Radio Pretoria het op 7 Mei 2012 ‘n lewendige opname vanaf Treeferns Trout Lodge uitgesaai. Die opname is gedoen en uitgesaai deur Dr Kriek van der Merwe bygestaan deur Jaap Roux, die klank regiseur en Emile Deysel, tegnikus.  Dit het gegaan oor vlieghengel van forelle. Dr Kriek is een van die mees ervare vlieghengelaars in die land en hy bied ‘n gereelde hengelprogram Saterdae om 14h00 op Radio Pretoria aan. Jaap Roux is ewe bekend onder Radio Pretoria luisteraars. Op die foto hieronder is vlnr Dr Kriek, Jaap  en Emile.

Treeferns is proud of  its serving the community. We are so blessed by the Lord that we want to share His Grace with all. We therefore pray to the Lord that each and everyone visiting us experience His Holy Presence abundantly in a very personal way. Consequently we practice leniency in satisfying the expectations of our customers. Of course we can’t do it for free for all as our upkeep needs funds. At least we can try to accommodate deserving  instances as far as we can, eg. pensioners, church, and school groups, and children qualify for a discount.  Groups of 20 plus people are also considered for rebates. You are well advised to book now to avoid disappointment. Looking forward to hearing from you.  See what you will be missing if you pass on this :

Wild goose in flight

South Africa is a birding destination with no comparison. The total number of bird species south of the Zambesi-river, viz. 945, makes it the most desirable bird watching area on the continent. Likewise, Treeferns Trout Lodge and immediate environment boast a bird paradise. It is therefore no surprise that it on 27 – 29 November 2009 the West Rand Birding Club (WRBC), 19 members of which were hosted by Treeferns Trout Lodge, whilst enjoying a most delightful weekend in perfect birding weather, identified and confirmed 88 different species of birds at Treeferns, and another 40 more species on the surrounding farms, i.e. a total of 128 .

Our sincere thanks to John Burtenshaw, Member( above left), a much esteemed and regular customer at Treeferns, who started it all, Hennie Bornman, Chairman (WRBC)(right), and members who contributed.

The WRBC is a satellite of the Witwatersrand Birding Club and has 30 active members.

Here is a list of the names of the birds identified and confirmed by members of the Club. Peter Greaves, also a member of the WRBC, captured the sightings of the birds at Treeferns and surroundings onto a database that he built himself, using the Roberts Six (Old) and Roberts Seven (New) names. The lists here-under are the New names.

Thank you , Peter!

Peter will be happy to respond to any enquiries/comments. His contact details are :

Watch the birds :

At Treeferns Trout Lodge, apart from rendering an excellent service,  we also believe in staying visible in the market through advertising of our products, viz. accommodation and flyfishing. The measurement of our “sales” or success is occupancy and bed nights or use of the facilities, which accounts for  most of our revenue. The advertising media most often used are :

•  internet

• Google adwords

•  advertising in magazines

•  radio

•  agencies

•  word of mouth

•  notice boards

•  sponsorships

Of these word of mouth, the internet, our web site, and advertising in TCFF proved to be the most effective.

INTERNET

We have a very extended and dynamic web site, www.treeferns.co.za soliciting a large amount of traffic focussed on trout fishing – as shown by the February 2012 results  :

Average hits  per day- 130

Average unique visitors per day – 50

ADVERTISING

The magazine mostly contracted to advertise in, is TCFF. The response is always very positive, and compare favourably with the Internet. The quality is of a high standard as can be seen from the picture below.

RADIO

We also advertise on Radio Pulpit by means of a sponsorship :

and Radio Pretoria in the programme  “Hengel Parade” on Saturdays.

WORD of MOUTH

By far the most bookings come through “Word of mouth”, i.e. guests telling friends and family, and re-visits :

AGENCIES

Booking agencies, viz. Dullstroom Reservations, Mpumalanga Tourism, and Farmstay make bookings for a number of venues, and we also participate in this.

SPONSORSHIPS

Sponsorships or prizes for flyfishing competitions held by clubs, eg. Belfast, Machadodorp, TCFF Sterkfontein Event, and FOSAF are sympathetically considered..

♣

A frequently asked question by visitors concerns the marketing of livestock, and in particular cattle. It is therefore apt to publish a brief summary on the web site on how the system works.

The farmer (producer or seller) can sell his product direct to the public, butcher or abbatoir. However, because he feels often vulnerable with the direct marketing of his product, he prefers to use an intermediary or agent. Usually it is done through the more orderly means of auctions where the farmer offers his product, and the prospective buyer makes a bid. Normally the farmer sells to the highest bidder.

The process is facilitated by an agent or auctioneer, who presents the product to the prospective buyers  present. Cattle are brought into a weigh ring enabling seller and buyer alike to immediately calculate the value at current price/kilogram. If the farmer accepts the product goes to the buyer who bids the highest.

By using an registered agent, farmers can be assured that their interests are best served by an accredited person. The agent earns a commission for services rendered. Agents are required to register with the Agricultural Produce Agents Council (APAC).

♣