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Here at the Global FlyFisher we get offers to buy flies all the time. 95% come from Nairobi in Kenya.

This first DVD, in a series, is a documentary journey of the history of fly fishing in South Africa, providing lovely insight to the first trout that was introduced to the streams of South Africa and the evolution of fly tying in South Africa.

As South Africa is far removed from mainstream fly fishing destinations, some unique patterns developed over the years. In this DVD, the origins of the flies, unique to South Africa are tracked, and where possible tied by the originators of these flies or by fly fishers that have fished with the inventers of the flies.

When you speak to old timers about fishing for tigerfish on the Zambezi River they will tell you of driving along dirt roads, cutting a path through the forest to get access to the river. Lions still running wild, and while they fished elephants chased anglers away from the bank. This is not how it is today.

I have had the good fortune of fishing with several South African fly anglers over the years, and apart from being great anglers and very nice people (like most anglers I meet), they all left me with an impression of South Africa as a country with a rich variety of fishing opportunities from the saltwater of Durban Harbor over the stocked reservoirs to the streams in the mountains. Brown trout, rainbows, yellowfish, tigerfish and numerous saltwater species seem to be abundant and readily available in beautiful, lush landscapes.

Imagine a fish that takes a fly as readily as a trout, whether it is nymph, a wet fly, or a dry fly. Czech nymph style, wet fly swing, North Country style or upstream dry fly. Now magine that, pound for pound, at least twice as strong as a trout

When Dean Riphagan's book, "The South African Fly Fishing Handbook" arrived at my doorstep, I could only imagine what was inside the package. Would the book contain some patterns I could use in the States? Would the book contain some tips or re-enforcing basics that everyone could use? How about pictures of trout in Africa? When I think of Africa, I think of what the colonized press portrays: desert, elephants, zebras, lions...all the wildlife that a harsh winter in the States wouldn't take kindly to. And what about fishable trout water in Africa?