flyfishing south africa Archives

Final Practice for the World Championships of Flyfishing 2019

February 20, 2019February 8, 2019 by Jeff

I’m a firm believer in practicing before a tourney and learning as much as you can about the waters you’re competing on. But I’m also convinced you shouldn’t overdo it. It’s important to enjoy the training time, get rest and have a good time. This morning most of us went out on the Nooitgedacht Dam … Read more

All of Team USA Flyfishing Arrived in South Africa

February 19, 2019February 7, 2019 by Jeff

I heard a clambering outside my door around 2 AM this morning. It was the guys getting in after yesterdays long day of yellowfishing and picking up Mike Sexton and Pete Erickson from the Johannesburg Airport. Pete’s flight was screwed up and he came from Europe and landed at 10 PM instead of 4 PM … Read more

An Education Fishing the Sterkfontein Dam

December 26, 2015November 27, 2015 by Jeff

A horrible front has moved in. The strength of the wind is the same as yesterday yet it’s done a complete about face. Our temperature has dropped from an enjoyable 75° to a miserable 55° so with the wind it’s no less than horrifically cold. Yet we’re at the renowned Sterkfontein Dam to fish for … Read more

Fly Fishing for Bass in South Africa

December 26, 2015November 16, 2015 by Jeff

The sounds around camp here on the Gourits River in South Africa last night put me in a deep sleep. Granny and I were serenaded by frogs, birds, jackals and more all night long. I woke up bright at 5 AM and made some instant coffee and kicked back and worked on the blog while … Read more

Fly Fishing the Gourits River of South Africa

December 28, 2020November 15, 2015 by Jeff

Our South African adventure isn’t a week old yet and we’ve done lots. We have our travel groove on thanks to Craig and Coreta Smith. They’ve shown us a beautiful piece of the Garden Route along the coast of South Africa. But today Craig and Coreta drove us north away from the sea and into … Read more

Another Great Day Fly Fishing the Salt in South Africa

December 26, 2015November 14, 2015 by Jeff

We said bye to Knysna, South Africa early this morning and traveled with Craig and Coreta west over an hour to visit their friends Chris and Teresa. Their friends have a house on top a cliff overlooking the ocean about a half hour past the famous Mossel Bay. Their view is stunning. We’re staying here … Read more

Fly Fishing for Spotted Grunter in South Africa

December 26, 2015November 13, 2015 by Jeff

There was barely a cloud in the sky this morning when we left Craig and Coreta’s house for fishing. Today was an exploratory in search of tailing spotted grunter. Craig knew of some flats about a half hour from Knysna, South Africa which put us at a river mouth and estuary near Sedgefield. The entrance … Read more

Contact Jeff

I started fly fishing at age 7 in the lakes and ponds of New England cutting my teeth on various sunfish, bass, crappie and stocked trout. I went to Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, where I graduated with a Naturalist Degree while I discovered new fishing opportunities for pike, muskellunge, walleyes and various salmonids found in Lake Superior and its tributaries.

From there I headed west to work a few years in the Yellowstone region to simply work as much as most people fish and fish as much as most people work. I did just that, only it lasted over 20 years working at the Jack Dennis Fly Shop in Jackson, WY where I departed in 2009. Now it’s time to work for "The Man", working for myself that is.

I pursue my love to paint fish, lecture on every aspect of fly fishing you can imagine and host a few trips to some of the most exotic places you can think of. My ultimate goal is to catch as many species of fish on fly possible from freshwater to saltwater, throughout the world. I presently have taken over 440 species from over 60 countries!