ABOUT US

Mavungana Flyfishing was started by Jonathan Boulton (Bsc - Zoo/Geog -Univ Natal Pmb, R.E.F.F.I.S - UK) in 1997 in the highlands village of Dullstroom, Mpumalanga. Mavungana Flyfishing is the only company in Africa to operate two flyfishing retail outlets in its home country, South Africa, as well as an international branch in Bergen, Norway. We are the epitome of the one-stop flyfishing shop . From teaching you to flyfish on our local day waters, to selling you your first fly rod and then all the way through to taking you on the international flyfishing trip of a lifetime. All of this, with no fuss and simply excellent service by one of our many internationally certified team of instructors and guides. Let us equip and guide YOU, through our world of flyfishing.

Jonathan Boulton

Drowning worms in dams, rivers and even the neighbour's fish pond are some of Jonathan's earliest memories of fishing. Schooled in the UK, he learnt the art of flyfishing on the rivers Wye and Usk. A love of nature and its conservation saw him complete a degree in Zoology in South Africa, and go on to work in reputed Game Reserves and Lodges as a ranger before moving to Dullstroom and starting Mavungana Flyfishing. Jonathan has fished and guided all over the world, throughout Africa, the Seychelles and Indian Ocean Islands, Russia, Norway, Brazil, New Zealand and the USA.

Mark Taylor

Mark has fished for the greater part of his life, but his passion for flyfishing came to the fore during his years spent working with Jonathan and Mavungana in Dullstroom, South Africa. After 3 years in Dullstroom, as guide, instructor and working with Jonathan in fishery management and consultation, Mark decided to broaden his wings and travel abroad. Flyfishing retail in London grew to international guiding and travel. Years of guiding and managing lodges in Southern Patagonia, Argentina, for Sea Run Browns, and on the west coast of Norway for Atlantic Salmon helped widen his horizons on the international flyfishing scene, and he did not stop there. He has now travelled the globe and fished a vast variety of destinations, from the flats of the Seychelles and Cuba to the crystal clear waters of Norway and Russia. Mark brings a growing portfolio of international fishing destinations which will add exciting spice to the Mavungana Travel portfolio. He is also, along with Derek and Jonathan an internationally certified casting instructor, both for single handed and two handed fly casting.

Sarah Boulton

A qualified graphic designer, Sarah is in charge of Mavungana's marketing as well as our Riverman Leather workshop. She is an acclaimed artist and illustrator, exhibiting her work from the Mavungana Flyfishing Centre. She has illustrated various magazine articles and books, and regularly consults on graphic design projects outside of the Mavungana spectrum. Along with Jonathan and a team of Russian builders, Sarah established Brevyeni camp on the Ponoi River, that she capably managed along with the famous Ryabaga camp. She is an extremely accomplished angler, having fished throughout the world with Jonathan and has run lodges in Russia and the Seychelles. She has also landed a larger Atlantic Salmon than her envious husband.

Derek Manson

Derek, born under the star sign of the fish, started his flyfishing addiction at an early age in Dullstroom, South Africa. Waking up before dawn while everyone was still in their slumber, he was off in search of that elusive trout and would only return long after the sun had dipped and lost its light. After finishing school, he could think of nothing other than getting into the flyfishing industry and trying to put out to others what he had learnt in over two decades of trial, error and success. He travelled abroad in 1996 and worked for Farlows and Sportfish in London. He then went on and completed his Salmon and Trout National Instructors Certificate which enabled him to teach and instruct. Following his stint in London, Derek guided on the chalk streams of the southern counties of England, the Rio Gallegos river in Argentina and the Ponoi river in Russia. Derek has returned to Africa as there is no better place than home, and continues his ritual of fly fishing and looks forward to the future. Derek is the manager of the Mavungana Johannesburg flyshop, and regularly hosts flyfishing trips for our clients both locally and abroad.

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 70s he did some fishing in the Cape and then 'Rhodesia'. He moved to the Transvaal in 1973 and became a weekend regular in Dullstroom and fished extensively there before many knew what was on offer. The fishing obviously had its impact and Jim then moved to Dullstroom in 1990 and worked in flyfishing retail 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 a regular entertaining feature at the Mavungana Flyfishing Centre.

John Thoabala

John Thoabala was born in Botshalo in the Orange Free State, South Africa, in 1979. After matriculating in 1999, he studied computer skills at business college and started working for Mavungana shortly afterwards. He has diverse experience in the flyfishing industry, having worked and completed numerous river rehabilitation projects for the company and fished across South Africa with some of its top celebrities, including Robert van Rensburg, Tom Sutcliffe and Ben Pretorius. John first learnt to cast and flyfish through the combined efforts of Mark Taylor and Jonathan Boulton. He passed his guide's course and has instructed many individuals and groups, and proves to be a very successful and popular guide, especially on the rivers. John has now graduated into being an irreplaceable asset to our Dullstroom store and the Mavungana brand. John is our Dullstroom store manager and, if you are lucky, you can drag him out onto our local waters to get his insight into his world of flyfishing.

Collen Tshabangu

Collen Tshabangu was born in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, South Africa. He completed his schooling in Dullstroom, South Africa and 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 for the Mavugana Fisheries in Dullstroom, 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 and Mark Taylor. Like John, his species diversity is huge, favourites including Tigerfish, all the Yellowfish and Skipjack in the Kosi Bay mouth.

Gareth Reid

Born in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, Gareth Reid has always had an unrelenting passion for nature, wildlife and the great outdoors. Flyfishing has been an obsession from a young age, starting out in the Surf and Estuaries on our Eastern Seaboard. After Finishing his Cambridge qualification in Plettenberg Bay at Bay College he moved to Johannesburg to settle down and sharpen his Freshwater skills. Gareth now enjoys targeting fresh and saltwater species wherever the wind takes him.

Rose Nguni

Rose Nguni is the Mavungana flyfishing Centre's in-house 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 many years now and, although she was taught her basic skills by 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, Tom Sutcliffe and Louis vd Westhuizen.

Thembi Mabhena

Thembi Mabhena was born in Dullstroom in 1974. 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 tyer 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!

Raymond Mutemeri

Raymond is the in-house flytyer at our Johannesburg outlet. Raymond managed a renowned fly tying factory in Zimbabwe for over 20 years. He brings a huge wealth of experience and knowledge with him, capable of tying Salmon doubles and Tubes, Large GT brush flies, Tiger clousers and size 18 CDC emergers. From custom orders to whipping up sample patterns for many of our international trips, Raymond can only be described as an artist.