How FOSAF works to protect flyfishing and the aquatic environment:

The attempt by the DFFE to list Trout as Invasive.

Most readers are aware that in 2023 the Constitutional Court ruled in favour of FOSAF after the matter had been first heard in the High Court and then the Supreme Court of Appeal. This was an important victory promoting the right to informed consultation. The details of these three court cases may be viewed here.  

Following representations by FOSAF through Trout SA and Aquaculture SA, Barbara Creecy, the then Minister of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries & Environment set up a Task Team which includes FOSAF to try and resolve how trout could best be managed under NEMBA.  We believe that substantial progress has been made in finding a workable win win. Unfortunately, DFFE were unable to access the maps agreed in the mapping process that took place between 2014 and 2017, detailing the areas in which trout occur. Fortunately, FOSAF with the financial assistance (somewhere around R300K) of mainly the NTA (Northern Trout Association) funds which works very closely with us, had developed and secured its own copy of these maps and the underlying meta data. This has helped with ensuring that all the detailed mapping work did not have to be redone.  FOSAF continues to play an ongoing role in the Task Team.

The July 2024 Queenstown Fly Fishing Club’s Gathering.

A report by Alex Junod, QFFC’s Bookings & Catch returns Officer

A tribute to the late Tom Sutcliffe by Ed Herbst and FOSAF.

Dave Walker receives the prestigious Exemplary Service Award from FOSAF.

At the Eastern Cape FOSAF AGM in Somerset East on Saturday 6^th April Dave Walker, chairman and founder of the Wild Trout Association of the NE Cape highlands received this award. The citation accompanying the award reads as follow:

The Dirt Road Traders Wild Trout Ass. Festival 2024 - Flyfishing in a little slice of heaven. By Peter Brigg.

There is no short way of getting to the village of Rhodes, also known as Centre of the Universe, in the Eastern Cape Highlands. But each year 45 to 50 flyfishers from around the country make the pilgrimage to attend the WTA Trout Festival, currently sponsored by the Dirt Road Traders, now in its twenty ninth consecutive year. Many, mostly local flyfishers, return each year for this five-day gathering of like-minded folk. They come to hunt the wild trout in the diverse waterways of this region, from tiny high altitude freestone streams to large no nonsense rivers in the lower reaches, a tapestry of blue lines in a magnificent landscape. This year even attracted a couple of anglers from outside our borders - an Italian currently living in Harare and an ex South African now English gentleman from Ascot in Berkshire. The festival's good reputation appears to have extended far and wide. Apart from the fishing it is a great social affair with a ‘gees’ or spirit that has to be experienced to be fully appreciated.

Update: Listing of trout as invasive and the draft Aquaculture Development Bill (ADB).

The NTA/FOSAF team travelled to Cape Town to meet with the DFFE on Monday 20^th November. The morning session was a meeting of the Ministerial Task Team which is seeking to find practical solutions to the listing of trout under the AIS regulations. The afternoon was a different meeting devoted to the new version of the ADB. This was gazetted together with a revised Socio-Economic Impact Assessment System (SEIAS) for a 60-day public comment on 17 November 2023. (The ADB and SEIAS can be found at here.)

A new book by Gordon van der Spuy –The Feather Mechanic 2- beyond the pattern.

We live in a world that is hooked on a drug called instant gratification. We’re the McDonalds generation. We want things to be quick and we don’t want to expend too much energy obtaining them either. Tyers are no different. Post a photo of a nice nymph on Facebook or Instagram and the almost immediate response will be ‘pattern please’ or ‘video please,’ as if patterns and videos are all you need to successfully tie the fly.

SAVE the Vaal court action.

FOSAF is represented on the committee of SAVE The Vaal Environment and this NGO is progressing positively on its court action. This concerns mid Vaal sewage pollution accountability by the relevant municipalities, by local/provincial/national government departments and by their respective heads. Last month, the High Court accepted an order of court, and an affidavit is being issued. This is the court approval for progressive action by SAVE against the municipality and government on grounds of the latter’s dereliction of duty by non-performance, misappropriation of funds and by their allowing wastewater treatment works and sewage pump stations to degrade into a state of breakdown and disrepair. As with all South African law cases at present this legal matter is long-drawn out but all things point a SAVE victory. The progress made to date by SAVE is spurring other action groups into taking similar steps in their respective riverine areas.

Concourt refuses Minister of Environment's leave to appeal the 2021 judgement in the Trout case. By Ilan Lax.

FOSAF welcomes the excellent news that the Constitutional Court has refused the Minister of Environmental Affairs’ application for leave to appeal the judgement obtained by FOSAF in the case about the Minister’s duty to provide sufficient information to allow for informed consultation.

The Dirt Road Traders Wild Trout Association 2023 Festival by Mark Liptrot

The Wild Trout Association Festival, now in its 32nd year, is a celebration of the humble trout and its Rhodian custodians – the riparian owners, guides and providers of accommodation. Each year fly fishermen and women flock to Rhodes to enjoy days of splendid river fishing and camaraderie that this event generates. 2023 marked a year of exceptionally high rainfall both before and during the Festival, resulting in muddy rivers and even muddier roads. This did not deter our happy band of “furry feather flingers” who managed to find fishable waters on each of the allocated days. Now read on...

An update on the trout case regarding the right to informed consultation.

FOSAF would like to update you on the facts of the situation regarding trout in our country especially as it affects flyfishers and the trout value chain. This flows from the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries & Environmental Affairs (DFFE) losing yet another application for leave to appeal on the case relating to FOSAF’s challenge of the department’s failure to properly consult on the (then proposed) listing of trout as an invasive (harmful) species under the Alien & Invasive Species (AIS) Regulations. FOSAF won the case in September 2021. The DFFE applied for leave to appeal the judgement, but this was refused by the High Court judge in September 2022. Despite losing twice with costs, the DFFE petitioned the Supreme Court of Appeal for leave to appeal in November 2022 but on 5 February 2023 the SCA refused the DFFE’s application with costs. Having lost with costs repeatedly FOSAF, its allies such as the NTA (Northern Trout Association) and Aquaculture SA (AquaSA) one would have thought that the DFFE would have accepted the judgement. However, we have now been informed that that the DFFE have recently approached the Constitutional Court to overturn the judgement. This means our legal team will once again have to prepare an answering affidavit.

FOSAF has excellent news for all South Africans especially those in the flyfishing community.

Excellent news from FOSAF for all South Africans who should be consulted by government, including the whole trout value chain and our flyfishing community. 

Roger Baert - RIP

The Barkly East River Festival

The Barkly East River Festival has become one of prime events of the flyfishing year. 

Delicate Presentations - a flyfishers novel by Andrew Fowler.

FOSAF Northern Region AGM. 10h00 on Saturday 29 October 2022.

You are invited to attend our AGM which will be held in the Inyoni Creek Retirement village clubhouse starting at 10am on Saturday 29^th October. The entrance is at 200 Modderfontein Rd, corner of Wordsworth Rd, Rand Aid Properties, Rembrandt Park at the lights in Modderfontein Rd, immediately below Edenvale hospital. The security gate co-ords are:

S26° 07’ 41”  E28° 07’ 28”. The security gate staff will direct you to the clubhouse. If you wish to attend, please email Peter at mwardern@mweb.co.za.

FOSAF welcomes court's refusal of DFFE Leave to Appeal by Ilan Lax

FOSAF welcomes the Judgement [1] delivered today, refusing the Application for Leave to Appeal by the Minister of Environmental Affairs against the decision [2] to declare invalid the previous notices and consultation process that led up to the latest amendments to the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (“NEMBA”) Alien and Invasive Species (“AIS”) Lists and Regulations.

