Our invite-only charity flyfishing event is in aid of the Anti-Poaching Unit in the Kruger National Park, and our fish tagging and research on the Orange river and Pongola dam. We also fund and provide gear to the Ricthersveld Rangers and a private security firm actively clearing and burning gill nets on over 150km of the lower Orange River. Entrants get to fish private waters and stand to win a host of trips and gear. This years event will be held over the weekend of 6th July 2024.

THE CAUSES

      • Everyone is aware of the wholesale slaughter of our rhino population. Nowhere in the country is this issue of illegal poaching worse than in our flagship Kruger National Park. 
      • With growing human populations, our favourite sport fish are under increasing pressure from habitat degradation, pollution, and illegal gill netting. 

THE AIM OF THE EVENT

      • Half the funds raised will go directly to the Anti-Poaching unit in the KNP out of Skukuza. Our friend Bruce Leslie from special operations is constantly in the field and gives us a wish list each year. We have contributed to a fully trained Malinois Shepard tracker dog, night vision gear, trauma kits and webbing. This goes directly into the hands of the rangers on the ground.
      • The other half of the funds raised from the event go to the fish-tagging and research project we are running in conjunction with the University of Mpumalanga to monitor and protect fish populations on Pongola Dam and the Lower Orange River. (a small insight into the  project here: https://themissionflymag.com/2022/08/23/science-bru-tagging-tigerfish-in-sa-waters/

THE EVENT 

      • Fishing will be two sessions on two private Dullstroom Trout properties. Jonathan and Sarah Boulton, and Mavungana Flyfishing will present entrants with the fly for the day. It will be tied with the event’s naming sponsor in mind and pre-tested by Mavungana Flyfishing guides so as to ensure its fish catching abilities. If you are unfortunate enough to lose your fly, you will have the opportunity to “buy back in”. 
      • Financials are independently audited after each event, and no event or management fees are taken.

THE FORMAT

      • Limited to 35 invited anglers. Entirely Catch and Release, overseen, guided and marshalled by Mavungana Flyfishing Guides. No one cares how many fish are caught the winner is the angler lucky enough to land the single longest fish. Measured from the nose to the fork of the tail. The winner will be announced at a formal gala prize giving dinner on the Saturday night along with an array of spot and runner up prizes and auction. 

THE PRIZE & AUCTION ITEMS

      • The first prize is a fully inclusive trip to a dream destination to be announced. Other prizes and auction items include local trips, lodge stays, collectable art, and top end products from the most renowned local and international flyfishing brands. 

EVENT SPONSORS

Nautilus Reels Orvis USA Loop Tackle
Scott  Fly Rod Company Tony Fredrikkson Art The Bush Camp Company 
Scientific Fly African Waters Shilton Reel
Fulling Mill Stony Brook Wines Smith Creek
Johan Du Preez Art Blair Atholl Golf Course Bateleur Safari Camp 
Vac Rac Wild Coolers  CT Urban Flyfishing
TCFF Magazine  Escape Fly Fishing  Drip Drop 
Upstream Flyfishing  Xplorer Flyfishing Rake Eyewear
Palmietfontein Water Mrs Simpsons Restaurant Colina Verde Lodge
Luxottica - Oakley Eyewear Repeltec Richard Mulholland
Walkersons Estate Stealth Fishing Lunsklip Fisheries
BTI Sport  WildFly Travel Pongola Game Reserve
Andre van Wyk  Sorbet Salon MC Coetzee
Richard Wale Eco Bins INVU Sunglasses
House of Print Outsider Co  Batela Trading
Maui Jim Sunglasses Devils Peak Beer Company Riverman Leather
Flyz Inc Airflo Chris Bladen Art
SANPARK Rhino Whisky Jock Safari Lodge
Sarah Boulton Art Orgari Ceramics  Gordon van der Spuy
Murray Peddar Riverman Leather Dullstroom Inn
Smith Optics Mclean Nets Wade Reels
De Wit Motors  Herman Botes Arno Laubscher
Adventure Inc Heliocare FlyCastaway

Testimonial

I have been involved with the Winter One Fly Event organised by Jono and Sarah since inception. It is a wounderful way of connecting with an amazing group of conservation minded Flyfishers. Funds raised go directly to the men and women in the field protecting our nation's heritage in the form of essential equipment for specialized operations in anti rhino poaching and our fish conservation.
- Bruce Leslie - Regional Ranger Special Operations

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