing queen
Make sure that you close your vest pockets or fanny pack zips properly after you’ve changed a fly – because when you take a swim (and there’s a lot of that with me these days), your good nymph box is not easy to replace overnight L Mine is somewhere way down the Sarca river
KYLE SIMPSON
in Italy heading for Rome. Second to that, I recently heard you can insure for such – do it!
David Karpul, Protea fly angler
People new to wading in freestone rivers tend to wade by constantly stepping up onto higher rocks and dry rocks. It feels intuitive. This leaves them quickly exhausted, and pooped at the end of the day. Rather follow the low ground, the balance is easier, you have to climb fewer steps, and the water actually helps support you.
Marlize Blom Heyns, Protea fly angler
African travel rule of thumb…we all like Brandewyn and Coke with ice, but don’t grab dodgy ice. You don’t want two days of the African version of Delhi Belly.
Myburgh van Zyl, chairman of the Cape Piscatorial Society
Let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back. There’s no romance in dying alone under a bush somewhere in the wilderness.
“IF I AM NERVOUS, IF THE CONDITIONS SUCK, IF I HAVE TO CAST FAR, MY MANTRA IS TO DELAY MOST OF MY CASTING FORCE UNTIL THE VERY END OF THE CASTING STROKE.
- TIM RAJEFF
MIND, BODY & SOUL
Cameron Musgrave, Cosmoledo head guide
Stop and smell the roses. So many guests are far too focused on catching that dream fish and chasing the numbers, that very often they miss the bigger picture. Stop and take multiple moments to truly absorb the environment you find yourself in, be it on a remote atoll, in the mountains or in the jungle. The reality is that in a few days’ time you are going to find yourself in board meetings, sitting in traffic or behind your desk in your shitty office.
Ray Montoya, DIY dude
Have unwavering confidence in your proposition, but be emotionally prepared for rejection.
Collen Tshabangu, Mavungana Flyfishing guide, Dullstroom
Don’t leave fish to find fish. The result is ever so painful.
Kyle Knight, chef and owner behind SKOUT
This quote from Henry David Thoreau resonates a lot with me of late. “Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.”
Nic Schwerdtfeger, Gaula River guide
Fly fishing is a great vehicle for so many things, conservation, travel, adventure, and learning how diverse and fragile our environment is. Above all, our collective goal should be to keep the natural world as intact as possible. Make smarter choices, make sustainable choices, make more informed choices. Support companies that support conservation that will let you and generations to come keep fishing well managed fisheries.
PJ Vadas, Chef and owner of Vadas Smokehouse
Don’t let your ego get the best of you. As someone that is pretty new to fly fishing and tying, I ask as many questions as possible even if they may seem stupid. This has helped me tremendously.
Matt Gorlei, former guide and one half of FlyBru
When it comes to targeting a species focus on the species you want to catch, but do not disregard the activity and the other fish around you. A lot can be learned about a species in a system by catching other fish in that system. My firsthand experience of that is targeting largemouth yellowfish on the Vaal/Orange system. You have smallmouth yellows, catfish, carp, bream and mudfish all feeding in a system, often the catfish and smallmouth can lead you towards your largemouth by understanding that different species can pick up similar habits in the same system. Overall advise would be to fish and learn the system to find your target species – instead of getting in your head about how a specific fish feeds and get preconceived ideas on how you would need to catch them.
Francois Botha, guide
Rule number one: Always have fun Rule number two: Never leave your rod (how can you follow rule number one without a rod?) Rule number three: Always say yes to a beer (see rule number one)
A.J. Gottschalk, Florida-based creek cocktail king
Don’t take the fish or yourself too seriously. At the end of the day, permit are just fancy jacks. You might be, too.
Warwick Leslie, renowned 4x4 oke
Best advice is to not expect much from a trip, hard to be disappointed then, and fish a comp, it will teach you a lot, perhaps about yourself, not really the fishing.
Stephan Dombaj, Fly Fishing Nation
Ride the waves as they come. Both on fishing trips and in real life. A lot of things are beyond our control and sometimes we just have to go with the flow. You might discover something out side of your comfort zone that might stick with you forever.
