TIGERFISH PERMIT PARADISE BIGGEST FLIES AND TACTICS FOR KRAAI RIVER TROUT AND YELLOWFISH MAYFLY SPINNER INTER- CHANGEABLE BEAD SYSTEM

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1 Issue 238 May 2015 t C o M p l et e f ly f i s h e r M h A e N AFRICA S FRESH AND SALT WATER FLY FISHING MAGAZINE GUIDE SECRETS MAYFLY SPINNER INTER- CHANGEABLE BEAD SYSTEM KRAAI RIVER TROUT AND YELLOWFISH PERMIT PARADISE OF BELIZE THE STORY ABOUT KOSI BAY S BIGGEST GT FLIES AND TACTICS FOR TIGERFISH South Africa: R35.00 (vat incl) Other Countries: R30.70 (tax excl)

2 superior insulated polyethylene iceboxes Now AvAilABle in south Africa! 17 different models ranging from: 10l - 200l Ideal for fishermen! stockist of The BluesCrew The world s strongest ANChor! TCFF 01/02/2015 evakool offers A comprehensive range of products all designed and manufactured to withstand and operate in the harshest of South African conditions. As pioneers in the icebox industry, EvaKool continues to set the benchmark in icebox design, development and performance. The demand for EvaKool iceboxes is overwhelming and the range has been expanded to include styles and sizes to suit users from all walks of life. Cell: fax: info@evakool.co.za

3 PuBlIShER Tight Loop Productions (Pty) Ltd EDITOR PJ Jacobs Tel: (012) Fax: (012) EDITOR-AT-lARgE Tony Biggs FIElD EDITORS Andy Coetzee Murray Pedder Marcus Janssen Turner Wilkinson Andrew Levy Dan Blanton (USA) Steve Starling (Australia & Pacific) FIElD CORRESPOnDEnTS Ian Couryer Graeme Field COnTRIBuTORS Gerard Barnardt Conrad Botes Jonathan Boulton Keith Clover Dionne Crafford Phillip de Moor Miles Divett John Dreyer Horst Filter Leonard Flemming Bill Hansford-Steele COPy EDITORS Janet Nowers Chris Whales ADvERTISIng & PRODuCTIOn MAnAgER Lizelle Jacobs Tel: (012) PRODuCTIOn COORDInATOR JP Koekemoer Tel: (012) MARkETIng & ADvERTISIng SAlES Marianne Marais Tel: (012) SuBSCRIPTIOnS (hard COPy AnD DIgITAl) Nicolette Raath Tel: (012) Fax: (012) OThER DIgITAl PlATFORMS Anthony Krüger Gerhard Laubscher Malcolm Meintjes Jolyon Nuttall Rasmus Ovesen Ben Pretorius Keith Rose-Innes Richard Schumann Rob Scott Tom Sutcliffe Steve Thornton POSTAl ADDRESS PO Box 1777, Ifafi, 0260, South Africa PATROnS The Cape Piscatorial Society Cyril Ramaphosa All rights reserved, reproduction of contents of this magazine is prohibited without the written consent of the editor. Editorial opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher and editor does not accept responsibility for advertising content. Publishing and editing of material received will be at the discretion of the editor. Editorial contributions must be directed to: The Editor, TCFF, PO Box 1777, Ifafi, 0260, South Africa, or via TCFF does not pay for unsolicited material. E D I T O R S C A S T Bamboo or graphite for you, Sir? Had some friends around recently talking guitars, music and, of course, fly fishing. When they arrived, they took two items out of the boot of their vehicle to show me. One was a custom classic guitar made by a local builder, the other, a rod tube with a familiar manufacturer s name on it. To be honest, I was very interested in the guitar and spent so much time looking at it that the rod tube was soon all but forgotten. However, as they were getting ready to leave, the subject of the rod tube and its mystery occupant came up again. Fully expecting to see a graphite rod emerge, I was instead treated to a sight that was, indeed, a joy to behold. You will recollect, if you read my ramblings from time to time, that I mentioned in a past editorial that we have some great local rod builders. Well, let me reiterate that statement: we have some really good and innovative rod builders. The rod handed to me was an exquisite cane rod, with a strange but vaguely familiar reel seat. In what almost appears to be an extension of the cork grip which sports excellent top-grade cork, by the way the reel is mounted in a wooden housing made especially for it. Stephen Boshoff calls it his centre axis design, and apart from being innovative, it is very pleasing to the eye. He has succeeded in marrying tradition with innovation and style, and the end result is spectacular! Still, the rod was not totally unfamiliar to me. I had heard of and seen pictures of it on Tom Sutcliffe s website. However, you have to see the rod in the flesh, so to speak, to fully appreciate the craftsmanship that has gone into it. By now, this probably sounds like an advertorial, but believe me it isn t. I have not met the builder, nor have I been privileged enough to fish a Boshoff classic. Nevertheless, I am a great admirer of cane rods, in part for the tradition they represent, and the other for the skill and craftsmanship that goes into making them. I can imagine that it must be hard for the builder to part with his creations, no matter the amount of money that changes hands. On the subject of money, an obvious question was the price the rod had commanded. Although by no means inexpensive, it s a bargain, for you are not only buying a custom-made cane rod, you are investing in a bit of tradition, and that s too much a part of our pursuit to ignore. Imagine meeting a gentleman (or lady) on-stream, wielding a cane rod. What would your first reaction be? A waste of time and effort and too fuddy-duddy, or the personification of what fly fishing is really all about? I fish graphite and love my rods, but I d still love to own a really good cane rod and fish it occasionally when the conditions and ambiance call for it. As such, I am in the latter camp, and happy to be there. Irrespective of your thoughts on the issue, there is one undeniable fact that nobody can dispute: cane rods bring a lot of class to the river. And that s one thing you can never have enough of when wielding a fly rod, especially on a river inhabited by wild fish. We owe it to our quarry, and I m sure if they had a say, we d all be P J fishing bamboo. tcff may

