TIGERFISH YELLOWS VANDERKLOOF MONSTER RAINBOWS PONGOLA SMALLSCALES END-GAME TACTICS FOR CARP WE TEST 20 5-WT BUDGETPRICED RODS FLIES THAT WORK FOR

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1 Africa s fresh and salt water fly fishing magazine SPOTLIGHT ON VANDERKLOOF YELLOWS LAKE STROBEL MONSTER RAINBOWS PONGOLA SMALLSCALES SHOOT-OUT WE TEST 20 5-WT BUDGETPRICED RODS Issue 247 April/May 2016 END-GAME TACTICS FOR CARP FLIES THAT WORK FOR TIGERFISH South Africa: R37.50 (vat incl) Other Countries: R32.89 (tax excl) /

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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 Jonathan Boulton Keith Clover Dionne Crafford Phillip de Moor Miles Divett John Dreyer Horst Filter Ryan Hammond Bill Hansford-Steele COPy EDITORS Janet Nowers Chris Whales ADvERTISIng & PRODuCTIOn MAnAgER Lizelle Jacobs Tel: (012) PRODuCTIOn DESIgn COORDInATOR JP Koekemoer Tel: (012) MARkETIng & ADvERTISIng SAlES Bridget Torr Tel: (012) SubSCRIPTIOnS (hard COPy AnD DIgITAl) Shelby Mendoza Tel: (012) OThER DIgITAl PlATFORMS Sean I Ons Gerhard Laubscher Malcolm Meintjes Jolyon Nuttall Rasmus Ovesen Ben Pretorius Keith Rose-Innes Richard Schumann Rob Scott Tom Sutcliffe 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 editor@completeflyfisherman.co.za. TCFF does not pay for unsolicited material. E D I T O R S C A S T The times they are a-changin The immortal words of Bob Dylan, and here at TCFF things are indeed in a phase of change. As promised, we continue with improvements to TCFF s new format, both from a design and content perspective. This issue marks the launch of our videotorials, a term we have coined for videos that will in future accompany some of our articles. The concept is not new, but the first for a fly fishing publication as far as we can tell. Our aim is to enhance the quality of the editorial by offering the reader additional information that is not only relevant and pertinent to the article in question, but that also allows you to connect with the author of the article on a new level. All of this is possible through new technology that enables you to access a video via a smartphone or tablet which we assume most of our readership has by now by simply downloading a scanning application known as a QR Scanner (there are several available for free download). The scanner uses the camera lens to capture the code, which is displayed in the article, and immediately loads the relevant video. This gives you the best of both worlds: the advantages that only print can offer enhanced by live video recordings. This issue of TCFF is a trial run for the format and content that these videos will carry in the future, so your comments on how you experience them will allow us to continually assess their value to the editorial. You can send them to me at editor@completeflyfisherman.co.za. Sitting in front of a computer and reading a magazine is popular for some, but if market research is anything to go by, it will be a long time still if ever before it replaces print. However, nowadays we are rarely without our phones, and this means that you do not have to get up and access a computer to view the video. You can simply read the print article, take out your phone and watch the video (if you like) and then continue reading. The best of both worlds? Well, we certainly think so. Bear in mind that we are not trying to win prizes for cinematography, but are merely adding more information to the existing article. We hope in time to be able to improve the quality of our video productions to the next level. For those who do not have a smartphone some may say you are the lucky ones do not despair. Not viewing the video will not detract from the content of the article. Everything is there; the video simply adds value. However, if you still want to view the videos you can go to our website and click the video tab under the articles listed; this will give you the necessary access. Our online publication will also feature access to these videos via our website. Finally, allow me to thank all those who have responded so positively to TCFF becoming a bimonthly and the changes we have made. It really makes us realise why we are doing all this in the first instance, and keeps us motivated to continually strive to make TCFF even better. We cannot publish all the letters, but rest assured every comment and voice of support is taken cognisance of and much appreciated. Thank you once again. See you on the water. P J tcff APRIL/MAY

www.completeflyfisherman.co.za www.completeflyfisherman.com A P R I l / M A y 2 0 1 6 I S S U E 2 4 7 52 58 38 FEATuRES & Fly-TyIng 20.

On the cover: Dirk Ackerman releasing a Vanderkloof smallmouth yellowfish Photo by: Gerhard Laubscher 22.

24. yellowfish nirvana vanderkloof This venue is fast becoming a highly coveted destination for yellows. Follow Field Editor Turner Wilkinson as he heads out for the day. 34.

