As an AFFILIATE MEMBER of FOSAF,  Treeferns Trout Lodge offers a 15% discount to all FOSAF members on ID.

FOSAF’S OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER – NUMBER 31 – FEBRUARY 2011

EDITORIAL: FOSAF CHAIRMAN’S 2010/11 ANNUAL REPORT – Ilan Lax Chairman of FOSAF

INTRODUCTION

This report is being written early to allow for the fact that our AGM and EXCO are being held slightly earlier than usual.  It is once again my pleasure to report to the membership on our activities in the year under review and to thank you all for making it a positive year for FOSAF.  As always a special thanks a due to Liz and Stuart Tough for the efficient manner in which they manage FOSAF and for the travel arrangements, logistics and organisation of the EXCO.

EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT:

State: We continue to await the outcome of the NEM:BA regulations process.  The drafting and mapping exercises have been long completed and the delay by the authorities is worrying.  We remain hopeful that the framework will provide a practical and pragmatic approach to what has proved a divisive and challenging set of issues.  FOSAF remains committed to working with the relevant authorities to achieve a win-win solution in the interests of anglers and the environment.  Each chapter interacts with their provincial authority and provides a useful conduit for communication with anglers.

Public: At last year’s EXCO FOSAF agreed to improve its outreach with the media and reaffirmed its connection to Flyfishing magazine.  All media releases and public information are provided to all interested media on an independent and transparent basis.  We believe we can do more to get our message across to anglers in general and will need to find creative and novel approaches to achieve this.  Peter Arderne must be thanked for his continuing efforts to update the website.

Anglers: The launch of the FOSAF Guide to Fly-Fishing Destinations in SA marks a further milestone for our publications.  The new guide not only improves upon the previous editions but also provides up-to-date and well researched information on each region, the different species, techniques, flies and accommodation options.  The team, lead by Bill Mincher, deserve high praise for this outstanding publication.

INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT:

EXCO: The EXCO met on a face to face basis after last year’s AGM and the meeting was conducted in a positive and constructive spirit.  We set some useful goals and debated some difficult issues.  We achieved a measure of consensus that augured well for the year ahead.

FOSAF NATIONAL 2011 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Notice is hereby given that the 24^th Annual General Meeting of The Federation of Southern African Flyfishers will be held at the Bowls Lounge, Bryanston Sports Club, Payne Road, Bryanston, Johannesburg at 19h00 for 19h30 on Friday 11^th February 2011

Chapters: Full chapter reports will be forthcoming at the EXCO however I will briefly note some observations:

Eastern Cape: Martin and Jess Fick have stood down after five years at the helm. Alan Hobson has assumed the leadership of an able team comprising representatives of most clubs.  I attended the EC AGM and found the chapter to be in good health.  I believe we have turned the corner and look forward to working with Alan and his team to take flyfishing in the EC forward.  I thank them and Brian Clark in particular for their exceptional hospitality during my visit. The positive outcome in the Ugie and Maclear area underscores the fact that working together can bear fruit.

Northvaal: Peter Mills continues to provide able leadership and Peter Arderne’s steadfast efforts ensure the efficient functioning and management the various projects allocated to this chapter which remains in a healthy state.

The Western Cape: Leonard Flemming who has lead the committee for the last few years left to pursue career opportunities and was succeeded by Gerald Penkler.  The committee continues to work in an harmonious and cooperative manner balancing the interests of indigenous species and trout and engaging in important outreach activities.

KZN: As noted last year Jim Read continues to provide sound and wise leadership.  The chapter continues its good relationship with EKZNW and other stakeholders and continues to participate in the province’s freshwater fishing liaison committee. The clubs in the region remain active. Increasing interest from anglers indicates a shift for the better and I believe that there are useful lessons that could be shared with other regions.

Free State: Dirk Human has had a difficult year and has struggled to achieve cooperation from the various groups of flyfishers in the region. We remain grateful for his efforts at developing a FOSAF presence and focus in this important region.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE

Dr Bill Bainbridge continues to ably guide the team. The year not seen as much activity as previous years although the committee has reviewed a number of projects and articles submitted for comment.  The committee remains vigilant to the outcome of the NEM:BA process and will address any challenges that may emerge.

