Leading a double life usually suggests some sort of deception or infidelity but, in Juan Rossouw’s case, it’s literally the structure of his world as he divides his time between guiding on the Indian Ocean atoll of St Brandon with FlyCastaway, and his home base of Nottingham Road, KwaZulu-Natal, where he runs his hunting dogs and guides for scalies and trout with WildFly. 

 5 best things about where you guide?   

• 1. Getting to our Natal yellowfish (scalie) fisheries is like being in the bush. It might be a little rough and difficult at times, but every moment is a beautiful adventure and a memory made. 
• 2. The fishery at St Brandon is simply spectacular and wildly unique.  
• 3. The guide team. When times get rough in the middle of the Indian Ocean, it helps having good banter. And, of course, Jarred (Newell) and I love having a crack at Milan Germishuizen. 
• 4. The chef, Hans. When we do experience a bleeder out on the water, at least we can look forward to a great dinner! 
• 5. An ice-cold beer after a day out, regardless of whether it was a cracker day or not, is always welcome. 

5 indispensable flies for saltwater? 

• 1. The Beast Fly. 
• 2. Milan’s Merkin. 
• 3. Crazy Charlie. 
• 4. Flexo white/tan. 
• 5. Tan GT Brushie. 

5 things (outside of the fishing) that make where you fish so special? 

• 1. The isolation.  
• 2. Being in remote places with limited contact with the outside world makes you appreciate coming home and being around family. 
• 3. The people in the background putting all the blood, sweat and tears into making these relatively untouched fishing destinations a reality. 
• 4. The beauty of St Brandon and its diverse marine life is something I’ll never get used to. 
• 5. Epic sunsets.  

SHOP THE MISSION

5 indispensable flies for freshwater? 

• 1. CDC Elk Hair Caddis. 
• 2. Olive red eye damsel.  
• 3. Shuttlecock. 
• 4. PTN with a CDC collar. 
• 5. And a couple of foam frogs.  

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

• 1. Steel fabrication. I would love to have a workshop with all the toys. 
• 2. I would enjoy being involved with some kind of conservation organisation. 
• 3. My own wing-shooting outfit. 
• 4. Spending more time with my family. 
• 5. Bow hunting. 

Read the rest of Juan’s interview in issue 53 below.