The Mission Fly Fishing Magazine # Issue 21

THE GREAT ESCAPE ISSUE 21

MAY | JUNE 2020

FREE

THEMISSIONFLYMAG.COM

HERMAN BOTES, THE FOAM DUNGEON, ANTHEA PIATER, A BROWN TROUT JOURNAL, STEELHEAD & ESPRESSO, BEERS, BEATS & MORE

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Swinging for wild steelhead on a coastal stream in northern Oregon, Barrett Ames swaps dance partners. JEREMY KORESKI Š 2020 Patagonia, Inc.

W W W. T H E M I S S I O N F LY M A G . C O M ISSUE 21 MAY/JUNE 2020

CONTENTS Jonty Caramanus has a moment under a waterfall on the Jan du Toits river, one of the Western Cape’s gin clear trout streams. Photo Micky Wiswedel

14 VERSE Matt Smythe’s ‘The Fine Line Between Flight & Inertia’.

32 ROCKET FUEL A remote British Columbia river and exceptional steelhead fishing would tick most boxes, but as Roddy Hall experienced at Nass River Lodge, if you throw in the perfect riverside espresso, you hit Nirvana.

38 DESTINATION DESTINY Pre-pandemic, the stars aligned for Hennie Viljoen as a work trip took him to Florida where an Everglades guide just happened to have one day free.

46 NOTHING VENTURED What do two off-duty Orange river guides do when they find themselves back in the city on a break? They head into the nearby mountains in pursuit of some fabled browns. Matt Gorlei reports.

56 THE BULLET The ADHD, OCD, OTT OG - in this extended Lifer, Herman Botes gives us a glimpse into his life as one of South Africa’s most balls-tothe-wall fly anglers in recent decades.

78 WHAT’S IN MY BAG Stillwater trout season is upon us so we asked Protea fly angler Garth Nieuwenhuis for a gear breakdown.

REGULAR FEATURES 8 Ed’s Letter 16 Undercurrents 18 Wish List Fish 20 Beers & Beats 22 Munchies

26 High Fives 68 Salad Bar 74 Pay Day 84 Fluff 112 Pop Quiz

Tim Leppan with a stunning Clanwilliam yellow that fell for a Foam Dungeon.

More on this pattern on page 84. Photo Gabriel Botha.

T U D O R CA R A D O C - DAV I ES

WELL, THAT ESCALATED QUICKLY

T

he first difference I noticed was that after the traffic stopped overnight, I started hearing the birds and the bees. They seemed to get louder, much louder.

Then there was the immediate win of getting quality time at home, something we struggled to get enough of pre-pandemic, because of the constant rushing around.

As reports came through of sky-rocketing divorce rates in Wuhan, in South Africa spouses and partners so used to only spending mornings, evenings and weekends together, got the full 24-7 shock treatment. You better hope you made the right call at the altar.

Stuck at home we spoke to each other more, we caught up with friends and family more, we read more, stretched more, played with the dogs more (the main benefactors of this period) and we learnt that you don’t need a gym to get your heart rate up; clearing the gutters or sweeping the yard will do that for you. We cooked more and everyone on the internet it seems got into baking. Funny how the numbers of gluten-intolerant seemed to plummet with the price of oil. Parenting, teaching, cleaning and everything else we try to farm out to varying degrees, have become KPAs in this new reality.

Much of the scaffolding of our working lives has remained, the pressure inherent in the systems still there, but most of the momentum evaporated. As we continued to try to work as if it was, ‘business as usual,’ it dawned on us that all those times we swore that if we, “could just get a bit more time,” to do all those things wanted to get to - we were probably fooling ourselves. If this period has taught us anything, it’s that what we did with our time was never really about a lack of time, but about choices. If lockdown ever ends, I have no doubt a shitload of people who used to take the outdoors for granted will be spending a lot more time in nature. Fly fishing will boom.

Our weekly ‘Whip It Wednesdays’ fly tying meet-ups moved from Warwick’s garage in Tokai to Zoom. To our surprise, they were more productive, because there was less shittalking and more tying, less hedonism, more bulkheads.

We lived vicariously through the updates from some WIW members who were in lockdown (and still fishing) in places like remote Drakensberg farms or Wyoming. The rest of us stuck at home tried to fill fly boxes for specific one-day

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trips that we all hope, with more desperation than ever, will actually happen. And mixed in on the Whatsapp group among the recent ties and increasingly populated fly boxes, the memes just kept coming; a mix of morbidly stoic South African humour, and general kakpraat.

While we were busy working, domesticating ourselves and killing time at home, 6500km away from where we are based in Cape Town, South Africa, the pandemic had a very realworld impact on one of our own, Peter Coetzee. You see Pete, the co-founder of Feathers & Fluoro and and memecontributor-in-chief of Whip It Wednesdays (two things he puts on his LinkedIn CV), got marooned on the desert island of Socotra when the global shut down happened.

Technically owned by Yemen, you’ll find Socotra east of the Gulf of Aden in the western portion of the Arabian Sea, halfway between Yemen (which is at war) and Somalia (which has pirates and Al Shabaab). Exploring the island with the Wild Sea Adventures crew and Ray Montoya, all Pete wanted to do was engage in some remote fly fishing for enormous GTs, parrots, permit and whatever marine bounty Socotra had to offer. As fly fishing destinations go, it sounds peachy, because Socotra is about as remote as you can get. But as places to get stuck when an unprecedented pandemic hits, it’s not where you want to be, especially if there is no option to leave.

While the rest of us were fighting over bog roll in supermarkets, arguing about who did the dishes last, sighing heavily at having run out of bucktail, booze and things to watch on Netflix; Pete was sweating his nuts off, trying to find a way off the island and back to South Africa.

We all tried to help him – it’s amazing how many East African bush pilots we as a collective are connected to - but in the end Pete got himself out. By navigating multiple back channels of influence, calling in favours from embassies to governments and big business, he and the others who were stuck on Socotra managed to jump on a flight that took them as far as the UAE. After a week or so quarantined in a hotel room in Abu Dhabi, Pete then got to Frankfurt where he lived in the airport Tom Hanks-style for a few days. From there he boarded a repatriation flight to South Africa, did more time in government quarantine before finally getting reunited with his dog and his Fleshlight™. Good thing he got out when he did, because a few weeks later the war in Yemen flared up on Socotra.

W W W. T H E M I S S I O N F LY M A G . C O M

ripped through ancient civilisations, humanity has endured and documented the bewildering devastation of viral diseases before. Based on our predecessors’ survival and the advances of modern science, there’s a good chance we will get through this too. But it will suck before it gets better.

Ultimately, we don’t have any words of encouragement or inspiration to give you, mainly because coming from a fly fishing magazine anything like that would sound trite. All we can do is wish you all the best in the stormy waters ahead, encourage you not to be a moron and give you some basic guidelines for achieving that.

“Take us to your tapered leader.”

That’s the thing with the pandemic. It all seems far away, until it hits home that it’s very close and very real. We’re bored then we’re scared. Pete’s ordeal is just one of millions faced by people all over the world. Others have fared far worse and either lost their lives or lost loved ones, while many more have lost their jobs, their businesses and their income. Everything has been turned on its head.

We’ve seen parts of the first world behave like the third world and parts of the third world lead like we expected the first world to. We’ve seen markets crash, unemployment spike and bailouts across the board. We’ve seen how truly courageous and essential healthcare workers are, people who get out there on the frontline every single day no matter who is shouting at them without a facemask. We have also realized how important teachers, entertainers, artists and creators are, because without them who would educate our crotchfruit, or stimulate our brains as we wait to finally be let outside again?

There’s no modern protocol, blueprint or plan for how to proceed because none of us have lived through something similar (save for the odd centurion who was an infant during the Spanish flu of 1918). These truly are unchartered waters for our time, but not for our species.

Because what we as individuals and nations are going through now - the fear, panicking, hoarding, superstition, quack cures (e.g. consuming disinfectant) scapegoating, the economic shit sandwich and the boredom – that has all happened before, just without Joe Exotic and Carol Baskin for company. Whether it was the Spanish Flu of 1918, the Black Death during the Middle Ages, or the plagues that

Please be smart. Check your sources and wherever possible trust in science over conspiracy theories If a story comes from covidscam69.myspace.com, truthseekerslizardpeople.com, Info Wars etc, it’s likely to be bullshit. If it comes from an established news organization that abides by press ombudsmen regulations and can be sued for misinformation (like FOX might soon experience) then give it more credence, but still check and check again.

Please be kind. Remember that almost everyone, save for the Kushners and Bezos of this world, are dealing with existential dread, economic hardship and both grief at what we have lost and fear at what is yet to come. The psychological impact of this period will be with us for decades.

Lastly, it’s important to hang on to hope that together we can come out of this stronger, not only as a species, but hopefully as a planet too. It’s hard to see this pandemic in a positive light, but as the immoveable object to the unstoppable force of humanity’s global-heating-suicidecult-of-planetary-destruction, the one thing the Coronavirus has done is it has slowed us down just long enough to get a reality check about what’s important to us, both as individuals and as a collective.

We have a choice. We can try go back to the way things were before and wilfully ignore the track we are on. Or, we can see this painful pause as a really shitty gift from Mother Nature and a Mulligan to, at the very least, attempt to do things better. Better health care, better self-care, better more conscious travel and better energy systems for all.

We know what we would choose. How about you?

“IF THIS PERIOD HAS TAUGHT US ANYTHING, IT’S THAT WHAT WE DID WITH OUR TIME WAS NEVER REALLY ABOUT A LACK OF TIME, BUT ABOUT CHOICES. IF LOCKDOWN EVER ENDS, I HAVE NO DOUBT A SHITLOAD OF PEOPLE WHO USED TO TAKE THE OUTDOORS FOR GRANTED WILL BE SPENDING A LOT MORE TIME IN NATURE. FLY FISHING WILL BOOM.” 10

W W W. T H E M I S S I O N F LY M A G . C O M

Locked down for weeks on end, Platon Trakoshis overhauled his flyboxes, from giant streamers to tiny drys. Photo Platon Trakoshis

EDITOR Tudor Caradoc-Davies ART DIRECTOR Brendan Body CONTACT THE MISSION The Mission Fly Fishing Mag (PTY) Ltd 25 Firth Road, Rondebosch, 7700, Cape Town, South Africa Info@themissionflymag.com www.themissionflymag.com

EDITOR AT LARGE Conrad Botes COPY EDITOR Gillian Caradoc-Davies ADVERTISING SALES tudor@themissionflymag.com

CONTRIBUTORS #21 Matt Smith, Fred Davis, Brad Armitage, Belu Acuna, Anthea Piater, Roddy Hall, Hennie Viljoen, Matt Gorlei, Herman Botes, Tim Leppan, Garth Niewenhuise, Conrad Botes, Cameron Mortenson PHOTOGRAPHERS #21 Micky Wiswedel, Tim Leppan, Gregg Davis, Ryan Janssens, Cale Montrone, Roddy Hall Sally Derrick, Hennie Viljoen, Honson Lau, Matt Gorlei, Luke Pannell, Paolo Trapani, Gary Glen-Young, Conrad Botes, Eiko Jones, Ian McAllister, Caleb Bjergfelt, Gareth Tate, Gabriel Botha, Fred Davis, Brett Bellairs, Warren van Rensburg

THE MISSION IS PUBLISHED 6 TIMES A YEAR. THE MISSION WILL WELCOME CONTENT AND PHOTOS. WE WILL REVIEW THE CONTRIBUTION AND ASSESS WHETHER OR NOT IT CAN BE USED AS PRINT OR ONLINE CONTENT. THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS MAGAZINE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE MAGAZINE OR ITS OWNERS. THE MISSION IS THE COPYRIGHT OF THE MISSION FLY MAG (PTY) LTD. ANY DUPLICATION OF THIS MAGAZINE, FOR MEDIA OR SALE ACTIVITY, WILL BE FED CHICORY COFFEE AND PRODDED WITH A POINTY ASADO STICK FOR ETERNITY.

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W W W. T H E M I S S I O N F LY M A G . C O M

@THEMISSIONFLYMAG MEMBER OF THE ABC (AUDIT BUREAU OF CIRCULATION)

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By Matt Smythe

Standing in a river. Skirting a field of clover. Paddling a canoe. Walking to my car. Sitting in my tree stand. Watching my daughterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s track meet. Raking leaves. Brushing my teeth. Running a trail in the pines. Taking the garbage out. Landing a fish. Leaning in for a kiss. Talking with my sons. Washing dishes. Picking up dog shit. Leaving a funeral. Sweating after sex on a blanket in the tall grass. Idling at a stop light. Pausing mid-mountain in the snow. Dressing my first deer of the season. Drinking coffee on the porch. Casting to rising fish. Warming my hands by the fire. Losing track of my limbs.

Seeing no color in anything. Fighting to sleep. Sitting death-still on the couch. Staring at the same electrical outlet for hours. Letting full days pass unattended. Managing, somehow, to still get enough work done. Wanting to liquidate every last piece of my gear. Closing my eyes for a full three seconds at speed in traffic. Breathing with the bottom tenth of my lungs. Vacating any and all feeling e xcept rage. Tasting copper in my throat. Clenching my jaw against fuck it all.

Clinging to the sound of my kids in the house.

Yet somehow a bird in flight, full-throated calling into the universe of its view, will stop me in my tracks.

Eyes skyward, searching for the small flame in empty space.

No one can fly for the bird or give it song. Both are an ability possessed individually.