STRATEGIC PLAN

As noted last year I still feel there is room for FOSAF to be more proactive.  Despite reviewing progress against the strategic targets we set ourselves I feel we did not achieve as much as we had hoped to do.  We will have to work harder in the year ahead to realise some of the goals we set ourselves.

CONCLUSION

I think it is important to note that FOSAF is a voluntary organisation.  Yet whilst its members are all volunteers, we mange to achieve a huge amount and FOSAF’s legacy is monumental.  We need to do more to broadcast and celebrate these achievements.

My thanks go out the each and every member who contributes no matter how large or small.  In particular though, I would like to thank: the secretariat of Stuart and Liz Tough for their committed and consistent backup; John Webber for dealing with our Audit and the preparation of our AFS with the detail and care he always applies; our President Andrew Levy and vice presidents Tom Sutcliffe and Bill Mincher for their consistent wise counsel, and my colleagues on the EXCO for their support and commitment.

I remain willing and look forward to working with you again in the year ahead to address the challenges facing FOSAF and to promote fly-fishing.

Members 2011 unpaid annual statements are enclosed with this newsletter.

Kindly advise if there are any changes to your contact details.

The new FOSAF Guide to Fly-Fishing Destinations in Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean is now available to 2011 paid up members at the discount price of R160,00

The member’s special for 2011 members includes the Favoured Flies series of FOSAF books, Vol 1 , Vol 2, Vol 3, Vol 4 and Vol 5 all for the price R490.00

PLEASE NOTE THE OFFICE PHONE IS 011 467 5992 . THE FAX NUMBER IS 086 671 0110

IT’S NOT ABOUT THE FLY – Tim Rolston

A mostly imaginary scenario on a trout stream.

There are a few trout rising here and there on the crystal clear stream, the angler, a seasoned veteran carefully looks for signs of fish, ignoring the one rising in the distance for the moment. He knows that there is a good chance that there will be another trout close at hand and that an injudicious step will probably spook the unseen quarry and more than likely upset the riser as well.

He cleans is polarized glasses and scans the pockets in front of him, taking special care to look right at the back where the fish frequently hold and are as frequently spooked by an incautious fisherman. A shadow gradually turns into a feeding fish as he focuses carefully. The trout is in a tricky spot, the currents are complex and drag, on this stream a dead giveaway to the trout, has to be avoided. He could make a reach mend but that is risky and if he can edge a little closer and close down the angle he will make the cast much more easily.

He has taken some trouble in preparing for his outing, his clothing is dull and muted and his shirt is actually camouflage just to be on the safe side. He has matted down the blank of his rod to avoid unnecessary rod flash and has removed his watch. His fishing reel is matt black, the shiny silver ones look nice in the shop but pragmatism suggests the dull tackle will catch more fish. Anything that might glint is hidden inside his vest and he moves cautiously so as not to bang the rocks together as he wades.

The fish have been tricky, catch and release has educated them and he knows that he probably won’t have a second chance. The leader has been lengthened to something in the region of eighteen feet, and fined down to 7X in the hope of hiding the presentation and giving a more natural float to the fly.

He selects a fly from his box and carefully sharpens it with a diamond dust hook hone, no matter what it says on the packet about chemical sharpening. Our angler knows that there is no point in going to all this trouble to fish with a blunt hook; he tests it on his finger before he is satisfied. Then he adds a hint of fly floatant paste, he doesn’t like the sprays as they tend to spread over the rest of the leader and make the tippet float. He carefully degreases the tippet with another paste, at pains to use different fingers and avoid adding floatant where it isn’t wanted. The leader itself is monofilament, braided leaders in these situations, the angler knows, spray water and scare fish and fluorocarbon, although he uses that in the dams, isn’t as flexible as the mono and won’t give quite such good presentation.

He has glued the butt of the leader into the tip of the fly line, knots at this junction will catch in the rod rings, making casting tricky and possibly leading to the loss of a fish should the joint catch up at a critical point during the fight.