Fly Fishing for Carp Part II: Effective Tactics There are a number of scenarios where carp can (or cannot) be successfully targeted, and in this article Dionne Crafford and Morné du Plooy look at

4 A P R I l / M A y I S S U E FEATuRES & Fly-TyIng 20. Streamside: Feast or Famine What happens to fish in times of severe drought? In our country, trout have learnt to adapt to extreme situations. Fred Steynberg reports. On the cover: Dirk Ackerman releasing a Vanderkloof smallmouth yellowfish Photo by: Gerhard Laubscher 22. Forum: A Different Experience Fishing gin-clear, skinny water for tiny trout instead of dredging the depths for monsters can fulfill your fly fishing desires on a whole new level. Ian Couryer reports. 24. yellowfish nirvana vanderkloof This venue is fast becoming a highly coveted destination for yellows. Follow Field Editor Turner Wilkinson as he heads out for the day. 34. Pongola: Smallscale yellowfish Primer Well-known yellowfish guide and smallscale yellowfish specialist Horst Filter takes a quick look at one of his favourite river systems. 38. Fly Fishing for Carp Part II: Effective Tactics There are a number of scenarios where carp can (or cannot) be successfully targeted, and in this article Dionne Crafford and Morné du Plooy look at spawning, cruising, basking and feeding carp, together with suggestions on tactics and flies. 44. Middleweight Shoot-out We put 20 rods, priced R4000 and below, to the test and come away pleasantly surprised. TCFF field report. 52. Where Monster Rainbows Roam: lake Strobel Contributor Jonathan Boulton tells the story of how an indescribably good Argentinian trout fishery was born. 58. In Search of the Perfect Tigerfish Fly Is there really such a fly? Depends where you fish, says Field Editor Murray Pedder, and even then some flies are more perfect than others. 74. nyap: not So Average Popper ScientificFly founder Arno Laubscher comes to the realisation that there is nothing average about this popper. REgulARS 3. Editor s Cast 6. Editor s Inbox 8. What s Up 12. Gear Bag 78. Product Review 80. Book Review 82. Specialised Services 86. Travelling Angler 88. Outventure Guide 98. last Cast: The Man of Many nets By Andrew Levy. 4 APRIL/MAY 2016 tcff

THE BEST FLY FISHING DESTINATIONS IN THE

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Mobile: +27 82 748 7290 www.alphonse-island.

destinations: "Chanos Chanos", by Cpt Jack

5 THE BEST FLY FISHING DESTINATIONS IN THE SEYCHELLES O u r D E S t I N A t I O N S A L P H O N S E I S L A N D A S T O V E A T O L L C O S M O L E D O A T O L L P O I V R E I S L A N D SA Mobile: reservations@alphonse-island.com keith@alphonsefishingco.com Photos by: Ryan Heffernan, Talweg Creative, Nick Kelly, Yeti & Kyle Reed Newly and soon-to-be-released films shot at our destinations: "Chanos Chanos", by Cpt Jack Films, Life is Water", by Castaway Films, Alphonse, Heart of the Indian Ocean", by Black Fly Eyes & Cosmoledo", by Yeti Coolers.

EDITOR S INBOX E-mail your letter to: editor@completeflyfisherman.co.za LETTER OF THE MONTH new-look TCFF Congratulations on the new-look magazine.