Gained through the ignorance of falling.

The innocence of mimicry.

The discovery of consequence.

Tangible proof of the fine line between life and death.

Hypothesis turned fact in the first pulse of air under the decisive weight of the unknown.

A bird in flight is unbridled joy.

Its song a reminder that those heights still exist.

W W W. T H E M I S S I O N F LY M A G . C O M

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UNDERCURRENTS

TRICKY DICKY T O B E A G U I D E Y O U H AV E T O B E A ‘ P E O P L E P E R S O N ,’ R I G H T ?

AS ETHAN GOLDBERG FOUND ON HIS FIRST GUIDED TRIP YEARS A G O , T H AT R U L E O F T H U M B D O E S N O T A LWAY S A P P LY. A few Black Labels later, Dicky got even more animated, serving up some home-grown words of wisdom.

According to Dicky’s Hierarchy of Needs, fishing and fornication were the only two pastimes at the summit of the pyramid. He summed this up very eloquently with a quote right up there with the great philosophers.

“When my right arm no longer works and my c$ck doesn’t get hard, that’s when I end it, because life is all about fishing and f#cking.”

G

Photo. Fred Davis

Put that in your pipe and smoke it Confucius.

rowing up as a young flyfisherman I looked at guides in glossy magazines and imagined them as bastions of decency, technical proficiency and manly etiquette.

I believed them to be men of stature, tradition and respect.

In other words, to misquote the inimitable Ron Burgundy, I imagined them as, “smelling of rich mahogany.” While many did and still do possess these qualities, over the years I’ve discovered that a few are downright indecent scoundrels who smell more like dried up baboon turds than any rare wood.

Dicky was of the latter variety. I met him on my first ‘guided trip’, a treat from my old man for passing my third-year varsity exams. Our destination was a remote Transkei estuary where Dicky had been plying his trade as a handyman/flyfishing guide/D-grade gigolo for a while. I couldn’t contain my excitement.

On arrival late that first evening, we unpacked and went straight to the pub to meet Dicky and discuss the plan for the next few days over a beer. He walked in five minutes later with his client of the day and the very first words he uttered were, “I hope you guys can cast because this c*nt can’t,” motioning with a dismissive thumb towards the slightly bemused client.

Now my old man is one of the best humans you are likely to meet. Strong of mind, fair and firm, he’s a man of great integrity and measure. So, an introduction like that, sans a handshake or even steady eye contact was not a great start.

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On the water Dicky was as colourful (if not more so) as he was on terra firma. The first day we got on the water the skippies were rolling hard and my old man was positioned to cast. Unfortunately, the old bullet is an average-to-shit caster. After the third duffed attempt, Dicky ripped the rod from his hands, made a flawless cast, passed the rod back to him and cursed him in the same way the poor bastard in the pub had got it the night before.

After day one he declared that our rods were broomsticks and that a casting ‘Kamp Staaldraad’ would commence on the lawn outside the hotel, before we were allowed a cold beverage in the pub. After about half an hour, Dicky gave up on my dad, handed him the perseverance prize (a beer) and suggested he bring a spinning rod next time.

Over the duration of our time with Dicky, plumes of second-hand Chesterfield smoke engulfed our boat as we meandered down the river, Black Pearl-style, while every living creature fled in terror. The next days were a blur that included the odd fish for us, countless tales of passing travellers Dicky had ‘serviced’ and the most expletive-laced one-sided conversation you are ever likely to encounter.

On the drive back home, after having listened to Creedence Clearwater Revival in silence for a good hour, my old man turned to me and said, “That Dicky really is a strange chap, isn’t he?”

“Ja dad, helluva strange.”

In the background, only a week too late, Creedence delivered a warning.

“I see a bad moon a rising, I see trouble on the way.”

W W W. T H E M I S S I O N F LY M A G . C O M

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WISH LIST FISH

THE SOBAITY SEABREAM A SHORT PADDLE FROM HIS HOME IN QATAR, FRED DAVIS OF FEATHERS & FLUORO DISCOVERED SOME FINE NEW FRIENDS.

“Near…far…all ooooooveeer Qatar, I believe that the heart does go on.” Fred Davis, chanelling Celine Dion, gets his girl. Photo. Gregg Davis

WHAT: The love child of a silver steenbras and a Bohar snapper, the Sobaity seabream, or Sparidentex hasta in fancy speak, has a striking appearance with jet black, intelligent eyes and sports a titanium blue finish that frames the gunmetal scales. This predator is armed with a serious set of teeth that hints at its diet of fish and crustaceans. Despite its predatory nature, it has a rather reclusive attitude; you don’t see them too often. Based in Qatar, it has become one of the objects of my fishing desire. And they grow big, my heaviest so far had a fork length of 66cm. Adding to this, they are pretty fussy and can be exceptionally difficult to convince with a fly (or lure for that matter). There has been no shortage of “Aaaah man!” and shaking hands. But when they do eat, they fight hard and dogged and are not shy to run you through the bricks. If you do get them to hand they are spent, having fought to the end!

WHERE: This enigmatic predator likes to hang out around rocky structure and on the edges of the flats of the Arabian Gulf and Arabian Sea - an area that they are endemic to.

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Not much is known about their breeding and migratory habits (if there are any of the latter), but we do catch them inconsistently all year round (even in the heat of summer!).

It is epic when you find them herding baitfish into rocky corners, but normally they tend to play an ambush game, lurking in the deeper holes and crevices, appearing out of nowhere to attack prey.

HOW: Finding them working bait is the best way to target these fish. It’s mayhem with big hits on surface flies that make for bent rods and weak knees. However, it is rare to find them in this mood and it is normally a combination of knowing the area in order to identify possible structure and a good dollop of luck in terms where they are hanging out. While I dream of sight fishing one on a crab pattern, my favourite and most successful method of catching them is by working the holes and cuts in the shallow reefs from a paddle board. Slow methodical working of these areas with a surface slider or even a popper produces the best results.

W W W. T H E M I S S I O N F LY M A G . C O M

The podcast program that is 100% dedicated to fishing travel, adventure and exploration.

Waypoints is a high-quality podcast production created for those that fish and those that travel to fish – a platform that talks about, explores, and shares relevant and legitimate advice on adventure angling and the world’s finest fishing destinations.

The program is hosted by Jim Klug, the founder and director of Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures. With more than 220 different lodge and location options in 28 different countries and offerings that include both freshwater and saltwater adventures, Yellow Dog has become the largest, most diverse and well-known agent in fishing travel.

Klug has spent his life working in the fly fishing industry, and has been lucky enough to travel and fish the world, meeting interesting people, experiencing incredible destinations, and collecting amazing stories.

Waypoints regularly delivers as incredible line-up of guests, including passionate anglers, hard-core adventurists, legendary guides, wandering fish-heads, outcast ex-pats, and seasoned travel experts. Each episode captures and taps into this knowledge base, creating an authentic and valuable platform that shares instruction, technical advice and first-hand stories that are related in some way to fishing travel. Episodes dive into the what, why, where and how of destination angling, discussing relevant topics and breaking down the issues that matter to those who travel and fish. It is a program with a goal of bringing the world of fly fishing travel to life for the program’s listeners.

Waypoints Podcast https://www.yellowdogflyfishing.com/waypoints-podcast/ http://waypoints.buzzsprout.com/ Waypoints Producer: Bryan Gregson Waypoints is currently available on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Play, Buzzsprout and Stitcher, as well as on the Yellow Dog website.

FODDER

BEERS & BEATS THE BEERS – AND UNION

We don’t know where in the world you are and to what level you are under lockdown/quarantine or stay at home rules, but take it from us in South Africa, the way you approach your beer over this period (general stocking, variety, temperature) is important.

First up, when you can, stock up.

When the bottle stores are closed and 3-weeks is extended to 5-weeks, you’ll be sorry you decided this was a good time to try a dry month. Leave that for Octsober.

Next up, ensure you get variety, because soon all days will meld into each other in the eternal samesameness of staying at home for eternity. This battle to combat repetition (and drink delicious, flavourful beers), led us to the realization that never has there been a better time to drink And Union’s newly re-branded range of beers. One of the first wave of craft beers in South Africa, this German brand with South African founders, sources its range from the finest family-run Bavarian breweries (the youngest being 90, the oldest 500+). You might recall some of their stalwart hits like the Steph Weiss, the Unfiltered Lager, the Neu Black Lager, the Friday IPA and the Sunday Pale Ale. Continuing with the naming convention of the last two, And Union have conveniently named/re-named their entire range after the days of the week. While they were at it, they added in two new, non-alcoholic beers* for Monday and Tuesday. So now, instead of relying on your phone, your computer or carving the passing of each sunset into a rock, you can tell which day of the week it is with brilliant beers. Suck it Google Calendar. andunion.com

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MONDAY – LAGER (Alcohol free)

TUESDAY – WHEAT BEER (Alcohol free)

WEDNESDAY – WHEAT BEER, the beer formerly known as Steph Weiss.

THURSDAY – DARK LAGER, the beer formerly known as Neu Black Lager.

FRIDAY – INDIA PALE ALE, same-same, still delicious.

SATURDAY – LAGER, the beer formerly known as Unfiltered Lager SUNDAY – PALE ALE, same-same, still delicious. * A smart move because, let’s be honest, swigging from a quart during those Zoom meetings scheduled early in the week is something that is still frowned upon.

T H E M I S S I O N F LY M A G . C O M

THE AND UNION MIXTAPE C O M P I L E D A N D S W E AT E D O V E R B Y B R A D A R M I TA G E , CO-FOUNDER OF AND UNION, T H I S P L AY L I S T F E AT U R E S KHRUANGBIN, YO L A TENGO, S H A R O N VA N E T T E N , B E A S T I E BOYS, MORRISSEY AND THE STROKES AMONG OTHER TA L E N T S . I F I T G O T A N Y M O R E C H I L L E D I T W O U L D FA L L THROUGH ITS OWN POEPHOL. WE APPROVE.

1. Texas Sun – Khruangbin 2. Roco Ono - Allah-Las 3. You Can Have It All - Yo La Tengo 4. Grow Forever - Lizette & Quevin 5. Fire - Special Explosion 6. Cosmic Dancer - Valerie June 7. The Barrel - Aldous Harding 8. Beaten Down - Sharon Van Etten 9. Real Bad Lookin’ - Alex Cameron 10. Unbearably White - Vampire Weekend 11. Ashes to Ashes - Warpaint 12. Wouldn’t You Know - Royal Headache 13. Dancing In The Moonlight - King Harvest 14. Never Be Another You (Reggae Remix) - El Michels Affair 15. Song For Junior - Beastie Boys 16. Another Weekend - Ariel Pink 17. Back on the Chain Gang - Morrissey 18. Bad Decisions - The Strokes 19. The Comeback - Shout Out Louds 20. Someone Great - LCD Soundsystem 21. You Wish - Nightmares On Wax 22. Cattails - Big Thief 23. Shut Up Kiss Me - Angel Olsen 24. Deep End - Indian Askin 25. Beach House - The Cave Singers 26. Beach Comber - Real Estate 27. Parkland (Into the Silence) - Surfer Blood 28. The Silent Orchestra - Hamilton Leithauser 29. Midnight - Khruangbin

Listen at themissionflymag.com

MUNCHIES

ASADO

JURASSIC LAKE STYLE ELEVATE YOUR BRAAI/GRILLING GAME, WITH PATAGONIAN-STYLE CRUCIFIED LAMB Words Tudor Caradoc-Davies.

Photos. Ryan Janssens

S

outh Africans have braais, Americans have BBQs, Ozzies have Barbies, Brits have tea, and Argentina has the legendary asado.

Sure, it’s a general style of grilling, parts of which are not that dissimilar to what you might make at home on a continent far, far away but asado boasts certain elevated, centre-piece ‘dishes’ that are so far removed from tanning a chop or burning some wors that, other than the connection of meat and an open fire, they are in a league of their own.

Lamb al Asador or Cordero al Palo is one such dish. It involves crucifying a lamb (not a goat as that will get you the wrong kind of attention), then cooking it over a fire for hours till it is perfectly done. We experienced proper asado recently at Jurassic Lake Lodge in Patagonia where, after a long day spent catching giant rainbow trout hand over fist, chef Belen ‘Belu’ Acuña and her gaucho sidekick, Luca Inostrosa, showed us how they make Cordero al Palo.

Let’s be upfront about something: if you’re impatient, or lazy, this is not for you. But, if you are prepared to put in the effort, the resultant flavour embedded in the slowcooked crispy fat and delicious meat not only makes it well worth your time, but could elevate your culinary standing among friends and family to Head Chef levels.

Like most things involving outdoor cooking, there are a lot of variables: How dry is your wood? Did that lamb pump iron? Was it really lamb or the Glenwood High School 1st XV equivalent? Can you measure 75cm accurately? So, venture into this knowing that A) it is not an exact science and B) we take no responsibility for whether you execute this properly (any couriered burnt lamb ribs will be returned to sender).

Deal? All set? Great. Now step up. Here’s Belu’s cheat sheet to making your own at home.

BELU’S ASADO DO’S AND DON’TS

- You need a whole butterflied lamb for this. Ask your butcher or take along a picture of Ramsay Bolton’s house coat of arms (from Gamne of Thrones).

- For your outdoor kitchen, you need to choose a suitable area to make your fire because this is going to be a decentsized fire and it will burn for a long time.

- Begin by making a fire using that season’s dry wood (ed.

No, charcoal will not do in this case).