Permits for stocking trout in Mpumalanga. Back to the annual system.

In response to a threat from the Northern Trout Association that this body would have to approach the High Court for requisite relief and costs the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency acted quickly and reinstituted the annual permitting system. However, for the next 12 months this will be at a cost of R1200 per permit.Unfortunately, Mpumalanga will have to accept this high fee for the remaining 12 months as a compromise as the MTPA ordinance actually specifies a monthly permit at R100 per permit and this matter is the subject of an internal audit.

A very serious threat to Mpumalanga’s trout industry.

The trout industry in Mpumalanga, one of the mainstays of tourism in the province, is once again in an uproar. 

The Crane Fly by Alan Hobson

NOT THIN - but FAT! The Dirt Road Wild Trout Festival 2022 by ANGLERFISH

Believe in something,

Like mountains and mountain streams,

Trout and mountain people.- Harry Middleton

FOSAF continues court fight on flyfishers behalf on March 7 – by Ed Herbst

FOSAF continues court fight on flyfishers behalf on March 7 – by Ed Herbst

A Field Guide to Freshwater Macroinvertebrates by Christian Fry – Review by Ed Herbst.

Our updated website

Our updated website – https://www.fosaf.org.za - of the Federation of South African Flyfishers went live today and thanks are due to Jade dos Santos and our webmaster, Andrew Vester of Artica Website Design.

Report on the Barkly East River Festival

The Barkly East Fly Fishing Club’s River Festival held last weekend was a blast with all participants vowing to return next year. A total of 253 fish were netted, both rainbows and yellows with the winner John Biccard of Haenertsberg taking 73 of these during the 2- day event. 

FOSAF to oppose the Notice of Appeal by Minister.

Fly of the month. The Spawning Shrimp by Martin Smuts

A very Brief Statement on and Summary of the Judgment in FOSAF vs The Minister of Environmental Affairs by Ilan Lax.

This morning Acting Judge of the Gauteng North High Court Adrian Vorster delivered a Judgement in the application for a declaratory order in the matter of the Federation Of Southern African Fly Fishers vs The Minister of Environmental Affairs.

Report on the Queenstown Fly Fishing Club’s Annual Gathering by Reg Morgan

Tobie van Niekerk with his winning fish of 4,9kg, 67cm

Dirt Road Traders Newsletter - August 2021

Click HERE to read the August Dirt Road Traders Newsletter

The Dirt Road Traders Wild Trout Festival 2021 by Anglerfish (Jan Korrubel)

With this year’s “Dirt Road Traders Wild Trout Festival” having been moved on a month to the end of April (from the usual last weekend in March), it was high hopes for settled conditions after the heavy rains and rivers that were in spate just a few weeks earlier.  It would also be a chance to catch the changing of the Lombardy Poplars into their autumn livery, which in past years, were only just starting to show some colour over the usual Festival dates. 

The Festival is an annual gathering of some 40+ fly anglers from the length and breadth of South Africa, and is considered to be the event of the year for devotee’s of the stream. With most well aware of my penchant for the trouty inhabitants of small rivers and streams – this is the one fishing trip I look forward to most in the calendar.

Latest news on the AIS listings and regulations pertaining to trout.

Update on the AIS listing of trout and the regulations

Gerrie van der Merwe – a real mensch: by Ilan Lax.

Flyfishing for spotted grunter by Deon Stevens.

Deon Stevens

A new third edition of Hunting Trout, Tom Sutcliffe’s iconic book.

The Feather Mechanic -A Superb Fly Tying Book. A review by Ed Herbst.

A simple explanation of the Phakisa Agreement (Trout in SA) by Ilan Lax

The Phakisa Agreement is the framework of principles for dealing with trout in South Africa that were agreed at the Phakisa Ocean Labs process that took place in Durban in July and August 2014 and which resulted in the subsequent collaborative mapping exercise. These principles were later extended (with a few refinements to dealing with Tilapia.). 

Gerrie van der Merwe RIP.

Latest update on the FOSAF Court case and the new 2020 AIS lists and regulations. 27/10/2020

FOSAF’s case against the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries which was originally set down date for 26^th October 2020, was adjourned and will now be heard, we hope, in December this year or early in 2021. The 2020 AIS Lists and regulations published in September will now only take effect in March 2021. In the meantime, after discussions with the Minister, a task team has been set up to meet with the department to see if a solution can be found through negotiation during November, so that a report can go to the Minister. 

Latest news on the AIS listings & regulations affecting trout which were due to come into force on 19 October.

Because of the urgency of the matter and the dire threat to the whole trout value chain Aqua SA became involved and held a meeting with Minister Creecy in Pretoria yesterday. The following statement was issued at the conclusion of the meeting:

FOSAF brings an urgent interdict against Minister in a bid to save the trout industry.

The Minister of the Department of Environment, Forestry & Fisheries (DEFF) has promulgated new NEMBA Alien & Invasive Species (AIS) lists and regulations which will take effect on 19 October 2020.  Trout (which were not previously listed) are now listed as an invasive species.  This has happened despite the Minister defending our original case (2018) challenging the legality of the previous consultation process around the drafts of the current lists and regulations, for want of compliance with the procedures and substance of section 100 of NEMBA.

Early season nymphing on the Western Cape streams by David Karpul

David with a lovely rainbow taken from the Molenaars section of the Smalblaar.

Photo by Garth Nieuwenhuis.

FOSAF’s response to the listing of trout as “Invasive” from Ilan Lax, FOSAF’s National Chairman.

Fly of the Month: The Grizzle Hackle Woolly Bugger by John Hunter

Early season for smallmouth yellows??? – by Terry Babich

FOSAF Chairman's Annual Report 2019/2020

Winter fishing in Rhodes by Tony Kietzman

Fishing lake margins as a conscious approach by Andrew Fowler.

So much has been written about fishing the very margins of water, whether it be the very edges of a stream or river, or throwing a fly almost into the reeds on a Stillwater. In addition to this, stories abound of anglers catching, or missing fish, as they draw their flies from the water.

Stocking the Eastern Cape trophy dams – a tribute to Martin Davies.

The fishing in the high-altitude dams of the Winterberg, Stormberg and Somerset East is world class. Although the fertility of these waters plays a role, all these dams have to be restocked on an annual basis which is no easy task given the distances involved, the condition of the roads and the failure of the hatchery at Rhodes University to produce enough trout for the past few years. And then there is the drought and the lockdown. But despite all of these negative factors the stocking continues, and another 70 000 fry, fingerlings and yearlings were placed in these dams over the last 6 months to ensure that we can all continue to enjoy this fabulous fly fishing.

Flyfishing and Covid 19 by Ilan Lax

The Covid 19 lockdown has prevented many flyfishers from getting out to exercise their chosen form of recreation.

Winter tactics for stillwater trout by Gijsbert Hoogendoorn

For crimes against humanity in a previous life, I do most of my stillwater fishing in the middle of winter in one of the coldest parts of South Africa.  The Stormberg region in the Eastern Cape Province can be brutally cold with extreme temperatures like -20ºC a real possibility.  In fact, the day on which I caught my biggest stillwater trout (9.2lbs see below), the mercury hit -10ºC in the morning and had warmed up to a balmy 0ºC by noon.  But what about the water temperatures?  Well, it is not much better.  On famous lakes like Bernard’s at Highland Lodge, I have measured temperatures well below 5ºC on many occasions and I have had to kick through one to two meters of ice on occasions to get to fishable waters with my float tube. 

FLY FISHING MICRO PATTERNS - by Alan Hobson

Alan Hobson on the famous Mountain Dam

Malcolm Meintjes offers you a free copy of his update on book Zambezi Tiger converted to a PDF file.