4 M A y I S S U E FEATuRES & Fly-TyIng 16. Forum: Winter yellowfish Tactics When water temperatures plummet with the onset of the cooler months, yellowfish anglers need to adapt their tactics to achieve success. Ian Couryer explains. 18. guide Tips and Tricks: The Interchangeable Bead System With the use of split-shot questionable from an environmental standpoint, Tim Babich offers a working alternative. On the cover: Belize tarpon Photo: Rasmus Ovesen 20. guide Fly Box: The Mayfly Spinner We convince Gerhard Laubscher to give up the recipe for his go-to trout and yellowfish mayfly pattern. 24. Responsible Fly Fishing in Africa Fly fishing in a pristine environment comes with a responsibility towards the environment and local communities, says Keith Clover. 28. highlands Wild Trout Part Iv: The kraai River In Part IV of our series on rivers in the Rhodes and Barkly East area, Fred Steynberg discusses the Kraai River and its tributaries. 34. A Tribute to a legend and the Big gt This story is not just about a big fish. It involves some history, a tribute to a fly fishing friend and legend, and, right at the end, a big fish. So says veteran fly angler Marius Rousseau. 38. Trout Bums in Permit Paradise On a fly rod, permit is a difficult quarry to pursue at the best of times. Rasmus Ovesen visits a venue that tips the odds in your favour. 46. A Fish of a lifetime... or was it? During a winter sortie to the upper Zambezi in search of trophy tigers, Pelham Henwood hooks into something more than he can handle. 50. killer Flies for Tigers Tigerfish are ferocious predators, but there is no doubt that some flies work better than others for this species. Fly-Tying Field Editor Murray Pedder lists his favourite patterns and offers a few tips to maximise opportunities. 58. lakenvlei Forest lodge TCFF visits a well-established Mpumalanga venue known for good trout and bass fishing. 62. Readers Competition: The Art of new Experiences Mac Muller visits the Skurweberg and creates memories to treasure. 82. The Celebrity Chef By Andrew Levy. REgulARS 3. Editor s Cast 6. Editor s Inbox 8. What s Up 10. Gear Bag 14. Talk to Tom 64. Product Focus 65. Travelling Angler 71. Outventure Guide 77. Specialised Services 4 may 2015 tcff

5 FLY FISHING IN THE SEYCHELLES The Seychelles has become the epicenter of salt water fly fishing for both international sport and recreational fishermen, who enthusiastically return each year to cast their fly lines on the magnificent shallow flats. With some of the richest fishing grounds in the world, anglers can look forward to an abundance of bonefish, GTs, permit, triggerfish, barracuda, snapper, wahoo, sailfish, dorado, tuna, marlin and much more. Join Linecasters for an unforgettable experience in the Seychelles. Live-aboard and land-based fishing trips from $3750 per person for 7 nights. Upcoming Linecasters Trips 2015: 2-9 November 9-16 November and more LINECASTERS FLY FISHING OUTFITTERS Cell: fred@linecasters.co.za The most diverse salt water fly fishing destination in the Indian Ocean.

