The Fly Fisher - South Africa

Chris Bladen is not just a fly fisher; he brings a very special type of art to our community, bronze sculpting. He began by carving stone and wood in his dad’s workshop many years ago, but his dad told him that artist always struggle financially, so he studied dental technologist. His dental work took him to the UK, and the Pounds, took him to the rest of the world.

Returning to South Africa, he opened his studio near Fish Hoek where he and his brother smelt and pour his bronze in his home foundry. Only a few minutes from some of the best trout fishing in the country, he seems to have life. Visit him at ChrisBladen.com

Mann Friday, spinning the tunes...

Stephen Dugmore’s love of bamboo fly rods began many years ago when his dad generously gave him a Walker Bampton, which he duly broke. Graciously his dad replaced it, and unfortunately Stephen managed to break that one too, but it was not his fault this time. Then while cleaning out his garage, these rods where stumbled upon and Stephen took on the project of repairing them, thus the birth of a Bamboo rod maker.

For those of you who would like to see the process, visit Stephen’s website, Freestone Rods.

Once again, Mann Friday is thanked for the tunes.

Paul Fevrier might be bound to a wheelchair, however this does nothing to stop him fly fishing where and when he wants to. Although there are some limitations, it comes down to attitude and willpower, both of which, he has in abundance, getting around on his quad bike or his pontoon boat, he fishes most of the places the rest of us fish. Not just a good fisherman, Paul ties a seriously good fly and his boxes always make interesting viewing.

Mann Friday does the tunes again.

Ed Herbst must be the quintessential small stream fly fisherman, fishing ultra-light sticks for slivers of fish, high in the mountains. He is dedicated to his passion for these small streams and is continuously striving for the ultimate tackle, or the best way of modifying it for his needs, removing all the excess weight from everything; rods, reels, lines, packs, well everything. He paints his rods in matt, camouflage colours, including the guides, removes reels seats, even going as far as taking off his reel’s counter balance.

Mann Friday does the tunes again.

Dave Walker might be known as a quiet, unassuming, proprietor of a small B&B in the quiet hamlet of Rhodes, however he is the driving force behind the Wild Trout Association.

Walkerbouts Inn is one of the most relaxed and comfortable B&B's I have frequented, the Thanksalot Pub is a great place to unwind.

He is involved with many community projects and I encourage you to visit Walkerbouts Inn.

Mann Friday does the tunes again.

Jono Shales is an ex-South African based out of Sydney, exceptionally passionate about his pursuit of saltwater species, but he is heading off on trip to the west coast of Australia for a year or so of saltwater fly fishing. We chatted about what there is to fly fish for around Sydney, about the Baby Blacks he caught of Fraser Island, about his upcoming fly fishing trip, about Christmas Island, and then there was more.

Mann Friday does the tunes again.

Mario Geldenhuys has the good fortune of living near some of South Africa’s premier trout streams. He married into a family which owns a farm on the Bell River, not far from Rhodes in the north-eastern Cape, but denies that it was a marriage of convenience. He has spent many days fly fishing the Wild Trout waters in the area and shares his knowledge and experience with us.

Mann Friday leads us with the tunes, as usual.

Tony Kietzman has an inherent love of small stream fly fishing; more than that, he is obsessed with them. His knowledge of the environment, the area and the streams makes him one of the top guides in the north-eastern Cape. He is based in Rhodes and has access to over 200 kms of streams teeming with wild rainbow trout and yellowfish. But for him it is often not about the fish, but more about the fishing, which includes the flora and fauna, the area’s history, the geology and the hospitality of the area's residents.

He is a guide in the fly fishing mecca, Rhodes, and you can find him at The Wild Trout Association.

Mann Friday leads us with the tunes, as usual.

PS. My best mate…Taught me everything I know about small stream fishing... I am truly and forever grateful...

Turner Wilkinson is one of the few fly fishermen who have take all nine of the Yellowfish species on fly, although there are only really six, the other three are considered part of the challenge and rightly so. He has spent time on Sterkiefontien Dam, many hours on the Vaal River and traveled to the rest of the country chasing Yellow fish.

We chatted at the beautiful Elgro River Lodge on the banks of the Vaal, my apologies for the little bit of wind noise that creeps in from time to time.

Thanks to Mann Friday supplying the tune.

Arno Matthee might be well know for catching lunker Largemouth Yellowfish on fly, in the Orange Vaal System, but he is better known for unlocking the secrets of fly fishing for Milk Fish, thus earning him the nickname of “The Milkman”.

Our resident band, Mann Friday, brings us the tunes, Valley of the Wizards.