In the second half of last year, Malcolm published an update of his book Zambezi Tiger (20 years’ worth of update) on Amazon and other digital bookstores.  If any flyfishers are interested in obtaining one, he will send you a complimentary copy , provided it is not copied. If, after reading it, any donation is thought suitable, it would be a very welcome gesture to send this to FOSAF by clicking here

How to fish the washing line system by John Hunter

Click here to view.

Dirt Road Wild Trout Festival, 2020 in the Rhodes district by Dave Walker

Many present-day folk may not have heard of or even come across an action/adventure television series that ran from 1983 to 1987 known as “The A-team”, starring, amongst others, the late George Peppard as Col. John “Hannibal” Smith. Occasional immersion into their fantasy world in the absence of anything worthwhile to watch on the SABC broadcasts of those days was the order of the day.. Apart from the light-hearted, fleeting entertainment, the only thing that I recall was Hannibal’s bottom-liner of ”I love it when a plan comes together”.

Tom Sutcliffe makes a great offer to occupy yourself during the lockdown.

Tying flies is a great occupation to keep oneself busy until April 16 or for the whole year if you wish. 

FOSAF AGM postponed.

The FOSAF AGM which was to be held in the Cape Piscatorial Society offices in Cape Town on Friday 27^th March has been postponed indefinitely due to the Covid-19 threat. 

FOSAF file Heads of Argument at the North Gauteng High Court in the matter between FOSAF and the Minister of Environmental Affairs.

FOSAF’s legal team have now filed their Heads of Argument at the North Gauteng High Court in the matter between FOSAF and the Minister of Environmental Affairs.

The Dirt Road Wild Trout Festival 17 to 21 March

The Dirt Road Wild Trout Festival from 17 to 21 March 2020 is just around the corner. Although we would always welcome more, the Eastern Cape Highlands have been blessed with “climate change” late but good rains so the streams and rivers are all running well. Those who fished during the festive season did very well with smallmouth yellowfish, some of over 60cm and many trout in a variety of sizes. This augurs well for the festival. 

DULLSTROOM BONANZA MATCHES LAST YEARS FUNDS RAISED!!

The Dullstroom Fly Fishers BONANZA has recently closed it’s books on this the 9^th year as one of SA’s leading fly fishing events. The 2019 Bonanza has once again matched the amount raised in 2018 despite the many challenges and changes this year had in store for us. The funds raised are donated to Helping Hands Dullstroom for the local epilepsy center “Sanel” as well as the local needy – all thanks must go to the amazing generosity of participants, sponsors and water owners.

John Hunter (the BONANZA event coordinator) Was this year faced with some very special challenges – Firstly how to somehow improve the fishing quality and the Bonanza experience for our competitors. To this end it was decided by the organizing committee to source some additional private waters. The local Dullstroom community and all our wonderful sponsors who supported the BONANZA were ready and willing to once again give with open arms. 

John Hunter hands over the cheque to Rosemary Smith

FOSAF Eastern Cape region AGM – 9th November 2019 at Gubu Dam.

The FOSAF Eastern Cape Region AGM will be held at 10 am Saturday 9^th November 2019 at the AFFC clubhouse which is on the banks of the beautiful Gubu Dam near Stutterheim. One of the highlights of the meeting will be the report by the National Chairman, Ilan Lax, who will provide an update on the status of the draft NEMBA Alien & Invasive Species Regulations, the proposed Aquaculture Development Bill and other important matters. After the meeting most delegates will stay on to fly fish the dam which in recent years has been producing excellent results. 

The 2019 Elandskloof Fly Fishing competition

Elandskloof which is 20 minutes from Dullstroom features 11 fully stocked dams varying in size from smaller water bodies to around 8 hectares. Prepare for a spectacular day out on the water surrounded by like-minded individuals. The event kicks off on Friday 27 September at 18:00 with Registration and a warming soup and mingling session. Saturday promises to be an early-bird event with another Registration taking place at 04:30, Competition talk at 05:00 and the First Session from 05:30 – 08:00. The Second Session will begin at 08:30 and continue up to 11:00.

FOSAF Northern Region AGM to be held at 10am on Sat 27th July at Higher Ground Conference Centre, St Stithians College, Randburg

Notice is hereby given that the 25th Annual General Meeting of the Northern Region Chapter will be held at the One & All Club Conference Room, Higher Ground Restaurant, St Stithians School, Randburg on Saturday 27^th July 2019 at 10am.

         AGENDA

1. Welcome
2. Apologies
3. Confirmation of Minutes of 07/07/2018
4. Matters Arising
5. Chairman’s Report
   1. Membership –club/syndicate project
      1. Progress in the NR area.
      2. Conditions of membership
   2. Book sales
   3. Website, Facebook, Social media, Flyfishing Magazine
   4. Youth issues
   5. YWG
   6. GLPE & mining issues
   7. NEMBA/Trout issues
   8. Northern Trout Association
   9. Regional newsletters
   10. Other
6. Financial Reports: FOSAF Northern Region & Flyfishing Publications cc
7. Election of office bearers & succession
8. General
9. Closure

Note: Drinks may be purchased at the restaurant. Everyone welcome.

RSVP: Peter at mwardern@mweb.co.za

A new Tom Sutcliffe book –“Yet More Sweet Days” Notes from a fly fisher’s life. Review by Ed Herbst.

The Northern Trout Association.

Bill Mincher – a leader in the flyfishing world.

Fly fishers throughout the country will mourn the passing of Bill Mincher yesterday the 17^th June. He served as National Chairman of FOSAF for many years and more recently as Vice President. Bill will be remembered as someone who worked unselfishly for the greater good and his achievements were of major importance to fly fishing. His two most memorable projects were the series of fly fishing books which gave tremendous impetus to fly fishing in the country. Initially, these were the Nedbank Guides to Flyfishing at the turn of the century followed by the Favoured Flies series and finally the FOSAF Guide. There are very few anglers in SA who do not have at least one or maybe more of these titles on their shelves.

CHANGES AT FOSAF’S SECRETARIAT

It is with sense of regret that I announce the news that Liz and Stuart Tough have resigned as the FOSAF Secretariat. 

FOSAF AGM to be held at the Dullstroom Inn starting at 17h30 on Friday 26 April.

At this meeting regional chairmen from the Northern provinces, KZN, Eastern and Western Cape will give reports on their regions and the many challenges they face including sourcing trout for stocking, mining, pollution (especially the Vaal) and recruiting new members.

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Why had FOSAF taken the Department of Environmental Affairs to court?

By now you must have heard that FOSAF served papers to interdict the late Minister of Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa’s latest proposed amendments to the Alien and Invasive Species (AIS) Lists and Regulations in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.  FOSAF has done so as a last resort after years of attempts to negotiate a lawful, workable and sustainable basis for regulating South Africa’s trout fishery were rejected by the DEA.

The FOSAF National AGM is to be held in Dullstroom for the first time. Starting at 17h30 on Friday 26th April at the Dullstroom Inn.

Regional chairmen from the Northern provinces, KZN, Eastern Cape and the Western Cape will give reports on their various regions and the many challenges they face such as sourcing of trout for stocking stillwaters, mining, the pollution crisis in the Vaal and recruiting new members. 

April Fly of the month: The Blue Nissan by Andrew Fowler

The Blue Nissan is a catcher of large Trout.  Records, which are emerging are scant, and mostly out of focus and yellowed at the edges, but the evidence suggests that this fly does not catch small fish. Ever.

Now I must hasten to tell you that this is not my pattern.  In fact, the existence of this fly was not known to me until a certain Goose spilled the beans recently, but the fish catching properties of the inventor of the fly were near legendary, and now the individual’s secret is out.  It is a strange and mysterious story this, because the identity of the inventor, a certain “Squidlips” is itself a mystery.  His name harks back to the eighties when a certain “Krajewfsk” was often heard to mention this individual, usually late at night in pubs, where some people ate their whisky glasses….but that is another story.

