TCFF | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 | 3I
n this difficult economic climate many industries, especially
small businesses, are being hard hit, some to the extent
where it will be difficult to recover. In times like these it is
hard to remain positive but, as they say, there is always light at
the end of the tunnel, you just have to believe in yourself. Put in
another way, passion for what you do or believe in can go a long
way to making sure that things will take a turn for the better. It
takes only a few individuals to stoke the fire of passion before
it catches on, for passion is infectious. It is also an essential
ingredient for any industry to survive.Take the NFFC and guys like Andrew Fowler, as an example.
Their passion for trout, the environment and fly fishing in
general is an illustration of what can be achieved if the will is
there. They have managed not only to save some of our precious trout rivers from the
harmful effects of alien vegetation and habitat degradation, but are also well on their way
to restoring them to their former glory. Their unselfish efforts and labour should not go
unnoticed and other clubs and fly fishers countrywide can use them as role models to embark
on actions for the protection, preservation and betterment of our fisheries as a whole.In line with our series promoting the local industry, this month we again shine the spot-
light on two local venues, and, as you will note, they offer different experiences, but both are
top-class destinations. This is due, in part, thanks to passionate management that elevate
them above others. On the bespoke side, we have some very talented net-makers in the
country; guys like Shaun Futter and Andrew Savs come to mind. Shaun also makes beautiful
fly boxes and we interviewed him for this issue. Shaun’s dedication and commitment comes
to the fore as you will see in the interview, and owning one of his creations is now on my
wish list. Handmade tackle is something to be treasured, for it’s just in a different class.Still on the topic, where will you find a more passionate and dedicated fly fisherman,
author, artist and photographer than Tom Sutcliffe? He needs no introduction, and his
contribution to our industry has been immense. We recently exchanged a few e-mails and
Tom kindly sent us a copy of his latest book, Yet More Sweet Days. As one of the icons of the
pursuit, his latest book was eagerly awaited by all, myself included of course. Tom is excep-
tionally talented in more ways than one, and everything he puts a pen to is always well worth
reading. At the time of writing, I was well into the first chapter, so check out our next issue
for a full review of Yet More Sweet Days; I am really looking forward to finishing it.Speaking about books, we are putting the final touches to The Complete Book of Fly
Fishing for Yellowfishand indications are that it will be on the shelves in time for the
summer season. A first of its kind, it’s roughly 300 pages, and will answer most questions
you have about the species and the pursuit thereof on fly. We are taking pre-orders on a
limited printrun. For more details, e-mail us at [email protected] and check
out our Facebook page.Summer is knocking on the door and with quite a few trips in the offing it’s back to the
tying bench for me.See you on the water.EDITOrs cast
PJ Jacobs- Editor
PASSION IS KEY
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