- The fire must burn for at least 30 to 45 min, because what you will be using for cooking are the glowing hot embers.

From time to time you will need to put extra wood on the fire, to ensure a steady supply of these embers.

- Using steel wire, fix your whole butterflied lamb to a metal crucifix in an upright but rotatable position (ed:You want a crucifix with a second cross bar, somewhere between a crucifix and a hashtag).

Make sure you fix it as well as possible at the ankles and through the back section on to the spine, as the lamb needs to cook for several hours and cannot fall off the crucifix halfway through.

- Liberally salt the lamb.

- Drive the bottom of your lamb crucifix into the ground at a 45° angle over the fire ensuring that the fire is always approximately 70 to 75 cm away from the lamb. ‘Low and slow,’ is the rule of the game.

- As your fire keeps producing more glowing embers, these coals should be moved closer to the lamb in whatever quantities needed to regulate a steady cooking temperature.

- Depending on the size of your butterflied lamb, cooking time will be anywhere from 3 to 4 hours.

- The lamb has to be rotated periodically to ensure equal cooking time on both sides. You should probably open a few bottles of red to help pass the time.

- As it cooks, keep basting the lamb with a marinade of Chimichurri and water.

- Serve with side portions of grilled morcilla (blood sausage) and steak.

- Buen provecho!

“SOUTH AFRICANS HAVE BRAAIS, AMERICANS HAVE BBQS, OZZIES HAVE BARBIES, BRITS HAVE TEA, AND ARGENTINA HAS THE LEGENDARY ASADO.” 22

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Lucas Inostrosa and Belu Acuña show us how asado is done at Jurassic Lake Lodge.

THE TOOLS

- patience, a can-do attitude and a hankering for slow-cooked lamb - an axe for chopping wood - a gaucho knife (chef’s blade will do) for checking the meat and doing very important taste tests.

- pointy stick for pointing at things and moving embers around.

- steel crucifix and steel wire.

THE BASTING SAUCE - CHIMICHURRI

Ingredients 1. 1/2 cup olive oil 2. 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 3. 1/2 cup finely chopped parsley 4. 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped 5. 2 small red chilies, deseeded and finely chopped 6. 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano 7. 1 teaspoon salt 8. ½ teaspoon pepper Method Mix all the ingredients together and then add in up to 1.5 litres of warm water. Sprinkle the mixture or brush it over the meat every half hour or so or whenever the lamb is looking a little dry.

THEME TUNE (to whistle while crucifying a lamb)

– Always Look on the Bright Side of Life from Monty Python’s Life of Brian.

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HIGH FIVES

ANTHEA PIATER F R O M C H A S I N G L A R G I E S A N D S M A L L I E S I N H E R H O M E WAT E R S O F T H E V A A L T O M A C G U Y V E R TA C T I C S , A R T A N D S O M E F I N E W I N E R E C O M M E N D AT I O N S , W E C AT C H U P W I T H PA R Y S A R E A G U I D E , A N T H E A P I AT E R .

Photos. c/o Anthea Piater

5 best things about where you guide?

1. The Vaal River is a scruffy creature, broken up in sections of broad deep pools and shallow stretches with island scattered rapids. It can be smooth and flat or churning like a dishwasher. The variety of water lends itself to the numerous different species one can target so, in one day, you can really mix things up.

2. The exhilarating fresh water fish action! Yellowfish are probably the fastest freshwater fish in SA. Once you’ve set the hook you know all about it! They shoot off like bullets through the rapids and you should never underestimate how much they love airtime when they’re trying to throw the hook. What’s not to love about catching energetic fish like that?

3. You can fish all year round if you just adapt your methods and techniques.

4. It’s a nature junkie’s paradise, set against a scenic backdrop of steep cliffs and rolling hills. There is always something rustling in the bushes behind you, and the monkeys make for great entertainment. It’s also an hour’s drive from Jo’burg city centre so is easily accessible if you’re planning a day trip.

5. Meeting and spending time with like-minded people, swapping stories and knowledge and just appreciating nature.

5 things you are probably doing if you are not guiding?

1. Tying flies. The meditativeness and levels of creativity are addictive, and the imagination can really run wild when you’re sitting behind the vice.

2. Drawing or making something, any kind of hands-on activity. Art has always been a passion and drawing is one of my favourite creative outlets.

3. Being an environmental warrior, raising public awareness around the pollution issues of the Vaal River, and especially supporting the NGO ‘SAVE the Vaal Environment’ in all their endeavours fighting the Vaal’s ongoing water quality crisis.

4. Growing things. It’s so rewarding when you get it right.

And especially if you can eat it.

5. Chilling around a braai and popping open some wine.

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5 fishing-connected items you don’t leave home without before making a mission?

1. Freshly tied flies, stacked to the max.

2. Dr Slick all-purpose scissors, to trim down, mend, or shape up a fly on the spot. Largemouth yellows know how to shabby-up a fly.

3. Mini cable ties. They give you instant MacGuyver points when shoelaces snap, zips break, nets rip and magnet clips fail.

4. Water resistant sun cream, factor 50.

5. Pocket knife.

5 bands to listen to while on a road trip?

1. STRFKR. 2. Tame Impala.

3. Animal Collective.

4. Vampire Weekend.

5. Jon Hopkins.

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5 things you are loving right now 1. Peaceful sleeps unscented ‘Family’ spray - finally a mozzie repellant you can drown in all day long without smelling like an old campsite.

2. Caperitif (essentially South Africa’s answer to vermouth. ed) by AA Badenhorst, mixed with soda or tonic and a solid fist full of ice.

3. Photography. I bought a little Nikon D5300 starter bundle and finding my way around it has been a blast!

4. Seeing more SA women getting involved in fly fishing.

5. Absolutely loving all the primo wines SA has to offer.

The 2015 vintages are off the charts! There is so much good juice out there but recent faves include the 2015 Mother Rock White and the Mother Rock Syrah by Stompie (Johan Meyer).

5 indispensable flies for saltwater?

1. Gurgler for top water action. Leeries go mental!

2. Clouser, chartreuse or pink. Sparse is good.

3. Crab pattern, Alphlexo will do it.

4. Semper. Yet to throw one, but I’ve seen seen the proof.

5. Turd fly or something shrimpish.

5 indispensable flies for freshwater?

1. PTN, especially with a hot spot bum or collar.

2. Zonker muddler.

3. Lloyd Piater’s ‘Mamma Zeffa’, a next level woolly bugger.

4. Elk hair caddis for top water eats.

5. Gold-ribbed Hare’s Ear. 5 favourite fly fishing destinations across SA? 1. Orange River in the Kalahari.

2. Bushmans River at Kenton-on-sea, Eastern Cape.

3. De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape.

4. Lesotho!

5. Vaal River, my home ground.

5 of the most difficult guiding experiences so far?

1. It’s so important to select a quality fly line best suited to the type of fishing you are doing. I had a client whose line kept snapping, and after the third time I decided there’s no salvaging the situation and I had to rig him on to a spare reel I was carrying. It’s such valuable time wasted.

2. Dealing with bad weather and unpredictable river levels.

Some weeks just don’t work out.

3. Client didn’t have wading boots. It was a spur of the moment booking and he only had a brand new pair of sneakers. I have a bag of old shoes that I insisted he rummage through and see if anything would work.

He managed to find 2 random left shoes and popped them on. I was unsure and slightly panicky about how the situation was going to pan out. I can confirm that 2 left shoes are better than no shoes at all, but I still wouldn’t recommend it.

4. Guiding clients while the river level was steadily rising. They were keen to fish and had limited time so we could not reschedule and had to make the most of it. Wading was close to impossible and we had to hug the edges tightly. I made a wrong move and stepped out into the current and realised I was stuck. It was impossible to even lift one foot, and if I was to try I would be tickets. Luckily one of the gentlemen saw my predicament, reached out and offered me a hand. I learnt then that is okay to ask for help especially where safety is a concern.

5. Watching clients lose fish. I can feel the shatter, and it really never gets easier.

5 flies to pack (in the smuggler kit under your driver’s seat) to cover most species?

1. Muishond 2. Woolly bugger 3. Popper 4. Any simple dry fly pattern 5. Roach 5 people you would like to guide or fish with?

1. Definitely Meredith McCord. She is a fly fishing legend!

2. Cameron Musgrave, because GT is the game and he knows all about it.

3. Jako Lucas. Is there any fish he hasn’t caught?

4. Katka Svagrova. I think we’d have a jol!

5. My husband Lloyd Piater, on any available piece of water.

I’d love to teach my niece and nephew how to wield a fly rod and guide them on to some yellows.

5 fish on your species hit list?

1. Tarpon.

2. Golden Dorado.

3. Rooster Fish.

4. GT. 5. Goliath tigerfish.

“WHY DO FISH SUDDENLY GET LOCK JAW? THERE ARE MOMENTS WHEN FISH ARE JUST EXPLODING AND THEN SUDDENLY IT’S JUST “KRREK KRREK” CRICKETS.” 28

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4. A special effects makeup artist for Sci-Fi movies.

Zombies, aliens, ghosts, you name it!

5. Full-time campaigning for more sustainable ways for humans and nature to co-exist, and figure out and drive solutions in which humans can have less impact on the environment and its natural resources, especially water.

5 essential ingredients for an incredible mission?

1. Fishing buddies! Someone to plan missions with and share the adventure.

2. A cooler stacked with beer and ice.

3. A lunch-stop boerie braai (sausage BBQ/grill if you are from outside the Republic of South Africa. ed) next to the water.

4. A great attitude and no expectations.

5. Fish that eat.

5 shower thoughts that have occurred to you while fly fishing?

1. Why is the ban of bananas on boats such a thing?

What wicked sorcery do these bananas possess to be able to screw up a day of fishing? Should we be worried about other fruit and veg?

2. Do giraffes ever get struck by lightning?

3. How many other people have had a heavy fish casually lean against them and knock them off their feet?

4. Why do largies hate wind so much?

5. Do other people get Tourette’s this bad?

5 destinations on your bucket list?

1. Sette Cama, Gabon.

2. Cameroon.

3. Argentina.

4. Bolivia.

5. Baja California.

5 things you would take up if you weren’t always fly fishing?

1. Become a full time artist, and even have a go at street art.

2. Chocolate sculpting. It’s a medium with no creative limit. You can go all out with airbrushes, blow torches, and some fine looking knives. And you can lick the spoon when you’re done.

3. Making music. I once played guitar for a band and even wrote a corny song. I’ve got some experience with a keyboard too. But lately, making up weird jokes and rapping them out for friends is my thing. Yeah I think I would love to tap into music again.

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5 flies that to look at make no sense but that catch fish all the time?

1. Blob fly.

2. Green rock worm with hot orange bead head.

3. Squirmy wormies.

4. Mop fly.

5. Woolly wings.

5 things about fly fishing that you may never understand?

1. How a perfect cast, with a perfect fly, and just enough plop that says “Hey! Eat me!” doesn’t even get a sniff.

2. Why do fish suddenly get lock jaw? There are moments when fish are just exploding and then suddenly it’s just “krrek krrek” crickets.

3. Why do the the butterflies in my stomach never go away?

4. You don’t snap a rod on that 10 pounder, but you hook a fish in the nursery and Murphy has his way with you.

5. Why are some fisherman so secretive about fly selection?

Fishing spots, sure, but why flies?

5 common mistakes that most clients make?

1. Not managing expectations. If you let your guide know what you want to get out of the experience and what your concerns and limitations are, it will be easier for both of you to manage the expectations of the day and establish a more enjoyable experience.

2. Forgetting to adjust your drag.

3. Not making sure you have the correct gear. Felt sole boots on the Vaal are especially important.

4. On the Vaal don’t be shy to use a wading stick. Your hero status doesn’t matter, but your shins and knees do!

5. Being reluctant to speak up and let your guide assist with whatever concerns you may have, whether you’re struggling to grasp a technique or even just tie on a fly.

Your last five casts were to….

Some zonker-busting Largemouth yellowfish on the Vaal River.

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“YOU DON’T SNAP A ROD ON THAT 10 POUNDER, BUT YOU HOOK A FISH IN THE NURSERY AND MURPHY HAS HIS WAY WITH YOU.”

STEELHEAD & ESPRESSO

ROCKET FUEL RODERIC ‘RODDY’ HALL HAS BEEN AROUND THE BLOCK AND THEN SOME. EVEN BEFORE HE TOOK ON HIS CURRENT ROLE OF M A N A G E R O F FA R L O W S T R AV E L , R O D D Y H A D T R AV E L L E D P R E T T Y M U C H E V E R Y W H E R E FISHY AS A GUIDE, A HOST AND, ON OCCASION, AS A REGUL AR ANGLER. ALONG T H E W AY, H E ’ S S E E N W H AT P O O R C A F F E I N E P R E P A R AT I O N . C A N D O . W H I L E F I S H I N G F O R STEELHEAD IN REMOTE BRITISH COLUMBIA H E E X P E R I E N C E D C O F F E E N I R VA N A W H E N DEREK BARBER SERVED UP THE PERFECT C U P PA I N T H E M I D D L E O F N O W H E R E .

Photos. Cale Montrone, Roddy Hall, Sally Derrick

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have been fortunate enough to travel the world for more than twenty years now as a guide, lodge manager and agent for some of the most exceptional and remote fly- fishing destinations available to the travelling angler. As we all know, it is the people who often make these trips that little bit more memorable, and at Nass River Lodge in British Columbia, the owner, operator, head guide and supplier of river bank barista quality coffee Derek Barber, is just as crucial as the exceptional steelhead that run this system.