Back to the fly.  There is but one picture of this fly in existence, and here it is:

Barkly East River Festival 2019 – report by Terence Meise

On Saturday the 23^rd of March the Barkly East Angling Society held their annual River Festival with 36 anglers -18 Men, 3 Women and 15 Juniors participating. On Friday we all got together at FK Sports Pub for the briefing.  After our president, Andrew Clark, welcomed all and explained the rules and regulations of the competition, he then drew a guide’s name followed by the guide drawing three anglers’ names who they would take them out to the different parts of our waters.  After a great days fishing everyone got together at the Golf Club for the prize giving and a great meal.

The Dirt Road Wild Trout Association Festival March 2019 . Report by Tony Kietzman

Recent rainfall has ended three years of drought in the NE Highlands, there were little windows during this period when the streams flowed and worked but falling levels soon put paid to any reasonable fishing. In January of this year one of those windows opened and we discovered numerous 3-4” fish as well as a range of other sized juvenile fish. One wonders when these little fish were spawned. When fishing the small fry hammered dries before they could drift to larger fish. The streams dropped over February with its localised showers and storms and we were blessed with widespread rainfall in March, and it still continues.

Modified Murray Pedder Mallard Damsel Nymph- Tied by: Kristine Page

I consider myself to be an enthusiastic intermediate fly tier with much still to learn.  I have been tying flies for about two years now in my spare time (of which there isn’t nearly enough!).

Credit to Murray Pedder for his fantastic pattern that has been the inspiration for my go-to fly since I started fly fishing.  Find the video for the original pattern here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my19VO4sHaA

Modified Murray Pedder Mallard Damsel Nymph- Tied by: Kristine Page

I consider myself to be an enthusiastic intermediate fly tier with much still to learn.  I have been tying flies for about two years now in my spare time (of which there isn’t nearly enough!).

Credit to Murray Pedder for his fantastic pattern that has been the inspiration for my go-to fly since I started fly fishing.  Find the video for the original pattern here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my19VO4sHaA

FOSAF's statement on the experimental fishery project at Van der Kloof Dam

The small-scale experimental fishery project that is underway at Van der Kloof Dam continues to attract criticism from some flyfishers. FOSAF’s position as an organisation is clear. South Africa’s fresh water resource belongs to all South Africans. We also recognise the legacy of inequality that has restricted access to this resource and that this needs to change.

Feb. FOSAF Fly of the month: Pete's Hopper by Peter Brigg

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Pete’s Hopper - https://wordpress.com/post/callofthestream.wordpress.com/1726

This little terrestrial fly is a combination of various well-known hopper patterns and one that I have used for a number of years. For want of a better name it has simply become known amongst my fishing buddies as, Pete’s Hopper. It has been particularly successful during summer months when many of the naturals are found in proximity to our stillwaters and rivers. It has a distinctive profile that acts as the primary trigger. There is no need for a subtle or delicate presentation when fishing hoppers. The naturals generally land on the water with a good plop so the angler would do well to mimic within reason, their crash landing. This disturbance will act as a trigger as will adding movement with the odd twitch to suggest the naturals feeble attempts to swim to the safety of terra firma.

The Dullstroom Fly Fishers Bonanza raises R115 000 for charity

The Dullstroom Fly Fishers BONANZA has recently closed it’s books on this the 8^th year as one of SA’s leading fly fishing events and in the process broken all previous records for fund raising for the local needy – all thanks to the amazing generosity of participants, sponsors and water owners.

John Hunter hands over cheque for R115 000 to Rosemary Smith of Helping Hands

FOSAF applauds the judgement handed down in the Mabola case

FOSAF is particularly heartened by the judgement handed down in the Mabola case in which the DMR and the DEA Minister gave permission for a large coal mine to be built within a protected area thus probably favouring a small politically connected elite.

Protected Area in the Trout Triangle wins a prestigious award

The Greater Lakenvlei Protected Environment under the leadership of Andy Mills has won the prestigious 2018 stewardship award by the South African Wetland Society. 

Update on FOSAF's court case against the DEA and the draft Aquaculture Development Bill.

1. NEMBA
   FOSAF has filed papers against the DEA in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, challenging the lawfulness of the Notices amending the NEMBA AIS Lists and Regulations due to a lack of proper process. FOSAF argues that the Minister failed to properly advertise or to provide “sufficient information to enable members of the public to submit meaningful representations or objections.” This failure to provide basic information regarding the extent, nature of and reasons for the proposed changes to the AIS Lists and Regulations wrongfully deprives South Africans of the Constitutional right to informed participation in good law making and effective and accountable government. DEA are opposing the case but have not yet filed their affidavits. This follows years of negotiation with the authorities at great cost to the trout industry with no resolution in sight.  Further information on the court case by by clicking here.

FOSAF takes DEA Minister to court

The Federation of Southern African Flyfishers (FOSAF) today announced it had served papers to interdict Minister of Environmental Affairs latest proposed amendments to the Alien and Invasive Species Lists and regulations to Court. It has done so as a last resort after years of attempts to negotiate a lawful and sustainable basis for regulating South Africa’s trout fishery were rejected by DEA.

The 221 Fly by Denise van Wyk of the Jacaranda Club

Important Meeting- Save the Vaal

PUBLIC MEETING - SATURDAY 11 AUGUST 2018 AT 11:00

Massive pollution of the Vaal River: More than 150 million litres raw sewage discharged into river daily.

On 13 July SAVE and Chris Williams, Chair of FOSAF Northern Region, met with the Gauteng Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs which has responsibility for implementing Emfuleni's turn-around strategy as the council is under partial administration. They assured us that there are short, medium and long-term plans in place.

The Tippet newsletter August 2018

FOSAF’s quarterly newsletter the Tippet for August 2018, includes the chairman’s report and an interesting article by Martin Rudman on wilderness fishing. 

The Sabie Trout Challenge

A tribute to Dave Walker by Tony Kietzman

Further objections to the AIS lists & Regulations

Click HERE to read further objections to the AIS lists & Regulations

Latest news on Trout Wars by Ian Cox

Click HERE to read the latest on the Trout Wars - May 2018

Looking at the state of some of the Wild Trout waters at present – by Tony Keitzman at Rhodes.

Regular rainfall over an extended period had led to very high levels making the water barely fishable and streams dangerous to cross during the recent WTA festival. We even lost a day to high discoloured water and were restricted to the upper reaches of catchments. Since the festival levels have dropped and stabilised leaving behind beautifully scoured and clean streambeds. 

FOSAF’s Favoured Flies series of books now available from Loot.

This series of books from volume 1 to 5 is edited by Malcolm Meintjes and Murray Pedder.

Consortium of Stakeholders including FOSAF demand the DEA Minister withdraws Notices GN112 & 115 (Draft 2018 AIS Regulations & Draft AIS Amendment Lists.)

To read this 4-page letter to the Hon. Dr. Edna Molewa, Minister of Environmental Affairs please click here. This letter demands the withdrawal of the proposed Draft Amendment 2018 Alien Invasive Species Regulations and the Lists which were published for comment on 16/02/2018. A response to this letter is requested by no later than 17^th March 2018.

This letter makes it quite clear that the DEA that have once again acted illegally in terms of NEM:BA (National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act, 2004) and NEMA (National Environmental Management Act, 1998). Furthermore, the letter points out that the actions of the department are unconstitutional.

FOSAF Newsflash on the emailed response from DEA to requests for information

Many people have responded to the request that they write to DEA requesting outstanding information related to the proposed amendments to the AIS Lists and Regulations published on 16 February 2018.  For this we are extremely grateful. 

