Ladies

Ladies 

Competitive and Recreational Ladies fly fishing in South Africa is experiencing continual growth both on and off the water.  We have an annual Ladies National event which is fished on either, or both, rivers and stillwaters pending on the hosting area. Ladies and Younger girls can also fish in the Masters or Youth divisions respectively.

SAFFA Ladies Co-Ordinator & Protea Team angler, Amy Visser, is pro-active in organising online fly-tying workshops and fishing events for ladies at all levels of experience in South Africa. With our Ladies teams fishing the Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championships for many years, 2022 saw the first Fips-Mouche Ladies World Championship Event held in Norway, where South Africa was represented by a Protea Ladies Team. SAFFA is now able to enter a Worlds team annually as well as a second team bi-annually to the Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championship.  We look forward to more exciting developments in Ladies fly fishing throughout the country with the addition of an increasing number of social ladies fishing festivals to the seasonal calendars across SA.

"I have put together something that will help answer some of the questions about competition fly fishing for the ladies looking to join. Lots of learning, fishing opportunities and friends on this journey."  Amy Visser

Click here to find the FAQ LADIES DOC

Ladies Nationals

2024 Ladies Nationals were held on the Vaal River at Vaal de Soleih with fishing secured on three scrum format sectors within a 30 minute drive of the hosting venue. Targeting small & largemouth Yellowfish, conditions were hot, tough and fishing was not too easy on the Ladies. Still, some good fish came to the nets, the largest being caught by Sabrina Cirone and the most fish by Marlise "Blom" Heyns, all  keeping the enthusiastic young controllers busy. The ladies banter and camaraderie kept the teams up-beat and working hard for their fish. There were also demonstrations during the session breaks of  nymphing techniques by current Ladies team coach, Matt Rich, so our Ladies division is always developing and upskilling. Gauteng North A team were once again too strong to beat taking the Wildfly Team trophy and team gold medals, but going in to the final session it was game on between the top ladies, with Marlise Heyns focusing extra hard to secure the Individual Gold for a second consecutive year. Kristine Page took Silver and Amy Visser  Bronze.

*Fly tying award from Shaun Dickson and Xplorer - Lucinda Van Niekerk
*Biggest Fish award from Wildfly - Sabrina Cirone(EC)

*Most Fish (42)- Blom Heyns(GN)
*Best newcomer from Stream and Sea - Alecia Hilt (WP)

 

2024 SA Ladies Team

The 4th Fips-Mouche Ladies World Championship took place in Vyssi Brod, Czech Republic in May 2024. Our Ladies were put through their paces on and off the water at team selection trials following the 2023 Ladies Nationals in Dullstroom. Congratulations to our Ladies selected to participate in the CZ - Amy Visser, Amy Tough, Lucinda van Niekerk, Bianca Viljoen & Jonina Fourie, with Coach Matt Rich & Manager David Karpul selected into the Management roles.
With CZ, France and Australia taking the podium positions, our Ladies team put in a good performance to finish 6th overall. Amy Tough landed the biggest fish of the Championship with an 80cm Pike.
Invaluable experience was gained by both the anglers and management to be shared and to be put into practice on our home waters as we strive to grow our sector of Ladies fishing both technically and socially. Supporters back home eagerly followed the event via live whatsapp feeds from the river banks..
"It's been exciting, interesting and riveting following your journey. I am inspired and this has motivated me to keep growing and learning. Thank you Matt & David for bringing it closer to home for us" - Bridgit Stegen , Women in Waders angler.

2025 will see two Ladies Teams touring Internationally to the Commonwealth and World Championships respectively.

Our teams are selected after  technical evaluation during and after Nationals, and points being  combined with the three year National Rankings.

2023 SA Ladies Teams

A SASACC Mixed team, including four of our long-time lady anglers Maureen Brits, Renthia Heyns, Marietjie Davies & Marlyse "Blom" Heyns represented South Africa at the Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championship held in June'23 on the Isle of Islay, Scotland. The Scottish lochs proved to be challenging fishing in the strong winds, but our Ladies don't give up and pushed
through the gusty conditions, continuing to give their best performance.