FROM BILLY DE JONG, MY LONG TIME FISHING AND PHOTOGRAPHY BUDDY
(Photo Tom Sutcliffe)
Click in images to enlarge them
1. My first choice would be to have a 7’ Steve Dugmore Freestone 3 -weight same as yours with blond cane and amber wrappings. That’s a dream machine on a stream or river.
2. I would cut off a leg for one of Jay Smit’s JVices!
3. Then I really need a float tube big enough for my dog and me to fish comfortably!! First choice would be a FishCat Prowler!
FROM PETE BRIGG WHO NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION TO ANY SOUTH AFRICAN FLY FISHER
Not easy considering my Christmas wish list is always so extensive with a book list as long as my arm and all those bits-n-pieces of tackle and fly tying paraphernalia that I need, or would like to have. However I narrowed it down to just three really special ones as requested.
1.A Terenzio 3wt silk line for my beautifully crafted Stephen Boshoff bamboo fly rod.
See - http://www.terenziosilklines.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19&Itemid=63&lang=en
2. A Winston 7’ Boron lll LS 2wt (http://winstonrods.com/category/rods/boronIIILS.php). I’d be happy with just the blank which I’d get finished to my specifications by rod builder extraordinaire. Koos Eckaard – (http://roddesigns.blogspot.com/)
3. An air ticket to New York so that I can travel to Roscoe and visit the Catskill Fly Fishing Centre Museum, meet some of the well-known American fly fishers and spend a few days fishing a the Catskill’s famous rivers like the Beaverkill and Willowmoc, Delaware, Neversink and the Esopus Creek.
See –( http://www.cffcm.net/index.htm)
FROM GIORDANO ZAMPARINI, MASTER OF THE MAGOEBASKLOOF TROUT STREAMS UP NORTH
I thought about it and the three items that I would like are:
1. A Steve Boshoff cane rod and matching three weight silk line from Terenzio Zandri.
2. I have had the pleasure of using a borrowed pair of Sim's waders from guides on a number of occasions now, they are superb. The new ones are the G3's, expensive, $460, but worth it if you fish a lot.
3. I wouldn't mind including a trip to Alaska but.....
FROM PETER HAYES, MASTER CASTER
(Photo Tom Sutcliffe)
How about this.
1. Gift voucher for casting lesson with Peter Hayes.
2. Week of guided fishing with Peter Hayes.
No, more seriously.
1. Fish for a day with Lee Wulff using a Boshoff cane rod and Ari Hart reel
2. Cast for a day with Charles Ritz in Paris.
3. Float the Zambezi for a day Tiger fishing with my son Lachlan.
FROM MARK KRIGE – ONE OF THE FINEST FLY FISHERS YOU WILL EVER COME ACROSS
Mark (centre) guiding John Thoabala (left) and Collen Tshabangu (right) of Mavungana Fly Fishing on Smalblaar beat 2 (Tom Sutcliffe photo)
1. First choice is a Dugmore 7’ 3 -weight bamboo
2. Then a medal for the 2014 Youth Team going to the World Champs in Poland
3. Finally a Chris Bladen Bronze of a Grayling. Santa can tell Chris I’m willing to pay a million bucks for this –in instalments of a rand a month.
FROM JADE DOS SANTOS – THE KEENEST FLY FISHERS YOU EVER WILL COME ACROSS
1. Time: The one thing I am short of at the moment and the one thing I need the most of. I don't want an exclusive international trip, as nice as that would be, but I would love the time to take two months off to explore the country. From the Western Cape, up to the Eastern Cape, stopping off in the Karoo and Northern Cape before making my way down to the coast, then up to Rhodes and Maclear, making my way to KZN, past Dordrechet for some Stillwater fishing in the colder months.
2. Scott Radian 9 ft 5wt: I have heard so much about this rod, and can't wait to test cast Peter Taljaard’s before I order one.
3. Canon 5D MK2: I know it is decadent, but this is a wish list. I would love to film more fishing, and GoPro's can only get you so far as excellent as they are. I might need a waterproof housing and lenses to match.
Consolation present: One of Mario Geldenhuys's new custom glass rods, 8'6 3wt would be perfect thanks Mario!
FROM JAY SMIT MAKER OF THE FAMOUS JVICE
No. 1 on my wish list would be a fly fishing trip to Chilean Patagonia. I have always fancied a trip to Chile and to combine it with fly fishing in their mountains would be just awesome.
No. 2 would be to indulge my fascination with the fly reel and I would love to add an Ari T Hart reel to my meagre collection of reels.