NEWSFLASH! – Please respond urgently to new NEMBA AIS list & regulations!

New draft amendments to the NEMBA Alien & Invasive Species Lists and Regulations were published for public comment on 16/02/2018.

You have 30 days to comment. Urgent action required!

The new Biodiversity Bill which will replace NEM:BA

If you were wondering why the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has not responded to us on the ‘Trout Issue’ it is because they intend repealing the NEMBA and replacing it with a brand-new version. This is being circulated initially internally for government comment. You may download it if you click here.

Report back on the 2017 Bonanza event at Dullstroom by Peter St Clair.

At a small function held on 29th October I was able to complete my responsibilities as 2017 BONANZA Convenor by announcing the winner of the Best Water floating trophy as well as the amount, agreed by the DFFA Committee, of this year’s donation to Helping Hands.

Public meeting

Pollution issues in the Vaal – SAVE the Vaal is hosting a public meeting on Saturday 25 November 2017 at 11h00 at 124 Kaalplaats, Windsor Rd 

What is FOSAF? by Ilan Lax

I meet many Flyfishers in my travels and always ask whether they are members of FOSAF? Many indicate that they are not and often ask “Why should I be a member?”  Before answering, I usually ask them if they know what FOSAF is and what is does?

Trout Wars: Why was the 2014 Phakisa agreement not implemented?

Introduction:

This is a brief update report on recent events in the on-going NEMBA AIS regulations saga.  It provides some background since late 2016 and then contextualises recent developments.

October fly of the month – The Blossom by the South Coast Fly Anglers Club

 The Blossom series of flies can be tied in any colour. or combination of colours.

 Lefty Kreh suggests that it be tied on a #2 up to a #4/0 long shank hook, but there is no reason why

 it cannot be tied down to a #8.

Why so little investment in freshwater aquaculture?

Why is there little investment in aquaculture, especially freshwater, when the government is so keen to see expansion in this area?

'South African Fishing Flies – An Anthology of Milestone Patterns' by Peter Brigg and Ed Herbst.

Peter Brigg writes: More than four years of work by Ed Herbst and I on a joint book project will be rewarded when South African Fishing Flies – An Anthology of Milestone Patterns goes on sale.

FOSAF fly of the month: The MIDGE by Rob Pretorius of the Durban Fly Tyers

MATERIALS:

1. Hook – Fulling Mill Czech nymph #16
2. Thread – red or black thread
3. Breathing gills – unwaxed dental floss/ antron/marabou/CDC
4. Ribbing – 0.8mm clear or coloured stretchy floss
5. UV Loon flow
6. Flashback optional

Louis van der Westhuizen – a fly fishing legend passes away.

FOSAF & TroutSA's response to the draft National Environmental Laws Amendment Bill 2015

Parliament is considering the 2015 National Environmental Laws Amendment Bill (to access it click here). In amongst the proposed changes are amendments to NEMBA.  These are a contradictory attempt by DEA to water down the peremptory obligation to eradicate species declared invasive.  DEA fails to both apply the correct legal interpretation of “invasive” nor to recognise the huge burden this places on organs of state and citizens. TSA and FOSAF have made representations, which amongst other things, argue that this contradiction highlights the impractical and unworkable nature of the unnecessarily listing 550 plus species as invasive.

Clouser's Minnow – by Tom Gifford of Durban Fly Tyers

MATERIALS:

1. Hook – Mustad 34007 / Gamakatsu Stinger B10s / Gamakatsu SC15 or any similar saltwater hook in a size 4 or 2 (or upwards depending how big you want the fly to be).
2. Thread - .006 Nylon for attaching the dumbbell eyes and bright pink 140 floss/thread for dressing the shank and attaching the wing.
3. Wing – SF Blend in Mullet brown.
4. Lateral line – small brown cock hackle feathers.
5. Flash – a couple of strands of copper coloured flashabou.
6. Dumbbell eyes – 3 mm brass/lead/tungsten. Alternatively try similar sized bead chain if you want to keep it light.

The Dullstroom Fly Fishers Association Bonanza 2017

Dullstroom Fly Fishers Association have TWO team places available for this years’ event, the DFFA 2017 Bonanza, starting on Thursday 28^th September and ending on the Sunday. This is arguably one of the two premier events of the year with fishing on some of the prime waters around Dullstroom.

FOSAF gets a R60 000,00 boost from the Natal Fly Fishers Club

FOSAF received a very welcome donation of R60 000,00 from the Natal Fly Fishers Club last month. This will be used to fund the organisation’s ongoing NEMBA/AIS campaign against the Department of Environmental Affairs efforts to list trout as invasive. The current work has entailed mapping places where trout occur and finalising the relevant self-regulation framework and other regulations that will pertain to trout. These negotiations commenced about 11 years ago and as yet there is little indication that they will be finalised soon. Not only has this lack of progress been very costly for FOSAF and the flyfishing industry, but it has had a negative effect on the hospitality industry in the areas where trout occur and where waters require regular stocking. FOSAF has also been involved in the debate regarding the draft Aquaculture Development Bill which in its present form has already inhibited investment in fresh water fish production in South Africa. Ironically there appears to be little will on the part of government to confront the real threats to biodiversity such as pollution and damage to the riparian zone from the untreated discharges from many water treatment plants or the mining in the water- rich areas such as the Mpumalanga escarpment.

The Queenstown Fly Fishing Club's Gathering - 29 June to 1 July

The Queenstown Fly Fishing Club’ s Gathering is always an important event for those seeking that trophy trout with the added benefit of good old Eastern Cape hospitality. 

FOSAF holds its AGM in Somerset East

The 2017 FOSAF AGM was held on 29 April in Somerset East, Eastern Cape rather than Johannesburg and this proved a great success. For over 20 years Johannesburg has been the venue for this event, but it was decided in 2016 that the organisation had to give its other important chapters the chance to participate fully in this important meeting and this decision paid off handsomely.

FLY FISHING FILM TOUR SOUTH AFRICA: F3T SOUTH AFRICA 2017

Dates

Monday, 15 May 2017

Durban – Ster Kinekor, Gateway

Thursday, 18 May 2017

Cape Town – Labia Theatre

Tuesday, 23 May 2017

Johannesburg – Nu Metro Montecasino

Sewage has become a national crisis - Afriforum

Government withholds information indicating that sewage has become a national crisis – AfriForum

The original article can be viewed at this link:

New open cast coal mine near Dullstroom – major threat to eco-tourism, fly fishing and agriculture.

The Centre for Environmental Rights requested WPB Colliery to cease operations for the opening of an open cast coal mine near Dullstroom by Thursday 13^th April. This was because they were committing numerous offences in terms of national, provincial and municipal legislation and the mine borders the newly gazetted Greater Lakenvlei Protected Environment of 14 000 hectares. 

GREAT NEWS – FOSAF National AGM & Fly Fishing Festival in Somerset East

For the first time in 30 years, the FOSAF National AGM will be held outside of Johannesburg.  We, FOSAF East Cape Chapter, are very excited to be hosting the FOSAF National AGM at the Angler and Antelope guesthouse in Somerset East in conjunction with Bankberg Trout Fisher’s Club. It is going to be an “EPIC” fly fishing festival over the long weekend, the last weekend of April, starting on Thursday 27^th April through to the Monday 1^st of May. Paid up Bankberg Trout Fisher’s Club members are as always, entitled to fish any of their waters throughout the year, booking beats over this weekend for club members is essential. Bankberg Trout Fisher’s Club will be opening ALL of its waters, to the public to fish over the five days. The cost of a normal day ticket to fish “some” of the Bankberg waters as a visitor is R150 per rod per day. Now you have the opportunity to fish ALL the waters.

