THE MISSION FLY MAG - ISSUE 48

ISSUE 48 NOV/DEC 2024

Cover: In New Zealand, when people tell seemingly tall stories about trout the size of their legs, they're not telling porky pies. Photo. Álvaro G. Santillán

34. YELLOWTAIL ON MARS

Caught between worlds - that of heathens and clowns, and any puritanical fly-only instincts he might have once held

- LeRoy Botha had to make a call. What's a soul worth anyway?

42. SLAP AND WIGGLE

Beckoned to a remote stretch of the lower Vaal River run by Diamond River Outfitters, Platon Trakoshis and Jazz Kuschke discovered treasure: big, elusive largemouth yellowfish, and other hidden gems.

54. MEETING THE KING

We sometimes tell ourselves that we have no expectations from a trip and that, whatever happens, we will be happy just to be there. That was Ewan Naude's approach on a recent trip to Gabon, but then tarpon pitched up and everything changed.

66. NEW ZEALAND - RECURRING DREAM

Writing from the comfort of his desk in Spain, photographer Álvaro G. Santillán reminisces about his multiple journeys into the land of elves, orcs and monstrous trout.

96. BIKEPACKING AND FLY FISHING 101

Taking your life with you on a bike means minimising your setup to the bare essentials, and if you're making films and fly fishing like Will Phelps, then that means making compromises.

REGULAR FEATURES

18 Chum
22 Munchies
24 Wish List Fish
26 High Fives
84 Salad Bar
94 Pay Day
104 Lifer
110 Pop Quiz

The Hunt for Red Kobtober. Conrad Botes nabs a fine Breede River kob off the ledges after dark. Photo. Martin Ferreira