One of the recent stars of the fast-growing ladies competition fly fishing division, Amy Bo Visser, is the no.2 ranked women’s angler in South Africa, and at the recent world champs in the USA, she was the highest placed South African. 

Get us up to speed on your background in fly fishing?

I grew up in an outdoorsy family, and it was my dad who first introduced me to fishing. I started out in estuaries during family holidays and at trout farms around Gauteng whenever I had the chance. It was at these spots that friendly anglers introduced me to fly fishing – and it stuck.

About six or seven years ago, a family friend invited me to join a ladies’ team for a fly fishing event. That was my first taste of competitive fly fishing, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I’ve learned so much in a relatively short time, thanks to the incredible community that’s supported and taught me. I’ve been fortunate to compete in 7 Ladies Nationals, 3 Senior Nationals, 1 Commonwealth Championship, and 3 Ladies World Championships. Our best team result came recently in the USA in 2025, where we earned a bronze medal – and I was thrilled to place 6th individually.

The Vaal River is my local favourite fishery – it offers so much variety and challenges. I’m lucky to fish often, and travel is part of the journey, so I also make regular trips to the Kwa-Zulu Natal waters and Cape streams. Fly fishing is a big part of my life, and I’m grateful for the time I get to spend on the water. Whether I’m training with focus, enjoying a relaxed session with friends, or teaching others, it’s all about enjoyment for me. I especially love sharing what I’ve learned and helping others grow.

Competitive fly fishing isn’t just about intensity or chasing numbers – there’s enjoyment in a perfect drift, learning a new knot, understanding fish behaviour, or spending quiet time behind the fly tying vise.

How has womens competition fly fishing changed over the years?

The foundation of this sport in South Africa is rich, built by passionate pioneers who paved the way. In recent years, one word captures the momentum: growth.

• ⁠Growth in numbers – We’ve welcomed so many new faces into the sport, not just for competition, but also for learning, connection, and exposure.

•⁠  ⁠Growth in skills and knowledge – The women competing today are raising the bar, often going head-to-head with the senior open division, which is largely male-dominated. Their skill, determination, and dedication are truly inspiring and making a real impact. The newer ladies are also achieving, for example at a recent event, some ladies caught more fish in 1 day, than they have in years fishing alone.

A strong focus on sharing knowledge and creating learning opportunities is key to getting more women involved in fly fishing and helping them succeed – whatever success looks like for them.

We’re also learning a great deal from international teams – observing how they add value through structured training, mentorship, and community-building. These insights help us refine our own approach and continue growing the sport locally in a way that’s inclusive, sustainable, and empowering.

You have recently achieved all time best results for ladies. What does this mean to you?

Winning the team medal at the Ladies World Championship is a powerful reflection of the belief, skill, knowledge, determination, and countless hours of dedication poured in by the ladies – and everyone who supports them.

We’ve proven that our abilities, skills and knowledge stand shoulder to shoulder with the biggest names in the sport, like the USA and Czech Republic. What sets us apart, though, is our gees – South African energy. Our fun-loving spirit and positive vibes shine through – whether it’s during fish-offs, singing on the bus, or getting everyone hyped during warm-ups. That unmistakable South African gees follows us wherever we go!

This medal is more than just a win – it’s a boost of belief in our approach and our talent. For so long, we may have seen ourselves as trailing behind the rest of the world, but this proves we’re right up there! I’m incredibly excited about how this achievement can inspire more women to dive into fly fishing, learn, and get involved.

⁠Like in most angling niches, women are underrepresented in fly fishing. How is the womens competition fly fishing scene changing this dynamic?

The last few years our focus has been learning, sharing, growing skills and encouraging more ladies to try fly fishing – and it seems to be working.

We are getting more and more ladies involved – each for their own reasons. Some are competitive and want to catch many fish and win medals; some are here to learn so they can fish more with their hubby or kids; some use fly fishing as a way to relax and socialise and others use this sport to escape or heal. The ladies competition fly fishing community is South Africa has place for all of these and more.

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Do you get the sense that you are flying the flag for women in fly fishing?

I serve on the South African Fly Fishing Association (SAFFA) committee as the Ladies Coordinator, where I have the privilege of representing and supporting the women’s division. It’s an honour – and yes, there’s a bit of pressure I guess – but I genuinely love seeing other women catch fish, have fun, and thrive. It’s incredibly rewarding.

When it comes to results, our best performances have come when we focus on enjoying ourselves. We get to do what we love, in some of the most beautiful parts of South Africa and the world, while meeting amazing people along the way. That’s a privilege in itself. At the heart of it, we’re just a group of women who love the outdoors, love fly fishing, and have a great time doing it.

Are there any barriers to entry to fly fishing that impact women more than they do men?

In South Africa, it can be quite challenging to go fishing alone – especially as a woman – which can be limiting. On top of that, balancing family life, work, kids, and fishing is no small task. That said, some of our most passionate and inspiring lady anglers fish as a family, with everyone getting involved—and that’s amazing to see. Of course, like many others, we also face the usual barriers of time and cost, but despite these challenges, the community continues to grow and thrive.

⁠Why do you think competition fly fishing in general gets so much flack from outside views?

I think it’s often mis-understood. Because we fish so frequently, it might appear – at a surface level – that we’re careless with the fish or the environment, but the reality is quite the opposite.

We use gear, techniques, and fish-handling practices that are designed to minimize impact and promote sustainability. We also invest significantly in the industry – supporting tourism, guides, tackle shops, and more. Beyond that, we actively share effective techniques and uphold rules that ensure responsible catch-and-release practices. We’re deeply committed to this sport, and that commitment extends to caring for the environment and the fish we love.

What do you enjoy about the competition fly fishing scene?

1.⁠ ⁠Community – I have people I have met through comp fishing are passionate and a lot of fun – these friends are like family. I have had support from this community through highs and lows of fishing events and life in general. When it comes to a blank, we all sure the same level of pain – comp angler or not 

2.⁠ ⁠Learning – there always something new to learn or explore – new flies, knots, techniques or fly patterns.

3.⁠ ⁠Opportunities – I’ve had the chance to fish often, catch plenty of fish, and explore incredible places across South Africa and the world.

4.⁠ ⁠Challenge – I love pushing myself to improve in everything I do. While competition isn’t for everyone, there’s definitely something in this sport for everyone to enjoy.

What would you change about competition fly fishing if you could?

Not could – can. Being part of SAFFA gives me the opportunity to actively shape and improve the competitive fly fishing scene – for the fish, the environment, and for both current and future anglers. I’m passionate about changing the perception of competitive fly fishing, and I’m truly grateful for opportunities like this to share, connect, and engage with others.

For the full redux on competition fly fishing, read “Different Strokes” from issue 53 of The Mission below. It’s free!