Gerhard Uys, New Zealand-based Saffer
You Tube everything. I started fishing later in life and am constantly frustrated at what others have known for decades. You Tube helps you fill the gaps. Also, get out on solo missions, you learn when you are alone.
Luke van den Heever, Garden Route guide
Always help someone whenever you can both on and off on the water. It will always come back around, especially in the South African fly-fishing community.
Fred Davis, Feathers & Fluoro founder
I’ve found that the less I worry about the size, and especially the number, of fish that I’m catching, the more enjoyable the overall experience. I notice more of the little
NIC SCHWERTFEGER
- NIC SCHWERDTFEGER,
things around me and, in a beautifully ironic twist, I find that without the pressure I end up catching more bigger fish anyway.
Jo Stephenson of Jo Stephenson Fishing
The best piece of advice I was given, and that I always pass to new anglers is… fish the fly right to the end! I have caught some great fish by doing this and missed a couple of nice fish by ignoring this advice.
Stu Webb, guide
Fish until the whistle, I’ve had many hard days turn around at the death and be some of the most memorable. Finish how you started! Also, never don your tailing glove/net or talk about photos until the fish is 100% yours.
Amie Battams, UK Based Fly Angler
Chat, make time for people on the bank. Personally I enjoy those small moments when you connect with people and have a fleeting chat. It benefits my mental health and could benefit someone else’s. Take a little time to listen to thy fellow fisherman and be kind. But also… don’t take no shit.
Paulo Hoffmann, Fly Fishing Nation
Be well prepared for your trips, but don’t get too attached to personal items. Things will go wrong, stuff will get lost and that’s the nature of things. Don’t let a broken rod, a lost piece of luggage or a stolen wallet ruin your good spirits - it’s just things!
Tom Sutcliffe, South African fly fishing legend
I notice how often I tackle up at the truck and then walk for however long down to the river. I don’t know why we do it. Instead of hooking up on bushes and god knows what else, why not rig up when we get down to the river? It’s taken me a long time to realise there is a great efficiency gained in tackling up at the very last moment.
LeRoy Botha, of Feathers & Fluoro
We tend to get stuck reading the instructions. Every piece of water is different - learn the rules, but follow your gut.
Rolf Nylinder, filmmaker
Never complain about mosquitoes, you only talk about mosquitoes in a positive manner. If you start to complain they will enter your mind and destroy you.
THE ITALIAN AFFAIR
WITH A BELOVED PARTNER AND A DAUGHTER, FILMMAKER SIMON KAY IS NOT ONE TO STRAY BUT, WHEN IT COMES TO MATTERS OF THE HEART, TWO RECENT TRIPS TO ITALY CONVINCED HIM TO MAKE SPACE IN HIS LOVE LIFE.
Photos Simon Kay, Stephan Dombaj, Paulo Hoffmann
Ihave fallen totally in love with Italy and I know for a fact that I will be returning at every given opportunity for the rest of my years. In the past three months I have had the luxury of visiting and fishing her northern regions twice. The first was an impromptu DIY style solo mission through Trentino, Lombardia, Piedmonte and Alto-Adige. The second was focused on Trentino as I joined the Fly Fishing
Nation crew and Marina Gibson for the first time on a content creation project for the area’s tourism board. The real beauty of this entire thing is that I feel like I have barely scratched the surface of what’s on offer but I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that Italy has my heart. Here’s why.
Her curves.
Some of the things etched in my memory are the landscapes of Italy. Something magical happens when you approach the Alps or large mountains in general. Especially when you haven’t been close to that sort of environment in a while. The air feels fresher. The eyes explore. Excitement grows. You are reminded in an instant that you are a part of something bigger. In Northern Italy you are constantly surrounded by mountains. All the villages are built within Alpine valleys. The main roads hug the rivers so I spent a lot of time looking out the window while driving, constantly saying to myself out loud, “I should fish that”. The landscape of the area is truly incredible. Mountains covered in greenery (except the higher peaks of course) and dotted with villages. You will often see a building perched on the side of a mountain and surrounded by trees with no perceivable roads leading there and think to yourself: “How the hell did they…?” It’s magical. This beauty is magnified when you are standing in a river high up in a valley with a fly rod in hand. You can’t help but feel as if you have gone back to a simpler time when the modern world’s tech worries had not yet even been invented.