Then third and not least would be another finely crafted bamboo rod to add to the Steve Boshoff Rod I already own and cherish.
FROM FRED STEYNBERG RENOWNED FLY GUIDE LIVING IN RHODES
Fred on the Sterkspruit (Photo Tom Sutcliffe)
1. First on my list will definitely be a flight ticket (return because I would not want to spoil it) to New Zealand to fish again in this fantastic country were trout feed naturally, swim freely and are treasured by the locals.
2. Secondly, a voucher for a month’s car hire (preferably a small 4x4) in New Zealand.
3. Thirdly, the best pair of wading boots money can buy as I will want to cover as much river frontage on foot as possible and will need a pair that will last a month of hard walk and stalk fly fishing.
STEVE DUGMORE MAKER OF FINE BAMBOO RODS
Dugmore at work. (Photo Tom Sutcliffe)
If it’s not too late my wishes are an end to corruption, environmental stability and more days on the water.
But given Santa is not God and deals more in material things I will go for:
1. GoPro camera
2. 9 wt saltwater outfit – (mine went overboard at the end of last year!)
3. 2wt Yano silk line
FROM JOHN YELLAND CEO OF UPSTREAM FLY FISHING
It would really great if Santa would:
1. Take me and a bunch of my friends somewhere so that we all have the opportunity to catch Milkfish, Permit and Tarpon!
2. Ease a Chris Bladen sculpture down my chimney!
3. Ensure that our trout continue to swim freely in our rivers and streams as they have for the past 120 odd years!
Upstream Fly Fishing store in Cape Town
GIJSBERT HOOGENDOORN SCIENTIST AND FLY FISHER PAR EXCELLENCE
On a Cape stream (Photo Tom Sutcliffe)
Dear Santa
1. Can I please get a Sage 11ft 3wt ESN.
2. A size 16 jig hook that has a proper gape (not too big, not too small), with proper wire that doesn't bend open on yellows.
3. Santa, please go to Tom Lewin's bamboo rod collection, empty it out and give it to me!
Thanks Santa
FROM SHEENA CARNIE EDITOR OF FLYFISHING (AFRICAN ANGLER) MAGAZINE
If I was pushed, top of the list (especially at this hectic time of the year) would be an hour of peace and quiet where no-one wants anything from me and I can just sit and breathe - next to a bubbling stream would be lovely!
Second would be a watch seeing as my last one broke at least six months ago. Maybe that's a good thing, although the time is ever-present on my computer screen and cell phone!
Third - a family holiday trip to a cottage in the Transkei where there are no shops, no cell phone reception and no TV. I know the perfect cottage near to the Qora River where you can go fishing, paddling, walking and swimming and there's plenty of time for chatting, laughing and breathing. I'm really not anti-social - just need a bit of time off the hamster wheel!
(Who would be an editor? Tom Sutcliffe)
FROM GREG CARSTENS THE SECOND KEENEST FLY FISHER YOU EVER WILL COME ACROSS
1. At this time of the year with things getting really busy and all going pear shaped, number 1 on my list would be a month-long fly fishing trip. The destination would have to be Rhodes and surrounds. A good motorbike, a generous selection of tackle and weather and water flow to match is all I need.
I have fished in many countries, but the beauty of Rhodes is the wide open space, the friendly people, the familiar fact that you're still in South Africa but disconnected from responsibility. The freedom is so tangible you can feel it, smell it and taste it in the cool clear water. to make this the ultimate trip I would throw in a couple of days spent steam side with Tom Sutcliffe gleaning a world of knowledge and understanding, observing the gentle art by one if it's finest practitioners not to mention the in-depth photography sessions!
2. Second would definitely be art and literature on fly fishing; a whole collection of books from across the ages, some fine watercolours and sketches from fellow fly fishermen. These are the things that connect me to streams across the world and the shared consciousness that embodies fly fishing.
3. Thirdly, I would choose something hand crafted; another Dugmore Freestone bamboo rod, perhaps a Mario Geldenhuys net or just a really good hat.
Sorry my list is not very object orientated. As I evolve, and this may be presumptuous, I find myself drawn closer to the essence of fly fishing and further away from the tools I use. Most of all I would wish that all fly fishers find the time they need to be wide open spaces in pursuit of happiness.
FROM PETER HAYES, AUTHOR OF ‘FISHING OUTSIDE THE BOX’
I've just got the first one:-
1. A new right hip, received with grateful thanks!
2. Second would be enough money to fly first class to New Zealand and hire choppers.
3. Third would be a really good pole camera to record hatching fly and feeding fish.
No point in not being ambitious...