A massive blow to the environmental integrity of the Dullstroom plateau & the eco-tourism industry.

A week ago, the landowners who are served by the key Elandsfontein road on the southern end of the Dullstroom plateau were alarmed to see the ground being ripped up in what is a very ecologically sensitive area. Not only is this an important source of the Elands River which flows through Machadodorp and down to the Crocodile but it also borders the massive Lakenvlei wetland which feeds the Olifants River and is classified in the Mpumalanga Biodiversity Plan as “Irreplaceable”.

The 2017 SA Fly Fishing & Fly Tying Expo by Gordon van der Spuy.

The South African Fly Fishing and Fly Tying Expo is the largest event of its kind in South Africa. It is the only show in the country that currently caters exclusively for fly fishermen and women.The event is a celebration of fly fishing, a coming together of the clans as it were. 

The presence of trout in the streams & rivers of Mabandla – Dr Bill Bainbridge

The valley of the Ngwangwane River

Martin von Holdt elected Eastern Cape chapter chairman.

At the last FOSAF EC AGM in November, Brian Clark stood down as Chairman of the EC Chapter after

4 years at the helm. Martin von Holdt has taken over from Brian, being duly elected at the AGM.

Brian will remain on the Committee as Vice Chairman. Martin is the eldest son of the late and well

known Brian von Holdt who before his passing chaired this chapter for many years. Together with

people like Martin Davies of Rhodes University, Brian von Holdt was largely instrumental in

popularising fly fishing, especially for trout, in the Eastern Cape.

Flash Clouser as tied by Richard Wale

Report: Mpumalanga Trout Association AGM held on 2nd Feb 2017

The Mpumalanga Trout Association (MTA) held its second AGM at the Milly’s conference centre, Machadodorp on the 2^nd February 2017. The organisation was launched 18 months ago, to represent the interests of the trout value chain comprising mainly the trout farmers and processors and the many fly fishing destinations in the province. The MTA is also the provincial representative of the national organisation, Trout SA (TSA) of which FOSAF is an important member. 

Crisis in Mpumalanga - Is anyone listening?

Agenda for Mpumalanga Trout Association at Millys on 02/02/2017

Agenda for the Mpumalanga Trout Association Annual General Meeting to be held at Millys Conference Centre, Machadodorp on Thursday 2^nd February at 10am.

FOSAF’S New Membership categories - please support us!

FOSAF has been reviewing its National Membership Categories and we have decided to make it easier for our members and supporters to join by adding a new level of Supporter to the mix and rationalising the memberships to 3 categories:

Dullstroom Fly Fishers Association – 2016 BONANZA

The Dullstroom Fly Fishers BONANZA has recently closed it’s books on it’s 6^th year as one of SA’s leading fly fishing events and in the process broken all previous records for fund raising for the local needy – all thanks to the amazing generosity of participants, sponsors and water owners. In his closing presentation, Alan Hatton (the BONANZA event coordinator) pointed out “….. that this year, we were faced with some very special challenges – namely, how to somehow improve the fishing quality notwithstanding the recent drought conditions and the shortage of quality fish in the market, how to re-engage Dullstroom’s Town Dam in the public fly fishing scene and, last but not least, how to top last year’s record fund-raising achievement of R 70,000.  Well, true to form, Dullstroom and all the good folks that supported the BONANZA rose, like hungry trout, to the challenge!

Latest update on the NEMBA/Trout issue by Ilan Lax

Just where are we on the seemingly endless road of the NEMBA /Trout saga? 

September FOSAF Fly of the Month – The ‘General Franco’ series by Chris Williams

The General Franco series

The aim of this article is not so much a specific recipe but more a generic one, using the soft hackle design with the emphasis on improvising with locally-gathered materials. Many of us have been too much in awe of Northern Hemisphere feathers and fur whilst not thinking outside of our tying boxes and using what is available right on our stoep steps. I love all my pheasant, snipe, starling, partridge and the like whose feathers I have gathered over the last half century stemming from my youth in England.

However what local birds and feathers can we gather and use, especially experimenting beginner fly tiers, without breaking the bank in these hard times?

Proposal for catch and release of dusky kob in the Breede River estuary - by Conrad Botes

All anglers concerned with the future of the Breede river system, and especially the Breede river estuary, should pay attention to a notice posted in the Government Gazette.

Anton Bredell, Minister for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, have given notice of the submission of the Breede River Estuarine Management Plan (EMP) to the National Minister of Environmental Affairs for final approval. You can read the proposal here:

https://www.westerncape.gov.za/eadp/sites/eadp.westerncape.gov.za/files/your-resource-library/Breede_EMP_Gazetted%20June%202016%20%28final%20master%29.pdf

A report on the SA Fly Fishing & Fly Tying Expo 2016

Over 500 flyfishing enthusiasts attended the recent Flyfishing Expo hosted by Lourensford Estate near Somerset West just outside Cape Town.  The Expo saw a vibrant and varied gathering of flyfishing and flytying luminaries and crafts people connected to the sport.  In addition, many flyfisheries were showcased.

The Roundhead Fly – by Chris Williams

This 17^th Century English fly to the best of our knowledge has not been made anywhere since it’s inception until right now here in South Africa. You will note it is the unacknowledged forerunner of the so-called ‘Czech Nymph’ design and it also imitates net-spinning caddis larvae so beloved by our yellowfish. The originator of the concept of what is probably the world’s first weighted nymph style is Colonel Robert Venables and is first described in his book ‘The Experienc’d Angler’. Venables was a senior soldier in Cromwell’s ‘Roundhead’ army in the English Civil War. Hence the name we christened the nymph above.

FOSAF at the F3T-SA Flyfishing Film

The Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) – made its debut visit to South Africa (F3T-SA) this year.  Billed as “One of the most anticipated events in the South African Fly Fishing Industry”, this ground breaking festival of short fly fishing film certainly lived up to its name, delivering a gripping and mouth-watering smorgasbord of fly eye-candy from island saltwater to the deep recesses of jungle freshwater ... and a bit of everything in between.  With sold out shows in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, the F3T-SA drew the SA fly angling community together from far and wide. FOSAF was heartened by the massive support shown for this event.

The South African Fly Fishing and Fly Tying Expo 2016

'The South African Fly tying and Fly fishing Expo 2016' will take place on 30 July this year at the Lourensford Wine Estate in the Western Cape. The event is being hosted by Boland and Western Province Fly fishing in conjunction with the Lourensford Wine Estate.

Brief Summary of the Trout mapping process by Ilan Lax

DEA have a statutory duty to publish AIS (Alien invasive species) regulations in terms of NEMBA.  They have been trying to do this for many years.  FOSAF and later Trout SA (TSA) objected to these insofar as they relate to the management of trout in SA.  There were then ongoing debates and negotiations regarding the “invasiveness” and “control” of trout.

Trout fishing in the Karoo by Alan Hobson

Salmon Fishing in Yemen, a 2011 British romantic comedy-drama film about a fisheries expert who is recruited by a consultant to help realize a sheikh's vision of bringing the sport of fly fishing to the Yemen desert became something of a cult classic and I was reminded of the film when I read two articles in Rapport Weekliks “Forelbedryf vrees skade – Staat will boere met wetgewing reguleer” – 10 April en “Nog vis, nog vrees” -17 April.

