THE MISSION ISSUE 25

– The Feathers Award. From massive fresh and saltwater fish, to species never caught on fly before and some amazing stories, there were some incredible entries tho this the inaugural competition. Unfortunately, like Duncan McLeod of Highlander fame, there can only be one. The judges have spoken.
– Talking of big fish, we’ve got former Springbok Bob Skinstad giving us the low-down on a recent ‘Tour de Cosmo’ with Alphonse Fishing Company. Not everything that goes on tour, stays on tour.
– As for oddities, look no further than ‘When the River Ran Red’ when Gareth Tate and Craig Pappin lucked into reef-dwelling santer in a southern Cape estuary.
– For a change of temperature, we have Thrift three ways (not to be confused with a Thrift threeway which sounds like a cheap orgy). This includes a story by Neil Hiestermann, featuring David Taylor, Michael Pyle and the RUFFC (Rhodes University Fly Fishing Club); a brief interlude by Ed Herbst on Eastern Cape trout stocking legend Martin Davies and a second story by LeRoy Botha on a Thrift trip he did with Kyle Ovens.
– For something a little smaller, we dive deep into the Drakensberg as Matt Gorlei and Shaun Dickson go in search of wily rainbows in ‘Injasuit Muti’.

Then there’s Flycastaway guide Brendan Becker’s story about his grandfather, fly fishing and the circle of life, a High 5s with the nicest fly fishing guide you will ever meet in Platon Trakoshis, a Lifer with futurist Clem Sunter, The Little Guy with Mama Alles, books from Tom Sutcliffe, Bitterkomix and Rebecca Giggs, drinks from Red Rock Brewery, Thorne and Daughters and Crabbie Whisky, a Country-ish playlist of tunes and a ton of gear.

Rejoice brethren and sister for no matter what 2021 dishes up, at least you still have The Mission.

Cover photo: Henkie Altena of Karoolskraal Fly Fishing Camp