In fact our angler doesn’t like knots much at all, so he has used a tapered leader for the first nine feet and then added sections of various diameters to achieve the final result. He has tested it and refined it based on the flies he is using and the wind conditions of the day and is satisfied that it is turning over well, giving both accuracy and slack at the same time. He doesn’t want to make a mistake; this is going to be a one cast shot before the fish spooks. Finally he is ready, pulling line off the reel and estimating the distance the angler makes a trial cast upstream and away from the fish, insuring that he can see the tiny fly and that he has got the distance correct. Finally he makes his cast, landing the fly just a foot or two in front of the fish and directly in the current lane in which the trout is feeding. He mends the line slightly where it is going a little faster under his rod tip and waits.

MEMBERS DRAW

The winner of the February/March 2011 members draw is David Lawrence of Parklands in Johannesburg whose prize is a self-catering weekend at Engeleni Lodge in the Kamberg Valley.

He can see that the fish has spotted the pattern, its demeanor in the water has changed, looking more focused than a moment previously and tipping its fins the trout rises in the water to intercept the fly. Not so much a take, more allowing the pattern to drift straight down its throat such was the accuracy of the cast. A pause and the angler strikes, immediately giving line to protect the fine tippet and allowing the soft actioned rod to absorb the shock as the startled fish takes off. A brisk battle and the trout is netted and released, it is the twentieth one for the morning and that probably took not a lot more than fifty casts to achieve.

As he puts the fish back into the water a voice from the bushes, an angler has been watching from a distance, “what fly are you using?” he asks..

It is the perennial call of the uninitiated, a question of almost hallowed import and so far from the mark as to make it laughable. Although perhaps the fly made a difference it isn’t the main reason for our angler’s success. Most fly fishermen put far too much stock on

the pattern and that in itself leads them to ignore all the other little refinements that go into good fishing and success on the water. Anglers like Pascal Cognard who has individually won numerous World Fly Fishing Championships on various continents isn’t successful because each time he ventures out he has a different fly to everyone else. It is technique and preparation that produce the results and whilst a selection of flies may well add to the confidence of the fisherman and provide options on difficult days, the fly box is only one of many variables which need to be mastered for success. If you are battling next time you are out on the water, give a thought to all those other things before you start changing flies, it will probably be worth the effort.

DISCOUNTS FROM FOSAF AFFILIATES AND MEMBER CLUBS

Discounts are available to FOSAF members from the following Affiliate Resorts:

Southern Drakensburg/KZN: Giants Cup Wilderness Reserve, Lake Naverone, Riverlea, Wild Dog Estate and Sani Valley Flyfishing and Game Lodge.

Gauteng and Mpumulanga: Kloofzicht, Misty Valley Lodge, Elgro Lodge, Stonecutters Lodge and Vaal Streams.

Discounts are available to FOSAF members from the following Affiliates: Angling Africa, and Frontier Flyfishing, and from the following Member Clubs: Underberg/Himeville, Belfast, Clarens, Dullstroom and Waterval Boven.

Contact details and information are available from Liz 011 467 5992 and on the FOSAF website.

AFFILIATE SPONSORS

Finsbury Estate, Anford Country House, Highland Run, Katrinasrust, Komati Gorge Lodge, Lunsklip Fisheries, Millstream, Oxbow Country Estate, Stealth Rod and Reel, Transvaal Fly Fishers Club, Tudor Estates, Verlorenkloof, Whiskey Creek, Winchester Marketing, Mavungana and Nooitegedacht Trout Reserve.

Details are on the FOSAF website – www.fosaf.co.za

Official newsletter of the Belfast Fly Fishing Association

“THE WATERS, THE FISH, THE BEST”

PO BOX 799, BELFAST 1100.

TEL. (013) 253-0748 FAX  086 502 9280

EMAIL:  bffa@lantic.net

_______________NEWSLETTER NO. 56 __MARCH 2011________________

Dear Bel-fly Readers

Looking out the window at the trees after a sudden shower of rain, one can see almost fairly-like little lights on the leaves from the sun shining on the raindrops that still hang on the leaves. What a magical sight!

Just for a moment, before reality kicks back in and facing the current situation almost hits you right in the stomach! There is nothing magical about the dire state of the financial situation of the BFFA. For the last two months we have not been able to pay a salary to our administration officer/Secretary Magda. Maintenance is being paid for by various members of the committee to pay the workers to clean the dams. The stocking costs for one dam have already been paid for by a committee member. March’s stocking of dam 7 is also to be paid by a committee member and a member of the club is sponsoring the cost of stocking for the ladies competition in May.

