Whether building one of the only drift boat rainbow trout fisheries in South Africa on the Ash River, guiding clients into trophy yellows on the Orange,  hefty tigers at Pongola, or even Atlantic salmon on overseas jaunts, Mavungana Flyfishing’s Nathan Pahl is fast making a name for himself. He’s our High Fives profile in The Mission Issue 47 (Sep/Oct 2024).

5 best things about where you guide?   

1. The uniqueness of the Ash River and surrounding Eastern Free State.  

2. The starkness and silence of the Richtersveld that will forever haunt my soul and call me back. 

3. Guiding in Norway (albeit briefly) has etched itself on me. It’s a lodge unlike any other I’ve experienced, entrenched in tradition with annual clients stretching back six decades, and then there’s simply the allure of Atlantic salmon.  

4. Pongola, or Jozini Dam, offers you a bush experience through a different lens. Encountering incredible wildlife from the water is simply the cherry that makes the cake, on top of the tigerfishing, of course. Not much in fresh water beats a double-figure tigerfish on a 7-weight setup in between heavy structure.  

5. The people, from fellow guides to clients, and lodge staff.  

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

1. Canon EOS R paired with the Sigma 24-70mm. 

2. Leatherman Wave+ Multi-tool for fixing boats (or anything else), making food in the bush or removing a 1/0 Gama from the jaws of a tigerfish. 

3. Pocketknife – fishing or for everyday use, it never leaves my side.  

“Trust that the information given is well considered and more than just a suggestion.”

4. Yeti Rambler filled with strong French press coffee. 

5. First aid kit. 

5 bands to listen to while on a road trip? 

1. Chance Peña. 

2. Mumford & Sons.  

3. Ben Howard. 

4. Bakermat, to get amped for the mission.  

5. 80s rock – Bon Jovi, Journey, Bryan Adams. 

5 things you are loving right now?  

1. The Orvis Helios 3D. I am yet to fish the new Helios, but I’ve loved every Helios Orvis has released, and the 3D in a 6-weight and 7-weight has served me well across South Africa. 

2. The VT (Vusi Thembekwayo) podcast which covers topics ranging from business to inspiration coupled with the genesis of things. 

3. The access to hiking trails in Clarens and Golden Gate Highlands National Park.  

4. The evolution of editing and photography. It’s a familiar journey but one I am far from mastering.  

5. Patagonia’s Rio Gallegos waders. I’ve used and abused them for over three years and they still endure every trip I do on the Ash River.  

5 indispensable flies for saltwater? 

1. Bucktail Clouser.  

2. Sculpting fibre and craft fur baitfish.  

3. Mini Semper. 

4. 10mm Foam Flipper.  

5. NYAP.

5 indispensable flies for freshwater? 

1. PTN variation.  

2. Shuttlecock.  

3. Stimulator tied with CDC. 

4. Feather Changer.  

5. Sculpting fibre and craft fur baitfish.  

5 favourite fly fishing destinations across Africa? 

1. Richtersveld.  

2. Pongola Dam. 

3. Breede River.  

4. Ash River.  

5. Koue Bokkeveld for Clannies.  

5 of the most difficult guiding/teaching experiences so far? 

1. Guiding an 82-year-old, stone-deaf client on the lower Orange River for five days. It was challenging but I would do it again in a heartbeat. Dave, you’re a legend! 

2. When your client decides to polish off a bottle of hard tack on the boat by himself before the day ends.  

“Every now and then you get someone who, regardless of how many trips they do, shows no improvement.”

3. My first week on the lower Orange, having never rowed a raft before or seen that section of the river. Aged 19 I was like a deer in headlights.  

4. Guiding or giving casting lessons to the “unteachables”.  Every now and then you get someone who, regardless of how many trips they do, shows no improvement.  

5. Having almost every pool and section of river that produced the majority of trophy 10-20lb largies in one season, not produce a single trophy fish the following season.  

5 of the best things you have picked up from guiding? 

1. I’ve always been a patient person, but guiding took that to a new dimension. 

2. The ability to be a chameleon and have a conversation with both a billionaire and the man on the street.  

3. A drive and appreciation for the need to conserve.  

4. To listen more than I speak.  

5. To embrace the energy of the client. If you’re there to have a good time, look at birds, talk about life – I’m all for it. 

5 things you didn’t expect about your career in fly fishing? 

1. To have met the people I have.  

2. The involvement in retail and business and all the other “behind the scenes” things that make the guiding possible.  

3. That I didn’t pursue the allure of guiding in the Seychelles. 

4. A newfound obsession for anadromous species (fish that live in the sea and migrate into freshwater to spawn).  

5. Quite honestly, the pushback from multiple people when I first wanted to make this my career.  

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

1. Double Barrel Popper.  

2. Bucktail and SF Clouser.  

3. Woolly Bugger variation tied on a B10S with a gold tungsten bead. 

4. Tuscan Bunny.  

5. CDC Emerger.  

Read the rest of Nathan’s pearls of wisdom in The Mission Issue 47 (Sep/Oct 2024) below, for free.