6 EDITOR S INBOX your letter to: editor@completeflyfisherman.co.za LETTER OF THE MONTH Fly(fish)ing through the storm I can finally report that fishing and TCFF in particular actually does save lives. On a recent flight from the Lowveld back to OR Tambo, I had the pleasure of being seated next to a gentleman not as acquainted with the rigours of regular air travel as I. Unbeknown to us both, serious thunderstorms were brewing back on the Highveld, as they tend to do in midsummer. It was at the captain s announcement of this fact that I noticed a shift in the gentleman s disposition, accompanied by a subtle widening of the eyes and dilating of the pupils. Upon descent, my companion was in the kind of state you d expect of someone spotting an 8lb trout with only 7X tippet on hand. As soon as hyperventilation set in, I realised something had to be done. Luckily I have made a habit of carrying a copy of TCFF with me on these occasions and, as we fly fishermen tend to do, made use of what I had. Taking his forearm, I gently guided my companion s (at this stage maniacal) stare to the magnificent illustrations of golden dorado featured in the March issue. Seeing a gradual sense of calm and some measure of sensibility returning, I maintained momentum by furiously paging to Leon Links s article on Gallo de León feathers and the art of tying the Spanish Caddis. Turbulence and engine sputters all but forgotten, the gentleman (who had never heard of such a ludicrous concept as catching fish on a hook dressed with feathers) proceeded to lecture me on how his grandfather s rooster produced plumage far more splendid than what was featured on the page (I guess someone should let the Spanish know). Wheels on the ground and seatbelt signs finally off, and we exited the plane with a renewed sense of vitality and an appreciation for life. As my new friend entered the terminal and disappeared into the press of the crowds, I noticed my TCFF still clutched tightly under his arm. Although I m sure he did so completely by accident, caught up in the heat of debate over the unique nature of Spanish chicken feathers, I would like to believe that I made a convert that day, for which having to buy another copy for myself was a small price indeed. Helgardt Wels. Great story, Helgardt, one that put you in the running for our prize of Letter of the Month. Such quick thinking and compassion deserve to be rewarded, so you ll be happy to learn that the prize is indeed yours! Contact our offices on Tel: (012) with your details, and a great Horizon float tube to the value of R3250, compliments of TCFF, will be on its way to you. Enjoy! Ed. looking out for indigenous species Your editorial in the November 2014 issue was most interesting because, living in Kimberley and fishing locally on all three rivers (Vaal, Riet and Orange), I always try my best to apply the CAR methods to conserve our indigenous yellowfish. In the editorial, you mention the long list of things one should do, which is the reason for my . I would like to obtain this procedure for myself and my friends who fish locally. Even though we try our best, I think there is still much to learn, as I picked up a few pointers. I cannot call myself a fundi, but have been teaching some of my close friends when we fish together, and I would like to make them even more aware of the importance of conserving our indigenous species. You mentioned having watched a fishing programme which made you cringe. I have also watched various programmes of so-called pros who make me feel the same way because of the inappropriate way they treat the fish they catch. Noel Wewege. Hi Noel as you probably know, we have in the past published a few articles relating to CAR, but you make an interesting point: yellowfish is a relatively new species to fly fishing, and it is important that anglers understand what care they need in order to have the best chance of survival after having been caught. Not all species require the same amount of care; some may even need special methods of release. Tigerfish is a good example, and largemouth yellowfish, in particular, need to be given proper attention. We will be working on an article dealing with release methods pertaining to indigenous species, so keep an eye out for it in a future edition of TCFF. Ed. Proud father Just want to start off by thanking TCFF for the most amazing magazine ever! My son and I went fly fishing and camping at Sterkfontein Dam; it was his first time for both activities. I caught the first fish for the day on a self-tied beetle and landed my personal best before the wind chased us off to camp for a nice braai. My son, however, was a bit sad as he had not caught a fish. Next morning, I took him to my trusted spot to fish by ourselves. I told him to trust his gut, gave him a hopper that I had tied, and left him to his own devices. As I turned to walk away, all hell broke loose with a loud scream, Dad, I got him! He was into a nicesized Sterkies golden slab, landed the fish and then tears followed with the words, Best weekend of my life! He is 12 years old and my best friend and son. Donovan Theart. (Letter shortened.) WIN THIS TCFF will award the writer of the Letter of the Month a HORIZON Trout Stalker V-Boat valued at R3250! Tel: /9 6 may 2015 tcff

