– ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW. By Gordon van der Spuy.
The 2018 South African fly fishing and fly tying Expo will take place at Lourensford wine estate in the Western Cape from 27-29 July. The occasion is more of a reunion than an event really, an entire weekend of fly fishing bliss in beautiful surroundings with fellow feather crazed lunatics. It also happens to be the only event of its kind in Africa in that it caters exclusively for fly fisherman. Built for fly fisherman by fly fisherman.
The programme for this year’s event is as follows:
27 July - Expo Benefit Dinner Bash 2018
A benefit dinner aimed at raising funds for a few worthwhile causes like disabled fly fishing in the Western Cape and community fly fishing development projects on the Mooi and Bushman's Rivers in Natal.
This will take place at the Strand Golf Club on Friday the 27th of July 2018 from 18:30 for 19:00.The dress code is smart casual. It is held the night before the 2018 iteration of the Fly Fishing and Fly Tying Expo to be held at Lourensford.
What’s on the menu?
the evening will consist of a delicious locally-inspired three-course meal. Perhaps even more appetizing, is the benefit auction where you stand the chance of bidding for some unique, high-end, once-off goodies, including:
1. A unique bamboo rod, the product of a collaboration by two of South Africa’s finest rod builders, Stephen Boshoff and Stephen Dugmore (www.freestonerods.co.za)
2. A freestyle salmon fly by world-renowned classic tyer Ruhan Neethling.
Click in image to enlarge
Ruhan Neethling demonstrates his tying skills at a previous Expo
3. A collection of Oliver Kite patterns tied by the doyen of South African fly fishing, Dr Tom Sutcliffe.
4. A handmade net and fly box set hand crafted by the talented Shaun Futter. (www.truttaangling.com)
5. A bronze sculpture by world-renowned sculptor Chris Bladen. (www.chrisbladen.com)
And these are just some of the items on offer.
The cost for all this is R400/person or R4000/table of ten.
To book your spot at this special event, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or alternatively phone Gordon van der Spuy on 0741131382.
Saturday 28 July 2018 - Expo
Saturday sees the official kick-off of the 2018 SA Fly Fishing and Fly Tying Expo. The event will be held at Lourensford in and around the Laurent Room and will comprise of fly tying and casting demos as well as a wide range of exhibitors selling and marketing anything from trips to the Seychelles and local destinations to some of the best fly fishing and fly tying products on the market. Like the first expo in 2016, there will only be one retail day.
The idea of tiers casually tying and people being able to sit next to them and talk to them is appealing. The viewer gets a lot more out of the experience as it is intimate, personal and interactive.
FFI (Fly Fishers International) instructors will also be on hand to help people to cast more effectively and efficiently, because, as we all know, effectively getting the fly to one’s chosen quarry is the foundation of fly fishing. Instructors Tim Rolston and Andre vd Werff teach casting in a way that is refreshing and effective.
The day will be rounded off with a casting competition where the eventual winner will walk away with a fully guided trip for two to the Tourette Fishing Makhangoa Community camp on the Bokong river in Lesotho.
We’ll also announce all the winners of the SA Fly Tying Open competition for 2018 at the event.
Tickets for the day cost R150/person on a cash only basis and will be available at the venue on the day. Children under 12 don’t pay.
Coffee, Beer and Food will be available for purchase throughout the day
Expo Workshop Day Sunday 29 July 2018
The Expo Workshop day will consist of a range of workshops presented by the country’s top fly-fishing specialists. These guys are specialists in their respective genres and have played a major role with regards to pioneering fly fishing in this country. Welsh international and Airflo’s sales director Gareth Jones will be presenting a workshop on the A- Z of fly lines as well.
You’ll have the opportunity to attend four sessions during the course of the day.
Workshops will take place on Sunday 29 July at Lourensford at the Aleit School. Workshops will start at 9am sharp and end at 15:00pm.
How it works
There will be four sessions during the day, with 8 different workshop topics on offer. Workshops on offer include
Smallmouth Bass – Conrad Botes and Herman Botes
Stillwater trout – Matt Rich and Dan Factor
Cape Stream 101 – Tim Rolston
Euro Nymphing – Jacques Marais
Largemouth yellows – Garth Wellman
Carp – Leonard Flemming and Platon Trakoshis
Grunter 101 – M C Coetzer and Jannie Visser
Fly line 101 – Airflow's Gareth Jones
The workshop day costs R200/person for the day regardless of the amount of workshops done.
How to book
You can book a maximum of four workshops for the day. There are only 200 spots available for the entire day so book early to avoid disappointment. To book workshops please send us an email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name and cell phone number as well as your top 6 workshop options. Provide proof of payment (use your name and surname as reference). Payments can be paid to:
The Feather mechanic( Pty) Ltd
FNB Gold Business account Branch code 250 655
Acc No 62646797095
You will get to do a minimum of 3 of your top four choices with the final choice being a mash up between your last three choices.
For more info on the above mentioned events please feel free to mail us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or drop us a line on 074 113 1382.
Cost
A ticket to the workshop day will cost R200/person irrespective of how many workshops you attend. Coffee, beer and food will be on sale throughout the day.
Workshops need to be booked in advance and will work on a first come first serve basis. Each topic will be presented twice, so 8 topics presented twice each, 16 sessions in total.
You can book a maximum of four workshops for the day.
There are only 200 spots available for the entire day so book early to avoid disappointment. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to book your spot.
For more info on the above mentioned events please feel free to mail us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or drop us a line on 074 113 1382.