Within a few hours of meeting Derek I realised that here was a man who practises a singleâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;minded pursuit of the most important things in life. These passions have led to him being able to make a perfect espresso, latte or macchiato on the banks of one of the best and most remote steelhead rivers in the world. Although we quickly grasped just how important coffee was to Derek (and indeed to our jet-lagged group), the main reason we were one hour helicopter flight north of Smithers in British Columbia, Canada, was to fish for that superb migratory fish, the steelhead.

Derek has guided for many years in BC and is held in high esteem by everyone who has fished with him. In 2018 he was given the opportunity to buy a small camp on the upper Nass River beside the confluence with one of its major tributaries, a junction pool he had often dreamt about. The camp had been operated for many seasons as an occasional â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;fly campâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; but was not developed for permanent occupation. Derek and his small team have now created a more permanent camp and 2019 was their first full season.

This is a four rod camp and everyone has their own canvas tent on a wooden platform. The ultimate luxury was that we were woken up every morning at 6.30am with a pot of fresh espresso in bed and the wood burning stove in our tents fired up to take the edge of the chilly air before we got going for the day. The fishing itself was classic spey rod, swinging-the-fly type stuff on the main river, very familiar to Atlantic salmon fishers. Then there was smaller more intimate fishing where a single hander could be used on the clear water tributary. The fish were large and angry and tended to give you a mean stare when they jumped.

Back to the coffee on the river-bank.

I have endured poor coffee on many rivers throughout the world where just having a warm beverage was deemed the pinnacle of achievement. For me, as for many, coffee is an important (essential) part of my day, so I cannot overstate how impressive it was to see how seriously Derek took his coffee making. He heated water with a burner that used recycled pellets to produce heat and, in addition to

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heating the water, it also powered a USB charger on the side of the equipment. He had freshly ground his beans every day and measured every aspect of the operation from the heat of the water to the pressure and length of time he extracted the coffee using his hand–operated espresso machine, which he pumped to produce the required pressure. He could even create perfectly frothy milk, all on the bank in the wind and rain of an autumnal Canadian day. Perhaps the best part of the coffee story is how carefully Derek sources his beans. After exhaustive tasting he found an Italian supplier who produced exactly what he was looking for. However, he had met his match in terms of perfectionism, and had to fill in an application form to be considered as a potential purchaser. Thankfully, after a test period, he was accepted and everyone who fishes with him is a beneficiary.

DEREK BARBER’S RIVERBANK BARISTA TIPS 1. Have the right equipment. I use the following: - Handpresso - Bellman stove top steamer - Good quality hand grinder - 8oz cups for latte - 3oz espresso cups.

- 12oz. Milk frothing pot - Milk thermometer - Two burner stove so the milk steamer can be heated and water can be boiled for the coffee at the same time.

Our adventure was over all too quickly and after an interesting return helicopter flight, in and out of thick, low cloud, skimming high pines and following rivers, we landed in Smithers and went our separate ways. The experience was one which showed us all why the pursuit of steelhead is an annual event in many fishers’ diaries and one that ranks alongside family birthdays in terms of compulsory attendance!

No fishing article is complete without a fishing story.

Although our team caught some lovely fish, the fish of our week was actually landed the following week. One of the guests, Sally, had battled with a very large fish that finally broke her off after an epic struggle. After returning home her guide Scott sent her a photograph of an Italian gentleman holding a 20lb fish with her fly still lodged in its jaw, the fish she had lost a week earlier, landed in the same spot and in superb condition…

2. Know how to use your equipment. Practice makes perfect.

3. Use a great espresso blend coffee. Take your time to find a coffee that suits your taste and works well in your espresso maker 4. Good company. Coffee is always better when shared with good people 5. Enjoy your coffee on a great river.

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EVERGLADES

DESTINATION DESTINY N O S E L F - R E S P E C T I N G S E F F R I C A N F LY F I S H E R M A N I S G O I N G T O L E T A P R I M E F LY F I S H I N G O P P O R T U N I T Y PA S S B Y W H I L E ABROAD. JUST BEFORE THE WORLD SHUT UP S H O P, H E N N I E V I L J O E N W E N T O N A W O R K TRIP TO SOUTHERN FLORIDA AND SNUCK IN A VISIT TO THE EVERGL ADES. Story. Hennie Viljoen Photos. Honson Lau, Hennie Viljoen

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merica - land of the free and home of the brave; where light beer rules the roost and pick-up trucks are the size of a two-bedroom townhouse. It’s also a place I have always wanted to visit and fish. Despite their current leader’s antics when it comes to rolling back environmental protections, the US still boasts a vast amount of incredible fishing for many different fly-chasing species of gamefish; some more obvious than others.

Most people’s choice for an international fly fishing destination would probably be the Seychelles, or perhaps a place like St Brandon’s, but I’ve always had an incredible itch to scratch when it came to both snook and redfish in particular. Now don’t get me wrong, I’d jump at the opportunity to go chasing bonefish on the flats somewhere on a remote atoll in the Indian Ocean, but you take your chances when they present themselves to you. The stars aligned for me early in 2020 (before the whole world woke up to the impact of corona virus) when I had a work related opportunity to visit the US of A. Confession time. Before this trip, I’d never been outside the borders of South Africa; I’d never even been on a saltwater fly fishing trip. So this was a whole new world of opportunity and potential reward. My work obligations dictated that I had to go to Southern Florida for a meeting (remember those pre-Zoom gatherings of people?).

Finding myself in Florida was fateful, because it gave me a chance to put some green ticks next to redfish and snook on the fly fishing bucket list (something that I don’t really have but which sounds like a nice idea). I did a lot of research on the Everglades area: guides, recommended gear etc. before putting the wheels in motion and contacting Capt. Honson Lau. He was recommended by Christiaan Pretorius (a chicken salesman from Secunda*), and who am I to argue with Christiaan?

I only had the 29th of February available to go fishing, and guess what? That was, coincidentally, Honson’s only available day to take me to the Glades to chase after snook and reds. Sounds a lot like destiny doesn’t it? A deposit was paid, Google was consulted for snook and redfish fly patterns, and flies were tied. Fast forward a few weeks and there I was in Florida standing outside my hotel at 5:00 am waiting for Honson to pick me up.

The night before, I’d met up with Honson, a self-confessed foodie, for dinner at a local Peruvian restaurant in Miami.

Other than having my mind blown by the incredible food and the fact that he was a brilliant host, it was clear that Honson was very excited about taking me out on his new skiff, a Maverick 17 HPX-V Carbon edition. This didn’t mean much to me at the time, but I quickly came to understand what all the hype was about when Honson pulled up at the

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hotel in his Dodge Ram 1500 with the Maverick behind it on a trailer. This is the skiff that all other skiffs want to be when they grow up. It’s not only one of the most beautiful things that I’ve ever seen but, every inch of that skiff is purpose built to be functional and to achieve absolute perfection.

Our destination was Flamingo, a village that is the southernmost HQ of the Everglades National Park. As he drove, Honson gave me a rundown on what to expect. My childlike excitement meant I hadn’t slept the night before.

Just before the park’s entrance we stopped at a gas station to fill up the Dodge and to grab some coffee.

As we entered the convenience store, a lady’s voice greeted us with, “A little cold to go out fishing today, ain’t it?”

A harmless honey to someone, but a harpy of bad luck to me, she unwittingly pissed on my batteries because it was clear that A) she’d been there for many years and B) having been exposed to so many fishermen stopping there for the same reasons as we had, it was safe to assume that she had a very good idea of when the fishing was going to be good or not.

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“HONSON PULLED UP AT THE HOTEL IN HIS DODGE RAM 1500 WITH THE MAVERICK BEHIND IT ON A TRAILER. THIS IS THE SKIFF THAT ALL OTHER SKIFFS WANT TO BE WHEN THEY GROW UP.”

Mildly annoyed at this portent of doom, I filled my flask with some liquid tar and jumped back into the Dodge to complete the final leg of our journey into the alligatorinfested (and apparently too cold according to the fishing oracle lady) swamplands of the Everglades. By the time we got to Flamingo and launched the skiff, it was just after sunrise, which was truly something to behold. As we started cruising out of the marina, a school of baby tarpon porpoised next to the skiff, which resulted in immediate buck fever on my part. Motoring out to our first stop, I remember thinking how surreal it all was. Something along the lines of, ‘I’m actually here, this isn’t a dream, I’m actually going to chase tailing reds on the flats, in the Glades!’

the amount of wildlife we encountered: sharks, dolphins, pelicans, turtles, and a lot of other bird species I never even knew existed. Everything except for fish. Obviously.

“I don’t like the colour of the water” Honson said shortly after coming to a standstill at our first location. “I wasn’t expecting it to be this dirty.”

Spotting something, Honson said, “Give me 30 feet at 10 o’clock.”

Well... too cold, too dirty, what’s next? Is there a hurricane on the way to perhaps just round things off nicely? To a South African with one shot at catching his dream fish on what is, possibly, a one-off visit, some mild water colour issues were not going to scupper my plans or my mood.

“Screw it, I’m here to make this work no matter what.

Forget the forecast, right?!”

Honson started the outboard motor and we headed off to another of his favourite spots. On the way I was amazed at

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Arriving at the second location, the water was gin clear and only about eight inches deep. I couldn’t believe how the Maverick could operate in such shallow water. Honson got up on his platform and steered us with his pole. This was 100% a sight fishing game, no blind casting at all. We practised a few casts in different directions and distances so we both felt comfortable that I’d be able to hit a target if presented with a shot and there were some instructions from Honson. Then, it was game time.

After just one false cast, I let the line shoot out to where I thought he wanted it. It was classic textbook stuff. I made the cast, the fly touched down on the water and Honson said, “Slide, slide, slide,” (which in Florida guide-speak means ‘long, slow retrieve’). In seconds, my line went tight.

Oh... My… Word… FISH ON! A decent-sized redfish ate my fly, and the ice was broken.

All I could think was, ‘I just caught my first redfish, how cool is that?!’

W W W. T H E M I S S I O N F LY M A G . C O M

“TJLOOP!” IS THE SOUND I CAN BEST DESCRIBE THAT A SNOOK MAKES WHEN IT EATS YOUR FLY.” For the next two hours I made an absolute pig of myself and caught so many reds, I literally lost count (not that I was counting). If you can make a quick, accurate cast and concentrate on your quarry’s behaviour, these fish will reward you with a satisfying eat nine times out of ten.

After cruising the flats for a while, I spotted a snook to my right, and made a quick back cast, presenting the fly in front of the fish, right on the dinner plate.

“Tjloop!” is the sound I can best describe that a snook makes when it eats your fly. But that’s not the best part. I soon discovered that while snook are certainly not easy to catch, they do make it worth your while because, if you do get to catch one, they’ll show your backing some sunlight very quickly.

If I could have picked another species to target for the rest of the day it would have been some baby tarpon but, as the oracle had predicted, it was too cold. The cloud cover above us also started to build considerably and, as soon as the sun disappeared, so did our visibility on the flats. It’s like switching off the lights and staring into the darkness.

If you can’t see fish, then you can’t cast at them. It’s as simple as that.

We spent the rest of that day chasing sunlight between the pockets of cloud cover, but we soon had to concede to the darkening skies. All good things must come to an end though I guess…

Honson and I had a great time on the water that day, and our laughter constantly echoed against the mangroves. I wasn’t bothered by how many, or what size fish we caught; I was fly fishing in the Everglades with a new friend, and that was all that mattered. *Who also moonlights as a globe-trotting angler, ambassador and guide.

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JOURNAL

NOTHING VENTURED T W O O F F - D U T Y O R A N G E R I V E R F LY F I S H I N G G U I D E S , M AT T G O R L E I A N D L U K E P A N N E L L , RETURN TO CAPE TOWN FOR SOME OFFS E A S O N D O W N - T I M E . W H AT D O E S A G U I D E D O W H E N T H E Y A R E N O T G U I D I N G ? S PA M I N S TA G R A M W I T H S P E C I E S T H E Y, “ C A N ’ T S T O P T H I N K I N G A B O U T …” ? FA L L I N T O T H E LOVING EMBRACE OF THEIR SIGNIFICANT O T H E R S ? H AV E A S H AV E , A H O T S H O W E R , A NON-LONGDROP SHIT AND PUT ON A NICE SHIRT? HIT A CLUB AND TEAR THE RING OUT O F I T ? N Y E T. T H E Y M A K E A Q U I C K P L A N T O H E A D D E E P I N T O T H E N E A R B Y M O U N TA I N S F O R A S H O R T, T W O - N I G H T S E S S I O N S P E N T H U N T I N G A F E W FA B L E D B R O W N S .

Words. Matt Gorlei Photos. Luke Pannell & Matt Gorlei

never been this bad after a night of rest. It must be the backpack, and the walk in, and the trying to stay upright over some pretty rough terrain.

How did we not even see a fish yesterday? The water…it looks absolutely gorgeous, some of the best trout water I have seen in the Cape. Are we wasting our time with this fishing? Should we just view this as a hiking and camping overnight trip? FFS, why am I being such a Debbie Downer so early in the morning?

Look up, look around Matt…this place is spectacular.

6.00am – This coffee tastes amazing. I feel like a new man. I haven’t thought about the fish for 15 minutes.