7 for your NeAresT dealer CoNTACT frontier distribution Shop online at Coachman s Crossing Shopping Centre, Peter Place, Bryanston, Johannesburg 26º S; 28º E Tel: (011) /9

8 forum: WHAT S up Send your news to: info@completeflyfisherman.co.za Stillwater trout clinic Mavungana Flyfishing will be hosting a stillwater trout clinic from 8-10 May at a private fishery near Dullstroom that is said to be brimming with beautifully conditioned trophy fish. The clinic will cover everything from perfecting your casting, selecting lines and flies, to rigging leaders and teams of flies. You will learn the intricacies of entomology and how to read the water, then step up to advanced tactics and how to increase your catch rate. Fishing will take place in small, intimate groups (max six rods) under the close supervision of Mavungana s knowledgeable guides. Participants will also be entertained with discussions on entomology, fly-tying and slide shows. Costs are R1750 per angler per night sharing during midweek, and R1950 per angler per night sharing over weekends. The rates include all fishing, guiding, accommodation and meals. For further information, info@flyfishing.co.za. Give a kick-start to your salt water skills If you are new or inexperienced at salt water fly fishing and want to increase your skill levels in this discipline, the Ufudu Flyfishing Academy might just be what you re looking for. Focussing on two important aspects of fly fishing, namely fly casting and rock and surf/salt water fly fishing, the academy offers teaching off the water, as well as practical workshops on the water at Rocktail Bay in northern KZN. Courses include: basic fly casting; introduction to fly casting; distance and power casting; remedial fly casting lessons; and casting in the wind. For further information and to make a reservation, contact Ben Pretorius on Cell: , or info@ufudu.co.za. Boston/Dargle festival It s that time of the year again when anglers prepare for the annual Boston/Dargle Fly Fishing Festival. Registration for this the fifth festival is on 11 June, and fishing will take place on 12 and 13 June on various waters in the Boston/Dargle area of KZN. The event is open to the public, and teams are made up of four or five anglers. Prize-giving will conclude the festival on the Saturday evening. An entry fee of R900 per angler includes lunch and dinner daily, as well as accommodation (anglers will be staying with the local farmers). If you would like to book your spot, contact Peter Smith on Cell: , or smithpeterc@gmail.com. Natal Fly Fishers Club On 23 May, the Natal Fly Fishers Club will host its AGM at Chamber House at the showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg, preceded by FOSAF s AGM at 9.30am. The event is for club members only. For further information, contact Pam Read on nffc@futurenet.co.za, or Tel: (033) Petition to save largies The Vanderkloof community, consisting of local lodges, restaurants and anglers, would like to remind all interested parties that the online petition to stop netting in the Vanderkloof Dam is closing on 31 May If you d like to support this initiative to save the largemouth yellowfish of this magnificent fishery, you can do so by signing the petition online at 8 may 2015 tcff