6 EDITOR S INBOX your letter to: editor@completeflyfisherman.co.za LETTER OF THE MONTH new-look TCFF Congratulations on the new-look magazine. I love the increased volume of articles, which cover a broad range of interests across the fly fishing spectrum. I ve been a loyal reader since 1997, when I started fly fishing. I ve never subscribed but always look forward to each new issue. The first attached picture shows my collection of magazines, with an entire row taken up by TCFF. I do, however, have a dilemma; the dimensions of the new-look magazine no longer fit my magazine boxes (mag storers). I now have to find a new way of storing the bigger (wider) version of the magazine. I guess it s no train smash, I ll just have to make a plan. Keep up the good work. Darryl Chapman. (Letter shortened.) Impressive, Darryl. Yes, around 200 issues can take up a lot of space. Being such a staunch supporter, I see no better reason for awarding your letter Letter of the Month status. I hope that your prize a great Horizon float tube to the value of R3250, compliments of TCFF will make up for the costs incurred for a new mag storer for the next 200-plus issues of TCFF! Enjoy, Ed. Response to new TCFF format TCFF is world class. Of this, there is little doubt by any standard. The implication is that it is a standard that could win a broader audience in the Englishspeaking world. The constraint of course is that fly fishers want to read stories about the fish they pursue in the waters they fish. The question posed is then: can additional content be added without compromising the local market s taste? A difficult question that is, as Yoda would say. TCFF routinely covers adventures in places like Patagonia, Russia, the headstreams in the Himalayas or some atoll in the Indian Ocean. There may well be a market for our brethren in other countries interested in these locations and southern Africa, albeit with a greater accent on our fisheries. We may have much more to learn from international authors and vice versa. I think of specimen carp fishing, which was pioneered in Europe. We learnt Czech nymphing from the (wait for it) Czechoslovakians. Perhaps, with a little editing, we can write some of our stories with a broader audience in mind, claim more advertising spend, which can only lead to an even better publication. Kimon Paxinos. Front cover star Really under the whip right now and consequently clean forgot about commenting on the new TCFF format. I think we ve already dealt with, in enough detail, the stunning front cover. Not sure how many more cover shots I can produce for you but I m sure your actuarial staff will be able to work out the downside of not having me on the cover every issue. Seriously though, you have done an unbelievable job, not only in keeping the magazine going for so long, but in the outstanding quality of the publication. The new format looks great and I look forward to more of it unfolding. And the service value TCFF has delivered over the decades to the fly fishing fraternity as a whole? Priceless! Richard Schumann. Time to come clean I would like to congratulate TCFF on an amazing issue. I finally have enough guts to write to the Editor (just imagine my husband s face if my letter appears in the magazine he so adores). The thing is, this is a bit of a confession, almost a Superman and Clark situation. Hubby doesn t really know how much I read his TCFF stash while he is at work. I have come to understand more or less what flies he ties on, how to make knots and attach leaders to tippet (he pats himself on the back thinking it is his efforts, with me grinning while he stands there with absolute pride convinced he taught me everything). I would love more women to share their thoughts and questions and not just conform to kids and kitchens. What I love about fly fishing is the sightseeing and the places it takes you. I wasn t forced into the fly fishing thing at all; no tomboy stereotype here that likes getting dirty and roughing it. My husband does almost all facets of fishing, and I can tell you that fly fishing is the best of both worlds. It gives him time to fish, you support him more easily and have the best one-on-one time with your man that no date can ever simulate. In return, I get to fish, spend time with him, and see beautiful and breathtaking places. So, that s me as your wife getting it off my chest, admitting that fly fishing is fun. Admitting that I read your magazines behind your back. Admitting that this sort of fishing is not just for tomboys. Admitting more than anything that you were right after all these years... it s the best fun a family could ever have together. Stephnie Botha. (Letter shortened.) Objection to Rhodes university survey I objected to a survey on the economic impact of recreational fishing currently being carried out by the Ichthyology Department at Rhodes University for SACRAA and others. I complained that the trout value chain was not consulted or briefed prior to the commencement of the survey and that the format of the survey would result in the economic impact of recreational trout fishing being significantly undervalued. The survey also assumes that fly anglers only target trout and yellowfish, which will also negatively affect the determination of the economic impact of fly fishing generally. I think you will agree that any survey that ignores key stakeholder groups is inherently flawed. FOSAF and Trout SA have now been contacted about the survey by the project manager of the survey. I am told each organisation will consider the survey, its efficacy and related issues and decide a way forward which will be made public thereafter. In the interim, they suggest that fly fishers wait until a recommendation has been made before completing the questionnaire. Ian Cox. WIN THIS TCFF will award the writer of the Letter of the Month a HORIZON Trout Stalker V-boat valued at R3250! Tel: /9 continued on page 80 6 APRIL/MAY 2016 tcff

7 HIGH QuAlITy JuST GOT AffORDABlE SUPERIOR EYE PROTECTION TRIPLE LENS PROTECTION POLARISED LENSES SCRATCH RESISTANT LIGHTWEIGHT COMFORT FITTING FRAME HORIzON GuIDE BREATHABlE WADERS FEATURES INCLUDE Articulated seam cut away from the inside knee area to reduce wear and abrasion. Constructed of three-layer fabric on the upper surface and four-layer fabric on the lower surface for puncture resistance. Neoprene suspenders ensure all day comfort. Zippered external chest pocket. Reach-through, fleece-lined, hand-warmer pocket Built-in webbing belt with flush-fitting belt loops. Integrated gravel guards to prevent gravel and sand from entering wading boots. Repair kit included. Colour is medium olive/ dark olive. SCRATCH-RESISTANT FILM 100% UVA/UVB 400 FILTER POLARISED POLYCARBONATE CORE 100% UVA/UVB 400 FILTER FLASH COLOUR COATING (ONLY ON MIRRORED LENS) SCRATCH-RESISTANT FILM * Price: R2750 (Best price guaranteed) Contact Frontier Distribution for your nearest dealer Tel: (011) info@frontierflyfishing.co.za