FROM IAN COX, ONE OF KZN’S LEADING FLY FISHERS
Keeping it modest, i.e. Boshoff rods and trips to Wyoming excluded;
1. A Terenzio silk line 2#wt;
2. Mike Valla’s latest book, The Founding Flies; and
3. Peter Hayes ‘Fishing outside the Box’.
FROM AGOSTINO GAGLIO – ONE OF THE BEST RIVERSIDE CHEFS YOU COULD MEET
Agostino on a Cape stream (Photo Tom Sutcliffe)
1. Firstly I would definitely not mind sharing some mountain streams with my close friends.... and of course where the food is good too!
2. Secondly, maybe getting in a lap or two in a Formula One Ferrari...
3. And lastly, getting to see the earth from outer space. I think that must be a life changing experience!
That’s pretty much it I suppose. The first one I’ll make sure happens with or without Santa. As for the other two, well that’s why they are Santa wishes!
One of Gaglio’s light streamside lunches (Photo Tom Sutcliffe)
FROM JONATHAN BOULTON, CEO OF MAVUNGANA FLY FISHING
What a good idea…
1. An Orvis Helios Zero Gravity 2, 9 foot 7 wt, the lightest in its class on the planet, my new ideal tigerfish rod for someone whose shoulder is giving up in old age!
2. The Smiths Chroma Pop amber lenses – I have tried a fair number of glasses on the pond outside the shop and these lenses don’t eliminate glare, they eat it for breakfast!
3. Here is the clincher, but one has to dream; A Chris Bladen sculpture ¼ size replication of my Lake Nasser Record 70 pound Nile Perch on fly. Firstly I could not afford it and secondly Sarah wouldn’t allow it at the head of the bed!
FROM CRAIG THOM CEO OF STREAM X FLY FISHING AND NETBOOKS
Craig Thom (Photo Tom Sutcliffe)
1. Wychwood River & Stream 2/3 weight reel.
2. Stephen Boshoff 2wt bamboo rod.
3. Ark Dragonfly kick/row boat combo
TONY KIETZMAN, GUIDE, ARTIST, BOTANIST AND RHODES RESIDENT
Photo Tom Sutcliffe
I have all the toys I’ll ever need. My wish list unfortunately won’t benefit the tackle industry.
1) I’d like to catch a brook trout and,
2) A steelhead, both in their own habitat.
3) I’d like to fish a small stream with my mate Ed Herbst again.
MARCUS JANSSEN, DEPUTY EDITOR, FIELDSPORTS MAGAZINE & THE SCOTTISH SPORTING GAZETTE
What a task to narrow this down to three items! Now that the global recession is coming to an end, I'm assuming that things at the North Pole are looking up and that Santa is feeling a bit more flush than he has been for the past few years...
1. A Chris Clemes Harmony split cane rod, probably about a 7ft 5wt. See: http://chris-clemes-rodmakers.myshopify.com/blogs/news/tagged/bamboo-fly-rods (Chris is a fellow South African and an all-round good guy).
2. Atlantic Salmon Magic, by Topher Browne. See: http://www.wildriverpress.com/Atlantic-Salmon-Magic-by-Topher-Browne.html
3. Simms, G3 stocking foot waders (my waders are knackered!)
MY OWN WISH LIST, ALWAYS HOPING SANTA’S IN A GOOD MOOD –
1. First, supposing that Santa could turn back the clock, I would like any one of the following:
A day with artist Winslow Homer watching him paint an angler on a stream,
A day fishing with and talking to author and fly fisher John D Voelker (Robert Traver), author of Trout Magic and more...
A day on the Avon watching the master, Frank Sawyer.
2. If Santa happens to have his magic wand handy could he please also give me the following?
The encyclopaedic fly fishing knowledge of Ed Herbst, the writing skills of Roderick Haig-Brown or Nick Lyons (either will do), the on-stream nous of Fred Steynberg, the gift to paint as well as Winslow Homer, the ability to concentrate on a stream like Jacques Kallis on a cricket pitch, the creative genius behind a camera of Billy de Jong, the selfless fly fishing spirit of Mario Cesare, the ability to cast just half as well as Peter Hayes and finally, the dexterity to tie delicate dry flies with the skill of Agostino Roncallo.
3. Lastly, I would wish that all the wishes every one of my mates have dutifully recorded in this three part series will, by some miracle, come true. It needs a quantum leap of faith I know, but one wish has already come true and that was Phil Hills’s first choice of a copy of Fred Bowker's Trout Fishing in South Africa. Paul Curtis immediately penned me an email to say he has a spare copy and is posting it to Phil.
See what I mean?
Tom Sutcliffe