Urgent repairs are needed to the jetties, fencing is required and paints for the club house just to name a few. Where do we start, with only 64 members having paid their subs for the financial year, 01 07 2010 to 30 06 2011? Must we look to closing the club or are you all going to bring in members, sponsors and corporate days to increase funds. We, the committee, can no longer do it alone without the help of other members.

We have also been faced with the need to increase rod fees and cutting the number of fish taken in view of the ever increasing cost of trout, with effect from April 1^st 2011.

Even if you are a man, get ladies involved in the Ladies Competition, and ladies, please support our venture as most members never support competitions and they are our main fund raisers.

A huge hug of appreciation to our Curamus friends that have once again chosen to visit BFFA on 26 March 2011 for their closing function as well as their continuous support to the Club throughout the years.  We are looking forward to having a small group of you here for the day and we hope you will once again enjoy our hospitality and a great day of fishing!

Please note the Wing Shooting Competition to be held on Saturday, 9 April 2011, as a fundraising effort. Your support is vital.  If not possible to enter please tell your friends about it.

Please respond to this news letter and tell us what YOU think should be done and what YOU can do to get YOUR Club back on its feet.

Regards

From Your committee.

2010 / 2011 Committee

Chairman: Johan Visagie;  Treasurer: Janet Hendrikz;  Secretary: Magda Visagie

Members: Basil van Loggenberg, Gerhard Visagie, Kevin Harvey, Heather Harvey, Dave Hepworth,

Allan Groves, Louw Alberts.

SUBS

Please note that yearly subscriptions were due from July 1^st 2010.  A reminder to pensioners 60 years & older of the 30% discount!

PERMITS

As mentioned the committee have been faced with the need to increase rod fees and cutting the number of fish taken in view of the ever increasing cost of trout. Bags will now be limited to one, two or three fish only taken per day to encourage anglers to practice catch and release. When purchasing your permit for the day you will select and pay for your bag limit. The new structure will be as follows:

Members:                    R50 for one trout;       R100 for two trout;     R150 for three trout

Non-members              R100 – one trout;       R150 – two trout;       R200 – three trout

UPCOMING EVENTS

26/03/11:                    Curamus Year End Function

09/04/11:                    Wing shooting Competition (See attached leaflet)

21/05/11 :                   Belfast Ladies Competition  (See attached entry form)

25/06/11 :                   Curamus Competition for Disabled persons

30/07/11 :                   ‘Jack Frost’ Floating Trophy Competition

30/09-02/10/11 :         September Fly Fishing Festival & BFFA AGM

MPUMALANGA FLY FISHING ASSOCIATION

A notice was recently sent out to everybody regarding a meeting to be held 26/02/11 about the formation of the Mpumalanga Fly Fishing Association. At this meeting a steering committee was elected to do the ground work like affiliate to SAFFA, register the constitution, open a bank account and so on, so that the benefits of the sports act can be accessed by all anglers. If more people affiliate to the Province we will have a bigger say on the issue of trout being an invader species and the Government’s effort to eradicate them. The trout industry in South Africa contributes millions each year towards the economy. This will also improve facilities for junior, ladies and disabled anglers. Mpumalanga has been subdivided over the years and we need to unite it so we can be the top province in South Africa. The formation of the MFFA will be instrumental in reaching these goals.

The following persons were unanimously elected to positions on the steering committee:

Lyle smith (Chairman)

Terry Babich (Vice Chairman)

Magda Visagie (Secretary)

Russel Komlosy (Treasurer)

Tom Bouwer (Development and Advisor for the disabled)

Sue Babich (Marketing/ Liaison Officer)

Paul Valet (Safety Officer)

For more information please feel free to contact Lyle Smith 083 395 1134

Okavango Adventure and the Delta Spa Treatment.

“What do you mean you don’t have a torch?  Surely you have a radio?  There must be cell phone reception here?  No first aid kit?  No flares?  No islands to camp on?”

