THE MISSION FLY MAG - ISSUE 53

ISSUE 52 JULY / AUGUST 2025

Cover caption: Etched into the cottage walls of Vrederus Wild Trout, evidence of Tom Sutcliffe's final trip to the Eastern Cape Highlands (augmented by a drone shot of the photographer's vehicle following the same dirt roads Tom did).

Photo by Matt Kennedy

26. IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK

Following in the footsteps of acclaimed South African fly fishing author Tom Sutcliffe, Matt Kennedy explores the magic valleys

34. C IS FOR SERIOUS

Maligned and possibly misunderstood, comp fishing has fair numbers of both fans and detractors. To understand what it is, why it gets on some people's tits and whether any of the criticism is valid, Tudor caradoc-Davies dives in deep.

44. THE GHOST AND THE DARKNESS

Rafting down the Kalungwishi River in northern Zambia in search of blue yellowfish, Leonard Flemming leared about the threats lurking in this stunning river but also the existential

56. BULLS IN A CHINA SHOP

Redfish in Hong Kong? What next, tigerfish in the Bayou? Lured in by bulls, but alert for BS, Matt Kennedy investigates what local angler Martin Connell has been getting up to

84. WANDS - ROD REVIEWS

The Mission has had some rods come through its doors recently, so we sent them straight back out again with our crew of contributors to test and best them in a three-part rod review.

REGULAR FEATURES

08 Ed's Letter
14 Chum
18 Booze, Beats & Munchies
20 High Fives
72 Salad Bar
80 Pay Day
92 Lifer
100 Pop Quiz

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