6.01am - “DID YOU SEE THAT RISE???!!!” I cough out, as I try to swallow a scalding slurp of coffee. Was that even a trout?

6.02am - Okay, time to make a game plan. Yesterday was shit in terms of fishing. Why though? I have blanked before and yes, fishing is not all about catching, but seriously, why was it so bad? It’s not like there is any fishing pressure up here. We have to do something different to try to enjoy the day a bit more.

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.30pm – Day one didn’t have much to report in terms of brown trout. Just an early morning and a lot of hard work while walking up a valley. A valley where we had heard these elusive Western Cape brown trout existed. So far, not so good because we blanked.

It’s super weird to be so deep in nature so suddenly. This time yesterday I was packing my backpack in my city apartment when I heard the screams of someone actually being mugged in the street outside. I ran out and there were two foreigners who got jumped by what they said were “two kids” who took their wallets, phones and a watch. I got outside just in time to see the two scumbags running into the distance at the end of my street. In that moment, somewhat selfishly, all I could think of was that I’d be away from this type of chaos for a few days.

I did what I could and I ordered the tourists an Uber back to where they were staying and gave unhelpful post-event advice about the dangers of walking around the side streets of this city at night. Feeling pretty sorry about my country I finished packing, parked my gear at the front door and confirmed the 4.30am pick up with Luke, my fishing buddy and fellow guide.

He had convinced me the day before to join him for a quick two-night trek up a Western Cape brown trout stream. At that point I fancied my chances of losing my Western Cape brown trout virginity. After today’s colossal blank, I’m not so sure. As guides it always seems like the fishing gods are against you when it’s your time to fish.

5.20am – EHRMAGHAARD… is my back sore from sleeping on the ground? Or maybe, just maybe, it was the tortuous hike all day yesterday carrying all that weight on my back. Feels like we wasted the day even trying to fish. My back shouldn’t be sore from last night’s sleep because, where I guide on the Orange River, I sleep on the ground for a full season and my back has

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6.45am – Our ‘game plan’ consists of walking… to the right.

After much debate, Luke and I decide to stash our stuff near a tree we will recognise on our walk down later, even if it’s dark.

We’ll fish upstream from there, hopefully turning around at just the right time in the late afternoon to make it back to the same campsite.

That’s the thing about the valley we have hiked up. As the crow flies, it’s not technically that far from roads and the odd town, but we are not crows and the hike in was brutal. There’s barely a path to follow. Getting up the valley involved wading and swimming pools with our packs plus plenty of bundu bashing. Perhaps that is is why this is one of those remote places in South Africa where you can comfortably stash your gear without stressing that it will be liberated from you by scumbags when you get back. Not carrying the weight of a backpack and being able to fish more effectively without stumbling about and worrying too much about knee and back pains sounds delightful.

7.30am – The section to which we have hiked upstream looks so fishy. Even though the sunlight hasn’t hit the water yet, the low-light and glary conditions seem right for some reason. But where are these fish? We take turns prospecting, blind fishing water that looks good and it soon starts to feel like we are doing the right thing for the first time in 24 hours.

8.12am – “Stop!” a loud whisper from Luke who was leading the way through very marginal looking water. We stop dead in our tracks. “I think it’s a fish” Luke said. About 2.5m from us, is a fish, a small fish, in a small pocket and it was definitely feeding. I have the rod in my hand with a dry and a dropper rig, still unsure if it is a midget trout or a minnow. I make a bow and arrow cast over where the fish was laying and, before the fly’s landed, the fish seems to lock in on its snack and a plain nymph with a CDC collar is taken a centimetre below the surface.

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8.13am – “YEEEEEEEEEOOOOWOOWOWOWO!” Our shouts echo through a dead quiet valley. I have never in my life been so ecstatic about a fish this small, a beautiful specimen of a brown trout and my first Western Cape brown. You would think we had caught a colossal tarpon or a coelacanth, that’s how much we are losing our shit right now.

8.15am – Pic taken and released, the fish swims straight back to where he was hooked. We marvel at where I caught this fish – it’s the most unlikely water we had seen so far. The kind of water you would never say, “If I was a fish I’d be there.”

With our thoughts racing again, it’s time to regroup and rethink some of the water we have ignored.

8.45am – This coffee tastes amazing. Must be the river water and the taste of victory from that fish.

9.15am – Luke is fishing such good-looking water. In fact, it’s only an hour after the midget trout came to hand and now all the water is good-looking and fishy. The kloof is pregnant with an impending strike. We can feel it, it’s a matter of time now before the next fish.

10.00am – We haven’t seen or moved another fish in 45 minutes. It’s dead quiet again and as we explore some rock art, I consider taking up rock-painting like whoever lived in that cave thousands of years ago.

10.02am – Forget becoming a Paleolithic Picasso, this is what we have come for! Both Luke and I lock our gazes on to the fish of a lifetime. A fast-moving, trophy brown trout (by South African river standards), is coming straight downstream towards us in a big deep clear pool.

10.03am – We are both watching this fish with our jaws open. We know we need to take it slow. “Don’t fuck it

up,” is pretty much the sum of all thoughts between us.

Fortunately, the pressure is off me as Luke is up. He says, “It seems to be on a loop,” as we watch it swim within five metres of us, turn around and start its route back up the pool.

10.15am – We have a good chance here. Luke is in position in a good spot, we just need to wait for this fish to come back down towards us. Our running commentary consists of, “Yoh yoh yoh yoh,” as the fish comes up to eat off the surface just out of casting range. It looks even bigger closer to the surface.

This thing is a bus. It ate something and turned back up the pool. This is a proper waiting game, we need to wait until we get a good clear shot.

11.00am – We have had no shots, so we start moving up the pool to see if we can see this fish again. Maybe he has spooked. “Fish coming down the middle, moving fast” as I encourage him too; Luke makes the cast, fish eats the dry and it pops the tippet. “FUCK”. I don’t think it was the same fish as earlier.

11.05am – Having re-tied the tippet and flies, we start to move on from “bus pool”.

12.15pm – It happens so fast. “I have him! Bring that net dude”. An absolute buttery specimen of brown came up for a dry as I am blind fishing under an overhang. It has eaten the CDC and deer hair size 16 sedge with complete confidence.

In the net I just stare at it, the colours and the condition of this fish are unique. These snake-like buttery browns are not skinny because they are unhealthy, they are skinny because they need to be to keep out of sight in this gin clear stream. It’s amazing how you can be locked in on one of these fish and then they tuck themselves away and disappear within the blink of an eye.

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5.00pm – We walk back to camp but, compared to yesterday this time there’s excess energy in our legs. Today was so different. We caught four trout between us and it has made this whole mission up here worth it. There are other parts of the world where you would not leave home if you knew that was the return, but up here in a place that sees so few people, catching fish is only one element. Our minds are still racing, as we rehash each and every opportunity missed or taken, but the energy is different. We are different people compared to our moods this morning. How about that fish that we saw, the one in that deep clear pool that ate off the surface? How good would it be to get that fish?

7.00pm – Camp dinner of champions – Luke sorts out some gnocchi with a stir-in spicy pasta sauce. And plenty of it.

Feeling so good right now as we start on a half jack of whiskey each.

7.25pm – We’ve reached peak camp bliss. It’s hard to describe to anyone who has never experienced it, why a tin mug of whiskey, a full belly, a ground mat and sleeping bag to lie on, your body sore and stiff from missioning all day - why all of that gives you such a high compared to the pursuit of 5-star luxury.

7.45pm - “So… what’s the plan for tomorrow?” We know we have to hike out. This was always just going to be an overnighter and with the next day being Valentine’s Day and both of us being fishing guides - we have obligations when we return to the real world. The hike out will be as tough as the hike in, so we need to make sure we are out of here in time to get back to the city for our respective date nights where, if they are lucky, we can bore our girlfriends

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Watch the video here

with trout stories. But that doesn’t mean we can’t get one last fish in. Reading my mind, Luke says, “If we get up early, we can be on the pool where we saw that fish within 45 minutes. We can smash a coffee there while we look out for the fish.”

8.00pm – Spliff and bed.

7.00am – Pool-side, scoping for the hog and having my mind blown again by how good the coffee is. We sit and wait for enough light to hit the water and for the glare to clear up. It’s cold today, and there is a bit of mist rolling in.

It’s low light conditions with a bit of chill in the air, but it’s still fishy. “There he is!” Luke says in a stage whisper as he spots the fish. It’s the same big one we saw yesterday and he seems to be moving around a bit slower today, it must be due to the cooler conditions.

8.00am – In position now, Luke with the rod, hiding between two boulders, I have the camera. It’s difficult to spot the fish with the cloudy conditions, we have only seen it twice as it does its morning rounds.

9.00am – It’s so freaking cold now, we have just been sitting and waiting. Something is coming as Luke is rolling the odd cast out into the shadows, his body language changes and he looks to be ready to make a cast. One cast with a dry fly, the same CDC and deer hair sedge with the black hackle on the head. A boulder is in my way. I cannot see.

STRIKE! Fish on, as the reel starts to sing taking line upstream. “It was a smaller fish! He stole it as the bigger one was coming up to take the fly!” Regardless, we are shouting and screaming in elation, with a few joyous expletives thrown around at the hooking of the second princess.

9.05am – Fish in the net. It may have been a slightly smaller fish but we didn’t care because it was still a trophy. A fish of about 40cm that stole the meal from under a fish that could have been well over 50cm.

9.08am – Released. Done and dusted. That big one was not meant to be and we are okay with that. What a place.

What an emotional rollercoaster. Let’s get out of here.

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LIFER

THE BULLET F R O M B O D Y - B O A R D I N G T O S K AT E B O A R D I N G , E X P L O R I N G T H E VA A L R I V E R A N D I T S T R I B U TA R I E S F O R A M A Z I N G Y E L L O W F I S H A C T I O N , O R I N V E N T I N G F LY PAT T E R N S L I K E T H E B R I L L I A N T PA PA R O A C H , W H AT E V E R HERMAN BOTES DOES IN LIFE, H E D O E S AT F U L L T I LT. Photos. Paolo Trapani, Gary Glen -Young, Conrad Botes

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he first fish I caught were bullies (gobies) with a hand line in the rockpools of Gouritzmond. From the age of six, my brother Conrad and I would spend long, carefree summer days playing in the pools following the tide. Gouritz was a hardcore fishing and trophy kob spot in the ’70s and our dad was in the thick of it. We were around fisherman, fish as big as we were and the legends attached to the trophies hanging off the whalebone in the Gouritz Hotel.

It was a great time and place to be a kid and it left its mark. We later progressed to fishing with Dad and then went on to fish with the other kids during the holidays.

But, for me, fishing then was never as serious an affair as playing in the waves.

I was born in Ladysmith in the Klein Karoo and lived there until I was five when we moved to De Doorns. I’m sure those early years growing up in the country among farming communities is, in part, why I love those places so much. It’s not the wilderness, but there is this sense of simple living in natural beauty that I find so appealing and peaceful. Then we moved to Bellville where I pretty much grew up and became a city boy, except for one glorious year when, at the age of 13, we moved to Villiersdorp so my dad could teach at School in the Wild. It was a year of unlimited childhood adventure for me and my brothers. We lived seven kilometres out of town and took the bus or walked in with the farm kids. We were on the bank of the brand new Theewaterskloof dam and we spent many afternoons fishing for bass with cheap gear and homemade lures and flies. I remember tying Brooks’ Blondes by hand.

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After my national army service, a short stint at Stellenbosch University, six months with the Department of Sea Fisheries (where I learnt it was nothing like my dream of becoming a marine biologist), I moved out of my folk’s house and scored a job at the Atlantic Surf Shop in Tableview. Then, for five years, in a great effort to become a top-ranked body-boarder (or serious beach bum), I surfed every day, worked in the surf shop, waited tables, studied plastic technology, house sat and partied.

I moved about and finally landed with my arse in the butter and got a flatlet in Blaawbergstrand, one block away from the patch of beach from which the iconic pictures of Table Mountain are taken. It was paradise. I would make it a yearly challenge to rush from work on the shortest day of the year (22nd June) and still manage to catch a wave or two before complete darkness forced me out of the water.

Bonus! The Blue Peter pub was down the road. In the end I realised I needed to get serious, so I spent two years as a machine setter with Alplas Plastics, finally moving to Johannesburg to join Rawmac Import & Distribution in the marketing of engineering plastics. It was only going to be for five years. I’ve been with Rawmac in the plastics industry for 26 years. They’ve been good years, not least because that was when I started to fly fish.

I arrived in Johannesburg in the winter of 1994 and, coming from the Cape of Storms, I was taken aback by the winter weather of the Highveld. It was like being in the movie “Groundhog Day” - every day exactly the same perfect blue sky with not a cloud in sight. Luckily, the summer thunderstorms made up for it. Over time I grew to love the city with its massive urban forest and its mild weather. We live in an airy old place in Melville. I love homes with a patina and a sense of being that shows some history. It tells a story and you and your family’s life become part of that story. The nice thing about where we are is I can just stroll up the road if I want to duck out for beer or breakfast with friends. I believe there is a ‘The Mission Fly Mag’ sticker on the most sticker-plastered stop sign in 7th Street. Melville - a beacon of counter-culture.

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An iconic dragonfly pattern, Herman’s Papa Roach has accounted for an inordinate amount of trophy stillwater trout.

Visit themissionflymag.com for the Step-By-Step.

