Learning how to fish opens new doors for pupils
The Dullstroom Fly Fishers Association (DDFA) and Xplorer Fly Fishing recently launched a social-development programme designed to introduce fly-fishing to pupils from the local high school and, in so doing, bridge the gap between the Dullstroom and Sakhelwe communities.
DULLSTROOM – The Dullstroom Fly Fishers Association (DDFA) and Xplorer Fly Fishing recently launched a social-development programme designed to introduce fly-fishing to pupils from the local high school and, in so doing, bridge the gap between the Dullstroom and Sakhelwe communities.
Dullstroom is widely regarded as the fly-fishing capital of Mpumalanga and, according to DFFA’s chairman,
Mr Peter St Clair, “There is no better place to demonstrate that the wonderful world of fly-fishing can be for all who are prepared to learn regardless of background, colour, gender or age. Thus we are working with the Siyifunile Secondary School to start a students’ club, first to train some pupils in fly-fishing skills and then to 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”.
The initiative was born out of the relationship that has developed between the DFFA and the school over the past few years during which Siyifunile pupils have been engaged in a supporting role as marshals at the annual DFFA Bonanza fund-raising event.
When the programme was announced at last year’s Bonanza prize-giving, John Geils (owner and MD of Xplorer Fly Fishing) was quick to donate 12 Xplorer starter kits to get the club up and running.
The programme coordinator, Mr Alan Hatton, was equally quick to respond.
“In next to no time, we had the names of 16 grade 11 and 12 pupils (male and female) who were keen to learn why we are all so passionate about this wonderful pastime. We were even more delighted that Xplorer responded accordingly and shipped through, not 12, but 16 5WT Backcountry rods, reels, and matching lines,” said Hatton.
He continued, “We thought that it was important that the students not only learn how to cast and maybe catch a few fish, so we developed a full programme of learning sessions so that they come to appreciate the full scope of fly-fishing and what it has to offer. The first few sessions were spent in the Siyifunile classrooms, covering introductory content such as the history of fly-fishing, why it is important, and, in particular, why fly-fishing is important to Dullstroom, and what makes it different. From there, still in the classroom, we took the pupils through the fly-fishing equipment in some detail, including the importance of the right knots for the right jobs.”
While all this was happening, support came pouring in, not only in the form of cash and used-tackle donations, but from club members and Dullstroom fly-fishing retailers that have committed to support the programme.
Both Messrs John Hunter (The Village Angler) and John Thoabala (Mavungana Flyfishing) have committed their teams to assist in coaching skills, which will be an essential ingredient going forward.
The initial casting training took place on a regular basis on the Dullstroom sports field, much to the initial amusement of visitors and passers-by.
“All but one of the students had never even held a fly rod in their hands but they were quick to learn and a few were putting 15 to 20 metres of very neat line out by the end of the second session. We recently started some actual fishing sessions on our club water and one or two nearby waters that have allowed us access for supervised coaching (Go Country and Santa Estates). A few pupils have already experienced the excitement of catching their first fish on and off. The highlight came a week or two ago, when one of the pupils, Piet Makua, landed his first fish. And what a fish it was, a 60-centimetre beauty caught in the Janson Dam. Since then, more fish have been caught at Santa,” explained Hatton.
What will follow now is an equal mix of classroom sessions dealing with flies, fish behaviour, and the finer points of finding, catching and releasing fish, plus practical experience and outings to waters nearby. The club’s objective is to get at least half a dozen pupils trained and qualified to the point that they can stand and fish confidently next to any experienced fly-fishers in any trout water.
One of the challenges that is yet to be overcome is getting access to local waters at affordable rates, so that they can fish and put their learning to good use.
St Clair said that it remained to be seen whether the pupils’ club will become an ongoing annual programme.
“Yes, we have lost a few of the early hand-raisers, but the 10 or 12 that will probably stay on the 2016 project are committed and if only these relative few emerge as enthusiastic fly-fishers, then we will have achieved something worthwhile. And it can only grow from that point. Thank you to Xplorer, the Village Angler and Mavungana for the support,” said St Clair.
If you are interested in supporting this initiative in any way, be it sponsoring, coaching, allowing or accompanying the pupils to the water, contact Hatton on
073-478-3317 or info@dullstroomflyfishers.co.za.
Hatton also indicated that he would be happy to share the training decks that had been prepared up to this point with any other club or organisation that wished to embark on similar programmes.
