CHUM

THE MISSION ON CNN, A CRAYFISH INVASION, THE GPS GADGET OF OUR DREAMS, TOPO DESIGNS MAKE LANDFALL AND BADGES WORTH COLLECTING.

CATCH THE MISSION

...ON CNN. Yes, you read that correctly. The Mission, along with a bunch of South African fly fishing personalities like Collen Tshabangu, Anthea Linsell, Trevor Sithole and Linda Gorlei have been featured in CNN’s 24 minute-long Inside Africa segment on fly fishing in Southern Africa. Now that we are globally famoose, you can say you saw us first way back when. Keep an eye on our socials for screening dates. cnn.com

KEEP AN EYE OPEN...

...FOR RED SWAMP CRAYFISH. These highly invasive critters have recently been found in the Olifants River irrigation system in the northern reaches of the Western Cape, which means somewhere out there a wannabe fish farmer messed up. While this kind of thing is obviously not good from an environmental standpoint, we would be lying if we weren’t curious as to how big the Clanwilliam yellowfish and smallmouth bass might grow on this new scampi diet. *Furious tying of crawfish patterns ensues while sobbing* capenature.co.za

WATCH MEND THE LINE…

…WITH BRIAN COX. While it seems impossible that any mainstream film on fly fishing will ever surpass 1992’s A River Runs Through It, we’re open to contenders. In Mend the Line, Succession’s Brian Cox plays mentor to a damaged American-Afghanistan campaign veteran, whom he teaches to fly fish as a way of dealing with his trauma. If Cox invokes his Succession character Logan Roy just once in telling a mosquito to fuck off, we believe he will automatically surpass Brad Pitt and co.

SEND US YOUR NU…

…WE MEAN FISH PICS. The year is flying by and soon it will be Christmas, but more importantly, that means entries are open for the next iteration of The Mission’s Feathers Award. We’re celebrating the most remarkable fish caught on fly on the African continent in the past 12 months (winner announced in January 2024). This is your opportunity to share your stonkiest, trickiest, most noteworthy fish, along with the back story. Size is not the only consideration, as we will consider location, rarity of species, and difficulty of the catch. Hiking to mystical Wakandan spirit lakes to catch a unicorn fish on a phoenix feather Papa Roach is more than likely going to beat gooi-ing bread flies at Baberman at your local cholera-pond (though we appreciate those too). Send entries to info@themissionflymag.com.

TOPO DESIGNS…

…COMES TO SA. Lauded US mountain clobber brand Topo is now available in SA. Originally intended to bring back classic styles moulded with the functionality of reliable gear, Topo stays true their roots, prioritising form and function in a graceful duality. Hard shell, reliable, and durable materials are combined with ergonomic pleasure and bursts of technicolour. Their collaborations are epic (e.g. Redington and Howler Bros), their designs are unmatched, and their mission is totally green. outsiderco.co.za

STAY CONNECTED…

…AND NEVER LOSE SIGNAL. There’s often a moment when you arrive at your destination for a fishing trip, but you lose signal (which is half the point) before you do the “I got here safely” check in with your significant other. What about other scenarios when signal would really help – like when five days into a fish-packing mission deep into the wilderness, Kevin (it’s always a Kevin) breaks a leg, but you have no signal? What if your phone is dead? Enter a potential game changer to the world of remote internet connectivity: The drop-, dust-, and waterproof Motorola Defy Satellite Link is a mobile hotspot device which connects your phone to the internet with satellite coverage, just as you normally would with Wi-Fi or mobile data. With their Bullitt Satellite Messenger app, you’re always in reach – even where there’s no Wi-Fi or cellphone reception. The app runs off the mobile device, so if your phone dies you can still send an SOS. Genius. motorolarugged.com

TAKE A GANDER AT…

…BEN GRIB’S MARVELLOUS BADGES. You know those national park badges that American hitchhikers have stitched onto their backpacks, or placed as stickers on their bumpers? Local artist and illustrator Ben Grib has brought out his very own Saffa edition of beautifully drawn illustrations that capture the essence of each of our national parks (there’s also one dedicated to Western Cape parks). Bonus: a free print is available to any traveller who can prove they’ve been to all 20 listed parks. bengrib.co.za