When I discovered fly fishing on the Vaal River in the late ‘90’s the place was still way underdeveloped with a wildness and remote feel to it, even though it was close to the city. Fishing there was like an adventure, meeting other anglers on the water was rare as there were only a handful of hardcore yellowfish addicts. Of course we would chat and swop information in our attempts to learn as much as possible to improve. To have these big pieces of unexplored water to fool around in, I literally felt like a kid being unleashed in a play park. These were heady days filled with fish and adventure. Things have changed as the course of life does. In the 2000’s we got really serious about catching lots of fish and the traffic on the river kept on increasing with new developments and venues. We felt a bit like pioneers, pushing the limits and I scored some of the best fishing days of my life during that period. Now there’s a new guard of young guns on the Vaal doing the same thing and taking it to the next level.

I still fish the Vaal as a backup, but the place started to lose its appeal for me and about ten years ago I started nosing around, looking at obscure and more remote waters. I pretty much became a blueliner. I spend a lot of time searching out waters, looking for the “dream

stream where the last fisherman was Noah,” kind of thing.

I’ve come close to finding it, but I always suspect it’s still out there, if only I can get a day with 18 hours of sunlight so I can hike in and out for a round trip. Writing this now, I realise that it’s the exploration that appeals so much to me.

There is this great satisfaction that comes with discovering a piece of land and a stream seemingly forgotten in time and place. To stumble on to it by yourself and actually catch a fish in some ridiculous looking water on a dry…

No one would ever believe me if I told them about these places, so I don’t.

The one good thing about a life “wasted” fishing, is that, as the seasons change, like old friends they guide you to revisit all your regular haunts to get in a good day’s fishing. I fish alone 95% of the time and love it that way. I’m motivated by hatches and available time when I head out to fish and I give my wife some cryptic clue like, “I’ll be at high bridge or low bridge or ‘Nirvana.’ If I’m not back by 10 pm phone this or that one.” She thinks it’s hilarious and serious at the same time. The fishing is technical with a good dose of dry fly action thrown in.

The solitude and time spent in places lost in time like my regular spots is cathartic.

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A saying my dad always had, and it has stuck with me since childhood, is that “too much of a good thing is not a good thing”. It’s a simple truth that only struck me in later years and I even tell it to my kids now to instill in them an awareness of living a balanced life. It also occurred to me that my dad might have said it to curb my OCD, which was lost on me at the time. I was a “balls to the wall Botes.”

Over time, age unlocks fresh insights into the value and joy of being content and in enjoying your own life. Saying I’m proud of any achievement sounds a bit pretentious or superficial to me as if my existential happiness depends on something I’ve done. If anything, I believe you should be grateful for your blessings, not proud of your achievements.

There’s a guy in my neighborhood that drives an old army Jeep with a huge sticker saying, “You have one life - Live it.” I guess that’s pretty much the mantra I live by. That, and ‘Keep your head up.’

Being ADHD I cannot tell you how many times I’ve heard someone telling me to focus - it’s still a phrase my wife uses, often. Luckily there’s a pill for it now and woe unto me if I don’t take it. On the flip side, when it comes to things that I enjoy or I’m keenly interested in, I’ve no problem taking my focus to the nth degree.

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Fly tying is a good example. I love flies and the tying philosophies and tying styles of good fly tiers. I’ve collected more books on tiers and their patterns than any other fly fishing literature and I still re-read them in the evenings when I want to fall asleep. In my eyes these guys are artists although the more practically minded would disagree.

When I first started I spent hours at the vice tying patterns from books but also tinkering a lot to “improve” a certain pattern to taste. Aren’t all tiers guilty of that one? I would go to sleep trying new patterns in my head. The Papa Roach came into being this way. I’ve always considered good design to be based on sparseness in a pattern, a controlled bugginess, and purposeful imperfection. This is really a South African tying philosophy that was created by the likes of John Beams, Hue Huntley, Tony Biggs, and Tom Sutcliffe. It boils down to tying a perfect imperfect fly - weird concept, but oh so effective. Although I’ve been tying a lot with synthetics of late or a mixture of natural and synthetics, I still apply the ways of the old guard. I’m tying fewer patterns less mostly because I have an established range of patterns that I rely on and which I churn out in batches. But if I stumble across something interesting or hear of an inspiring pattern, I’ll give it a shot. An upcoming fishing trip or a new species is also an energy trigger.

I’ve managed to stop buying endless amounts of

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“IT’S THE EXPLORATION THAT APPEALS SO MUCH TO ME. THERE IS THIS GREAT SATISFACTION THAT COMES WITH DISCOVERING A PIECE OF LAND AND A STREAM SEEMINGLY FORGOTTEN IN TIME AND PLACE.”

unnecessary (yet tempting) tying materials. With the internet there is so much information and inspiration out there I think I’ll sizzle my brain if I dive into it like I did in the old days. Just don’t ask me to tie an Alphlexo Crab - I’ll probably end up gluing my fingertips to my eyelids.

There have been so many, many fish that have stood out over the years but, in the end, they fade a bit into obscurity. I’ve never been a trophy guy, but there was a seven and 3/4lb Semonkong brown trout on which I spent 30 minutes with my mate Gary Glen-Young spotting up the bank. I remember it as the only time I really, really did not want to lose a fish. That fear of losing it during the fight makes it stand out. Otherwise, I’m not too hung up on size or losing fish, but I do appreciate the hunt so the most satisfying and special fish that stand out all have one thing in common: they were either sight fished or taken on a dry fly… and that goes for all species. From a 10-inch bluegill that smashed my little Gurgler on the way down after it launched out the water behind it, to a bonefish that pinned my Charlie in inches of water with its back out, and all those in between. But of these, the yellows I took on emerger/dries during mayfly or caddis hatches are the fish I cherish most. Rene Harrop summed it up best in The Final Inch, “To fish is to hunt. Casting to trout feeding at the surface is fly fishing in its purest form. It possesses all the elements of the hunt, and for the hunter of trout it can be an addiction.”

As South Africa went into lockdown because of the Covid19 pandemic, my brother Conrad and I were getting ready to go on our trip to Seychelles with Fred Steynberg.

We did it together back in 2013 and vowed to be back.

The fishing is nuts and I’m such a bone(fish)head it’s all I want to catch all day long. But fishing aside, experiencing a tropical untouched paradise is what will haunt your dreams for months afterward. We’ll be back eventually.

Exotic destinations have their appeal, but it comes at a price. I think South African fly anglers have it really good as we have such a diverse country with so many fishing destinations that cater to a variety of fishing. Lesotho holds a special appeal and if there is a place where I would like to end up fishing it would be the Bokong river. I once wrote about it in this mag, “Two of my favorite species, smallmouth yellowfish and brown trout in the same beautiful stream. Dry fly, sight fishing. Lekka technical with a good dose of physicality thrown in.” But a destination is more than just the fishing although that consideration is VERY important. Steve Raymond nailed it in The Year of the Angler when he said, “....I fish because there is a challenge in it, and because fishing forces the angler to observe nature and become a part of it. I fish because I love rivers and the life in them, because I love their sound and colour and quick movement and the scent of forests on their shores. I fish because trout and salmon are honest

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and uncompromising creatures and one can only meet them on their terms. I fish because fishing takes me to places where the land is still as it always has been, and as long as such places still exist there is hope for mankind.”

Some time ago when I returned home from an afternoon’s fishing my wife inquired how it had been and I would reply with, “Okay. I got so many fish but the conditions were off”; or ”I had to work hard for the fish”; or “The fish were all snooty today.” Now this was also at a time when I could fish myself into cricket scores if everything came together, so my expectations were always high. I think my wife then set a bar at what number of fish would consistently make me happy. She also told me that if my afternoon’s fishing didn’t bring me joy I should rather stay home and mow the lawn, or something along those lines. Great was my surprise then when I arrived home all heady after a fantastic late afternoon dry fly session, to be confronted with an indignant, ”Is that all?“ when I told my wife that I’d only caught 24 fish.

As anglers go, she must be the numbers sort. So now when I return home, even if I have blanked and I look as happy as my dog right after he has swiped food off the countertop, I make sure I say my fish tally is more than 38. Because the alternative could be a lawnmower and a loooong afternoon wishing I was somewhere else. I think my brother has a similar modus operandi to ensure domestic bliss.

Getting older I don’t have a bucket list … yet. It might hit me like a midlife crisis. The one thing that I do prescribe to is keeping healthy and staying fit. I want to give myself the best chance to live my best life. That sounds so cheesy, like a line from some commercial, but there is truth to it. The other thing is I must say “yes” to more often, is the chance to go out on a limb and do something different, like accepting an invitation to fish with a bunch of guys. The first one comes easy, the second one needs some work.

Tom Sutcliffe once wrote that nowadays he doesn’t find himself so driven to catch fish at all costs. As he put it, he’s not so much, “at war with fish.” When I read that, at the time I thought that was a sign of getting soft.

There was no way I was letting up on trying to catch as many fish as possible every time I went out. At the time I was hell bent on fishing and catching fish. Again, Rene Harrop in Learning from the Water provides some wisdom. “However, true knowledge is a derivative of

experience, and once obtained is owned forever. For the developing angler, the water is a classroom where the answers to all questions can be found. And the joy of personal discovery is the lasting benefit of any lesson”.

So now, like Tom, I’m not so much at war with fish.

While I eventually changed my attitude towards fish, when it comes to flies and triggers in fly patterns, I have changed my mind a hell of a lot more. Every now and then I’ll get a bee in my bonnet about some design feature, new material or successful pattern and will go off trying to prove the success of the new idea. I must confess that time tested fly designs and materials are still as reliable today as they were back in the day, especially in the case of dry flies. Just the other day I Whatsapped Gordon van der Spuy that, “I think Klinkies are the most versatile and consistent fish takers.” Two months before that I made that claim for parachute dry flies after Schroeder Hoppers outfished my Mini Chubbys. After tying up some of Gordon’s CDC Klinkies (Klinkhamers), I’m probably hailing this pattern next, because as Gordon would say, “It’s going to lash fish,” during Blue-Winged Olive hatches.

When I first started fly tying and gaining as much knowledge on fly patterns as possible, I secretly envied Russell Blessing. I mean the man created the Wooly Bugger! What’s not to envy? I thought I might not be in such awe of Russell and his Woolly Bugger when my fly pattern the Papa Roach started to gain so much fame and recognition. But it turns out I’m now probably an even bigger fan than before of the Wooly Bugger since I discovered how effective mini Buggers are on yellowfish in streams that have stopped flowing due to low rainfall. Maybe my Papa Roach will have longevity like the incredible Bugger and I’ll leave something enduring in fly fishing. That would be cool.

My last (redacted) entry in my fishing diary reads: 20 March Xxx spot & xxxx spot xx fish (yellows of course) “River low & dirty. Fish off at xxx spot. Xxxx spot was dirty & flow up but fished better. All fish on nymphs. Leisenring lifts were the most productive. Beautiful golden afternoon light on the Highveld grass!”

I can’t remember if I had to fake my fish numbers to get them by my wife.

“I’LL BE AT HIGH BRIDGE OR LOW BRIDGE OR ‘NIRVANA.’ IF I’M NOT BACK BY 10 PM PHONE THIS OR THAT ONE.” 66

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L AT ES T R E L E A S ES

SALAD BAR SHAKU HUNTER – FIELD SHIRT

Forget Compton. Straight out of Nippon comes a range of lust-worthy fly fishing gear courtesy of the designers and anglers at Shaku Hunter (IG: shaku_ hunter). You may have heard of these Yamame trout and Iwana char obsessives via Rolf Nylinder’s short film, ‘The Great Shaku Hunter.’ Our pick of the technical range is the Field Shirt designed specifically with fly fishing in mind. Made from a strong new Cordura fabric that has moisture-wicking properties and a soft cotton-like feel, it has a mesh back yoke for breathability, uses water-repelling rip stop nylon from the back yoke to the elbow and the sleeves use DuPont’s lycra 4WAY stretch mobility, giving you a garment that is quick-drying and easy to move in. shaku-hunter.com

PATAGONIA - WADER WORK STATION

Part of Patagonia’s new Swiftcurrent wader range, this nifty Wader Work Station, attaches to your waders suspenders.

Made from tough, water-resistant 5.5-oz 210-denier CORDURA® 86% nylon/14% polyester with a polyurethane coating, with its large storage compartment, front zipclosure pockets and attachement points for zingers and hemostats, it gives you the space you need to change flies and adjust your terminal tackle, while helping organize your tools, gear and other accessories. patagonia.com, flyfishing.co.za

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FISHPOND – FLATHEAD SLING

Winner of the Chest-pack/ Vest category at the 2019 IFTD (International Fly Tackle Dealers) show in Denver last year, the Fishpond Flathead Sling combines both agility, and ease of use in one comfortable system. With its ambidextrous design, you can adjust it to carry the pack on either shoulder with a quick flip of the strap.

A large clamshell opening and moveable interior dividers offer loads of carrying capacity and an organized work station for those fine focus moments on the water. Space and well-thought out fishy utility in a compact-looking package – we would take this up remote valleys any day. fishpondusa.com, frontierflyfishing.co.za

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ECHO - MICRO PRACTICE ROD (M.P.R.)

