I have just returned from a quick trip to what I consider 'the south'. I know that Tennessee and Alabama isn't exactly as far as some would go to get away from a Canadian winter, but it is still south to me. While down there, I enjoyed some great 'suthern hospitality' courtesy of Bob, Scott and Kenny at Custom Tackle Supply. It was great talking rod building and fishing with these guys, although we did have reason to complain about the weather. Before leaving for the south, I had it in the back of my mind that I could possibly get in some fishing while down there. Instead, we talked about it. More winter blues set in.
In last week's article, we looked at a some places in South America where we could go fly fishing during the Northern Hemisphere's winter months. Naturally, there are many more places in the world where fly fishing is not only possible, but considered excellent. Henry de Beer of Fishing Africa reports on the state of Smallmouth Yellowfish and how to fly fish for it, in South Africa. I had never heard of such a fish before, and discovered this picture of it, along with images of other sport fish available on the African continent. As well as fresh water, salt water fly fishing is also gaining in popularity in South Africa. Anthony Kruger, also writing for Fishing Africa, has provided his Guide to Salt Water fly fishing in South Africa.
As well as species not found in other parts of the world, there is also excellent brown and rainbow trout fishing available in South Africa. Apparently, the Natal Province offers some of the best. The Eastern Cape also provides good rainbow fishing, and this page has an image of a nice locally caught 'bow.
The ferocious looking Tiger Fish also falls prey to fly anglers. In Botswana, these fish follow the major catfish runs in the Okavango panhandle. The Guma Lagoon Camp provides accomodations and guiding for those desiring to tangle with these sharp toothed monstors. Further north, on the Caprivi Strip of Namibia, you can fly fish for Tigerfish at the Impalila Island Lodge while enjoying the opportunity to view elephants along the river shore.
All this makes for a deeper sense of the mid winter blues for fly anglers in the Northern Hemisphere, especially those of us who woke up this morning and saw another 15 cm of snow that had fallen on the ground during the night. Just a reminder that it there are still about 7 weeks to go before the trout opener.
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