It’s been a while since I’ve been fishing for an Eastern Cape Stillwater troot but a recent trip to the land of milk and honey for a family event got me thinking back to the glory days. The Stormberg and Winterberg are particularly special places to me and these high-altitude waters, which are often large [...]
If you regularly spend time in South Africa's premier trout fishing town of Dullstroom, then you get to know the fly shops, outfitters and guides. Mavungana Flyfishing does all three and can lay justifiably claim to being the town's best-known fly fishing destination (outside of the actual stillwaters). That didn't happen overnight. 'The Story' goes [...]
As far as fishing towns go, there are few places in South Africa that surpass Dullstroom. If he’s not out guiding clients you’re likely to meet local legend John Thoabala behind the counter of Mavungana Flyfishing’s Dullstroom store. Buy him a cup of tea, then ask him where the lunkers are because, if anyone knows [...]
Deadly on stillwaters, but essential in pretty much any freshwater fly box, the Skinny Damsel also covers many essential fly tying techniques and tips. In this quick video, Gordon van der Spuy, aka The Feather Mechanic, shows us how to tie the Skinny Damsel. For more on this pattern and other brilliant fly tying advice, [...]
Think of strippers and it’s likely that what comes to mind are poles and dancing, grinding booty, thongs flying through the air, names like Candy and Crystal (possibly the odd Chad), dollar bills and lap dances. You might remember that one friend who claims he’s “made a connection”; bouncers ushering you outside; a hangover from [...]
What happened when The Rhodes University Fly Fishing Club went to fish Thrift Dam. This excerpt comes from Neil Hiestermann's issue 25 story, IN BETWEEN CATCHING FISH, one of three focused on the legendary Eastern Cape stillwater, Thrift Dam. Fish on at Thrift Dam. Photo David Taylor "At the top of NO THRO [...]
A rapid-fire catchup with the big guy of Dullstroom, Mavungana Flyfishing’s Collen Tshabangu. As featured in The Mission Issue 04. 5 best things about Dullstroom No one can predict the weather. We can fish for trout all year round without any problems. We have access to properties with dams and a stretch of a river. It’s [...]
This post comes from Tom Sutcliffe's website (www.tomsutcliffe.co.za) and it will link with the next post (Triple CDC body flies) on Feathers and Fluoro: A useful dry fly for lake and river fishing, a good DDD needs some care and attention to tie properly. It also needs practice and it’s not easy to just sit [...]
Perhaps South Africa's most renowned dragonfly pattern, Herman Botes's Papa Roach has accounted for a lot of trophy stillwater trout, plus many other species in between. A year or two back at the Fly Fishing and Fly Tying Expo, I shot this Step-By-Step of Herman tying his pattern. For more on Herman, check out 'The [...]
Mark Schwartz and his longtime fishing buddy (and fellow disabled angler) Duggie Wessels took on the might of the Lakenvlei farm gate security system. Hilarity ensued. Monday – I call Duggie. “Dude we need to get to Lakies.” He agrees. A call to Cape Piscatorial Society seals the deal. On Friday we are off to [...]