forum: WHAT S up Send your news to: info@com

za News from Vanderkloof The Northern Cape Professional Hunting School and Selous Fly Fishing Lodge recently introduced a ten-day course presented by Turner Wilkinson to improve the fly fishing

Most of the candidates already had a basic knowledge of fly fishing and quite a few were proficient fly anglers.

The focus was on indigenous yellowfish, and topics addressed included tackle for the various yellowfish; fly casting; the different yellowfish species, their distribution, seasonal distribution and

Fly anglers who want to improve their skills can contact Mynhard for further information on Cell: 083 262 1891.

8 forum: WHAT S up Send your news to: info@completeflyfisherman.co.za News from Vanderkloof The Northern Cape Professional Hunting School and Selous Fly Fishing Lodge recently introduced a ten-day course presented by Turner Wilkinson to improve the fly fishing skills of all prospective professional hunters attending the school s seven-month PH course. Most of the candidates already had a basic knowledge of fly fishing and quite a few were proficient fly anglers. The purpose of the course was to establish each candidate s level of knowledge and to build on it. The focus was on indigenous yellowfish, and topics addressed included tackle for the various yellowfish; fly casting; the different yellowfish species, their distribution, seasonal distribution and organisms they eat; fly selection; fishing strategy and techniques for river and stillwater; summer and winter tactics; how to hook, fight and land fish; an introduction to fly-tying; and the basics of guiding clients. According to Mynhard Herholdt, owner of the school, the course was a huge success and plans are in the pipeline to expand on it and hopefully offer regular courses from introductory to advanced level. Fly anglers who want to improve their skills can contact Mynhard for further information on Cell: Stillwater trout clinic Mavungana will be hosting a stillwater trout clinic from May on a private fishery close to Dullstroom. Here you ll learn all about the intricacies of entomology and reading the water, stepping up to advanced tactics and increasing your catch rate exponentially. The clinic will cover everything from perfecting your casting, to fly line and fly selection, rigging leaders and teams of flies. You will fish under the close supervision of knowledgeable guides in small, intimate groups. In the evenings, the guides will prepare meals in farmhouse-style accommodation. For those not exhausted by a day in the sun catching fish, there will also be entomology discussions, fly-tying and slide shows. The cost is R4500/person and includes guided fishing, instructions, accommodation and all meals. Limited to six rods only. For more information, info@flyfishing.co.za. Rapture of the River Festival Fly anglers in search of a wild trout experience will be gathering from May for the annual Rapture of the River Festival, hosted by the Maclear Fly Fishing Club. The entry fee of R1300/angler includes a goodie bag, jacket, two fishing venues on Friday and Saturday, a lunch pack for each fishing day, and dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Entry fee for non-anglers, for whom there will be organised activities, is R700/person. The festival is limited to 50 anglers, so don t delay. To book your spot, contact Jeff Sing on Cell: or singinsa@gmail.com, or Jolyon Fletcher on Cell: or jolyonfletcher12@gmail.com. Ladies National Trials This year s Ladies National Trials, comprising five sessions of stillwater fishing for rainbow trout, will be hosted by the Eastern Cape Fly Fishing Association from April. Fishing will be both drift-boat and bank-wading on Gubu and Maden dams in the Stutterheim area. All participants and organisers will be accommodated at Sandile s Rest and The Manor Guest House. For further information, contact Ryan Smith on or ryan@firstclasspower.co.za. Annual gathering The Queenstown Fly Fishing Club will be hosting its annual gathering from 30 June - 2 July. Treat yourself to some of the finest stillwater trophy trout fishing in the pristine surroundings of Queenstown. Entry fee is R1500 and includes three meals, two lunch packs and fishing up until Sunday. Visit for registration forms, or contact Reg Morgan via beehive66@vodamail.co.za, or on Cell: APRIL/MAY 2016 tcff

Tsitsa Falls Cell: 073 020 8801 E-mail: info@tsitsafalls.co.