Dullstroom Fly Fishers launch Siyifunile Club

Dullstroom Fly Fishers Association and Xplorer Fly Fishing proudly announce a whole new social development program designed to bring fly fishing within reach of black students from the local high school – and, in so doing, bridge the gap between Dullstroom and Sakhelwe communities.  Dullstroom is widely regarded as the fly fishing capital of Mpumalanga and, according to DFFA’s Chairman, Peter St Clair “There is no better place to demonstrate that the wonderful world of fly fishing can be opened to all who are prepared to learn – regardless of background, colour, gender or age.  And so we are working with the Siyifunile Secondary School to start a students’ club, first to train some students in fly fishing skills – and then find ways to give them access, not only to places where they can fish, but maybe even potentially to careers in the extensive fly fishing industry.”

Anti-trout lobby threatens the Constitution - Ed Herbst

The idea that that trout do not belong in South African rivers because “tigers do not belong in the Kruger Park” (“Forelbedryf vrees skade – Staat will boere met wetgewing reguleer – Rapport 10 April) is typical of the attack on trout by the anti-trout lobby that exists in government and some parastatal scientific agencies. It is an emotional response that appeals, one might even say exploits, our base instincts to distrust anything that we regard as alien or not belonging. It is also an absurd statement that seeks to place xenophobic notions about alienness at the centre of environmental management.

Mpumalanga Trout Association Meeting to plan mapping of where trout occur in province - PLEASE NOTE VENUE IS NOW MILLYS, MACHADODORP

The mapping of “where trout are” is fundamental to the sustainability of the Trout Value Chain, as the distribution of trout in SA commenced 125 years ago. This makes trout a naturalised alien as most of our common farm animals have gone the same route. The ecological impact if any, is spent.

Rerouting……or getting the process for mapping the whereabouts of trout back on track by Ilan Lax

The meeting that was to take place in Pretoria on 11 April 2016 to discuss the regulation and mapping of trout has been called off. This is a very good thing as the meeting would have been contrary to the process that had been agreed at a meeting that took place last month between the Director Generals of the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and representatives of Trout SA and FOSAF. It was confirmed and/or agreed at that meeting that:

Epson Wild Trout Festival - edited report by Dave Walker

The format of the 2016 festival was altered slightly to extend time on the water by one day as well as to include a mini-tackle fair where participants had an opportunity to try out the casting characteristics of a wide range of small stream rigs on the lawn at the Rhodes River Park. Thanks to Sean de Wet for the use of the premises.

Some good news on the NEMBA saga regarding trout!

Brief back ground:

Our interaction with government departments around the contested regulation of trout has continued. These endeavours have focussed on realising the important win-win achieved through cooperative governance at the Phakisa Ocean labs Conference in Durban in July 2014. The agreement reached at the Phakisa conference was that where trout occur they will not be listed as invasive, where they don’t occur they will be listed as invasive. This was followed by a meeting at Kirstenbosch (dealing with implementation) which in turn was followed by a mapping meeting held at Fern Hill (KZN) in October 2014.  At this meeting the places where trout occur were largely agreed and some additional areas still needed to be added.  FOSAF and TroutSA jointly submitted maps for comment by the provincial agencies and DEA (Department of Environmental Affairs) in March 2015.  Very little was heard back during 2015 and two scheduled mapping meetings could not take place due to a lack of consensus and readiness on the part of the state bodies. 

Xplorer Backs the Dullstroom BONANZA

Xplorer Fly Fishing are getting behind the 2016 DFFA BONANZA in a big way once again. Xplorer’s John Geils commented “This is now the 5^th year that we have supported the BONANZA as Principal Sponsor. Dullstroom Fly Fishers Association have done a really good job of building this event from a small club competition to one of the principal attractions on the fly fishing calendar. It’s a great fly fishing event, but what we really like is that the focus of the Club and the event extends beyond the competition itself and supports the development of fly fishing …… as well as raising funds for the local needy.”

Fishing Survey - 2015

We refer to the Fishing Survey-2015 currently being circulated by Dr Potts of Rhodes University. 

Draft Aquaculture Bill – dates & venues for public participation meetings.

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) hereby invite interested and affected stakeholders to participate in the public consultations on the Draft Aquaculture Bill. The Draft Aquaculture Bill seeks to create an efficient regulatory regime for the aquaculture sector in order to create an enabling environment to promote aquaculture sector growth. The objectives of the Aquaculture Bill are to promote responsible aquaculture development;promote the development and management of the South African aquaculture sector; promote coordination of aquaculture research and development activities; enable the aquaculture sector to be regulated more effectively, and to promote transformation of the sector.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL DOCUMENT

Draft Aquaculture Bill

To promote the development of an equitable, diverse, viable and competitive aquaculture sector; to create a harmonised enabling regulatory environment within a framework of sustainable development; to improve coordination in the
regulation of the aquaculture sector; to promote the participation of historically disadvantaged individuals in the aquaculture sector; to establish an aquaculture development fund; and to provide for related matters.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL DOCUMENT

Inclusive local tourism development in South Africa: Evidence from Dullstroom - Gareth Butler & Christian M Rogerson

Abstract

Growing international debates surround the notion of inclusive tourism development. 

Inclusive local tourism development in South Africa: Evidence from Dullstroom – Gareth Butler & Christian Rogerson

Growing international debates surround the notion of inclusive tourism development. The objective in this paper is to examine the issues around inclusive tourism development in South Africa through a locality study.

Mining and/or tourism development for job creation and sustainability in Dullstroom, Mpumalanga. Llewellyn Leonard. Department of Tourism Management, University of Johannesburg.

Abstract

Although the tourism sector has greater potential for job creation than the mining sector, the debate on which sector may be more sustainable for employment and local social development, has not been extensively researched, especially in the global South. 

Report on the Mpumalanga Trout Association’s meeting at Walkersons on 21/01/2016

Introduction

The meeting which included the MTA’s first AGM was well attended. The MTA was particularly pleased to welcome Mr Stemmer Ndala, A chief director of Aquaculture responsible for aquaculture at DARDLEA (Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land & Environmental Affairs) along with his colleagues Patricia Noku and Stephen Goetz. The meeting commenced with a short address from Mr Ndala from DARDLEA followed by presentations by Ilan Lax of Trout SA (TSA) and FOSAF, Steve Vincent of Millstream and Richard Viljoen who is running the Trout SA’s mapping project.

Mpumalanga Trout Association AGM on 21 January

All stakeholders and interested parties are invited to attend the Mpumalanga Trout Association’s AGM. Please note that both Trout SA/FOSAF lawyers will give presentations and the Head of Department DARDLEA and DAFF officials will be invited to comment and/or respond. After the tea break the AGM itself will commence. See agenda below:

The kids from Ikholwa Childrens Home

Andy Lawler demonstrating

On Thursday 17^th December a group of 16 kids arrived from the Ikholwa Children’s Home at St Stithians College in Randburg for basic instruction in fly fishing at the school’s two dams which are stocked with bass and kurper. The event was organised by Chris Williams, chairman of the Stithians Fly Fishing Club and who also chairs the Northvaal Chapter of FOSAF. On hand were well-known flyfisher, Andy Lawler, and his son Andre to help with the instruction of the children whose ages varied from the very young to older teenagers. After an introduction by Chris which included some information on ecology the young students were given the opportunity to cast a fly for the first time in their lives with tackle lent by SAFFA.

Summary of submissions made by on behalf of Trout South Africa (Trout SA) and the Federation of Southern African Fly Fishers (Fosaf) on the proposed amendments to part 2 of chapter 5 of the National Environmental Management Biodivesrity Act, 2004 (NEMBA)

These representations focus on the proposed amendments to Part 2 of Chapter 5 Environmental Management Biodiversity Act, 2004 or NEMBA. Chapter 5 of NEMBA is of particular concern to the trout value chain given the numerous attempts that have been made by environmental officials over the years to declare rainbow trout (oncorhynchus mykiss) and brown trout (Salmo trutta ), invasive and consequently subject to a process of prevention and/or systematic removal.