This may look a bit like a toy, but we assure you Echo’s Micro Practice Rod is way more than that. It’s not even a new product – we’ve been playing with ours since Tim Rajeff of Echo Fly Fishing paid us a visit a year or two ago – but we assure you with the weird new world we find ourselves in, it’s a brilliant tool to hone your casting when getting out to fish is just not an option. Built on a 4-foot, 2-piece graphite blank

with an EVA foam handle for long life, the MPR is paired with a polybraid line precisely balanced to be the equivalent of your fly line. Come rain or shine, plague, pestilence or Mike Pence, you’ll be able to practice casting at your pets till fishing is an option. What’s more it’s super affordable and can be upgraded with a spey adaptor for two-handed casting and a Double Haul Kit for that distance practice. echoflyfishing.com, africanwaters.net (SA stockists)

PATAGONIA - TECH WEB BELT

Patagonia says, “This burly polyester-webbing belt has an anticorrosive aluminum buckle that also functions as a bottle opener. You can use the belt as a lash strap in a pinch.”

The Mission says, “Ja boet, you can get drunk opening all your beers with this belt, THEN watch your mate Kyle cut his leg open slicing biltong AND THEN save his life…using your belt, again. You can also ride the river wild and strap your bag down if you forgot your usual straps. You could even tie your spouse up (with consent) in your sex dungeon. It can also hold your pants up.” We like it.

Available in South Africa at Upstream Fly Fishing in black, forge grey and indigo. patagonia.com, upstreamflyfishing.co.za

YETI - COLSTER 12OZ

In our 20s the idea of needing something to keep your beer cold was redundant, because by the time it was getting warm it would be finished anyway. Nowadays, we drink a bit less (we like to think it’s quality over quantity, but it’s more likely age over stage). What we do more frequently though, is go to hotter places, like the Orange river running through the Kalahari or the Chobe river up in the Caprivi panhandle. Whether it’s on the boat or around the camp, when fishing destinations like these where it’s hot as Hades even in winter, you want your beer to always be cold. Yeti’s Colster with its double-wall vacuum insulation and Load-and-Lock Gasket™ for securing your 330-350ml cans is the beer accessory for that job. Now all you need to do is ensure you don’t run out of beer. yeti.com, upstreamflyfishing.co.za

L AT ES T R E L E A S ES

SALAD BAR LOON - CORE FLY TYING TOOL KIT

Perhaps during lockdown you had/have more time on your hands than usual and decided to get into fly tying, or maybe you just want to upgrade your existing tools. Whatever the case, you would do well to take a gander at the Core Fly Tying Tool Kit from Loon. Packed with the brilliant Ergo range of tools, including the all purpose scissors, bobbin, bodkin, whip finisher and hackle pliers, all in a handy, durable travel case, this kit like all Loon products comes with an unconditional 100% guarantee. No matter how hard you use these tools, if you’re not satisfied, they promise to make it right. That sort of confidence in what they make speaks volumes about a brand. loonoutdoors.com, xplorerflyfishing.co.za

LOON – VISE PAWN

Look, one of our associates did remark that this, “looks a lot like a butt plug!” and while we can neither confirm that observation nor remove that idea from your head, we did counter that A) “it’s a bit small for that job,” and B) it “looks more like a Lego man or a chess piece,” … hence the name, “pawn.” Regardless, we can vouch for the fact that this handy little gadget could be a faithful foot-soldier in the eternal fly tying battle for both space and control. If you need to pin an unruly hackle feather or wire rib out the way as you tackle another step in tying a fly, the magnetized Core tool will hold it in place. loonoutdoors.com, xplorerflyfishing.co.za

WAPSI – DELUXE STARTER KIT

If you are getting started on your fly tying journey and you want to make a one-off purchase that will send you down the rabbit hole (trust us, it never stops), this well-thought out starter kit from Wapsi gives you all you need. That means it has all the tools and materials you need to tie up to 17 different patterns from a Clouser Minnow to a CDC Emerger, San Juan Worm, Wooly Bugger, Foam Beetle and more. It also comes with a handbook and DVD. Plus, there’s always Youtube and Feathers & Fluoro (themissionflymag. com/feathersandfluoro) for all the Step-By-Steps you can handle. wapsifly.net, xplorerflyfishing.co.za

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HARELINE DUBBING - CHOCKLETT’S GAME CHANGER CHENILLE AND FINESSE BODY CHENILLE

If you like us are fly-curious about the cult of Blane Chocklett and his holy spirit the Game Changer, then you’re going to want to check out these functional fly robes from the high priest himself. Designed by Blane, made by Hareline Dubbing and sold by Flymen Fishing Co, the Finesse Body Chenille is perfect for smaller flies tied on the Fish-Skull articulated Fish-Spine, while the translucent and markable Game Changer Chenille is worth playing with on your small to mid-sized Game Changers. flymenfishingcompany. com, upstreamflyfishing.co.za

TROUTHUNTER - CDC DUBBING

From a goose’s arse to your vice and then on to a fish’s mouth. That’s the natural progression of TroutHunter CDC Dubbing. The crew at TroutHunter cut their Cul de Canard (CDC), that magic waterfowl feather, not once but twice, giving you a manageable, buggy blend that can be dubbed by hand or in a dubbing loop. Good for dry flies and nymphs, it’s certified fish crack.trouthunter.shoplightspeed.com, frontierflyfishing.co.za

TIEMCO – 2499SP-BLB & 113BLH

Tying some sturdier patterns for yellowfish?

Then take a gander at Tiemco’s 2499SPBLB and 113BLH hooks. The 2499SP-BLB is based on the TMC2488, but sports with 2X heavy wire for added strength and a black finish. With a barbless round point, it’s great for emergers, pupae and larva, shrimps and eggs patterns. The 113BLH is the heavier nymph version of the super sharp TMC103BL and is a good option for both dry flies and nymphs. Both the 2499SP-BLB and 113BLH come in packs of 20. frontierflyfishing.co.za

THE LOCKDOWN LOOK

SALAD BAR Digi-Camo Bush Camo Blue

Brown

THE LOCKDOWN LOOK PATAGONIA - BETTER SWEATER™ FLEECE BEANIE

PATAGONIA - MEN’S P-6 LOGO RESPONSIBILI-TEE®

Whether you’re floating around a frigid stillwater near Dullstroom or Tarkastad or simply perfecting your pandemic-hobo chic look, this quality beanie made from soft recycled polyester sweater-knit fleece will keep your pip warm. patagonia.com, flyfishing.co.za

XPLORER – FACE MASKS

No, wearing your jocks over your face will not help you. But a triple-layered, washable, reusable face mask from Xplorer might. With an outside layer made from 200gm doublelayer polyester with an antimicrobial and water resistant finish, a middle layer with a removable nonwoven 140gm fine mesh polyester filter that can be washed and replaced if need be and an inner layer of 140gm woven polyester with 60gm liner, these face masks are also made locally, supporting local industry. There are eight styles to choose from (or at R40-R69 get them all). Available in Digi camo blue, Digi camo brown, Traditional Camo Brown, Oceanwave Blue, Rainbow Trout face, Brown Trout skin, Instabeard face, Plain Black. x p l o re r f l y f i s h i n g . co.za

SHAKU HUNTER –CADDIS HOODY

More from Shaku Hunter, this time in the leisure category. The Caddis Hoody is just a super comfortable apresfish garment that is so good-looking it will inevitably be stolen from you at some stage in the future and land up in a dystopian rap battle music video by Die Antwoord called, ‘Cad-dis Track’. shaku-hunter.com

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Digi-Cam Brown

The giveaway is in the name, as this simple-enough looking T-shirt from Patagonia basically embodies the brand’s ethos of sustainability in that it is made with scrap fabric and discarded bottles. Compared to a conventional cotton T-shirt, it is produced with 96% less water and 45% less CO2. And… it’s Fair Trade Certified sewn too. Wear it, and while we can’t promise you that nature’s critters will beatify you à la St Francis of Assisi, you will feel slightly better about at least one of your life choices. patagonia.com, flyfishing.co.za

Rainbow Trout Insta-Beard Face Face

TEVA – EMBER MOC

Brown T Skin

Part sneaker, part sleeping bag, these comfy slipper-like numbers from Teva (makers of quality adventure sandals) are perfect for chill out vibes, both at home and around a campfire on a chilly night.

They’re also a good option for the on again, off a g a i n nature of long-haul travel (if that ever happens again). With a Ripstop-quilted upper, a suede toe guard, an EVA foam midsole for cushioning, a grippy rubber outsole and collapsible heel (bonus when packing) to convert it from a rock-ready shoe to a schlumphy slipper in seconds – we can see ourselves living in these things for the months ahead. teva.com

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THE LARGEST FLY TYING SELECTION IN SOUTH

AFRICA

Shop online at www.xplorerflyfishing.co.za COME AND XPLORE OUR NEW CONCEPT STORE â&#x20AC;¢ UNIT 4 MARSEILLES PARK , 25 MARSEILLES CRESCENT, BRIARDENE, DURBAN NORTH The Xplorer Concept Store has every single Xplorer product, plus a wide range of products from the brands below. Pop in for a cup of coffee, have a browse around and see the complete range of products, never seen in one shop before. Open until 5pm Mon-Fri and until 1pm on Saturdays.

For more information contact Iron River (www.ironriver.co.za) on 0861 527335

M U S T H AV ES

PAYDAY NIXON – RIPLEY GUNMETAL

LEGO – TECHNIC LANDROVER DEFENDER

You know who has done well during this bizarre, stay-at-home pandemic period? The puzzle trade, that’s who, with some manufacturers reporting an increase in sales of between 150 and 260 per cent. It makes sense. Once you’ve watched everything on Netflix, argued with your partner about the dishes, wrangled the kids and pets into submission and tied a few flies, you’re going to want to do something else with your brain. The problem is that so many puzzles involve things that are incredibly arbitrary. A wistful Pekingese, a bowl of mystery fruit (it’s always quince), an unrealistic Parisian street scene (no dog turds).

For something that might suit you better as a reader of The Mission, we can strongly recommend the Lego Technic Landrover Defender.

Ok, it’s not a jigsaw puzzle, but it is a puzzle of sorts. An adult puzzle, perfectly suited to big boys and girls who, both as children and as grown-ups, like to make vroom-vroom noises. As Andre van Wyk, our guinea-pig in chief says, “It’s unbelievable, it’s got moving pistons and cams and con rods that go up and down; a full-on operational winch; you can even adjust the head rests. It’s a blast.” lego.com

“IT’S NOT A JIGSAW PUZZLE, BUT IT IS A PUZZLE OF SORTS. AN ADULT PUZZLE, PERFECTLY SUITED TO BIG BOYS AND GIRLS WHO, BOTH AS CHILDREN AND AS GROWN-UPS, LIKE TO MAKE VROOM-VROOM NOISES.”

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We do like a bit of versatility, like a 7-weight that does the business in the light salt or the fresh, or how Hugh Jackman can be both Wolverine AND Jean Valjean (?!?!?!?! MIND = BLOWN), so the duality of Nixon’s Ripley brought instant appeal. In digital mode it boasts an altimeter and temperature readouts, dual chronograph, day/date, second timezone, and alarm. But, once you’re done being Dangerous Dan of The Great Outdoors, you can switch the watch to City Mode for a sleeker analogue look that hides the digital functions.

Throw in a reinforced shock-resistant module and stainless-steel top plate to protect against unexpected impacts and a water rating of 100m and you have a watch that does both work and play with aplomb. nixon.com

SIGN UP TO THE MISSION MAILER TO WIN THIS WATCH. THEMISSIONFLYMAG.COM

M U S T H AV ES

PAYDAY SALMON - MARK KURLANSKY

Perhaps the most iconic fish species of them all, salmon as seen through the eyes of Mark Kurlansky in his new book Salmon: A fish, the Earth and the History of Their Common Fate, are so much more than just the recreational target or food source many of us assume them to be.

From our oceans to our rivers, the anadromous life cycle and migration of salmon is also the history of mankindâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s destructive attempts to control them. In Salmon, Kurlansky takes us on a deep dive through the centuries looking at salmon in the wild, manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s subsistence fishing for them and then the inevitable destruction (overfishing, salmon farms, damming rivers) we, as a species, caused when we turned salmon into a commodity. Even if you are unlikely to ever swing Sunray

Shadows for these fish, this book deserves your attention, because Salmon is a clarion call. If we can cause this much ecosystem damage to just one family of fish, it puts into stark relief the damage we wreak on other species. patagonia.com/shop/books

Above: A bear lines up a coho in the Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia. Photo Ian McAllister.

Left: Chum fry in the Campbell river, British Columbia. Photo Eiko Jones.

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W H AT ’ S I N M Y B A G

THE STILLWATER COMP GUY W H E N H E D O E S N ’ T H AV E H I S H A N D H A L F WAY U P THE REAR END OF A HORSE,* GARTH NIEUWENHUIS I S A P R O T E A ( S O U T H A F R I C A’ S N AT I O N A L T E A M ) F LY ANGLER. AS SUCH HE GETS TO GO ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD FOR COMPETITIONS AND H E ’ S L E A R N T, T H E H A R D WAY, W H AT W O R K S A N D W H Y. F O R T H I S N E W PA G E , W E A S K E D H I M T O S H O W U S W H AT H E U S E S W H E N H E H E A D S O U T F O R S T I L L WAT E R T R O U T. Photo. Caleb Bjergfelt

THE REEL AND THE LINES

I currently use the latest Orvis Clearwater Cassette reel and it’s an absolute winner (someone in South Africa please start importing it). Once you get serious about your competition fishing you realise how important it can be to have various lines to keep your flies in a particular zone or matched to a particular technique. In all, I generally carry about 18 different lines with me on the water, almost all are Airflo.