9 Once you visit this venue, it will bring you back time and time again th STREET, RIETKOL, SUNDRA GPS coordinates: 26º8'26.83" S, 28º33'44.37" E Situated just 45 minutes from OR Tambo Airport, Emhlangeni Archery and Fishing day resort and venue is ideal for visitors from Pretoria, East Rand, Bronkhorstspruit, Middelburg, Witbank and the surrounding areas. Emhlangeni greets you within a nature environment where reeds and waterlily fly fishing dams are complimented by the abundant birdlife, and wildlife such as blesbuck and springbuck. Soak up the African sun and enjoy the smell of a braai while more than enough activities will keep the children busy. Beautifully thatched lapas, a swimming pool and modern ablution facilities complete the picture. One of our favourite lapas is located on an island in the middle of crystal-clear fishing waters, with access via a wooden bridge. For those preferring more privacy, this is a perfect spot to unwind. It can also be used as the chapel area when taking your vows on that special day. We also host weddings and functions with the option of catering, decor, live entertainment and management services. NEWSFLASH: After an eight-month rezoning application, the property has just been rezoned to a Resort, Wedding and Conference Venue. We are in the process of adding a new dam, accommodation, a new wedding and conference facility, a 4x4 track, as well as a restaurant that will be opening soon. We will also stock for the winter trout season in the first week of May. Above and below: Photos by Hendrik van Heerden THE FISHING: If you are one of the many anglers who enjoy calm waters and share a passion for fly fishing, here is where you will be hooked on largemouth bass and rainbow trout. Emhlangeni started with a single dam and, as expectations rose from our loyal visitors, we expanded our fishing experience to suit the whole family. We breed our own fish to ensure there will always be the best to Photo by Hennie Viljoen, First Photo Competition Winner stock. During summer, you can look forward to some excellent bass fishing, and in the cooler winter months, the trout are bound to put up a good fight. Anglers may catch-and-release, or if the fancy grabs you, fish may be kept (we charge per kilogram). PreBooK Now for may and June and get 10% discount on day fee Booking ref: The Complete fly fisherman may issue (Terms & Conditions apply) We look forward to seeing you this season! For bookings and general information, contact Angelique on Cell: or info@emhlangeni.co.za Visit our website

10 forum: GEAR BAG What s new Sage GRACE Contact Mavungana Flyfishing on (011) or (013) WHAT TO GIVE A GIRL WHO HAS EVERYTHING Graceful casts and graceful giving is what Sage s nextgeneration grace rod is all about. Crafted from Graphite llle technology, the GRACE outfit is an piece 5-wt rod with a pink RIO Gold WF5F fly line and Sage 3200 series reel. The iridescent pink GRACE offers a fast action with a soft feel, resulting in a responsive, comfortable casting experience. Sage will donate $50 from the sale of each GRACE outfit to Casting for Recovery, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to giving women vital tools to overcome the challenges of breast cancer. If you ever needed a good reason to buy a rod, here s one. Pick your pack WITH NEW PACKS FROM SIMMS The latest in Simms lineup of waterproof hip packs is the Dry Creek Z hip Pack (below), featuring TPU-coated fabrics, airtight TIZIP zippers that are 100% waterproof, interior stretch-mesh storage pockets, exterior lash points, built-in storage for tools, and a comfortable, cushioned waistband with breathable, water-resistant foam. Another innovation from Simms is the Dry Creek Roll-Top hip Pack, constructed from rugged and waterproof TPU-coated fabrics with a 100% waterproof roll-top closure. The pack rides comfortably thanks to high loft, closed-cell foam back panels and a cushioned, non-absorbent waistband. Fishing features include retractor docking stations for tool and tippet spools, a fast-drying front wet-storage compartment with laser-cut porting, and loop Velcro patches ready for flies and additional accessories. Contact Frontier Fly Fishing on (011) /9 Lookin Buff with NEW ADDITION TO ANGLER SERIES One of Buff Headwear s newest collaborations is with contemporary fish artist and fly fishing enthusiast Derek DeYoung. The Derek Deyoung uv Buff headwear Collection will consist of a number of unique UV Buff designs that reflect the style and attitude of DeYoung s art. Based in Montana, Derek fishes some of the best fly fishing spots in North America and shares his exhilarating fishing adventures through his art. His vivid, colourful, slightly abstract depictions of fish combine touches of realism and hints of impressionism. Best of all, his unique art translates perfectly to UV Buff Headwear and the Buff angler enthusiast. Contact StreamX on (021) Contact Adventure Inc on (021) or visit Barred CDC GIVES YOU VARIATION Until recently, the only way to get some variation within CDC was to mix up colours yourself. Now you can add oodles of naturalness with these subtly dyed CDC feathers that have been marked with a barring to give the illusion of movement. They will add life to any Cul de Canard pattern and make your flies just that much more realistic. Available in dun, olive, white and yellow.