FOSAF FLYFISHING NEWS

CURRENT FLYFISHING NEWS

YWG Newsletter: May 2013

Dear All,

The conference was held in very wet, cold conditions with at least 100 ml of rain falling from Friday evening through to Saturday morning. 

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.” 

FLYFISHING PUBLICATIONS

This range of books and cards offers invaluable information on Southern African fly fishing.

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.

FOSAF to celebrate its 25th anniversary

FOSAF will be holding its 25^th anniversary at the Eagles Ridge Hotel, Stutterheim at a dinner to on Saturday evening 3rd November this year.

Minutes of a meeting to discuss issues pertaining to yellowfish in Sterkfontein Dam.

On 19/07/2012 Leon Barkhuizen of the Free State Department of Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs (DETEA) convened a meeting to discuss the conservation and protection of yellowfish in this important fly fishing venue. The meeting was attended by DETEA officials, guides, outfitters, anglers, a fishing magazine and the SAPS.

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YWG Conference 2012: Proceedings.
The conference was held in Jonkershoek this year and understandably the focus was on the Western Cape and the rehabilitation of the Cederberg streams.   
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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.

A must have for all interested in our indigenous fishes.

Swimming on the Edge of Extinction by Sean Marr and Craig Garrow covers all currently recognised freshwater fish species that are indigenous to the Western Cape. Each species account is illustrated with exceptional photographs of fish in their natural environment together with descriptions of the distribution, biology, status and threats to the species.

Fish the 2012 DFFA Bonanza!!!

Dullstroom Fly Fishers' Association (DFFA) are inviting all skilful fly fishers to enter in the 2012 DFFA BONANZA - a team-based competition to take place in and around Dullstroom in October this year.

April Flyfishing Expo postponed

Kindly note that the Flyfishing Expo scheduled for 14 – 15 April has been postponed.

Suitability of Water in the Vaal Barrage
Results obtained from water samples collected at the respective sample points
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National & Chapter Chairperson's Reports

It is once again my pleasure to report to the FOSAF membership and other interested parties on our activities during the past year.

Flyfishing library for sale
 Louis Wolhuter (louiswolhuter@gmail.com) is moving into a retirement village and has to dispose of many of his books, included among these is his collection of fly-fishing literature. This set of 71 volumes features most of the best authors and the majority of the seminal works that appeared in the fly-fishing literature of the 20^th century. It spans virtually the entire fly-fishing spectrum.

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.

An update on OVRYCMA.

The OVRYCMA (Orange Vaal River Conservation and Management Association) had its first of four meetings of the year at Sandveld Nature Reserve at Bloemhof Dam in the north western Free State on the 3^rd of February 2012.  It was attended by Free State Nature Conservation, the Department of Water Affairs, the Yellowfish Working Group (YWG), FOSAF and an aquatic scientist from the University of North West.  There were no riparian owners present which was unfortunate since there are over 600 members spanning the upper, middle and lower Vaal areas.    

Proposed amendment to Coastal Management Act published for comment

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) has advised that the draft National Management: Integrated Coastal Management Amendment Bill has been published for public comment.

Ed Herbst's second fly tying DVD

"Terrestrials" the second in the series, "A Fly Tying Journey with Ed Herbst and Friends" is now available.

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".

New from FOSAF - The Favoured Flies Card Collection
The "Favoured Flies and Selected Techniques of the Experts" series of flyfishing books contains a total of over 500 flies and this card collection is a representative selection of some of those flies chosen. The principal prey species have been identified in this collection and the objective is to help flyfishers enhance the enjoyment of their sport by being assisted to match the hatch and improve their success rate.
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EWT's Mining Toolkit

This is a great resource for all landowners, NGO's and the public in general who are confronted with problems from mining, particularly from those companies suspected of following incorrect procedures.

What is happening with the NEM:BA AIS regulations?

The short reply to what is happening about the long-awaited revised draft regulations of the NEM:BA Alien and Invasive Species regulations (with special reference to trout), is that unfortunately, in this instance, no news is NOT good news!  We, from the Environmental Committee of FOSAF, have grown weary of writing "No Progress" reports to stakeholders. 

A new digital fly fishing magazine and website

South African flyfishers are really spoilt for media coverage. And in the last couple of weeks we have been presented with two new attractive additions. The first South African digital magazine for flyfishers, Flyfishing Tails, was launched by Warren Hickinbotham of Theta Media.

Proposed ban on night fishing in the Breede River

The attached document (Govt gazetteof 16/09/2011) proposes that a ban be implemented between the hours of 20h00 and 06h00 the following day on the Breede River estuary. The public has until October 21 to comment.

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.

New fly tying DVD by top SA guide

"Essential Fly Tying Techiques" by Tim Rolston is an electronic book, the likes of which has never before been seen.

Snow in Dullstroom

There has been plenty of snow in the high areas of the Eastern Cape and in the KZN Midlands and Drakensberg, but it is not often you see snow in the Trout Triangle of Mpumalanga.

The 2011 Bell's Dullstroom Fly Fishers Experience: 12 to 14 August

Do not miss this prestigious fly fishing event  planned to take place in and around Dullstroom over 5 fishing sessions in August 2011.

The Fishing & Hunting Journal is back!

There will be many in the fishing and hunting community who will be delighted to hear that this fine magazine will be back again. 

A plan to protect Mpumalanga's Trout Triangle

 In September 2011 we can expect a surge of new applications to prospect or even mine in the Steenkampsberg which is the heart of the province's famous Trout Triangle.

A new DVD from Ed Herbst & Andrew Ingram

Ed Herbst and Andrew Ingram's new DVD is now out. Copies are available from StreamX or your nearest fly fishing shop.

Kimberley Biodiversity Symposium
The 8th Kimberley Biodiversity Research Symposium will be held in Kimberley on 06 September 2011.
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2011 YWG Proceedings
The Proceedings of the 2011 Yellowfish Working Group Conference may now be viewed or downloaded from this website.
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Latest news from the Eastern Cape
The newly elected FOSAF chapter chairman of the Eastern Cape, Alan Hobson, feels that the public are not aware of the vital role FOSAF plays to secure the privilege of being able to fly fish for trout.
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YWG Newsletter –March 2011
This year’s YWG conference & workshop at Badplaas last month was a great success with a number of recommendations coming to the fore over the two day period.
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The new FOSAF Guide to Fly-fishing Destinations is now available.
The eagerly awaited FOSAF Guide to Fly-Fishing in Southern Africa is now available.
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