THE CRAFT

Horizon Troutstalker V-boat Deluxe float tube - best bang for buck float tube around.

Ark Fishduc FD 350 AF (2-person, air floor) – the best small inflatable money can buy for drift boat competition fishing.

THE RODS

All but one of my rods are 6-weight 10-foot rods. My bread and butter rods are my Scott Radian and Vision Onki.

Both are incredible all-round rounds. I carry an old Hardy Zenith as a backup. It’s also a more beefy rod should the

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need arise to bomb DI5 lines all day long. Lastly, I have a Sage One 5-weight 9-foot rod for single dry fly should all the planets align out on the water.

THE NET

My Snowbee net – this is the old model with the retractable handle. Given that we routinely fish leaders from 16-18ft the extra length helps out with landing fish on the point fly.

THE BASKET

My stripping basket is a DIY amalgam job made from a cat litter tray and some silicone nozzles from StreamX (flyfishingshop.co.za) made by Jimmy Eagleton (facebook.com/RetroFlyStudio). This is by far the best stripping basket combination for still water fishing and it cost virtually nothing.

THE CLOTHING

Most NB - Simms G3 waders. You might have to sell one of your kidneys, and probably a good portion of your liver (the way the Rand is going), but they are worth it.

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In addition, I generally carry a Simms tactical light rain jacket, Simms fleece and an assortment of cold weather undergarments. I also use Aqua soles which are great to protect the neoprene booties of your waders. Also no self-respecting fisherman should ever wear Crocs….ever.

I don’t give a fuck how comfy you say they are.

THE BAGS

An old Columbia boat bag for carrying my paraphernalia on the Ark with me. I also have a large Osprey travel bag, which makes taking the dead bodies down to the water’s edge easier...

THE RIGGING BOX

I use the Airflo leader rigging box – it allows for quick changes on the water between various tactical set ups and broken leaders

THE FLY BOXES

Large double leaf waterproof Airflo boxes guaranteed to last out the Apocalypse. In all, they contain about 1200 flies to take out on the water.

THE LUCKY CAPS

I have an assortment of various caps imbedded with layers of good fishing omens and sweat. For a true blank saver nothing can beat the old Simms six panel.

THE SUNNIES

I have two pairs. Low light Costas - nothing beats them in cloudy conditions - and Maui Jims for normal light conditions, also great glasses.

THE FISH FINDER

Deeper Pro Fish Finder – my wife calls this my fish cheating device. Whilst most purists would feel an instant mock charge at the back of their throats at the sight of this gadget, it can be the key to unlocking some of what is going on in your local still water especially when the fishing get tough.

THE BOOSTER

I use a block of foam – like a kiddie’s car seat for Ark fishing.

It allows me to sit a bit higher on the pontoon and gain a bit more distance with my cast. (Ed – Note, at around 6-foot Garth is not a midget. He does this for a competitive edge).

MISCELLANEOUS SHIZZLE

• Dr Slick nippers • Rusty old forceps (imbedded with luck) • CNF Chest Pack for easy swapping out of flies, • Throat pump • A bucket load of Trout Hunter Flurocarbon • My favourite floatant is Frog’s Fanny. The name is ridiculous, but trust me on this, it’s the best fly floatant for all materials including CDC. • Spanjaard Silicone Spray – the best reel maintenance spray money can buy. I use this on all my reels, both fresh and salt water (nod of the cap to Leonard Flemming for putting me on to this).

TOP TIPS:

• If you want to become a better still water fisherman, start with some casting lessons. Almost all anglers I fish with would benefit more from casting lessons than they would buying a new rod.

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• Try different techniques, there is a lot more to still water fishing than “rip and strip”.

• If I had to choose just a handful of lines I would get a floating, mid intermediate and a DI5 to cover most South African conditions.

• Don’t just be a fair weather fisherman. I’ve often learnt the most under challenging conditions.

• There are some great rods out there that don’t cost the earth. Vision, Echo and Greys are all doing some great stuff right now.

• When all else fails, under South African conditions you can be a heathen and throw some blobs! *This is not some weird comp angler fetish. Garth is an equine vet by trade.

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For more information contact Iron River (www.ironriver.co.za) on 0861 527335

FLUFF

THE FOAM DUNGEON PRE-EMINENT YELLOWFISH MOLESTER, TIM LEPPAN, ARTICULATES* ABOUT A PATTERN HEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HAD GREAT SUCCESS WITH, FOR BOTH CLANNIES AND THEIR COUSINS, LARGEMOUTH YELLOWFISH. Photos. Tim Leppan, Gareth Tate, Duncan Thane, Gabriel Botha

E

ver since I saw Kelly Galloup’s Sex Dungeon I’ve been obsessed with articulated streamers.

There was something about the fly that just had the right ingredients; it was aggressive, it was big, and it was articulated. This pattern could represent a number of different imitations depending on how it was tied or even how it was fished. I had to throw them at something.

After witnessing Ryan Janssens do serious damage to a nearby smallmouth bass population, I couldn’t believe how effective the fly was. Anyone who’s fished with Ryan will know that the man absolutely slays fish, but you best believe this was on another level. This was during the time when Drew Chicone’s styled Tuscan Bunny or ‘Muishond’ (direct translation - mousedog) style fly was running riot among the South African fly tying community, especially within the largie game. That too I enjoyed. In fact, at that stage, I almost only fished that pattern on our waters. Trout, smallies, yellows you name it, I threw that fly at them.

Fast forward a year, I found myself sitting at my tying desk, a week out from my maiden voyage to the lower Orange River, a place I had been so very desperate to fish for so long. The tying began, production mode, as I churned out as many patterns as humanly possible.

I started to dabble with the idea of tying a bunch of Kelly Galloup’s Sex Dungeons on top of the standard muishonds. Thus came about the birth of one of my all-time favourite patterns. We’ll call it the “Foam Dungeon,” for lack of imagination and because “Bunny in a Tuscan Sex Dungeon” is a bit unwieldy.

Man, it fished well. It was the first and only pattern I tied on throughout the course of that week on the Orange.

Gareth Tate and Duncan Thane, who had so kindly invited me on the trip, jumped in on the act, swinging these articulated flies to overly aggressive smallmouth and largemouth yellowfish. It did damage, similar to the way Ryan hit those smallies.

As Gareth commented, “Honestly, if I could pick one fly for the lower Orange, it would be one of Tim’s White Foam Dungeons. Fish (mostly of the larger hog-sized variety that take so aggressively they rip line out of your hands) cannot leave this pattern alone. We caught 22 largies (several over 10lbs and three around 20lbs) in three days and each one fell victim to the Foam Dungeon. I will not return to the Orange without several in my fly box.”

It’s ugly, I won’t deny that, but it operates. While I doubt the fly has more appeal than that of the tried-and-tested Muishond, I’ve thought about why it works at length and I truly believe its power comes from having two hooks and therefore additional movement. I had more hook ups on the back hook on the Orange than on the front, which certainly saved me from missing a whole heap of fish. The fly is super versatile in the sense that you can add weight into its mid-section using 4mm tungsten beads when there’s a strong current or using plastic beads when fishing the fly on the drop or in shallower pools. When trying to imitate baitfish I prefer to leave out the legs but when fishing for smallmouth bass and most importantly Clanwilliam yellowfish, I’ll always fish this pattern with legs tied in, just to give it that creaturelike feel that Clans dig.

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“FISH (MOSTLY OF THE LARGER HOG-SIZED VARIETY THAT TAKE SO AGGRESSIVELY THEY RIP LINE OUT OF YOUR HANDS) CANNOT LEAVE THIS PATTERN ALONE.”

Large and not in charge for once - three hefty largemouth yellowish that fell for the Foam Dungeon on the Orange river.

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Another neat part about the fly is that, because the foam in the head is so dense and compact, the fly doesn’t push to the surface as much as other patterns when stripping the fly through currents. It almost acts like a minor lip on a Rapala, helping the fly to dig in somewhat. This proved to be super useful on the Orange when working certain strong flowing sections. All members onboard the trip managed to better their PBs with two fish over 15lbs and Duncs with the fish of a lifetime, pulling the scale all the way down to the 20lb mark. Sure, we could’ve been at the right place at the right time or had the stars align in our favour; either way the fact that those fish jumped on the Foam Dungeon so readily must be a good omen, or at least I like to think so.

After my experience on the Orange, this fly has become my go-to for Clans. Whether it’s throwing into structure, such as big boulders or dead trees, or swinging in the heads of pools, it has proved to be super successful for me. I’ve found the Clans to be very aggressive towards this pattern, often eating as it lands, similar to the way largies behave. When those Clannies eat, they eat. The initial eat and run is absolutely mind-bending. In certain situations, these fish can be heavily structure driven which makes things interesting. It’s incredible to see how they can come off structure to eat a fly. One thing about these fish is that they can be super dirty in the way they fight (ed: think downtown Butterworth on a Friday night).

In my experience - which may differ from that of others Clans will more often than not try and run you straight back into the structure. When they do this it’s almost impossible to stop them, especially the bigger okes. I’ve had fish eat the fly the second it lands followed by an instant parting of my 15lb fluoro. We’ve caught them all the way down to 4X relatively effectively, but lost a fair number of fish in the process, which could also be down to the angler. Slowly, slowly we’ve scaled up on the tippet all the way to 15lbs to cater for their strength. Sure, we might be sacrificing more eats, but when that fish of a lifetime decides to show up, I sure as hell want to be as ready as I possibly can be… with a Foam Dungeon tied onto 15lb tippet. *Apologies, it’s been a long lockdown.

For the Foam Dungeon Step by Step, visit themissionflymag.com 88

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“You hang up first. No you, boo.” The commentary that accompanies Tim Leppan’s advanced, loved-up Clannie hangbal.

PROTECTING YOUR FLY F

FISHING FOR THE FUTURE From headwaters to court rooms, fighting the pollution of our rivers or challenging the disproportionate legislation of the authorities, FOSAF works for you. For just R300* for a year’s membership you can do your bit and support FOSAF.

Please join at www.fosaf.org.za Ask your club to enter the scheme whereby your annual subscription Is reduced from R300 to R150”

GALLERY

Platon Trakoshisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mini bulkhead production line, tied, swim-tested and ready for action. Photo. Platon Trakoshis

Conrad Botes into a solid smallmouth bass. Photo. Platon Trakoshis.

Andy Coetzee and Wikus van Der Walt gear up in far Northern KwaZulu-Natal. Photo. Jazz Kuschke

Brendan Body releasing a Berg river carp. Photo. Brett Bellairs.

Elandspad rainbow trout on dry fly. Photo. Ryan Janssens

Early morning camp coffee on the Orange river with the Mavungana crew. Photo. Peter Coetzee.

Platon Trakoshis releases a Breede river spotted grunter. Photo. Conrad Botes

A mayfly on a Western Cape river. Photo Ryan Janssens.

A rainbow trout from Finsbury in the Northern Drakensberg. Photo Warren van Rensburg.

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New Range Available SHOP ONLINE

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Visit the shop: 274 Main Road, Kenilworth, Cape Town, South Africa, 7708

T: +27 (0) 21 762 8007

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POP QUIZ ARE YO U BAS I C O R BR A I N Y ? S H A R P O R STO O O P ID ? TA K E O U R Q UI Z TO S EE I F YO U A BS O R B E D A N Y T H IN G F R O M ISS U E 2 1 .

2. Kuki Gallmann dreamed of Africa and Martin Luther King dreamed of an end to racism. Fred Davis dreams of… (answer page 18) A. Playing the lead role in his school’s Evita tribute.

B. World peace.

C. Bonefish as big as tarpon.

D. Sobaity bream on crab flies.

3. If all else fails (Google Calendar, Greenwich Mean Time, your mom etc.) you can always tell what day of the week it is by… (answer page 20) A. Staring at the sun and smoking nutmeg.

B. Asking the gods.

C. Reading the entrails of a vulture.

D. Asking that, “well actually” guy on Facebook.

E. Using a clever weekly Bavarian beer calendar.

4. The most important part of making asado is… (answer page 22) A. Getting someone else to do it.

B. Having a pointy stick.

C. Cooking it low and slow.

D. A theme tune to whistle.

5. Herman Botes lies to his wife about the number and size of the fish he has caught, because if he told the truth … (answer page 56) A. He would be invited to participate in boring-ass Facebook Live videos.

B. He’s worried the Book Club network may overlap with the Braai club network and stuff up his secret spots.

C. He will land up with a list of household chores longer than he is tall (about the same as a lofty Hobbit).

D. He would have to justify long absences in the veld…on his own.

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Answers: 1. F, 2. D, 3. E, 4. B & C, 5. C, 6. D & E.

1. Matt Smythe’s favorite song is likely to be … (answer page 14) A. Freebird - Lynyrd Skynyrd.

B. Comfort Eagle – Cake.

C. I’m like a bird - Nelly Furtado.

D. Three Little Birds - Bob Marley.

E. When Doves Cry – Prince.

F. All of the above.

6. The Foam Dungeon got its name… (answer page 84) A. Because Tim Leppan developed it in a soundproof, underground lair filled with lotion.

B. Because the idea for it came to him when he found himself trapped on the dance floor at a Stellenbosch foam party.

C. Because yellows chew on it like a Labrador with a chew toy.

D. Because it borrows from Kelly Galloup’s Sex Dungeon but incorporates foam instead of deer hair.

E. Because Foam Bunny in a Tuscan Sex Dungeon is too long.

W W W. T H E M I S S I O N F LY M A G . C O M

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