These were all the questions we had for our guide when our friend’s boat broke down and we had to tow it back to camp through all the tiny channels in the Okavango Delta – at night!  Luckily our guide knew the route well as one wrong turn would have left us stranded out all night with the hippos and crocks.  The papyrus is over 2m tall and lines the narrow channels where there are no landmarks with turnoffs into dead end channels left and right. Our guide grew up in the area and knew the route out from the lagoon where our camp was onto the main river.

Our friend’s boat broke down just as we were heading back from a brilliant days tiger fishing the “barbell run” in the main river.  It was the first of 4 days fishing.  There were no little islands on to which they could tie off the disabled boat, so we had to load all the people into our boat and tow it back to camp.  We looked like refugee “boat people”.  The trip should have taken 45 minutes at normal speed, but it took 2 hours and we traveled most of the way in the dark.  Maybe it is just as well that we didn’t have a torch as we might have seen all the eyes of the lurking crocodiles staring at us sizing us up for a meal.  A torch would have helped to avoid, what we later called “the delta spa treatment.”  The “papyrus peal” was when your face was, not so gently, abraded by shooting through stands of papyrus that you could not see.  The “insect mask” was a mixture of goggos that smashed into your face (and hair and teeth) and later when washed off revealed the rejuvenating properties of bug juice.  The “adrenaline rush” caused by the uncertainty of making it through the night, was great for the heart and made you feel extremely youthful when we actually did make it through the night!

But as they say, an adventure is something you talk about, but a tragedy…. well, it could have been, but luckily it was just another adventure!

When the spa was over and we reached the camp, the owner had just sent out a rescue boat.  We were offered a free day’s fishing, which was kind, but what we really all needed to finish off the spa treatment was a really stiff drink, without the umbrella in it!  The other 3 days fishing went well with minor incidents, like running over a crocodile (he looked fine, but we think he had a bad headache), having the net break (with a fish in it, that got away), having the anchor break that we were then unable to anchor to fish, being boiled by the 40+ degree heat, using the loo break island after carefully checking for crocodiles to have one slip off the island into the water, just after having a leak and hitting a “road block” – where the papyrus had closed a channel and the only way through was to gun it and take
the mess out of the propeller while the hippos were watching!  Other than that it was “plain sailing”.

Maybe it is “just my luck” as I remembered a freak boating accident I was involved in, in the middle of winter in the cannels of Amsterdam, just after asking the boat pilot, “Have there been any accidents?” and being told that, “No, it never happens here!”  In that incident we were rescued and dried off in a pub with lots of free drinks, maybe that is why I expected another drink at the end of our Delta adventure!

Heather Harvey

2010/2011 ANNUAL SUBS RENEWAL.

BFFA    P O Box 799, BELFAST 1100.  Email: bffa@lantic.net

Banking details for direct transfers:

ABSA Belfast, BFFA Cheque account no. 750 149 960

(Fax deposit slip to:  086 502 9280  with Member number as reference)

SUBS:

* Registration Fee – New members                                                                           R 100-00

* Adult Member                                                                                                          R 400-00

* Spouse                                                                                                                      R 270-00

* Juniors and Full-time Students ( If part of Family Membership).                                   R 230-00

* Juniors ONLY.( If NOT part of Family Membership).                                            R 250-00

* Country Member (Outside 400 km radius of Belfast)                                             R 250-00

* Yearly Rod Fee (per person) Optional                                                                    R 400-00

PENSIONERS: 60 YEARS AND OLDER GET 30% DISCOUNT

Provincial Licence NB: MUST be a Mpumalanga Prov. Lic. @ R 20 p. p. 16 Years of Age and OLDER. NB; Prov. Licences will be issued by the B.F.F.A., if payment is included. You MUST sign it on receipt thereof. If you already have a valid Provincial Licence please enter number and expiry date……………………………………………………………………………………….

(NO Member Card will be issued without a VALID Provincial Licence number, if 16 years or older)NB: Member Cards will NOT be POSTED and are to be collected at the Office.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Fly fishing Tuition @ Treeferns Trout Lodge

I was introduced to fly fishing in 1989 by Willie Du Toit, former member of the ‘Windknot Club’ in the Potchefstroom/Klerksdorp region. This was also the first time I had the opportunity to fish with his favourite rod:  A ‘Tambuki Craft’ split cane. After a few lessons, I bought myself a 2-weight Pflueger Summit (which I still use!!) ….  By this time I was hooked on fly fishing.

