SAFFA

ABOUT US

The South African Fly Fishing Association functions as the co-ordinating body for various Member Associations representing competitive fly anglers thus encouraging development in fly fishing be it at National, Provincial and learner level. We are a SASCOC & SASACC affiliate Federation.

SAFFA offers a platform for anglers across South Africa to become part of the organised sport structure through our affiliated Provincial Associations. Interested anglers in all  divisions(Youth, Senior, Masters & Ladies) can register and participate through their Province, from grass roots level into selected representative Provincial teams that participate in our SAFFA National events.  SAFFA Individual Ranking lists are updated annually following the results of Nationals,  allowing for the invitation of our top anglers to National Team selection trials.

SAFFA is affiliated to International bodies such as fips-Mouche  ensuring our participation into annual World Championships, and bi-annually we participate in the Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championships.

Our target species for competition fly fishing are Brown and Rainbow Trout, as well as our indigenous Small & Largemouth Yellowfish.

Want to see what our SAFFA Nationals are really all about?

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS SHORT FILM DOCUMENTARY COVERING 2025 SENIOR NATIONALS.

Filmed and Produced by Graeme Duane & his Earth Touch Team. This film follows the journey of South Africa’s top fly fishers, participating in a Provincial Team format at National level. The film also delves into the camaraderie and sportsmanship among competitors, illustrating that while the competition is fierce, there's a shared respect and passion for the sport of fly fishing and it's place in conservation and community support within the competition structure.

Our Next Event

Inaugural SAFFA Ladies Fly Fishing Open will be held at Verlorenkloof, Mpumalanga by SAFFA 23 - 25 May 2025. Any Provincial registered ladies encouraged to join in for a weekend of fun, camaraderie and skill-building on the water.

Check out our calendar page for updates on other upcoming events.

THAT'S A WRAP...

2025 Senior A Nationals was a tough one in the Southern Drakensberg area around Underberg KZN during early April. Unsettled weatherpatternshad plagued the Province and area forthebetter part of the whole season leaving organisors with little and late choices on securing good fishable waters.  Local Farmers and the UHTFC were helpful in assisting KZNFFA and the Nationals, although very challenging on most sectors, produced a successful result. Western Province took home the team trophy, with Central Gauteng and KZN in pursuit for Team Silver & Bronze. Brett van Rensberg (CG) proved his worth as one of our consistently top-ranked Protea anglers by taking the Individual Gold Medal and the Fishing in friendship award for 2025(voted by fellow anglers). Facebook for coverage and results.

2024 Youth Nationals was held at the end of September at Barkly in the Eastern Cape. Hosted by the Barkly East Angling Society,  it presented some tough conditions this year for the young anglers on the back of a massive weather front.  The event comprised four river sessions and a challenging bank rotating stillwater which produced low fish counts many blanks. Team KZN A led from the start and took the Team trophy with a comfortable win. Pete Louwrens from KZN showed his consistency and skill at being the top Protea at the World Champs in Czech Republic taking the Individual Gold at Nationals.

Head over to SAFFA Facebook for coverage of the event and results.

2024 Masters Nationals recently took place on the Vaal River. Hosted by NGFFA it was fished over five rivers sessions in a full scrum format. River conditions were good, and although the wind offered up a challenge to the anglers, plenty hungry fish were to be found, netted and recorded by excited young controllers on the sides. Eight hundred and ninety-six yellowfish measured, the largest caught by Sean Orr (661mm). Most fish (61) were caught by Individual Gold medalist Jacques Marais(KZN) and Team KZN took the overall Gold, keeping the trophy in the Province.

Find more coverage of the event and results on SAFFA Facebook or our website pages.

2024 Ladies Nationals wrapped up on the Vaal River at Vaal de Soleih in Mid October proving to be an awesome, although very challenging, event for the twenty-four Ladies particpating. They kept their focus battling it out to the end of a six session scrum-format, with the usual cheerful banter and support for one another unwavering. Gauteng North A finished with a solid win taking home the Team trophy once again, as did Blom Heyns as the Individual Gold medalist.

Visit our galleries & results pages, as well as facebook for more results and pictures.

5th World Masters Fly Fishing Championship

SAFFA successfully hosted the 5th World Masters Fly Fishing Championship in Dullstroom during February 2019. The Championship was held as one of the World Angling Games Disciplines.

In keeping with our many proudly South African sporting moments, the Individual Gold Medal was won by Richard Gorlei from Team South Africa Men. The Team Gold Medal was won by Spain.

View the Championship video here.