About The Mavungana Flyfishing Centre

Mavungana Flyfishing Consultants South Africa is a small company based in the town of Dullstroom, Mpumalanga. It is essentially a flyfishing business offering assistance in any aspect of the country’s fastest growing sport.

Beginners can be equipped and taught to fly fish on many of the trout waters leased by the company.

The company was started by Jonathan Boulton. He has a double Major in Zoology and Geography and has been involved in eco-tourism and conservation management in South Africa and Botswana for some years. After working as the Estate Manager at Walkersons Country manor and Millstream in Dullstroom, Mpumalanga, he started his own Flyfishing Consultancy.

He has completed fishery management and river rehabilitation courses in Europe. He has traveled and fished the United States extensively, spending time with the State Game and Fisheries Departments of Utah and Montana. In 2000 he represented South Africa in the Commonwealth Flyfishing Championships. His company is currently involved in the development, management and marketing of over a dozen well-known trout farms in the area.

As well as guiding of local and overseas flyfishermen to top destinations on the subcontinent. He also writes for both National flyfishing magazines and owns a very successful flyfishing retail business. He is also a qualified REFFIS instructor, making him the only internationally certified full time flyfishing instructor in the country.

Jonathan has trained up three young guides, namely: John Thoebala, Selby Zulu and Collen Tshabangu, they currently take out both overseas and local clientel and are arguably the countries most accomplished and experienced flyfishermen of colour.

Currently guiding on the Ponoi River in Russia and Alphonse Island in the Seychelles.

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Sarah Boulton

A qualified graphic designer, she is in charge of Mavungana's marketing. She is an acclaimed artist and illustrator, exhibiting her work from the Mavungana Flyfishing Centre, she has illustrated various magazine articles and books. She is an accomplished angler, having fished throughout the world, some highlights include an 18 pound Ponoi River Atlantic Salmon. She is currently involved in lodge work with husband Jonathan in Russia and the Seychelles.

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Jim Keaveney

Born in Scotland Jim started flyfishing at an early age on the large lochs around his hometown, his favourite being "The Hill Loch." Arriving in S.A in the early 70's he did some fishing in the Cape and then "Rhodesia" He moved to the Transvaal in 1973 and became a weekend regular in Dullstroom at the Dullstroom Dam and "other farm Dams" in the area!!!

The fishing obviously had its impact and Jim then moved to Dullstroom in 1990 and worked in flyfishing retail trade for about 4 years, then retired to renovate and develop his own farm.

We have managed to coax Jim back into the industry and he is currently helping to develop the Mavungana Flyfishing Center into the ultimate flyfishing retail experience. Jim has already forgotten what most of us will never know about trout fishing!!

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John Thoabala

John Thoabala was born in Botshalo in the Orange Free State in 1979, he attended Platleng High School and matriculated in 1999 after which he studied computer skills at business college.

He started working for Mavungana shortly afterwards, he has diverse experience in the flyfishing business, having worked and completed numerous river rehabilitation projects.

He was first taught to cast and flyfish through the combined efforts of Mark Taylor and Jonathan Boulton. He passed his internal guides course and has instructed many individuals and groups, and proves to be a very successful and popular guide especially on the rivers. On the weekends he is the water bailiff at the well known Jurassic Pond. In the office John is highly skilled in data capture, accounts and answering the numerous enquiries that come through the Mavungana Flyfishing Center.

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Collen Tshabangu

Collen Tshabangu was born in Nelspruit 32 years ago, he completed his schooling in Dullstroom, South Africa. He started flyfishing in 2000 as it was part of his job but he now says his interest has been kindled and it has become his hobby.

Collen is also an accomplished instructor and being the full time manager and bailiff at our put and take fishery Hacker’s Haven he is fortunate to say he fishes at least three times a week!

Collen attributes his casting skills and knowledge to a number of fishing clients who have since become friends as well as Jonathan Boulton, Mark Taylor, Ettienne Van Zyl and Rob Van Rensburg.

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Rose Nguni

Rose Nguni is the Mavungana flyfishing Centre’s official flytyer. She is based at the Centre and can be observed busily tying away custom designed patterns and flies for the guides.

Rose has been with Mavungana Flyfishing in South Africa for two years now and although she was taught her basic skills from Jonathan Boulton and Mark Taylor, she definitely perfected her advanced skill with tutoring from some of the most reputable flytyers in the country including Rob Van Rensburg, Andy Lawlor and Anton Martin.

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Thembi Mabhena

Thembi Mabhena was born in Dullstroom in 1974. She has been at Mavungana for 6 years now, starting as an admin assistant. She now takes care of all online sales and Fly of the Month club members ensuring their flies and write ups are sent off on time. She was taught to tie flies by Rosie and now is a very proficient tier tying over 50 flies a day. The guides are slowly introducing her to casting and it won’t be long before she lands her first fish!

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