I grew up in Viljoenskroon:  A small town in the North western Free state, only 30km from the Vaal River. Each and every weekend I fished the Vaal. I’ve also started to get involved in quite a few competitions.  My first competition was in the early 90’s where I went to KZN on one of the Bell’s Classics.  At this competition I won my first prize for a fly I’ve tied called the ‘MYK’ (morne’s yellow fish killer!). This specific fly caught me quite a bunch of yellows!  In 2003 I moved to Mpumalanga and for the past 2 years I am fishing trout at least 8 x per week.

I won’t call myself a ‘Pro’, but I think of myself as a Fly Fisherman who wants to promote the sport and someone who really appreciate what nature has to offer…and this is fly fishing.

I will not only  teach you how to try and catch your first fish, I’ll give you something to enjoy:  ‘Nature!’…and when you enjoy and appreciate nature, you’ll be rewarded with that big fish!!…and after 22 years of fly fishing, you start to enjoy nature more than to catch a fish!

Here at Treeferns, we offer you that personal attention, 12 dams well stocked with trout, clean water and very good fishing!

We offer tuition for groups up to 10 persons p/day. We supply you with your rod, flies and and guided sessions on the dams.

Session includes a DVD presentation about Fly Fishing at Treeferns, practical casting instructions and the basics on knots, flies, lines, rods and reels.

Price:  R300-00 per person (4 hour session).

(Catering for groups can be arranged)

For bookings, please e-mail us on :

Welcome to fly fishing!

The slide show hi-lites only some of the basics :

Beste Oom Chris en Morné

Ek wil graag baie dankie sê vir julle mooi plek en gesindheid.

Dit is net ‘n plesier om by julle te kom vang en ons geniet die natuur en die visvang geweldig! Ek is so bly dat ons julle ontmoet het en vertrou dat ons nog baie jare sal kom kuier en BAIE visse vang!!

Ons was Saterdag die 22e Januarie daar en tussen 5 van ons het ons 16 visse gevang, waarvan net 4 onder 1 kg was!

Ek vertel dit vir soveel mense as wat wil luister, en nog ‘n paar wat al moeg is om te hoor: Ek glo dat Treeferns die beste in Mpumalanga is!!

My vriend (die ander Martin) het ‘n paar foto’s geneem wat besonder mooi uitgekom het – ek stuur een saam as julle dit dalk wil gebruik!!

Groete, en mag ons mekaar gou weer sien!!

Martin Knoetze

22 January 2011

Our first syndication is now in full swing! The workers house has been converted into a 6 – 8 sleeper chalet fully equipped for self catering.  Exclusive fishing on two dams. We only have 6 more packages available!! Remember that you can save more than 50% when buying your membership:  4 Weekends and 2 Midweeks for 6 – 8 persons OR 5 x 3 night weekends for 6 – 8 persons per year for only R17500-00. Sixty (60) trout per package included!! Exclusive fishing in dams 11 and 12. Packages are negotiable.

For more info contact Morne, 072 403 1895

♣

On behalf of the chairman of the FOSAF Northvaal Chapter I have pleasure in ( announcing) the launch ( of) the eagerly awaited ‘FOSAF Guide to Fly-fishing in Southern Africa’ which replaces the very successful Nedbank series. The objective of this book is to promote fly fishing in Southern Africa and all funds generated from the sale of FOSAF books are used to finance the organisation’s many admirable projects including the Yellowfish Working Group and the ongoing negotiations with the authorities on the National Environmental Management:Biodiversity Act, particularly with regard to the effect it may have on the trout fishing industry.

The launch function will be held on Thursday 25th November at the Wanderers Golf Club in Johannesburg. `

Peter Arderne

FOSAF Northvaal Chapter

15 November 2010

THE CHALLENGE OF FLY FISHING

Since April this year fly fishing for trout has become very challenging and exciting, but still very lively.

This Newsletter will endeavour to throw some light on the variables at work in this “gentleman’s” game.  For obvious reasons this sport/hobby is called ‘fly fishing’ and not ‘fish catching’ !

