Zen and the art of fly fishing.

Fishing on ones own every now and then should be important to every angler, especially the contemplative type. Fishing with a companion has its merits, but is only when fishing solo that the 'Zen' moments occur. Fishing alone allows you to focus on what you are doing without interruption, and is hard to beat. When a solo trip coincides with one of those days when the weather is good, the breeze is upstream, the fish are willing, they love your fly and you can do nothing wrong, it is even better.

While I may not understand the true deep meaning of Zen, I believe it is that moment on the river when you are confident about your set-up and fly, you stop concentrating, stop thinking, and just be in the moment, rhythmically casting into all the right places without a concious thought. When a fish takes your fly while you are in that 'auto-pilot' mode, there is no thought process that says 'lift your rod', or 'do this', it just happens seamlessly and effortlessly.

You snap out the reverie only when the fish is tight on the line. Suddenly the world comes back into focus, your senses are heightened, the sound of the river rushes from the background, back into your ears. The light sparkles brighter off the water, and the splashes of the fish launch bright stars into the air. You sense the coolness of the water as you slide your hand down the leader to release the fly. The fish looks prettier and better proportioned than any you have ever seen, and you watch in quiet reverence as it swims back into the current.

You realise the good moment wasn't when when you hooked the fish or even when you released the fish with a spoken or inward 'thank you'. You were 'in the moment' or experiencing 'Zen' while you were fishing confidently, but more so at the moment you stopped trying to catch fish and just fished.

This is the moment when your mind is clear and you are at peace with yourself and engrossed by your surroundings, when the background sounds of the river and the birds kind of fade way into the distance; your focus is on your fly but also everywhere else at the same time. You are not moving your casting hand or arm, it is just happening; the fly is landing where your mind would say it should be if it was working. At that point you almost become a spectator to yourself from within yourself. At that moment, you are in a meditative and enlightened state and part of the environment that surrounds you. 

Isn’t that why you go fishing?

Czech Nymph Spiral Indictor


Mustad Circle Streamer Stainless Steel Hooks

TFO BVK Rod's in 9ft 9wt

Stainless Steel dubbing Brush Wire
Available in .003 fine & .006 Medium R50.00


Release box for photographing fish in or out of the water
26x13.5x4.6 cm 4mm plexiglass R135.00

Events

Fishing safety.

Fishing alone can be a beautiful experience, but many people don’t do it, mainly out of fear of  disaster or calamity. “What if I break an ankle, or get my foot stuck?” In certain areas with easy access to the road and where there is  it is cellphone coverage it is no problem. If this is not the case it is certainly unwise to fish by yourself, as should something go wrong your options are very limited. When you do venture out, whether with someone or alone, always let someone know which beat you are on, and when you are expected back. That person should also know who to contact, not the emergency services, but someone who knows where the beats are.

Another idea is to carry an emergency blanket, a whistle and something that can reliably start a fire. You can keep this in your backpack permanently, or get one of those wading sticks with all the emergency kit inside them.

Tenkara: Radically Simple, Ultralight Fly Fishing
Kevin C. Kelleher, M.D. & Misako Ishimura Softcover, 160pg, 9.3 x 7.8 inc, 2011
With Tenkara, there is no reel & the line hitched directly to the end of the long rod, imparting an element of highly functional simplicity. At the same time, the Tenkara rig can turn over a cast of such grace that it nearly guarantees a light & effective presentation. Buy Online

DVD, Tapam: The Movie
Jan Bach Christinson & Daniel Goz Running time 30 min: English R360.00
There are still places to be found... Two guys venture far off the beaten track in their quest for large tarpon. Armed with fly rods and float tubes their journey takes the viewer into some of the most beautiful and remote parts of Central America - a place where giant tarpon prowl and the locals fish and hunt from dugout canoes. The adventure unfolds as the catch of a lifetime is documented with incredible footage of exhilarating close-up fights with giant tarpon, breathtaking scenery and wildlife as well as interaction with the locals. "Tapâm - a flyfishing journey" received the prestigious Drake Film Award "Best Fishing" in 2010. Buy Online

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