Her personality.
This are by far her most beguiling trait. The Italians have an energy. The way they interact is so full of zest and emotion. The only way I can think to describe it is by reliving my first morning of the first trip… After a great night’s rest, I walked around to the other side of the BnB and entered the attached cafeteria. These little spots are coffee bars by day, normal bars by night, and they are everywhere. In every village you will find at least one and it is the only way to start each day. Coffee in Italy is delicious and unbelievably affordable. It’s integral to the fabric of life there (accompanied by super-sweet breakfasts of pastries, jams, and cakes). Top tip: A cappuccino will fly for breakfast, but I’ve heard of people being kicked out of coffee bars for insisting on lattes in the afternoon. After 11am, espresso is the way of life.
Anyway, as I opened the door that morning, the roaring energy of what lay within poured out. “Ciao, Ciao, Ciao!”, as the locals of the area enjoyed their morning espresso and chats, standing and sitting around the bar counter like it was happy hour at a pub on student night. My entrance caused a pause in the action, and everyone gazed my way. I was new, an outsider. I unleashed the go-to universal quick-half-nod-look-half-smile greeting in three directions to spread it. I got a couple in return, and everyone went back to business as usual as I ordered my first café of the trip.
Her cooking.
While we are on matters of taste, we cannot ignore what Italy is perhaps most famous for. After a day out on the water, or perhaps for a break mid-way through the day when the hunger starts kicking in, is when Italy reveals one of her best traits. Put it this way, one does not go to Italy with the idea of losing weight. Even if that was your idea, you would not succeed. The temptations are too great and too delicious to pass up. Prosciutto, cheese, pasta, pizza, gelato, polenta, game, beer, wine, prosecco… the list goes on and on. On the second trip through Trentino, we experienced some of the best local restaurants. Every day, if I sat down for too long after lunch, I would take an unexpected siesta.
On my DIY trip I learnt something while buying some snacks in the supermarket. At the meat counters of most grocery stores, they will often make sandwiches up on the spot for you with freshly baked rolls, freshly sliced cured meat and cheese of your choosing. This became my go-to. I would find a shop enroute to the river and pick up a sandwich, some fruit, and an Italian beer. At some stage during the day, I would find a nice spot, secure the beer between a rock or two under the cold mountain water, have a quick swim giving the beer time to cool, then relax and spend time just appreciating the wonder of my surrounds. Those are the moments in life where everything just feels right.
Her treasures.
So, what about the main course, the thing that drew me to Italy in the first place? Put simply, the variety of fishing on offer is almost unfathomable. The rivers hold marble trout, brown trout, hybrids of the two, rainbows, grayling and, in some of the bigger rivers and lakes, barbel, carp, chub and pike (and more I’m sure). The insanely picturesque high-altitude rivers and lakes often hold just as picturesque brook trout and artic char too. The fishing is so diverse that no matter what your preferred flavour you will find something to your taste. You can spend your time swinging big flies in big water for big fish. Or you can spend the day getting very technical and nymphing for finicky grayling. You could fish super light tackle in tiny mountain streams that appear to be plucked straight out of the mind of JRR Tolkien. You could take a relaxing mountain walk to an alpine restaurant and fish for brookies enroute. You could even take a hike or an e-bike to one of the numerous Alpine lakes and spend time long casting dries on top of the world, firing up some hot coffee now and then and enjoying the crisp mountain air. The reality is you don’t have to limit yourself and can just pick and choose depending on your mood and conditions on the day. There is quite a bit of info online and access to water is pretty simple to acquire, so a DIY only mission is definitely doable. That said, having a guided experience or fishing with someone who knows the water made a huge difference to me. During my time in Trentino on the Fly Fishing Nation mission, our guide on the trip, Stefano Fedrizzi, had so much knowledge of the area and how different rivers would react to changing weather etc that, even on days where I would never have though it possible, we were put on to some fun fishing. In Lombardy, during my solo trip I had one guided day out with an awesome dude, Francesco Chiminelli Cescone (aka Cesco). Not only did he show me some magical water that I would never have found myself, but he also gave me tips for the rest of the area. Some prefer to save the money and DIY and I completely understand that. However, I have slowly come to realise that the money saved is not worth the time lost and if I can spare the cash I will get a guide at least once at the start of every trip to a new area.