Over the past month I’ve decided to invite some of our neighbours to come and try our waters.

They were Johan Senekal from Greystone Lodge and John Hunter  from  Little Trout Beck.  Johan and John  fish almost every day of the week.  John is an experienced national angler from Scotland and has been on Little Trout Beck for quite a few years.

After  their  visit to Treeferns, we came to the following conclusions:

1. Treeferns Trout Lodge is a very popular fly fishing destination and more and more anglers come to try their luck here.  This is always good for business, but not always as good for the fishing.  95% of our anglers only ‘CAR’.  The problem with this is that our fish are getting more and more ‘fly shy’.  As we stock our dams every month, fishing is normally only good for thet week or so after we’ve stocked. After that…the same old story:  ‘Fishing is difficult!’. So, remember in future; CAR is “taking its toll”. (With acknowlegdement The Complete Fly Fisherman,  ————   ).
2. The other problem is the fact that almost 50% of the above mentioned 95% anglers fish with ultra light weight tackle.  Starting with the old popular 2-3 weight rods and tippets that is less than 8lb breaking strain:  The problem with this is that the longer the fight with the fish at the end of the line takes, the more stress  to the fish and the more lactic acids the fish is building up during this fight.  Even after proper reviving techniques, it’s certain that the  fish will not go for anything else but the ‘real thing’ over the next month or more.  And this was a small experiment I conducted in one of our weirs where there is almost no food at all for the fish.
3. All our dams are fed with natural spring water 365 days of the year.  Our dams are in an immaculate condition.  Anglers do not struggle with weeds, water grass and long grass around the dams.  Only 2 dams (no 8 and 9) have a small amount of reeds near the ‘inlet’ of the dam.  We are keeping it this way because these 2 dams are known for the trophy fish that have been caught in the past and to grow fish need some natural environment, insects etc.  The problem with these ‘clean dams’ is the fact that the fish are not blind, and they see the anglers a mile away!  Therefore  I like fishing when dressed in ‘camo clothing’ and fishing for me always has been good, but challenging.  Although you can see the fish, just remember that they see you first!  Most importantly:  The more anglers on a dam, the more difficult it becomes to catch that big one…..they are not blind and they  scare very quickly!
4. Weather patterns naturally also create havoc when it comes to fishing.  This part of the province is known for the sudden changes in  weather patterns.   This has a huge effect  on the fish.
5. Other problems are  poor management of  dams, predators, theft, PH levels etc.  But, I believe, this is not a serious problem at Treeferns!!
6. Remember to use the right fly for the right season and conditions. Unfortunately, when to use the right fly is almost another type of science.  If you’ve mastered this  your chances to land a fish are good,  and the only answer to this is to do  research and reading about the different flies for fishing.  The flies that produced good fishing in all types of conditions are the following:  Adams, DDD, Black woolly bugger, Red eyed damsel, White death, Mrs Simpson, Hamill’s Killer.  If you have these flies in your fly box, you are almost certain to catch a fish.

According to our records, through permits that we’ve issued since February 2010, and after we’ve subtracted 30% of the stocking for losses that we can’t account for, we have between 400 and 500 fish in the 7 bigger dams of the 13 on this farm.  This gives you an average of 60 – 70 fish per dam!.  For our size dams, this is a big number.

“What is the answer  then?”, you would ask.

We are considering the following:

1. Although we are eco friendly, and not in favour of killing fish,  to allow anglers to keep 2 fish to create a sound “turnover” or balance of fish
2. To make use of tackle at least from 5 weight rods  up
3. To not fish a dam where there are  2 or 3 other anglers already fishing
4. To rotate the dams, i.e disallowing fishing at one specific dam  per month and rotating all the dams every month.  This is just to give each and every dam at least a month’s ‘break’ from fishing and stress.
5. To separate the golden trout from the rainbow trout because of it’s nervous behaviour .

In conclusion:

Fly fishing is not suppose to be easy.  This is an art form with a lot of science to it. Fly fishing and hunting is the same.  It is an art to hunt down your prey.  If hunting was easy, then its not called hunting but slaughter!

Till next time!  Enjoy fishing.

Morne.

Manager, Treeferns Trout Lodge.

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