Fresh Water Life – A Field guide to the plants and animals of southern Africa.

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This book by Charles Griffiths, Jenny Day and Mike Picker is the first comprehensive, illustrated field guide to the aquatic life in southern Africa. As such it is a ‘must-have’ for all fresh water fly fishers and it will also make a great Christmas gift.

If you are a Sterkfontein Dam Flyfisher please complete this survey

I am an Associate Professor in Tourism Geography at the University of Johannesburg currently engaged in research on fly-fishing tourism at Sterkfontein Dam. The aims of this project are to examine the role and distribution of fly-fishers that fish Sterkfontein Dam.

Stippled Beauties, a new book on trout fishing by Andrew Fowler

FishMap - What is it?

What is FishMAP

The Animal Demography Unit at the University of Cape Town has been capturing distribution data for many creatures in Southern Africa for almost a quarter of a century. The distribution and breeding data about each class of creature is captured by everyday citizens who are keen hobbyists in the subject being monitored. Currently ADU monitors Birds, Mammals, Reptiles, Frogs, Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies), Lacewings, Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera), Scorpions and Spiders. In the plant world Mushrooms, Orchids and Trees are mapped

The economic contribution of the Wild Trout Association to the Eastern Cape highlands – by Dave Walker

Saturday evening, the 22^nd August was a momentous occasion in Rhodes when a Wild Trout Association dinner was held at Walkerbouts Inn. The purpose of the event was to convey the associations sincere thanks to riparian members without whose support and fly fishing water, there would be no association.

Meeting to discuss problems facing the Mpumalanga trout industry held at Walkersons on 24/07/2015

On Friday 24^th July 65 people packed the conference room at the Walkersons Hotel outside Dullstroom to participate in a meeting to discuss the problems confronting the trout industry in Mpumalanga. 

Vanderkloof (VDK) Dam: Update on the proposed small-scale commercial fishery.

YWG has been receiving feedback from Dr Aidan Wood who has been asked by SASACC (South African Sport Anglers & Casting Federation) to represent the interests of anglers on matters relating to a commercial fishery at VDK Dam. While not officially representing the YWG he has agreed to voice our views at the stakeholder’s advisory committee which has been set up to discuss and monitor the experimental and small-scale commercial fishery at VDK Dam.

FOSAF Comments on Jeremy Shelton�s article �Trout in the fynbos � have they had serious ecological impacts?�

FOSAF congratulates Shelton on his article “Trout in the fynbos – have they had serious ecological impacts?” (see: “Flyfishing”, April/May 2015, Vol.28 No. 148; & http://www.fosaf.co.za/documents/Shelton-Trout-in-the-Fynbos-2015.pdf.)

Comments on the small scale commercial fishery at Vanderkloof Dam.

Many fly fishers will be aware that there are plans to commercially harvest fish from the Vanderkloof Dam (VDK) and this will include gill netting.

Progress made with FOSAF�s NEM:BA campaign- excerpt from Ilan Lax�s report in this month�s Tippet

The NEMBA campaign is still very much on the go with much to do in the year ahead.  At present we are waiting for the agreed mapping process to be completed and then reviewed.  

Why are the stillwater trout fisheries of the Eastern Cape so successful? - A tribute to Martin Davies.

Martin Davies is a household name amongst Eastern Cape flyfishers, if not elsewhere in SA, but many of do not realise, or have long forgotten, that without his passion to stock and maintain the trout populations of the high altitude dams of the Eastern Cape this part of the world would have little to offer the stillwater fly-fisher. In other words, without Martin these dams would not be the world class fisheries that they are today.

The Simulid Nymph � A possible breakthrough? - by Ed Herbst

Although a great many flies for yellowfish and trout were covered in FOSAF’s five-volume series, Favoured Flies and Select Techniques of the Experts, only one imitated a very prolific insect in our rivers and streams, the blackfly larvae.

Mpumalanga is in an environmental crisis � Report by the Centre of Environmental Rights

A desperate battle is raging across vast tracts of Mpumalanga between coal mining on the one hand and water preservation, food security and tourism on the other, writes CER attorney TRACEY DAVIES.

Click here to read the entire article

Latest news on NEMBA and the regulations & AIS listings for trout.

FOSAF and Trout SA note that the Minister of Environmental Affairs has published the Lists and Regulations on Alien and Invasive Species. Rainbow trout and brown trout have not been listed at present. 

The proposed Greater Lakenvlei Protected Environment

On 22 May 2014 the intention to declare the Greater Lakenvlei area a Protected Environment in terms of the National Management: Protected Areas Act was published in the Provincial Gazette No 2303.

Trout stakeholders reply to the DEA's press release of 19th May

23/05/2014

Trout Stakeholder Reply to DEA media release 

The recent DEA media release on the NEM:BA alien and invasive species (AIS) lists and regulations has caused a lot of confusion among trout stakeholders and other interested and affected parties.

NEM:BA and Trout: FOSAF & Trout SA�s response to the DEA�s press release of 19 May.

In reply to FOSAF and Trout SA’s submissions the DEA (Department of Environmental Affairs) sent out a press release to all stakeholders on 19 May. 

FOSAF & Trout SA's responses of 13 March & 8 April to the DEA regarding the regulations & AIS listings

Trout translocation project in the Western Cape by FOSAF and the CPS.

In the Western Cape the number of streams suitable for trout has declined significantly over the last 50 years. 

Final list of rivers for alien fish control in the Western Cape

The table below is the final list of 18 rivers which are being considered for alien fish control, two of which contain rainbow trout. 

Additional context by FOSAF to Ian Cox�s �Trying to make sense of NEM:BA�.

FOSAF believes that it is important to provide some additional context to Ian Cox’s criticism of the Department of Environmental Affairs approach for the control of trout, bass and carp, under the regulations of NEM:BA.

Study of tourism in the Dullstroom area

Undertaken by the University of Johannesburg with financial support from FOSAF it is titled “An assessment of the Social & Economic Impacts of Tourism Development in Dullstroom.” 

Rondegat alien fish project: Status report

1. Upgrading of lower Rondegat River weir

The lower Rondegat River weir was damaged in an extreme flooding event in 2008 and a side channel also formed next to the existing barrier.

Important new report: Ecology & biology of Vaal yellowfishes

A comprehensive review edited by Gordon O'Brien and Pierre de Villiers is now available on the ecology & biology of the two yellowfishes of the Vaal River.

Serious new disease of fish now widespread in S.A.

Epizootic Ulceritic Syndrome Now in South Africa

Olaf Weyl (South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity)

The fish disease, Epizootic Ulceritic Syndrome or EUS for short, was recently diagnosed by researchers from the Aquaculture Research Division of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in barbel from a farm dam near Stellenbosch. The disease is caused by a fungus that is originally from Southeast Asia but has been spread to many other parts of the world by the movement of live fish and, possibly by the transport of contaminated water.

Clanwilliam sandfish in trouble

It was with great excitement and anticipation that a group of established and aspiring fish scientists departed on a survey of the main stem Doring River during the week of 21-26 November. 

The costs of coal are more than carbon

Posted on 23 November 2011

"South Africa's reliance on coal-fired power has resulted in the country's green-house gas (GHG) emissions being double the global average per capita and per GDP. However, in addition to this, our dependence on coal is having devastating impacts on our water resources".

Amatola Wild Trout Fly Fishing by Alan Hobson

Situated at the base of the Amatola forests in the Keiskammahoek area are the Cata and Mnyameni villages close to the Hogsback. These rural communities have realised the potential of their natural assets and taken ownership of developing them. There are indigenous forests of yellow wood, white stinkwood, red and white pear trees, together with managed plantations, whilst humble dwellings coat the more accessible parts of the mountains.