The Fly Fisher - South Africa Mike McKeown

Chris Bladen is not just a fly fisher; he brings a very special type of art to our community, bronze sculpting. He began by carving stone and wood in his dad’s workshop many years ago, but his dad told him that artist always struggle financially, so he studied dental technologist. His dental work took him to the UK, and the Pounds, took him to the rest of the world.

Returning to South Africa, he opened his studio near Fish Hoek where he and his brother smelt and pour his bronze in his home foundry. Only a few minutes from some of the best trout fishing in the country, he seems to have life. Visit him at ChrisBladen.com

Mann Friday, spinning the tunes...

Stephen Dugmore’s love of bamboo fly rods began many years ago when his dad generously gave him a Walker Bampton, which he duly broke. Graciously his dad replaced it, and unfortunately Stephen managed to break that one too, but it was not his fault this time. Then while cleaning out his garage, these rods where stumbled upon and Stephen took on the project of repairing them, thus the birth of a Bamboo rod maker.

For those of you who would like to see the process, visit Stephen’s website, Freestone Rods.

Once again, Mann Friday is thanked for the tunes.

Paul Fevrier might be bound to a wheelchair, however this does nothing to stop him fly fishing where and when he wants to. Although there are some limitations, it comes down to attitude and willpower, both of which, he has in abundance, getting around on his quad bike or his pontoon boat, he fishes most of the places the rest of us fish. Not just a good fisherman, Paul ties a seriously good fly and his boxes always make interesting viewing.

Mann Friday does the tunes again.

Ed Herbst must be the quintessential small stream fly fisherman, fishing ultra-light sticks for slivers of fish, high in the mountains. He is dedicated to his passion for these small streams and is continuously striving for the ultimate tackle, or the best way of modifying it for his needs, removing all the excess weight from everything; rods, reels, lines, packs, well everything. He paints his rods in matt, camouflage colours, including the guides, removes reels seats, even going as far as taking off his reel’s counter balance.

Mann Friday does the tunes again.

Dave Walker might be known as a quiet, unassuming, proprietor of a small B&B in the quiet hamlet of Rhodes, however he is the driving force behind the Wild Trout Association.

Walkerbouts Inn is one of the most relaxed and comfortable B&B's I have frequented, the Thanksalot Pub is a great place to unwind.

He is involved with many community projects and I encourage you to visit Walkerbouts Inn.

Mann Friday does the tunes again.

Jono Shales is an ex-South African based out of Sydney, exceptionally passionate about his pursuit of saltwater species, but he is heading off on trip to the west coast of Australia for a year or so of saltwater fly fishing. We chatted about what there is to fly fish for around Sydney, about the Baby Blacks he caught of Fraser Island, about his upcoming fly fishing trip, about Christmas Island, and then there was more.

Mann Friday does the tunes again.