Accommodation: Offering three double rooms and two dorm rooms.

Facilities include: Eco friendly and off the grid. Fully catered or self-catering.

sites, zipline- tours, kayaking and much more!

4836 Minnehaha Chalets, Maclear Contact Lundy on: 082 847 4485 (Mon - Fri) Situated

Self-catering accommodation. Discover the many fly fishing waters in our area.

2016 ENTRY FEE: R1300 NON-ANGLERS: R700 Festival is limited to 50 entries.

(Please enter your name and surname as reference.

ENTRY FEE INCLUDES: Accompanied by local resident (not guided fly fishing).

Dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturday Fishing on Friday and Saturday Organised

Contact Jeff Sing Cell: 071 268 6366 e-mail: singinsa@gmail.

com E: umq@mweb.co.za T: (045) 933-1273 f: 086 402 7508 2 Boom Street ugie 14km

rivers. Naturalist and bird-lover s dream in tranquil surroundings.

Fully equipped farm kitchen, lapa with state-of-the-art indoor braai, full-package

Contact: Ebenezer Fourie Cell: 083 278 0851 E-mail: fairbairnfarm@telkomsa.

514 Gateway to the Eastern Cape Alpine tourism experience.

along the R56 route. Our facility offers a homely and safe environment.

10 Tsitsa Falls Cell: Situated ±27km from Maclear in the Southern Drakensberg. Accommodation: Offering three double rooms and two dorm rooms. Our rooms are rustic, clean and comfortable. All linen supplied. Facilities include: Eco friendly and off the grid. Fully catered or self-catering. Adventure: 1 to 5 day wilderness fly fishing, mountain bike trails, hiking, rock art sites, zipline- tours, kayaking and much more! Tsitsa Falls Backpackers/Upper Tsitsa Falls, Maclear GPS Coordinates: S E Minnehaha Chalets, Maclear Contact Lundy on: (Mon - Fri) Situated ±20km from Maclear at the foot of the Drakensberg mountains. Self-catering accommodation. Discover the many fly fishing waters in our area. Maclear River Festival (Maclear & Ugie Rivers) Rare Beauty - Fare Rates May 2016 ENTRY FEE: R1300 NON-ANGLERS: R700 Festival is limited to 50 entries. BAnk DetAiLS: Maclear Fly Fishing Club Standard Bank, account number (Please enter your name and surname as reference.) Registration at the Maclear Country Club on 12 May from 16:00. ENTRY FEE INCLUDES: Accompanied by local resident (not guided fly fishing). 2 fishing venues Lunch pack on each fishing day. Dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturday Fishing on Friday and Saturday Organised activities for non-anglers Please Note: Accommodation is NOT included. Contact Jeff Sing Cell: singinsa@gmail.com Klippies Pretorius Cell: umqfin@mweb.co.za Jolyon Fletcher on Cell: jolyonfletcher12@gmail.com E: umq@mweb.co.za T: (045) f: Boom Street ugie 14km outside Maclear towards Rhodes at the epicentre of the Mooi, Little Pot and Big Pot rivers. Naturalist and bird-lover s dream in tranquil surroundings. Sleeps 16 guests in 6 plush rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Fully equipped farm kitchen, lapa with state-of-the-art indoor braai, full-package DStv and Wi-Fi. Hearty meals available on request. Contact: Ebenezer Fourie Cell: fairbairnfarm@telkomsa.net Website: GPS: S , E Gateway to the Eastern Cape Alpine tourism experience. Situated in Maclear, tucked away in the foothills of the great Drakensberg range along the R56 route. Our facility offers a homely and safe environment. Spacious rooms, DStv, Wi-Fi connection, heaters, electric blankets, undercover parking, and reasonable rates. Contact Ria Vermaak Cell: Tel: (045) bookings@alpinebnb.co.za GPS: E, S TRACTOR MUSEUM Open from 8am 3pm (Mon to Friday) One of the biggest private, vintage tractor collections in South Africa! Contact us for all your Plant hire, Civil Work and material aggregate Contact Jason Kaschula on Cell: Address: 1 Boom Street, Ugie, 5470

South Africa: R190 (vat incl)

South Africa: R190 (vat incl) introduction By pj jacobs Published by: Tight Loop Productions (Pty) Ltd Editor: PJ Jacobs Contributors Volume I: Brendan Becker Derrick Beling Jonathan Boulton Graeme Field