Late one evening in a green valley high up in the mountains I stood there quietly, looking at the almost unrealistic blue shade of the water flowing by over the grey rocks as the light began to vanish. I had just lost my last big nymph which was my go-to that day because the water was pretty deep and fast flowing with the fish hugging the bottom. In fact, calling that fly a nymph is generous. I tied it using a ghastly big orange bead, and some dubbing thrown on olive thread to make it seem more artsy. I was fishing with Italian fly fisher and filmmaker Mikael Masoero (@ spaghettifishing), who I had connected with via Instagram (aka fishing bromance Tinder). He was showing me these waters close to his home and we had landed some nice rainbows and browns in between intermittent lighting storms which cleared into searingly clear skies and proper heat. The mountain weather was hectic.
While I was looking at my fly box trying to decide what nymph to use next, Mik moved upstream. As I was about to tie on a classic PTN I saw something out of the corner of my eye, a disturbance on the surface of the pool right in the bubble line. Then again, and again. I felt the excitement swell. Dry time! I couldn’t see what the hatch was and I didn’t have time to get too analytical as the light was almost gone. I tied on what I often try first, a little elk hair caddis. I popped it near the head of the long pool and watched while holding my breath as it approached the area where the rises were. 1… 2…. 3…. Oooooo…. Nada. Fuck. That was underwhelming. I let the fly continue its drift further down the pool for completeness’s sake. Just before I was about to lift my line, GWA! A little piscivorous shit hit my fly hard! YES boooiiiiiii! I admired the way the brown fought and I felt it was going to be a great way to end the day. As I got it closer and could see it in more detail under the surface, I realised something. This was a bloody marble trout, a fish I had never caught nor seen in the flesh! The mental intensity of the fight increased 10-fold as it went on another run and thoughts of knot failure or tippet breaking suddenly rushed through my mind. Thankfully the Italian fishing goddess smiled upon me, and I landed my first ever marble. Nothing big, some would say small, but for me it was huge in terms of the stoke it generated. It’s something I will remember for the rest of my life.
Beautiful scenery, amazing fishing, delicious cuisine, bubbly people, and great coffee. I could end it off right there, but I would be leaving out one of the most important elements of what makes any adventures special, those you spent time with along the way. On my DIY trip I spent hours with a guy called Sergio Baiguera in his fly shop, Fly Fishing Pesca Sport in Brescia, discussing our fishing escapades without uttering a single word in the same language. There was the time spent with both Mikael and Francesco on their home waters. I was also lucky to have only had truly friendly and helpful hosts wherever I stayed. On my trip to Trentino a huge highlight was the crew I was hanging out with, the Fly Fishing Nation boys Stephan, Paulo and Pacu (my current best canine friend), Marina Gibson, and local guide Stefano. We were working damn hard but it always felt like fun. I finally knew what it meant when people said that, when you are doing something you are truly passionate about and surrounded by like-minded people, it won’t feel like work.
All in all, on both trips I couldn’t really have asked for more. Perhaps I would have liked to have landed some of the bigger fish myself but hey, if I ticked all the boxes then I would have slightly less yearning to return as soon as possible.
In the meantime, I dream of my next trip to Italy and I look forward to her warm embrace. Right now, this love letter will have to do. Also, I’m not possessive. You are welcome to go and meet her. I’m confident you’ll fall for her too.
