Dullstroom Happenings

New on the Shelf

South African Flyfishing Clinic

Book: South African Flyfishing Clinic
Authors: Paul Curtis and Jonathan Boulton
ISBN: 0-9584950-1-7
Publisher: Platanna Press, Randburg, South Africa
Price: R125,00

Once back at the office you rush off to equip yourself for the new love of your life, and this is where this delightful, practical book comes in. Before you spend your next Christmas bonus on thousands of rands of equipment, spend the minimal amount this book costs to gain a bit of knowledge before rushing off to the nearest tackle shop. As one of the twelve rules of fly fishing states: "Tackle need not cost a lot". Another bit of advice in the book states: "First choose your tackle dealer".

This book is really a practical introduction to fly fishing that won't confuse you - it only contains the basic information every beginner needs to start the hobby on the right foot. Many other books use many words, pages and pictures on aspects such as tying flies, selection of rods, lines and reels, flies and the like, which often confuses the beginner.

South African Fly Fishing Clinic covers the essential information on tackle selection, putting the equipment together, casting, the food trout eat, a basic selection of flies and different fishing environments such as dams and rivers.

The chapter on casting in particularly useful, with clear descriptions and illustrations, produced by Sarah Boulton who is an accomplished artist in her own right. Casting is one of the more difficult aspects of fly fishing and probably accounts for more dropouts that any other aspect of the pastime.

The authors focus on trout fishing, probably because this is the species most people are introduced to when they first meet the sport. Although there is now a strong move toward fly fishing for indigenous species, such as yellow fish, the principles applied during trout fishing excursions apply equally when fishing for other species.

What is particularly useful of this book are the 12 rules of fly fishing, the first of which is: "Trout fishing is easy". Rule number 12 reads: "The more you fish, the luckier you get!".

Although it is aimed at the neophyte, this book contains valuable information that will even jog the accomplished angler's memory and possibly cure a bad habit or two that had crept into the fly fisher's skills base.

One other aspect that is of critical importance and is not included in most fly fishing book is the matter of etiquette. With these tips in mind, fly fishing for the novice and experienced angler will assure a pleasant day on the water.

On the whole this book is the ideal gift for the budding fly fisher, or even the more experienced angler. A good buy at the price.

The two authors are both registered R.E.F.F.I.S. guides with a wide range of experience, even running a fishing lodge in Russia.

Bosman Olivier

Available from most fly fishing dealers in Gauteng, or from the authors directly (ask for a signed copy) at platannapress@telkomsa.net or jfishing@dullstroom.net