Charity Flyfishing Event - Saturday 5th September 2009

It has been said that flyfishing takes anglers to the best places, at the best times of year and this has never been more true than on the morning of the first ever SA Guide Dogs Association (SAGA) charity flyfishing event.Twenty-seven enthusiastic flyfishers waiting unwearyingly to take a crack at walking away with a flyfishing trip of a lifetime, eight expectant marshals and an adorable guide dog named Shikoba. This is the spectacle that would have greeted you had you happened to drive past the Mavungana Flyfishing Centre in Dullstroom at 6am on Saturday the 5th of September 2009.

The brainchild of Noel Midlane, of SAGA, came to fruition after months of marketing, planning, preparation and frantic to and fro emailing. It all started with a dialogue between Noel and celebrated flyfisherman, Jonathan Boulton, the owner of Mavungana. During the trip to Johannesburg where the two of them met to consider how they would go about orchestrating such an event, Jonathan had the opportunity to view the facilities at SAGA's grounds in the north of Johannesburg and said, "from an outsider's point of view, it was very impressive seeing the kennels and the residence where the sight impaired stay while having training with their new dog and how such an organization is run. I was privileged enough to see the blind people meeting their dogs busy having their training, and I would be lying if I said I didn't have tears in my eyes."

"From that moment I knew that this event would be a fantastic opportunity for a very worthy cause, and I immediately began approaching flyfishing manufactures - both local and international - and the response was overwhelming", he went on to say.

Gift packs crammed with flyfishing paraphernalia including embroidered caps, technical fishing shirts and flyfishing accessories kindly sponsored by the likes of Stealth, Arno Laubscher of ScientificFly, Bundu and Orvis were waiting for the flyfishers on the Friday evening at Mavungana Flyfishing. This combined with a couple of bottles of Simonsig wine and appetizing nibbles made the evening, which continued long after sundown, a pleasurable one where new acquaintances were made and old friendships were reawakened.

The flyfishers, amongst whom some had a moderately longer night than others, snacked on much needed coffee and muffins prior to departing for the waters on the Saturday morning. They were the private waters of the renowned Santa Estate, which most anglers only fish in their dreams. Situated merely 12km outside of Dullstroom on the Lydenburg road, entrants had the chance to fish a number of the dams available on the estate bisected by the Lunsklip River.

Divided into two parties, each participant was given the opportunity to fish a different portion of the estate alternating in the morning and afternoon sessions. The Glen, set amongst towering trees soaring on a secluded knoll top far away from all disturbance and the roadside dams, embracingly near to one anther nestled on a foothill.

Notwithstanding the awe-inspiring surroundings, the fishing was tough. More arduous than most anglers would have bargained for. With the moon at something like 90% of full and barometric pressure falling faster than a Peregrine Falcon swooping on a credulous pigeon, it was blood-sweat-and-tear fishing all the way with several flyfishers failing to land a fish all day. Even Jonathan voiced his estimation later in the day stating, "I had some international clients earlier this week, and they all had great success fishing. But today was a very tough day."

The words of Vincent C. Marinaro voiced virtually 6 decades ago rung especially true on this day and may be some sort of consolation for the few ill-omened anglers. He alleged, "In the lexicon of the fly-fishermen, the words rise and hooked connote the successful and desirable climax; landing a fish is purely anticlimax."

Luck, as is customary in any flyfishing event, played its part to the full. Several anglers in truth hooked prospective winning fish but lacked the big match temperament to bring them to the net. One such angler above all is worthy of special mention. After hooking and farming one such potential prize-winner, estimated at over 2kg, Steve Watson hesitated to move from his self proclaimed providential position for over 2 hours. He, in time, built up enough resolve to move and cast at another site on the dam and moments later hooked into another genuinely respectable fish which proceeded to unceremoniously swim into the nearest weed bed. After much persuasion to strip down and unsnag the fish he braved the icy water with steely determination, fully clad, failing to remember his car keys and mobile phone in his pockets. Regrettably the trout got away and to our knowledge the phone and keys live to tell the tale.

"This is a sport where you can stand all day and not hook a single fish, but it will still be the best day's fishing of your life. Just look at the surroundings here, how can you complain? The peace, tranquillity and escape for a day are what we crave. And at the end of the day we are giving to such a worthy cause, so that makes it even more of a rewarding day", an especially idealistic angler supposed.

A certain angler by the name of Graham Tait didn't need to be quite as philosophical in his outlook on the day's proceedings. He landed a fine 48cm hen trout and so doing won a fully paid, six day trip to River Plate Amazon Outfitter, Brazil worth in excess of R50'000. The prize is inclusive of flights, transfers, guide, accommodation and food. He'll be flyfishing for the legendary Peacock bass on a clear water tributary to the Amazon River. In his depiction of what Graham could look forward to, Jonathan Boulton revealed, "the most amazing spectacle will meet you. All you can see around you is the spectacular Amazon Jungle. You will see fresh water dolphins and otters on an almost daily basis, and will be fishing for peacock bass. You could catch up to 90 fish per day per boat". Enough to make even the most ostentatious flyfisherman's mouth water.

The entrants, marshals and their companions were treated to an impressive three course dinner at Critchley Hackle in Dullstroom prior to the prize giving and charity auction. Twenty five high end items including Orvis and Hardy rods and collectable artwork by the likes of Tom Sutcliffe were auctioned off at unbelievably low prices with over R25'000 being raised for the SA Guide Dogs Association from the auction alone.

To cap off a fabulous day, Noel Midlane expressed wholehearted thanks to Jonathan, his wife Sarah and the rest of the Mavungana staff who had a hand in making the day such a success. "Thank you for a stunning event and all your hard work. We were really made to feel most welcome and for that, we thank you! From the sounds of things, we will certainly hold the event again next year and I look forward to working with you folk again to pull it off", he said. Additionally he thanked Purina for sponsoring food for the approximately 80 dogs in their kennels at any given time and to NAC for assisting with flying the guide dogs around the country.

Stay up to date on the SAGA (www.guidedog.org.za) websites for information on the 2010 SAGA charity flyfishing event in collaboration with Mavungana Flyfishing.