The long and winding dirt road between Barkly East and the quaint village of Rhodes brings back sweet memories. As bumpy as ever but in reasonably good nick, its rough 60km meanders through some of the most beautiful scenery you can hope to find just about anywhere. At the end of it lies peace, tranquility and access to some of the finest trout rivers in our country, so we relax and enjoy the drive. It’s been a while and memories come flooding back, but we are pleased to find that not much has changed – at least not where it matters.
We coast to a stop in front of Fred Steynberg’s house and, as I lift my hand to ring the bell, he comes around the corner with a big grin on his face. He looks much the same, the years having treated him kindly and apart from a wrinkle or two, it’s the same Fred that sat next to me on the aircraft to New Zealand more than 20 years ago. Many subsequent trips to Rhodes and elsewhere with him come to mind, but it is here, in front of his house in Rhodes, that he most looks like where he belongs. I can hardly imagine Rhodes without him or his wife Jill, who, as pretty as ever, also seems unaffected by age. We greet and exchange pleasantries, older and wiser.
Denne historien er fra Jan/Feb/Mar 2021-utgaven av The Complete Fly Fisherman.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra Jan/Feb/Mar 2021-utgaven av The Complete Fly Fisherman.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
It's Called Evolution
Our quarry constantly has to adapt to the everchanging conditions of their environment. It goes without saying then, that we, too, need to revise our fishing strategy to remain successful on any given day. Anton Hartman explains.
At The Gates Of Antarctica
Mauritia Kirchner falls in love with the farflung Falkland Islands.
Six Of The Best Largemouth Flies
FlyTying Field Editor Murray Pedder lists the top six largemouth yellowfish flies for the Orange, Vaal, Vanderkloof and Gariep dams.
Ascending caddis pupa
The ascending stage of a caddis makes easy prey for both trout and yellowfish – the reason why Arno Laubscher propagates tying a pattern that imitates it.
In Search Of Natal Yellowfish Top Scaly Rivers Of Kwazulu-Natal
Carl Freese shares his favourite home rivers for hunting KZN scaly.
A Rod Maker's Thoughts: Why Bamboo?
Stephen Boshoff elaborates on his passion for bamboo.
Rhodes AN ICONIC TOWN AND HOME TO fly fishing legend: Fred Steynberg
Like the prodigal son, we return to Rhodes to meet up with old friends and revisit rivers filled with memories and wild rainbows.
The TCFF Charity Initiative: FLY FISHERS GIVING BACK
After two and a half decades of publishing TCFF, we are honoured and blessed not only by the support of our readers, but also our industry in the main.
IN MEMORIAM: Gunga Donn
It’s always tough to lose a friend, but when that friend is a fishing buddy with whom you have shared boats, banks and lodgings, it is particularly distressing.
In pursuit of Weza
Sean I'Ons relates how it took 40 years for a story of a fishery and the people he got to know along the way to come full circle.
