THE MISSION FLY MAG - ISSUE 51

ISSUE 51 MAY / JUNE 2025

Cover: A fin perfect juvenile skipjack (aka springer or ladyfish) caught by Hano Scholtz in a southern KwaZulu-Natal estuary. Photo Ross Kiggen

30. THE TRANSITION

Moving from "stink rods", as they put it, to fly fishing, Ross Kiggen and Hano Scholtz of Doba Productions rig up light saltwater outfits and show us their estuary evolution in the species smorgasbord of southern KwaZulu-Natal.

40. COMBAT SPORTS

On a fly fishing pilgrimage to Alaska, Rob Jeffries experiences the rite of passage of fishing a salmon run and lives to tell the tale.

50. MASSIVE ATTACK

Bad things never happen to you ... until they do. And, as Andrew Savides discovered when he came under attack at Sterkfontein Dam, even if you think you are prepared, shit can get very real, fast.

56. IN WITH THE OLD

We all love new and shiny things, but to eschew older clobber would be silly. So, to celebrate products that deserves a second or third life, we've put together a collection of our own: of thrift experts, menders, fixers and other people who believe as we do in reusing, repurposing and breathing new life into quality gear.

84. TO TAG OR NOT TO TAG?

A useful contribution to science or a clumsy yet well-intentioned way of doing damage to fish? Matt Kennedy investigates what the science of fish tagging is all about, and how a regular citizen scientist like yourself can get involved.

REGULAR FEATURES

10 Ed's Letter
14 Chum
18 Booze, Beats & Munchies
18 Wish List Fish
22 Undercurrents
26 High Fives
68 Salad Bar
80 Pay Day
92 Lifer
98 Pop Quiz

Peter Coetzee grimaces in his happy place, balls deep in the Angolan surf, fighting a 200lb tarpon. Photo. Andy Coetzee.

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