Tying For Success
The Complete Fly Fisherman|October/November 2019
IAN COURYER gives a few tips on making your fly-tying sessions more enjoyable and how to up your game on the water when it comes to fly selection and having faith in a pattern.
Ian Couryer
Tying For Success

As the weather warms after our short winter, I find myself staring with longing at a panoramic shot I took last season of the Lambonja River valley looking up towards the towering peaks of the escarpment. With the Vaal still on the back burner for me, thankfully river trout season is here again. Although at many places now there doesn’t seem to be a closed season, I, for one, always feel the trout do deserve some respite. Part of the fun of fishing is looking forward to something new and restocking the scant overused boxes with fresh rows of new hopefuls. As each fly is meticulously and lovingly made, a plan of action is devised and the all-important mojo and confidence is built in with each perfect twist of dubbing – something that I find is absent in mass-produced flies.

This story is from the October/November 2019 edition of The Complete Fly Fisherman.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October/November 2019 edition of The Complete Fly Fisherman.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE COMPLETE FLY FISHERMANView All
It's Called Evolution
The Complete Fly Fisherman

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.

time-read
4 mins  |
Jan/Feb/Mar 2021
At The Gates Of Antarctica
The Complete Fly Fisherman

At The Gates Of Antarctica

Mauritia Kirchner falls in love with the far­flung Falkland Islands.

time-read
7 mins  |
Jan/Feb/Mar 2021
Six Of The Best Largemouth Flies
The Complete Fly Fisherman

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.

time-read
10 mins  |
Jan/Feb/Mar 2021
Ascending caddis pupa
The Complete Fly Fisherman

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.

time-read
4 mins  |
Jan/Feb/Mar 2021
In Search Of Natal Yellowfish Top Scaly Rivers Of Kwazulu-Natal
The Complete Fly Fisherman

In Search Of Natal Yellowfish Top Scaly Rivers Of Kwazulu-Natal

Carl Freese shares his favourite home rivers for hunting KZN scaly.

time-read
8 mins  |
Jan/Feb/Mar 2021
A Rod Maker's Thoughts: Why Bamboo?
The Complete Fly Fisherman

A Rod Maker's Thoughts: Why Bamboo?

Stephen Boshoff elaborates on his passion for bamboo.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Jan/Feb/Mar 2021
Rhodes AN ICONIC TOWN AND HOME TO fly fishing legend: Fred Steynberg
The Complete Fly Fisherman

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.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Jan/Feb/Mar 2021
The TCFF Charity Initiative: FLY FISHERS GIVING BACK
The Complete Fly Fisherman

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.

time-read
2 mins  |
Jan/Feb/Mar 2021
IN MEMORIAM: Gunga Donn
The Complete Fly Fisherman

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.

time-read
7 mins  |
Jan/Feb/Mar 2021
In pursuit of Weza
The Complete Fly Fisherman

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.

time-read
5 mins  |
Jan/Feb/Mar 2021