Things to do

TROUT ADVENTURES

Trout Adventures was born out of a love for fly fishing, being part of nature and having fun. Standing on the wall of a trout dam, in the cold, crisp early morning air. Watching the dawning sun brush the dark waters with its first rays, as the mist rolls off the surface. A swirl indicates the presence of your quarry. A cormorant, flying low over the water, is a momentary distraction. As your attention returns to the shadowy depths, you see him despite the dark, freckled camouflage on his back. A rainbow trout, fiery with gold and pink, his belly shimmering silver.

Most people think of fly fishing as boring; a hobby practised by stuffy old men in knitted caps. It's not like that at all. Even if you consider yourself athletic and well co-ordinated, learning to cast a fly is a challenge. It requires respect for the trout you're trying to catch because he is anything but gullible.

There is a vast difference between the art of fly fishing and other fishing; firstly, the reel you use merely houses the line, you play the trout with your hands. There is no smelly bait to offend your nostrils, no heavy sinker involved in casting. Instead it's purely the weight of the line matched with the weight of the rod and your skill, that sends your intricately- tied fly out across the water and lands it gently in the feeding grounds of the trout.

Choosing the right fly is dependent on weather conditions, water colour and breeding times, it is never an easy choice. My uncle Ray maintains that flies are designed to catch the fisherman and not the fish, with their wonderful colours and their complex patterns.

Once you have chosen your fly, the pleasure in fly fishing is unrivalled. Feeling your well-cast line loading in your rod and coming forward in a graceful motion over the smooth clear water. Seeing the water swell as a trout goes for your fly. The way your heart leaps when you feel him take his first run, and the thrill you feel when he leaps clear of his watery realm to show you his majesty; holding him in your hands unbelievingly, watching him take his first tentative feel of freedom, then disappearing as quickly as he appeared.

The magic of the Trout Adventure does not stop here. Being out in the country has a lot to offer. Going for a horse ride or hike, experiencing the indigenous fauna and flora, having new ideas, meeting new friends and having brand new experiences.

************************************************************************************************

HAVE YOU TRIED GETTING OUT OF CYBERSPACE INTO THE OUTDOORS AND HAVING SOME SERIOUS FUN, AWAY FROM SCHOOL, AWAY FROM HOME, AWAY FROM THE CITY?

THE TROUT ADVENTURE CONSISTS OF A WEEKEND IN THE PICTURESQUE MPUMALANGA. ALL INCLUSIVE IS THE FISHING TACKLE, MEALS, BEDDING, ACCOMMODATION, LICENSES AND TRANSPORT IS PROVIDED. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS COME ALONG WITH YOUR HAT AND SUNGLASSES AND ENJOY YOURSELF.

YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO SELECT FLY FISHING EQUIPMENT, HOW TO TIE FLY FISHING KNOTS, WHAT FLIES TO USE WHERE AND WHEN, CASTING AND OF COURSE LANDING YOUR TROUT, SMOKING YOUR OWN TROUT.

ENJOY A WALK ALONG THE WATERS EDGE, DISCOVER THE FASCINATING CREATURES THAT LIVE IN AND AROUND THE WATER, LIKE BIRDS, CRABS AND OTHER AQUATIC LIFE. TAKE PART IN EXCITING NIGHT WALKS, AND ADVENTURES GALORE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL GENEVIEVE ON 0824664170 OR EMAIL HER ON tradv@mweb.co.za.

At a loss what to do to keep the children interested
It's raining, and you're bored with games and videos? Doing the same things with the kids, day after day, weekend after weekend?

Mosey on down to your nearest CNA. In Gauteng, pick up "101 things to do with children in 702 land" - other centres have booklets with similar titles. Now it's only a matter of what to choose, maybe a Theatre Workshop, gaze in awe at caves, ride on a steam engine, ice skate, go hiking, gaze at the stars, dress up in fashion of days gone by, see how newspapers are put together, watch production teams in action at the SABC, try some trout fishing ...
the list is endless ...
all you have do now is have fun!