WHILE SI KAY MAY HAVE WALLOWED IN THE LIFESTYLE ASPECT OF ITALY IN THE PREVIOUS STORY, WHEN THE SOUTH AFRICAN JUNIOR AND MASTERS’ TEAMS DESCENDED ON TRENTINO FOR THIS YEAR’S FIPS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, THEY WERE ALL BUSINESS. HERE’S THE COMBINED FEEDBACK OF WHAT TWO BALLIES (OLD GUYS) AND THREE BOYTJIES (YOUNG GUYS) LEARNT.
THE BALLIES
- Terry Babich (TB) and Fred le Roux (FLR)
THE BOYTJIES
- Marthinus Maritz (MM), LeRoux Roos (LR) and Tom Walters (TW)
GENERAL Best part about fishing in Italy?
Catching hybrid trout. MM Being able to fish beautiful new waters and species which I have never fished for before and putting my skills to the test to figure them out. LR
Worst part about fishing in Italy?
Nothing, it was absolutely awesome. MM & LR Trying to pick up girls with sign language. TW
DIY or guided? Get a guide. This is not necessarily to teach you how to fish, but most definitely to get you onto water and advise where the fishing is best at that given time. There is an abundance of waters to fish in that area. Knowing how to get to them and where to fish is going to save you a lot of run around time. The guide will probably either be able to get your permits or tell you how to get them. The area has water police so it is essential to have a licence. Also, be prepared to travel from a central point. We travelled up to two hours away from our hotel to get to different waters. TB
Although the comp rivers were good, if you can get onto some of the smaller tributaries and streams you might find yourself fishing the most beautiful streams around with an abundance of different circumstances in which to fish for them. In some the fish are extremely forgiving and will devour any reasonable well-presented fly. FLR
Johan Janse van Vuuren with a beast brown.
Tom Walters
Above: Stefan Von der Heyden. Opposite Page: Marthinus Maritz
TACKLE
Tackle wise, a ten-foot rod (3-weight or even 4-weight) is a must. Italy has been experiencing some very high temperatures and some of the rivers were low so the ability to fish further away from your body can be a determining factor. Although most of the fish were small in the comp, many an angler was cleaned up by some of the big brown and marble trout, and a couple of fish of over 50cm were landed. Johan Janse van Vuuren landed a whopper of a brown in practice and I had a 54cm marble and 43cm grayling in one competition session. On the fly line side, a competition Euro nymph line and a floating line would be what you need. The floating line as a dedicated dry or dry and dropper line while the euro nymph is the line you fish the most. TB
Fish the lightest tippet you can. 6x would really be on the heavy side. 7x or 8x is where you want to be unless you book water that is known for bigger fish. We had one such piece of water in a practice session on the Sarca River that had been stocked with bigger fish and that had a rod limit imposed on it. Competition angling specifies that your leader cannot be longer that two times your rod length and I would say that for Euro nymphing you would always fish maximum length. On the dry line fish, the longest, lightest tippet you can fish effectively. FLR
Best set-up?
Vision Nymphmaniac 10-foot 3-weight with 17-foot micro leader 4x and 3-foot tippet section. MM
Hanak Superb 3-weight 10-foot with a vision ultra-light nymphing line with straight indicator to a tippet ring then fluoro tippet as a leader. It is what I’ve found works best to do quick switches between dry dropper, double nymph and single nymph which were the three most effective techniques. LR
Vision Nymphmaniac 10-foot 3-weight, with the Vision Nymph and dry 4/5 weight reel. On that I have the Vision Nymphing line. My leader choice would be 20foot in total, 11-foot of 5x Rio Colour indicator, 1 foot and a half of black and white Rio indicator in 5x and then another foot and a half of coloured Rio indicator before a tippet ring and your 7X tippet. The reason for the different colour indicator is to break up the colour and help you pick it up in bright conditions. TW
FLIES
At the end of the tournament some boxes were displayed consisting mostly of Hare’s Ear Nymphs in every conceivable variant you can imagine. Mostly well received flies for the grayling were with silver, copper and pink beads on size 18 and 20 jig hooks in natural colours. For dry flies CDC variations were the order of the day. But with the water colour being so variable from spot to spot even on the same river, you might want to have those in a variety of colours ranging from white and natural to black to maximise visibility. For example, there were parts of the Sarca River that were green, opaque, almost blue and clear. TB
Best dry fly for Italy?
Gordon van der Spuy’s CDC caddis. MM Front loader elk hair caddis. LR A natural deer hair caddis with black CDC wrapped over the head. TW
Most highly recommended nymph?
Garth’s nymph with a rose-pink bead. MM Gasoline Perdigon. TW
Best bead colour?
Copper. MM and LR Light metallic pink. TW
FINDING FISH
In the case of the rainbows, although they weren’t in abundance you would find them on the seams and behind the rocks in all the normal places, but the browns didn’t behave the same. Some days they moved into the sun-lit water and other days they hid from the light. You could sometimes find them in a very fast shoot and other days hiding in the thinnest of pockets on the edges out of the flow. When the water warms up and the sun is higher the fish favour the shade. If the water bottom turns slightly green, fish the colour changes. When it’s hot fish the deeper water. You have to cover water and establish a pattern of where the fish are holding. FLR
Our local fish travel much further for food that the fish abroad. The insects in Italy are much bigger and more prolific than ours so the fish can afford to be more fussy. The drift can be a slow one for the rainbows, getting the flies down to the bottom where the fish hide behind rocks and sit in the slow current and seams. The browns wanted an extremely slow drift. You almost had to get into the shade of the smallest of rocks to be able to entice them out to eat the fly. Pin point accuracy was required. TB
Terry Babich and his 54cm marble trout.
Low light sunglasses or standard polarised?
Standard polarised. MM &TW Low lights seemed to be a bit nicer. LR
Felt vs rubber soles?
Felt. MM & LR Felt. I wore rubbers and although it was great for walking, I really battled on rocks in the water as you just don’t get that same grip on the algae as you do with felt. TW
Dry dropper or single dry when targeting Italian trout on the surface?
Dry dropper - MM Dry dropper on nymphing rig. LR Either was productive if it was fished right but I would generally say single for the pocket water that’s quite fast and then have your dropper for the deeper stuff where you can get a better drift. They would often prefer the nymph over the dry when covered with dry dropper. TW
Biggest lesson learned in Italy?
Fish will sit in places that you would least expect, so every piece of water needs to be covered. MM How to approach your water and look after it so that you can come through the good water multiple times and still get fish out of there. LR Most of the water we fished was quite pressured from teams before us, so testing different patterns and techniques was crucial. Whether it was trying mop flies in milkier water or really slowing down the drifts in clean fast water. TW
THE LITTLE GUYS
INSTA FAMOUS FLIES
CATCHING FISH ON FLIES YOU TIED YOURSELF IS FIRST PRIZE, WE DO NOT DISPUTE THAT. BUT, IF YOUR TIME (OR YOUR SKILLS) ARE LIMITED AND YOU WANT TO MAXIMIZE YOUR TIME ON THE WATER, THEN IT PAYS TO STACK YOUR FLY BOXES WITH FLIES THAT WORK. TO DO THAT IT’S WORTH TURNING TO THE SPECIALISTS. OF ALL THE IMPRESSIVE TALENT WE SEE ON INSTAGRAM ON A DAILY BASIS, THESE SIX FLY TIERS ARE WELL WORTH PLACING AN ORDER WITH (IF THEY CAN FIT YOU IN).
LEROY BOTHA aka @leroy_botha
He’s known among his inner circle as the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) for good reason. LeRoy, whether fly tying, making lures, making music or art is pretty much a savant at whatever he touches. From immaculately packed bass bugs, to his oft-copied grunter inventions like the Ironman and Shawn, his flies catch both fish and the eye.
Home waters?
I have a near life-long connection and love for the Eerste and Berg Rivers and some of their much lesser known tribs. On the Garden Route, for about 25 years now, I’ve grown just as attached to the headwaters of the Gouritz River system and, of course, the many grunter flats between Kleinbrak and Sedgefield.
On the fly tying front, do you specialise in or lean towards anything in particular?
I get bored very easily. I think I’m too curious to ever choose a lifelong specialty. I love experimenting, but I will never tire of simple small stream flies and deer hair bugs. Sometimes I get the urge to do something ridiculously complex. It can be very amusing. Grunter flies are a neverending vortex of wonder, but they can be strange things to concoct. Man, I’ve tied a lot of Ironmans.
At the risk of sounding like wankers - do you have a fly-tying philosophy?
Well, that’s a book, isn’t it? Two things come to mind, though. First, limit your wraps. If it has no purpose, it shouldn’t be on the hook. That counts for materials and thread wraps on the simplest flies to the most complex. Second, crucially and perhaps more ethereally are the fly-tying lessons I’ve learned from becoming bloody good at folding an awesome paper plane. I apply these principles to every single fly I design. Maxing out on hook gape is the natural result of both of these ideas.
What are the triggers that you favour when building different flies?
Another book. The triggers for the many different species I target are so nuanced. I will say that blue UV flash is deadly on just about every freshwater species I’ve caught. Yellow hotspots are almost mysteriously amazing in the salt. And, ‘materials that provide movement’ are somewhat overrated. Subtlety is often more than enough.
How can people get hold of you to order?
Email me at leroybotha420@gmail.com or just send me a DM on Instagram (@leroy_botha). Order early if you’re planning a trip. Also keep an eye out for special edition ties at flyrevolution.co.za
MILAN GERMISHUIZEN aka @triple_m_flies
Got crabs? Best you get some quickly if you have a serious saltwater flats trip on the horizon. If you are not going to tie them yourself, look no further than FlyCastaway guide Milan Germishuizen who, when he is not on location in the Indian Ocean, ties a mean merkin and other patterns.
Home waters?
South Africa would be my main focus, places like Sterkies and the Orange River, but I tie a lot for the flats of the Indian Ocean, more specifically St. Brandon’s Atoll and now recently, Providence Atoll in the Seychelles.
Speciality?
I tie a lot of crab and shrimp patterns, probably because we tend to target large bonefish and Indo Pacific permit on our off days while guiding. I also really enjoy tying large baitfish patterns for GTs.
Philosophy?
I wouldn’t call it a philosophy but what I find more important when tying the crabs and shrimps is to keep them simple and easy to tie. I sometimes tie a few complicated patterns that work really well but, in my experience, quick and simple is generally better.
Triggers?
To me the most important factors are sink rate, static movement, profile and trigger colours. A good balance of all of those things and you’ve got a winning recipe.
To order:
You can get in touch with via Instagram, either on my personal profile @milangermishuizen or on my fly-tying page @triple_m_flies.
YAQOOB TARMOHAMMED aka @jozifly
When you hear whispers that “the Vaal is on fire” there’s no time to waste. But before you and the smallies get mediaeval on each other, you’re going to need some ammo. Yaqoob ties stunning fast-sinking bombs that will get you into the zone and into fish in no time.
Home waters?
Well, living in Jo’burg the options are few and far between, specifically for one who prefers rivers over stillwater. So, The Vaal River would probably be my home water and one I am grateful to have a short drive away.
Speciality?
I enjoy tying anything, from small nymphs and dry flies to large streamers but given the waters I have at my disposal, along with my preferred method of fishing that specific body of water, nymphs have definitely taken centre stage for me.
Philosophy?
I believe that in fly tying there is no “set in stone” way of doing things and that everything credible out there is a guideline. It’s definitely a good thing to understand what you’re trying to imitate and have a basic understanding of the fundamentals , as well as an understanding of the materials and how they function. So, I’d say it would probably be “tie flies with purpose and intent.” Other than that, let the fish decide.
Triggers?
I tend to revert many established guidelines or what worked for me in the past, plus a lot of thinking out the box. I guess many of us think of triggers as those bright fluorescent and flashy components in a fly but, for me, it’s always a question of “why would a fish choose to eat this fly?” This could be as simple and all-encompassing as matching the hatch, to representing vulnerability, to the choice of colour, size, shape/silhouette and definitely materials that introduce movement/life and allow the fly to behave in a certain manner and have that “buggy-ness” element too. Trying to emulate what may attract or trigger a fish to feed is an endless journey for me. And I like more of those bright fluorescent colours that fool me more often than the fish,
To order:
Instagram (@jozifly) or email: joziflyfishing@gmail.com
JURG DE JAGER aka @jurgdjager
Looking to connect with something meaty? Jurg ties the kind of baitfish patterns that you just know will entice big bullies in from the deep.
Home waters?
My home waters used to be in and around the Strand in the Western Cape where I grew up until I relocated to Johannesburg just before I turned 17. Would love to revisit the Strand with a fly rod. For the past seven odd years I’ve mostly been fly fishing in the middle regions of the Vaal River and some of its tributaries. I’ve also recently visited Sterkfontein Dam a couple of times late in the season of 2022 and it has almost instantly become my favourite place for sight fishing yellowfish on foot.
Speciality?
The imitation game is what I prefer when tying flies. But don’t get me wrong, fooling a fish on any type of fly creation is something special. Flies I enjoy tying include various baitfish patterns for fresh and saltwater species; Largie Muise, Belly Scratchers and Sculpen Head streamers; Sex Dungeon creations; a weedless bass frog and Vaal River carp flies.
Philosophy?
Keep your tying station organized and your creations within your ability. Be patient in your design process and don’t overthink things.
Triggers?
With every fly I start with, I try to add a combination of things that makes for one big trigger. That means choosing the right materials, the right colours, a realistic profile and movement. Always test your creation after it is done. It’ll give you a good idea of what you did right and wrong.
To order:
If you’re interested in ordering some custom flies you can check out some of my creations on Instagram @jurgdjager or jjdejager34@gmail.com
RICHARD WALE aka @ogflystudio
From running fly shops to working in the boating industry, guiding and tying innovative flies, Rich gets around. Keep an eye out for his Stella pattern both for topwater tigers at Pongola and estuary salt species too.
Home Waters:
Western Cape salt water (estuaries, coastal and inshore) and Western Cape fresh (Cape streams, still waters and rivers).
Speciality?
Salt water flies - baitfish & crustacean patterns. Although I do enjoy tying for trout, yellows & bass too.
Philosophy?
It’s important to fish your flies and understand how they will behave in the water. It is great to have pretty flies as it gives the angler confidence but, how the fly moves through the water is just as important as how it looks in the water. Be opened-minded and always willing to learn and experiment.
Triggers?
Colour hot spots (like a red gill slit on a baitfish pattern) and movement. I love a fly that has natural movement even when static. Oh, and big eyes on baitfish patterns. To order: Hit me up on richard@ogflystudio.com or @ogflystudio on Instagram
GORDON VAN DER SPUY aka @the_feather_mechanic
Gordon van der Spuy is well-known in South African fly tying and fishing circles. An actor, fly tying author, fly tying teacher and, if you catch him at the right time, someone who will sell you some exquisite flies. He ties Cape stream dries that lash fish. If salmon flies are your thing, he also ties classics that would give Edwin Rist (the villain from The Feather Thief) a hard-on.
Home waters?
My home waters are the streams of the Cape, but I regard the Bokong River in Lesotho as my home waters too.
Speciality?
I have a special affinity for tying dainty dry flies.
Philosophy?
‘Form follows function’ would be my fly-tying philosophy. Figure out what you need a fly to do and then tie it to do that.
Triggers?
I am a huge fan of profile, in-built mobility and chiaruscuro. Chiaruscuro refers to how light plays on the fly. Materials like CDC create a very life-like impression on the water due to the ways the light acts on the barbs and barbules of the material.
Order:
Drop me a mail on gordonvanderspuy@gmail.com or DM me on Instagram a @the_feather_mechanic.
